Although the term interactive movie has been banded about since the dawn of video gaming, Fahrenheit is the closest any developer has ever come to earning the accolade.
In terms of narrative the game is stunning, thrusting players into a supernatural murder mystery that changes direction depending on the decisions you make, also allowing gamers to play the role of hunted killer and the cops on his tail to see the story unfold from different perspectives.
Fahrenheits slick presentation is also more like a Hollywood production than a traditional video game, the voice acting outshining many of todays movie-endorsed console spin-offs and helping players become attached to their digital alter egos, an experience heightened by Angelo Badalamentis haunting, omnipresent score.
But when it comes to the actual game, Fahrenheit will leave many players fuming; the in-game camera is one of the worst ever committed to CD draining all tension from dramatic scenes when the view swings in the wrong direction and the overly-simple action sequences where you hammer buttons or repeat simple patterns jar with the games cerebral puzzles and slow, deliberate pace.
Cinephiles looking for a deep, rewarding quest would be hard-pushed to find a better game this year, but players weaned on classic adventures like Resident Evil will be frustrated by Fahrenheits lack of gameplay polish.