Silent Hill: Shattered Memories Talkback (Spoilers)

[Eddy]

http://gonintendo.com/wp-content/photos/SilentHillCover.jpg
http://gonintendo.com/wp-content/photos/scrr1.jpg
http://gonintendo.com/wp-content/photos/SH5.jpg

“This is a reimagining of the first Silent Hill,” explains producer Tomm Hulett. “It’s not a remake or a port. That’s an important distinction. It really feels like a new game.”
Source: http://gonintendo.com/?p=77596

I actually can't wait. I never got a chance to play the original Silent Hill.

[Desensitized]

I was actually just about to post this.

I remember really enjoying the original Silent Hill from what I played of it, a remake (or re-imagining) is just what the original game needed. I like the part of "every locked door leading somewhere", quite a few possibilities there.

In that same issue, they apparently gave Klonoa a 9.0, too. Which is great, cause I loved the original and it's nice that they didn't mess up the remake.

[ShadowGUN]

I take it the title is a reference to "Shattered Dreams" (Silent Hill 2). Cybil looks different, Harry, however, looks pretty much the same. The graphics look good though.

[Brad Redfield]

Is Harry wearing glasses in those scans? 'Cause he's looking a little Egon-ish in the first pic.

Its great to have a non-on-rail-shooter-survival-horror game on the Wii though.

...I want my Fatal Frame IV. :crying:

[ShadowGUN]

So apparently the game has no combat. Instead everytime a monster appears Harry runs away from them. Lame.

[Eddy]

So apparently the game has no combat. Instead everytime a monster appears Harry runs away from them. Lame.
Apparently the source for this is a Silent Hill Wiki page which, like Wikipedia, can be edited by anyone. So you can't really trust it unless they back it up with a source.

Even so, Silent Hill has never been combat heavy.

[Eddy]

Sorry to double post, but I felt this was important enough to bump this back up before it gets lost among all the April Fools jokes!

Some new info from Nintendo Power:

-Harry is moved using the control stick, the Wii remote is used to aim the flashlight -When you look at something Harry will vocally respond
-No load times
-The Wii remote acts as your cell phone, and the static noise comes out of the Wii remote speaker
-Combat has been removed from the game, you can only flee
-When the monsters chase you the Z button will allow you to break through doors, climb fences, through windows etc.
Source: http://gonintendo.com/?p=77624


So it looks like it really does have no combat. I actually think that sounds kind of cool. Having to flee from the monsters? Finding places to hide so they don't find you? Sounds like a true survival horror. Besides, Silent Hill has never excelled at combat.


I'm really happy to hear the Wiimote emits the static to warn about monsters. That was a feature I've been wanting since I first thought about a Silent Hill on the Wii.

[PC!]

I think the idea of simply fleeing is cool, too. It's a whole new concept to the survival horror genre that I think could be really enjoyable.

[Eddy]

Here are the full page scans from Nintendo Power. (http://www.true-gaming.net/boards/showpost.php?p=505443&postcount=37) The more I hear about this game the more excited I'm getting.

[Brad Redfield]

This actually sounds a lot like Clock Tower.

Getting chased by a monster through a hotel with no way to defend yourself...that would be really intense and actually drive up the fear factor in the game.

Which Silent Hill didn't need any more of in the first place. :p

[lovekieu]

I remember really enjoying the original Silent Hill from what I played of it, a remake (or re-imagining) is just what the original game needed. I like the part of "every locked door leading somewhere", quite a few possibilities there.

[Shawn Hopkins]

I don't like that change. Removing combat and forcing you to run and hide doesn't sound original. It sounds like the Clock Tower series and Haunting Ground (although you could do an incredibly weak kick in that). Besides, there are canon reasons for the combat. If anyone has played Silent Hill 3 I'm sure "They look like monsters to you?" will ring a bell.

[Eddy]

I really don't mind the removal of combat. Like I said, it was never the series strong point and this concept sounds more original than beating a monster with a 2x4 until it stops moving for the millionth time.

[Taekmkm]

This actually sounds a lot like Clock Tower.

But didn't you fight as a magical girl with light arrows, or was that just 3?

[Shawn Hopkins]

But didn't you fight as a magical girl with light arrows, or was that just 3?

That was just in 3, and that was just in boss fights. The rest of the game, you're pretty helpless except for an item you could throw to stun enemies, holy water.

Other Clock Tower games had events where you could occasionally throw an item at an enemy or something or get a pistol for a little while, but they were still mostly focused on running away and hiding and trying not to panic.

In Haunting Ground, sort of a spiritual sequel, they added more combat elements. You can kick and set some weak traps, but like other Clock Tower games (I haven't played the second PSX one, so it might be different) your character gets scared very easily and she will freak out and run around out of your control if she takes too much damage, so it's far better to run and hide. She does have a much better weapon in the form of a doggy companion, though.

It can be abused, though. You're supposed to kill the stalkers who serve as both level antagonists and eventually bosses by using the dog and the environment against them, but if you're patient you can kick some of them to death.

[Robin2099]

I really don't mind the removal of combat. Like I said, it was never the series strong point and this concept sounds more original than beating a monster with a 2x4 until it stops moving for the millionth time.

But you also never had to do combat either unless the game forced you to for the most part. Removing combat from this game is as stupid as removing combat from a RE remake. Besides, escaping from Pyramid Head because I hide under a desk doesn't sound really interesting.

[WolfieKiwi]

To me, combat felt optional until the boss battles came around. Most of the time, I would just run from place to place while conserving ammo for the big fights.

Still, I hope Shattered Memories will keep the boss battles anyhow. They could certainly have the player use some sort of other way to defeating them besides pumping in bullets. I mean, Silent Hill is supposed to be a psychological world, and personally, killing supernatural creatures in an "other world" with guns, crowbars, and axes...it feels out of place somewhat.


Besides, escaping from Pyramid Head because I hide under a desk doesn't sound really interesting.

I dunno really. Hiding from Pyramid Head was always my first initial reaction whenever I saw him. xD
But Pyramid Head doesn't make an appearance until Silent Hill 2, so I doubt he'd show up in a remake/re-imagination of the first Silent Hill. Yet...you never know.

[Shawn Hopkins]

To me, combat felt optional until the boss battles came around. Most of the time, I would just run from place to place while conserving ammo for the big fights.

Still, I hope Shattered Memories will keep the boss battles anyhow. They could certainly have the player use some sort of other way to defeating them besides pumping in bullets. I mean, Silent Hill is supposed to be a psychological world, and personally, killing supernatural creatures in an "other world" with guns, crowbars, and axes...it feels out of place somewhat.



I dunno really. Hiding from Pyramid Head was always my first initial reaction whenever I saw him. xD
But Pyramid Head doesn't make an appearance until Silent Hill 2, so I doubt he'd show up in a remake/re-imagination of the first Silent Hill. Yet...you never know.

You could see the fighting as a metaphor for staving off the personal demons that beset you so they don't consume your mind. The forms they take are all based on specific psychological traumas of the protagonists. Although, like I've already said, there is also evidence that what is happening might be weirder and more disturbing.

The first time Pyramid head actually notices you, you are locked in a room with him until you defeat him. So it's not like you can run away.

[Desensitized]

Anybody post this yet?


-You take a personality profile from a psychiatrist at the beginning. It asks questions ranging from making friends to those of "a more adult nature." This influences the story, as well as the way the monsters look.
-You carry around a touchscreen phone with the apps for marking locations or taking photos (which can reveal hidden things)

[ShadowGUN]

The personality profile sounds interesting. As for Harry having a PDA, I am all right with it as long as this game doesn't replace the original in the canon.

[WolfieKiwi]

You could see the fighting as a metaphor for staving off the personal demons that beset you so they don't consume your mind. The forms they take are all based on specific psychological traumas of the protagonists. Although, like I've already said, there is also evidence that what is happening might be weirder and more disturbing.

It's certainly plausible.

Spoiler tagged just to be safe.
I tend to view that Harry was already "consumed" once he was killed in that twisted back alley where he followed Cheryl, and from there, he woke up in Silent Hill.


The first time Pyramid head actually notices you, you are locked in a room with him until you defeat him. So it's not like you can run away.

Well I thought those stairs would lead me somewhere.. :sweat:

[Eddy]

I don't think it's fair to say "removing combat is stupid and this fleeing thing sounds unoriginal" until we actually see how it works out.

Also, I love the idea of taking a personality test which determines how the monsters look.

[Captain Highwind]

I've only gotten through the first half hour of SH2, so I'm pretty clueless on the series, but yeah, senselessly beating amorphic corpse blobs with a bat kind of kills the suspense. Running away's not really the answer either.

Maybe something creative like Scooby-Doo-esque traps are in order? X3

[Goodfellow]

Very funny April Fools joke Nintendo.

[ShadowGUN]

Sorry Goodfellow is not an April's Fool joke since Shattered Memroies is also coming to the PS2 and PSP (http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/06/silent-hill-shattered-memories-also-heads-to-ps2-psp/#comments).

[Shawn Hopkins]

Huh. It goes from another reason to buy a Wii to another reason I don't need to. They should have tried to get it as an exclusive.

[Eddy]

Huh. It goes from another reason to buy a Wii to another reason I don't need to. They should have tried to get it as an exclusive.
From the sound of things, the Wii version is being handled as the primary version of the game that they're putting most of their time and effort into, whereas the PS2 and PSP versions come off as afterthoughts.

Which is nice because usually it's the other way around.

[Captain Highwind]

I'll still get a Wii just for the interactive features of this version, and all of the Resident Evil remade shooters that will probably manifest by the time I buy it. ^^

[Eddy]

Some new information and screenshots, courtesy of IGN. (http://wii.ign.com/articles/971/971316p1.html)
- Harry has crashed on the side of the road while in a snowstorm.
- Harry’s daughter is missing, and he sets off into Silent Hill to find her
- game kicks off with in a psychiatrist’s office where we hear of a new patient arriving. After that exchange, we see Harry fall from his car into the snow just after his crash. We then flash back to the office with the psychiatrist talking to this new patient
- camera is first person during the office segment. You can look around while the psychiatrist talks
- you must fill out a psychiatric profile
- when asked questions by the psychiatrist, you can wave your Wiimote up and down/left to right to answer
- after this exchange you flash back to the accident with Harry calling for his daughter
- almost every decision you make impacts the game. For example, if you first choose to look at your map or a girlie calendar on the wall, the game makes note of this decision
- an example of early changes: as you fill out your profile, the game will present you with different situations. When walking through town, you might see an open bar or an open diner. These things change as you make more and more choices
- minus button to bring up your phone, which houses all sorts of important information
- use phone to dial, take pics, text, check voicemail, browse phonebook, changes options and settings (whose viewer shows a slowed framerate a la iPhone) to take and store pictures, check text messages and voice mail, look through your phone book, and access game options and settings
- take pictures of the environment to reveal new details: take a picture of a swingset with no one around it, look at the pic to see your daughter sitting on the swing
- pictures can cue voicemails and other occurrences
- game world changes from Silent Hill to evil Silent Hill right before your eyes
- no longer a hellish look…things are more ‘icy’
- static on your phone still clues you in as it did in past games
- stunning flashlight effects
- Nunchuk to walk, hold Z to run, C for 180-turn, A for actions, B-trigger plus A to pick items up, D-pad for phone, D-pad down to view behind you
- intelligent enemies will hunt you down, talk to other enemies to find you, open doors and climb fences
- one again, no weapons
- Harry talks to himself throughout the game to rehash info
- no load times
- camera filter returns from previous games
- flashlight will even light up snowflakes
- Wii is the lead platform

The more I hear about this game the more excited I get. It looks amazing, sounds amazing, and I'm very happy that the Wii is being treated as the lead platform for the game. This has already become one of my most anticipated games of the year.

[Peter Paltridge]

It's too bad this won't be released in North America. It'll be translated, but that version will only come out in Europe.

.......What? Who's not expecting this?

[Desensitized]

Nintendo's not publishing it, so there's a pretty good chance it'll make it over here.

[kenjisalk]

Hooray for senseless rewrites in a "remake" so that fans will be angered/disappointed!

Climax's writing talents are questionable at best (especially if Origins is any indicator), so from a story standpoint, I don't have high hopes.

Deeming the first game (which establishes vital plot points that are important to the foundation of the rest of the series) in need of "changing" really doesn't sit well with me, and considering plot and atmosphere are the series only real strongsuit, I'm not optimistic about this.

Obviously series newbs are probably going to like it, as there is a severe lack of these kinds of titles on the Wii, but as a fan of the games, I've been incredibly disappointed with the last few entries (Origins and Homecoming).

[Goodfellow]

Wait, Silent Hill is going to be icy instead of a Hell? That defies the entire purpose of Silent Hill. I'm done with this game before it even came out as it sounds like they are dumbing it down once again for the Wii babysitting audience. I bet they won't even let you choose to kill Cybil or not, she'll just live. AND WHY IS EVERYONE WEARING GLASSES??!!!

[Eddy]

First of all, this isn't rewriting the plot of the original game and just doing away with whatever happened in the original. It's a "reimagining" not a "remake", and yes, there IS a difference. They NEVER said the original Silent Hill needed changing and they're not out on a mission to do away with the previous games in the canon or disrespect the original Silent Hill. This is a new story using the characters from the original Silent Hill.

And Goodfellow, HOW do you the impression they're "dumbing it down for the Wii babysitting audience"? Like, how are you getting that vibe? At all? Because there's ice instead of rust for millionth time?

[Dark Fact]

If the game involves fleeing, how is this going to work for the boss battles?
Silent Hill's first boss battle involves Harry needing to use a shotgun to fight a side-mouthed lizard in the school's boiler room. The children's storybook in the school also attests to that metaphorically. Plus, what about the giant moth? Are you supposed to just run away from it?
Still the concept of the game's reimagining intrigues me. I mean, use the Wiimote as a cell phone? Can you imagine trying to order double cheese pepperoni pizza on it? :)

P.S. Konami, Konami, Konami! When are you going to learn that U.S. female police officers DON'T bare their cleavage in uniform? :rolleyes:

P.P.S. Is the voice acting at least better for this remake? The PS1's voice acting for the game was absolutely laughable at best considering how incredibly deadpan and unemotional it was. :rolleyes:

[Eddy]

P.S. Konami, Konami, Konami! When are you going to learn that U.S. female police officers DON'T bare their cleavage in uniform? :rolleyes:
Your actions in the game determine what other characters are like and what they do. I imagine that revealing outfit of Cybil's is the result of some choices you can make during the game. There's another shot of Cybil wearing an outfit that is much less revealing.

[Yash]

It's too bad this won't be released in North America. It'll be translated, but that version will only come out in Europe.

.......What? Who's not expecting this?
Nintendo Power wouldn't have revealed it if it wasn't coming to America.

Anyway, I'm somewhat interested. I've never actually played a Silent Hill game, so maybe this will be the one that pulls me in.

[ShadowGUN]

IGN (http://wii.ign.com/dor/objects/14325477/silent-hill/videos/_silenthillwii_gmp_walk1_060109.html) has the E3 walkthrough of Silent Hill Shatttered Memories. Looks impressive.

[Desensitized]

I just saw that walkthrough, and I am floored.

The whole time I kept thinking about what creepy thing would happen next. I think I might give this a come when it releases. :)

EDIT: After you watch that video, check out this walkthrough by G4 (http://e3.g4tv.com/videos/38691/Hands-On-Silent-Hill-Shattered-Memories-Demo-from-E3-2009)... You can actually see a few subtle differences from the IGN video.

[Miyamoto Musashi]

Do they always tend to remake "Survival-Horror" genere's for Nintendo consoles only? First "resident Evil" & now this?

[ShadowGUN]

E3 2009 trailer (http://www.gametrailers.com/video/e3-09-silent-hill/50852). Dahlia is a hottie :eek:? Gotta say didn't saw that coming. I just hope they don't turn Lisa into a old hag.

[CartoonOverlord]

I actually think characters themselves change due to your choices as well. Notice that Cybil from the walkthrough video and Cybil from the trailer act and look differently. I'll wait and see, I'm not too fond of games where you can't fight, but if they implement well enough I might play it. I would like another good Wii game after all.

[Robin2099]

I'm so torn on this one. I want to like it since I'm a Silent Hill fan boy, and the game looks good, but I just cant get past the lack of combat, and how SH is no an icy world for some reason. Really torn.

[Eddy]

People are still upset about the removal of combat? Something that Silent Hill has never excelled at?

Anyway, I can't wait for this. Easily one of my most anticipated games of 2009. By the looks of the trailer this game looks like it could be really, really scary.

[Robin2099]

People are still upset about the removal of combat? Something that Silent Hill has never excelled at?

Anyway, I can't wait for this. Easily one of my most anticipated games of 2009. By the looks of the trailer this game looks like it could be really, really scary.

Neither did Resident Evil, but you didnt see Capcom removing it from the GC remake.

[Desensitized]

Giant Bomb Quick Look (the first 35 minutes) (http://www.giantbomb.com/quick-look-silent-hill-shattered-memories/17-1774/)

Got to say, I'm really impressed. This is the type of game I always wanted from the survival horror genre. The adventure game elements look really fun, too.

[ShadowGUN]

Giant Bomb Quick Look (the first 35 minutes) (http://www.giantbomb.com/quick-look-silent-hill-shattered-memories/17-1774/)

Got to say, I'm really impressed. This is the type of game I always wanted from the survival horror genre. The adventure game elements look really fun, too.

I like adventure segments. The nighmare segments, however, are pain. I wish they kept the weapons to fight back against the monsters. Running away from them inside a maze is really annoying. Also wish they added a different enemies a well. Fighting the same looking monster is really boring.

[CartoonOverlord]

I got and beat the game last Tuesday. Have to agree with ShadowGUN about the exploration and the Otherworld segments. They really should have slowed the chase scenes down and turned it more into a stealth game. Overall, it may not have been very scary but it has a plot to rival, if not beat, 2's. The psych test changes were pretty neat and the characters were well done too. Overall it was quite a good game despite its flaws.

[G1Ravage]

I picked this up today. I found the controls during the Nightmare bits to be unresponsive. Like, I'd get attacked, and try to defend myself, but it wouldn't work immediately. And then, after finally breaking free, my Wiimote wouldn't register, and I'd be unable to run away, just basically spinning in circles until it was recognized again. Also came across some glitches where Harry would simply pass through doors without actually opening them first.

[Simpler Simon]

I picked this up today. I found the controls during the Nightmare bits to be unresponsive. Like, I'd get attacked, and try to defend myself, but it wouldn't work immediately. And then, after finally breaking free, my Wiimote wouldn't register, and I'd be unable to run away, just basically spinning in circles until it was recognized again.

I ran into the exact same issue, and when that happened the monsters usually got me before I could get the sync back again.

I'd probably be farther through this game if it hadn't froze on me during one of the nightmare sequences, and the thought of picking up from where I had last saved made me put the game down for a day. Really enjoying the experience so far, though the game does have it's flaws. I absolutely love how the textures are so crisp that you can read all the text directly off the posters, lockers, signs, plaques, etc. Visual design is overall flawless.

I'll probably need to make a second run before fully appreciating the psych sessions, but what I've noticed (like your house being whatever shade you colour it) has been pretty neat. Waiting for someone to post an FAQ that'll tell me how to get the 'sexy' Cybil - I got the no-nonsense one :p

The remote being tethered to the flashlight is well executed, but I wish it wasn't the *only* source of light in the bulk of the game. Sometimes you just wanna appreciate the graphical artistry and be able to rest your arm a bit! The game also falls into a bit of a predictable formula - psych session, explore, nightmare chase, scene change, repeat. I wish they'd varied it a bit.

But overall, for a game that's only supposed to clock in around 6-7 hours, this has been well worth the full purchase price thus far.

[G1Ravage]

IMDB says that Kirk Thornton, Michael McConnohie, and Laura Bailey are the principal voice actors on the game. It does sound a lot like them, and while the game for some reason doesn't list any voice actors in the credits, the credits do mention work performed at ZRO Limit Productions, and Mary Elizabeth McGlynn was one of the voice directors for the game, as well as a vocalist for one of the ending songs.

[Eddy]

Bought this with some Christmas money a few days ago and I'm having trouble putting it down. I haven't beaten the game yet, though I can tell I'm getting close, but I can honestly say that I love this game. I love how the game will change from the tiniest choice you make, I love the atmosphere, I love the characters, I love the story. I am loving it.

I don't mind the chase scenes as much as a lot of people seem to. They're intense. You just want to desperately get away from those things and the chase sequences do a good job at that. I also don't mind that there's only one type of monster because, really, it doesn't need anymore monsters. And the fact that the monsters change depending on your choices is a very nice touch.

The game can get a little choppy at times, specifically when running through a door during a chase scene, but it's a small price to pay when you consider the game has no loading screens. You never feel taken out of the game for anything and I love that. It makes you feel more immersed into the Silent Hill world.

I had to struggle to put the game down, but it's past 4AM so I really have to turn in but I'm going to highly recommend this game to anyone who has a Wii, especially a Silent Hill fan. Heck, even if you've never played a Silent Hill game in your life this deserves a look. Here's hoping it does decently in sales.

[Desensitized]

Thanks for the impressions. That's pretty much what I was hoping for from this game. :)

[Eddy]

I meant to post this the other day, but I beat the game and all I can say is... well, I loved it. Was it perfect? Nah. It was a bit on the short side and has a few minor glitches (though I myself never came across any of them) but it was trying something new. Things we've never really seen before. And I can overlook the game's flaws because everything else it does is just so good.

As for the story... (MAJOR SPOILERS)
What an ending. Harry has been dead this whole time and the entire game was Cheryl trying to cope with his death by making her father out to be some kind of hero? I have to say I never saw it coming but looking back on events in the game it makes SO much sense. The whole "video tape" set up is there due to Cheryl obsessing over the few home movies she had of her father before he died, Harry can't fight or kill the monsters because they aren't meant to be killed--they are there to prevent Harry from finding out the truth--so he has no choice but to run. Even the name of the game, Shattered Memories. That's what the game is. Cheryl's shattered memories of her father. Brilliant story telling and the whole psych test made you feel that much more connected to the game.

Again, I highly recommend this one. My personal favorite Wii game of 2009. Yes, I like this even more than Mario.

[Desensitized]

GiantBomb named it their Wii GOTY.

Is it true that if you do things differently each playthrough will reveal different things to see? Sounds like my kind of point and click adventure game.

[Eddy]

GiantBomb named it their Wii GOTY.

Is it true that if you do things differently each playthrough will reveal different things to see? Sounds like my kind of point and click adventure game.
Yes. For example, at the start of the game you reach a point where you can decided to go into a video store or a clothing store. Going in one will lock you out of the other, but they each have different things to explore inside. This happens at a few spots in the game. The game will also make note of objects you look at and things you examine and make note of them. Again, just to give an example, if you decided to stare at a bottle of booze, well, the game is going to make note of that. If you decide to ogle a girly calender, the game is going to make note of that too. I have friends whose games played out similar to my own, but nobody's game seems to play out exactly the same.

The choices you make and the things you check out will have an impact on the game from how cutscenes play out to how characters look. Obviously the game shouldn't be used as a psychiatric tool, after all, when all is said and done it's still a video game, but it really does play you as much as you play it.

[Simpler Simon]

Yes. For example, at the start of the game you reach a point where you can decided to go into a video store or a clothing store. Going in one will lock you out of the other, but they each have different things to explore inside.

I've gone in both, but only in the clothing store was I directed by the game to locate objects that leave spiritual messages on your cell phone (the prom dress, I believe). I don't think an example of this was given in the electronics store - granted, the player will probably wander across these anyway, but I thought it was an odd omission.

There's also a point where you have to solve a puzzle involving gumballs and a cartoon bird, and depending on how you play the game, you get one of two (or more?) cryptic clues over your phone. First time I played, I absolutely could not understand the clue, and had to look up the meaning online. Second time, the message made a much stronger reference as to what I needed to look for. This was a bit frustrating, unless the game thought I was a "stronger" player the first time around and adapted?

[Borg4of3]

I've gone in both, but only in the clothing store was I directed by the game to locate objects that leave spiritual messages on your cell phone (the prom dress, I believe). I don't think an example of this was given in the electronics store - granted, the player will probably wander across these anyway, but I thought it was an odd omission.

I imagine it's only the one you focus on. First playthrough, I got the Prom Dress, and didn't even notice the electronics store. Second time, I never went in the dress shop, and went in, and you do get a special scene about a taped-over message. Another location for this is in the school, where you go to either the Planetarium or the Art Studio. I don't know if it's based on choices made earlier, but both are pretty interesting.

This game has really impressed me in its variety, surprise, and unique format. I daresay, this is a game that earns its Mature rating, and brings interactivity and cinematics very close together. It also made me ponder that a game can be, by design, short, for the story, and this one pays off, and still provides some great replay value by changing so much based on how you play. The graphics are also amazing, and the controls perfect. I'd love to see a continuation, or another story told with this engine. I actually quite enjoyed just wandering around solving puzzles and finding things.

[Desensitized]

Wow, that sounds interesting. I'll definitely keep on the lookout for this one.

[Mynd Hed]

I got this through Gamefly recently. The game is very ambitious, and the frame-story gimmick is inspired. Unfortunately, the gameplay is ass. I've never played a Silent Hill game before, so I don't know how they normally handle these things-- I gather this one is a departure-- but I do not dread the nightmare sequences because they are scary. I dread them because they are tedious and frustrating, which is to say, the opposite of scary. I think this game would've benefited from nixing them altogether and just going whole hog and becoming essentially a point-and-click adventure.

I hear there are some good plot twists near the end, though, and it's supposed to be pretty short (6-7 hours), so I'm sticking with it. If it were any longer I might have to give it up as a bad job, though.

[Robin2099]

I got this through Gamefly recently. The game is very ambitious, and the frame-story gimmick is inspired. Unfortunately, the gameplay is ass. I've never played a Silent Hill game before, so I don't know how they normally handle these things-- I gather this one is a departure-- but I do not dread the nightmare sequences because they are scary. I dread them because they are tedious and frustrating, which is to say, the opposite of scary. I think this game would've benefited from nixing them altogether and just going whole hog and becoming essentially a point-and-click adventure.

That was exactly my opinion and why I had to quit playing it. The chase scenes were a good idea in theory, but after awhile they just became tedious and annoying.

[Mynd Hed]

Finished the game last night. I was pleasantly surprised: it managed to have a twist ending that I wasn't expecting despite being actively looking for a twist, and which actually made some modicum of sense. Definitely the sort of Fight Club thing where it makes you look back on everything that happened in a different light.

So when Harry has sex with Dahlia... and Dahlia's the one who looks most like Cheryl... and the girl who has an affair with her older male teacher, that was probably... oh wow. Girl has some issues.

I don't think I'll be playing through it again: I'm sure it would be fascinating, but I'm just plain not willing to suffer through the gameplay a second time. I'm definitely glad I gave it the one play-through, though, and I'd highly recommend it to anyone who's interested in good video game storytelling.

Edit: Actually, the more I turn it over in my head, the more I think I DO need to give this one another playthrough. Not right away, but maybe in a bit when it drops in price I'll pick it up.

Edit edit: I put a few more general (spoiler-free) thoughts on my LJ (http://hbi2k.livejournal.com/71062.html) if anyone's interested.

I liked that they didn't make the therapist some kind of ghost or supernatural demon or crazy man just pretending to be a psychiatrist. He's just... kind of a dick. And kind of a bad therapist.

[Eddy]

Regarding the chase scenes, they never gave me that much of an issue. Except the one in the forest, that was the absolute worst. Replaying the game, though, you might find the chases a little easier to deal with because you should have a better idea where you run.

I'm glad you saw it through to the end, though. I know the game is by no means perfect, but I still loved it. I can honestly say it was my favorite game on the Wii in 2009. Where it lacked in "fun" it more than made up for in the greatest use of Wii controls I've ever seen and a fantastic story.

Say, Mynd, I'm curious. What ending did you get? The endings are all a result of your psychological profile and how you played the game.

The endings are:

Love Lost - This is what I got. The "good" ending. The reason I put that in quotes is because, no matter what, Harry is still dead. This is the ending that shows, while Harry wasn't a superhero, he was still a very loving father and loved his daughter. He reassures Cheryl that "mom and dad don't love each other anymore but we still love you, and we always will".

Drunk Dad - This ending has Harry come home drunk and demanding Cheryl to get him "another damn beer". He says it's no wonder he drinks "with a family like this".

Sleaze & Sirens - This ending makes Harry out to be a real bastard. Basically, you'll get this if you're as perverted as you can be. Harry will have recorded over the video with a sex tape featuring himself, Michelle, and Lisa, implying that he cheated on Dahlia while they were together.

Wicked & Weak - In this ending you'll see Dahlia beating Harry and calling him a "**** writer", showing he was in an abusive relationship. Harry just takes it and doesn't try to defend himself.

UFO - This is the joke ending, a tradition in Silent Hill. I really don't want to say what happens because you kind of have to see it for yourself. :p

[Mynd Hed]

I didn't realize that there was such a difference among the endings. Apparently I got the "good" ending.