Rain review: how to disappear completely

The tension is also aided by the game's well-realized atmosphere. Rain takes place in an unnamed town that feels like something out of western Europe — cobbled roads, tiny houses crammed together on thin streets and a musical theme alternating between soft piano and jubilant accordion. It's not meant to be anywhere specific — as far as the game tells it, at least — but it struck me as familiar and welcoming. When this space that I found a strange attachment to was suddenly invaded by enemies eager for my destruction, it was all the more jarring and horrific.

Rain plays a constant tug of war between comfort and panic. At one point, I stumbled across a quaint church and enjoyed its peacefulness for a few moments before the murderous Unknown crashed through its gates. At another, I ran into a delightful circus, not as a child partaking in its glee, but because I had to rescue the girl from mortal danger. The penalties for getting caught aren't enough to frustrate — checkpoints pop up even mid-chase — but the momentum of the gameplay still controlled my emotions tightly, dragging me through to completion in a mere two sittings.

You could finish Rain faster than even that. It's not a long journey, and the collectibles you unlock to encourage replay upon finishing it are very much beside the point. But aside from a handful of moments spent waiting for a creature to pass or for the girl to react to a certain situation, Rain doesn't waste any time. It doesn't rehash the same puzzle types over and over or revisit the same parts of the city. It didn't allow me to get overly complacent or bored.