So I rented Silent Hill: Shattered Memories. I went in with the lowest of expectations after Homecoming, and somehow this game managed to be much worse than Homecoming. It's got some cool ideas, and I appreciate all the touches that were implemented to modernize the original game, which I loved.
But the 'creature chase' sequences are such a tremendously bad idea. Their egregious inclusion literally ruins the game.
For the first time in a Silent Hill game, there is absolutely no sense of fear while roaming during the game. None. Because you're completely safe since enemy attack sequences are like scheduled dentist appointments.
Do some walking around solving small puzzles and then -- it's MONSTER TIME! Mad dashes in the darkness, following blue lights -- like footraces in underground parking garages. This is tantamount to Leon Kennedy exploring a Spanish village devoid of activity in the near dark when suddenly the sky changes and he straps himself in a go-kart to race through a haunted house.
Seriously.
These parts aren't scary either, because a. the monsters look like teenagers in suits made of bubblegum, b. they don't make scary sounds, c. as far as I can tell, their devastating attack is to latch onto you, and d. it's not that hard to stay away from them.
Not scary AND annoying, if anything, because it's hard to see, and shaking off monsters lucky enough to embrace you gets tiresome. Jesus, what a car wreck.
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overdrive - November 24, 2010 (10:41 AM) When I'd heard this game was being created, I was happy, as I loved the original SH and thought a re-make would be awesome and stuff. Then...I started reading about the alterations, designated a small patch of ground as the grave of Silent Hill and poured a 40 over it. Some parts of that story may not be true. |
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Masters - November 24, 2010 (10:51 AM) Ha, yeah, I know you wouldn't waste beer like that. My love for the series is all but gone... BUT BUT BUT have you seen the trailer for the next PS3/360 game in the series? Doesn't look half bad...! |
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JoeTheDestroyer - November 24, 2010 (10:55 AM) I'm still going to at least try it. It'll probably result in me locking myself in my office for a few days to mourn, then in the bathroom another few days to scrub off the dirt, but I still have to try. |
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Masters - November 24, 2010 (11:00 AM) That's how I felt. I heard not-so-great things about it, but as a 'fan' I still had to give it a shot. But it became painful to soldier on after awhile (and I beat SH4 and 5!). =T |
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JoeTheDestroyer - November 24, 2010 (07:08 PM) Ohhhh... Maybe I'll wait until I see it at a pawn shop and try to talk them down on it. |
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Masters - November 24, 2010 (07:55 PM) Well, don't let that discourage you. I'm in a jaded phase in general right now, so you might have an easier time of staying the course. |