Konami doesn't give a fuck about Silent Hill

[4]

Yeah, we're getting a lot of Silent Hill releases in the span of a month, but where are the advertisements? Where is the push for previews or even a minor attempt at hyping up what was once a majestic flagship series? It's the same old bullshit like when EA pulled all support on Shadows of the Damned right under its release sealing the coffin. Even fans of the series weren't aware that Downpour had already come out. Combine this with IGN's abysmal 4.5/10 review and Downpour isn't going to sell whatsoever, hitting the bargain bins quicker than you can blink. And the greatest injustice of it all is that this is possibly the best Silent Hill since 3.

I don't want to go too much into the game, but I do want to cover some of the rights, wrongs, and misconceptions that there are. First off, and arguably most importantly, the audio is spot on. The music, which is not done by Akira Yamaoka(rather by Daniel Licht of Dexter fame), is incredible, and sometimes epic like the soundtrack to a spaghetti western. The composer also hits all of the right notes to fill you with dread when wandering the rain soaked streets of Silent Hill. And god help you when the storm comes down. All of the industrial clanks and machine churning is present when necessary, though not nearly as prominent. The soundtrack aims for more of a melancholy and moody approach, which is very suitable for the visual atmosphere of Downpour.

Trips to the dark side of Silent Hill have been unique and a complete blast thus far. These unfortunately few and far between moments have left me with the biggest grin on my face, and the biggest shit in my pants. Those two things not being mutually exclusive. When the real world melts away and you find yourself essentially in hell, it's not just rust and chainlinks and that's all the thought that went into it. There's a lot of mindfuckery, and some very trippy segments that remind me of why Silent Hill is a horror series worth experiencing. This is where the title shines the brightest. The town of Silent Hill itself is also a lot more open in that you can explore and find dozens of sidequests in a lot of the buildings, some of them being the highlights and scariest moments of the game. Don't worry, with your map in hand you won't get lost any more than you did in previous Silent Hills, and all the better with 80% less knob jiggling. There's just more to see, do, and have nightmares about the moment you step foot in the god forsaken town.

The game obviously isn't perfect, and there are a couple of wrongs that should be brought up. The most prominent issue with this game is the framerate stuttering that you'll get from time to time. Luckily, and oddly enough this doesn't seem to happen when you're in the middle of combat, but more when you're exploring certain areas, or when the game is autosaving. This isn't gamebreaking by any stretch, but the amount that it pops up is surprising, and should hopefully be patched out in the future(except it's Konami and Silent Hill, so probably not). There are also some minor control hangups with some hotspots that are too specific combined with hotspots that aren't specific enough, on top of a couple moments where Murphy will climb/crawl under an object when you get near it and you just wanted to walk around instead. There have also been fan complaints about the monsters, but I think the designs work aside from the random twitchy wolfman guy thing, and they also introduced the shadow dolls which are some of the best and scariest fucking things from the series. But I figured since the community has been so vocal about this aspect, I should forewarn you about it as well.

The one major misconception that should be discussed is the combat of Silent Hill. It always gets marked as a clunky worthless piece of shit battle system, and points are always taken away because of it. I don't think a lot of people understand that the battle system is purposefully something you need to fight with, because the struggle of the fight is what adds so much tension to the series. The fact that the gun reticule will jump around sometimes even in point blank range is proof that the battle system is not working with you, and it never has in Silent Hill. If you could swiftly dispatch of every enemy like in Dead Space or RE4, the tension of combat is almost nullified, and the scare completely relies on wtf it is that I'm fighting, and not whether I'll be able to survive or not. I welcome a horde of enemies in front of me in those games, I run away in fear with my heart jumping out of my eye sockets in Silent Hill. I know that defending the combat of Silent Hill by essentially saying that it's shit on purpose comes off as a useless fanboy response, but you'll either get it or you won't. The thing is, while it's not the easiest system to get along with, you can conquer it, and you will master it by the end. It's very much like Punch Out in that you need to attack, block, and counter-attack at the right times by feeling out the rhythms of each unique monster. Or fuck it, you can just run like hell for most of it.

Wow time to wrap this up...I feel that it's necessary to mention that this is a rare release in this day and age. This is a true survival horror title with the flavor of the 90's and early 2000's horror games. This is not a balls to the wall action fest where you suplex zombies and punch cookie shapes out of alien's chests with laser beams. This is that feeling of immense dread that only Amnesia has brought us in recent memory. In a recent podcast Rory pondered why he even plays these survival horror games given how anxious a person he is, and I've had the same thoughts as well. I've concluded that these games are our Dark Souls. The games that are difficult to push yourself through, that never really feel "fun" when you play them, but are ultimately so satisfying to conquer, and leaves you with a feeling of manly accomplishment that most games don't. I think fans of Silent Hill will be left with that very satisfaction upon completing this game, and then revisiting it for some of the literal rollercoaster like moments throughout. Great game so far, and definitely more effective at bringing Silent Hill to the modern age than Homecoming was. Go out, buy it, and support the series so we can see more. I mean shit, if Konami won't even support Silent Hill, who will?

[Jakanden]

Even fans of the series weren't aware that Downpour had already come out. Combine this with IGN's abysmal 4.5/10 review and Downpour isn't going to sell whatsoever, hitting the bargain bins quicker than you can blink. And the greatest injustice of it all is that this is possibly the best Silent Hill since 3.

Really? Because I think this game sucks balls and I am a Silent Hill fan.

The level designs are horrible (why am I in a goddamn MC Escher painting?), with some stupid barriers (Oh, I have to use this one specific long metal object lying on the ground to bring the ladder down and not the other long metal objects lying around right next to it) and far too many narrow beam tightwalk areas. The "omg run blindly from the red stuff chasing you in dark areas where you cant see shit" segments are also stupid. You mentioned the framerate issue which isn't just a minor point. It is far too constant and annoys the fuck out of me. It is also obtuse as hell (ive checked at a few video walkthroughs online to see if it is just me and I often hear "What am I supposed to do now??").

As far as the enemies, they have become 28 days later style in that that chase you down and often run faster than you. This, combined with a shitty combat system (it isn't to replicate the sense of frustration or some shit, it is just bad design) using breakable weapons that you can only carry one of is annoying. The shitty combat in the previous games was passable because you could just walk past most of the enemies or if you couldn't, most of them weren't running around like they were on speed (screaming banshees that stun you? Lovely!).

To top it all off, the game also isn't remotely freaky or scary and you can see most of the jumps coming a mile away (someone watched the "Blink" Doctor Who episode).

So I am sorry to say man, I disagree totally on this and I am with IGN's review (never thought I would say that). I love Silent Hill, but I just cannot stand this game. Maybe when I get back stateside I will try to finish it and have a different perspective, but I doubt it.

[gobbleskat]

Man alive can I not wait to chime in on this argument...I also can't wait to get the damn game.

[4]

Even fans of the series weren't aware that Downpour had already come out. Combine this with IGN's abysmal 4.5/10 review and Downpour isn't going to sell whatsoever, hitting the bargain bins quicker than you can blink. And the greatest injustice of it all is that this is possibly the best Silent Hill since 3.

Really? Because I think this game sucks balls and I am a Silent Hill fan.

The level designs are horrible (why am I in a goddamn MC Escher painting?), with some stupid barriers (Oh, I have to use this one specific long metal object lying on the ground to bring the ladder down and not the other long metal objects lying around right next to it) and far too many narrow beam tightwalk areas. The "omg run blindly from the red stuff chasing you in dark areas where you cant see shit" segments are also stupid. You mentioned the framerate issue which isn't just a minor point. It is far too constant and annoys the fuck out of me. It is also obtuse as hell (ive checked at a few video walkthroughs online to see if it is just me and I often hear "What am I supposed to do now??").

As far as the enemies, they have become 28 days later style in that that chase you down and often run faster than you. This, combined with a shitty combat system (it isn't to replicate the sense of frustration or some shit, it is just bad design) using breakable weapons that you can only carry one of is annoying. The shitty combat in the previous games was passable because you could just walk past most of the enemies or if you couldn't, most of them weren't running around like they were on speed (screaming banshees that stun you? Lovely!).

To top it all off, the game also isn't remotely freaky or scary and you can see most of the jumps coming a mile away (someone watched the "Blink" Doctor Who episode).

So I am sorry to say man, I disagree totally on this and I am with IGN's review (never thought I would say that). I love Silent Hill, but I just cannot stand this game. Maybe when I get back stateside I will try to finish it and have a different perspective, but I doubt it.

Oh man, I fucking love the Escher style puzzle areas, don't know what to tell you there. It's a little bit different in its approach, but it's more interesting than what The Room and Homecoming's "otherworld" had to offer. The hook being the only thing that I'm aware of that pulls down ladders is a little gay, but I've only come across two that required it. One being an entirely optional, but very nice little callback to a previous title. I like the almost bandicoot-esque running segments, but I'm from the school of Clock Tower love where running helplessly is about all you can do the entire time. They like to really fuck with you in those segments too with the doorways, hallway extensions, and weird camera depth visuals. I also said that the framerate issue is the most prominent in the game. I never said it was minor, in fact, I mention it deserves patching. The game being obtuse as hell is sort of subjective, as Silent Hill itself is always obtuse, especially in its puzzles. This game adds in a lot more free roaming with buildings you can actually go into and do a lot of sidequests with, so that could make it all the harder for you. Thing is, I personally haven't had to look up a walkthrough at all, and I'm constantly making progress. Not to rub it in your face....noob. jkz

Back to the combat system, that will always be a divide for people, because the argument that it's done on purpose is never enough for the frustrated gamer. But if you'll once again look to the way the reticule acts in this game...it was purposefully coded in to be like that. You can say it's a poor design choice, but that WAS the intended design choice whether you like it or not. Just like only having one melee and having to scramble for another when it breaks was the design choice on purpose. You can say it's bad design all you want, that's fine. But you can't say that "it isn't to replicate the sense of frustration or some shit," because all of the evidence is there to show you it is...or some shit. As for the melee combat, that falls more on the user than the game. Like I already mentioned, you will feel out the enemies and be able to block and counter attack them properly. It's very much like Punch Out. It'll either eventually click with you, or you'll just swing wildly and get buttfucked. I haven't had this issue with being outran by the enemies though. Any time I had to deal with 3+ enemies or I just didn't want to fight anything, I've been able to outrun it and the enemies eventually give up like GTA cops. Maybe I'm getting lucky in that aspect.

How scary the game will be from person to person is definitely subjective, but the game has been successful in setting the mood and instilling dread in me. I mean some people think Dead Space is the scariest game of all time, and that's like saying RE5 is the scariest game of all time in my eyes. But if you aren't being scared by the game, and you're being frustrated by everything else, you might as well just call it quits now. I mean there isn't any point to playing it. Just curious though, how would you rank the Silent Hill series in order of best to worst now that Downpour is out?

Man alive can I not wait to chime in on this argument...I also can't wait to get the damn game.

I get the feeling that your assessment will be along the lines of "Well...it is the best Silent Hill since 3. But that's not really saying much." And that would be fair. I'm not trying to make the argument that this is an amazing game, because it isn't. It's another one of the latter awkward Silent Hill titles. But of that particular bunch, I think this one rests on top.

[Jakanden]

I have finished every Silent Hill and this is the only one besides 4 that has frustrated me this much. I specifically elaborated on the combat system being worse than ever due to the enemy changes. I am fully aware the combathas always been shit, but it was never really an issue until now. I just flat out disagree about the chase segments. They dont create any tension for me and are simply annoying as fuck.

Brief post as i am on my phone at the airport

[4]

I can definitely see how the combat is worse off because it demands a little more input while still being as clunky as ever. Usually you can just swing a pipe and chug drinks when necessary, but having to get the blocks in and watching out for immobilizing moves makes it all the more difficult. Especially when you decide to hold your ground against them and they attack relentlessly. But I still haven't had a moment when I had to run away and wasn't able to eventually outpace the monsters leaving them standing in place and disappearing in the fog. I enjoy the chase sequences not because they're tense, I just find it fun how they force you to think on your feet while constantly fucking with you. That type of video game trope is completely love it or hate it though. I think most people find them to be annoying as fuck. They can be good when done right though, and I'll see if they get really bad later on. You still didn't rate the series from best to worst brah. Have a safe flight

[4]

As a sidenote, if you pick up the game after the fact and you still want the pre-order weapons, they used universal codes for all three pre-order bonuses. This is because the items are obtained in game at random lockers sprinkled throughout. The contents of the locker changes depending on what code you put in, so here they are ripped right out of GameFAQs

Unlock Nail Gun and Double Axe 171678
Unlock Pistol 45 and Baseball Bat 353479
Unlock Rifle and Golf Club 911977

I entirely regret giving any money to Gamestop now just because I wanted the nailgun. I could've gotten it the whole time sigh...

[shadowdancer21b]

I just wanted to say that the red light of doom was the worst part of part 3, and as always fuck The Room.

[Jakanden]

You still didn't rate the series from best to worst brah. Have a safe flight

2
3
1 (it would have been above 3 years ago, but it hasn't aged well)
Shattered Memories
Homecoming
Origins
4

I won't put Downpour on this list until I finish it, but right now it is tied with 4.

[Midnightlight]

Ever since Team Silent stopped being apart of the series, I almost feel as if all the games afterwards have been fan fiction.

Also, I have mixed feelings about Downpour. The opening tutorial left a bad taste in my mouth because one of the first things I was doing besides walking and learning to interact with the environment was fighting.


And fuck balancing on shit. I died twice because of that.

[Jakanden]

And fuck balancing on shit. I died twice because of that.

Did I not mention that in my "Fuck this game post"? If not, yeah fuck that shit.

[gobbleskat]

Got up to the Devil's Pit observation deck last night. Loved everything so far except for the combat. The combat sucks, and not in a clunky, survival horror, 'your everyman character can't defend himself' kind of way. That shit needs a lockon if its going to be so insistent on timing attacks and guards.

More after tonight.

[Midnightlight]

You know what I miss?

Fixed Save points.

[gobbleskat]

Never mind, you can totally lock on. The combat just got waaay better. I'm dispatching enemies with little effort. I'm feeling pretty comfortable with the controls, but remapping block to RT would help a lot.

I'm pretty over fixed save points, honestly. They aren't necessary for a good horror experience, and their exclusion eliminates the 'horror by lost progress' phenomena that usually accompanies these games. I think they tend to be an archaic device, especially when resource management doesn't seem to be a big part of the game to begin with.

[Midnightlight]

I'm pretty over fixed save points, honestly. They aren't necessary for a good horror experience, and their exclusion eliminates the 'horror by lost progress' phenomena that usually accompanies these games. I think they tend to be an archaic device, especially when resource management doesn't seem to be a big part of the game to begin with.

It's not so much the fact that the game saves your progress automatically...well, it is. I was playing for 30 minutes earlier, and I died because I lost balance on one of the balancing segments. I just wish either you could pick right where to save your progress or they still had fixed save points.