I have no idea what Heavy Rain is about, but I like what the guy behind the game has said about it, which is that it will focus on a more personal story, a closer experience so to speak. No clue whatsoever what that will mean in regards to the actual game, or what quality the game will be, but I think that with every other game being about the world in some form coming to an end unless I pull off some heroic feat, something more personal and human is a welcome alternative.
I haven't followed Alan Wake at all. I know the developer has a good pedigree, and it looks very atmospheric, but I don't know anything about the actual game.