Summary
Though the future ofSilent Hillis a bit murky, it’s clear that Konami is attempting to revive the influential survival-horror franchise in the wake of the genre’s modern-day boom. Right now, the hottestupcomingSilent Hillproject is theSilent Hill 2remake, but the future of the franchise will be written by all-new releases likeSilent Hill fandTownfall. These titles have the opportunity to define the identity ofSilent Hillin the current generation, and looking at what the series has done well in the past could help them achieve creative success.
When discussingSilent Hill, the first three games are often looked to as the pinnacle of the series. While the stories of Harry, James, and Heather do represent some of Konami’s best work, it’s not like the rest ofSilent Hillhas been inconsequential. Rather, many post-SH3games have strived toward meaningful innovation in gameplay and presentation, with 2009’sSilent Hill: Shattered Memoriesbeing perhaps the best example of this commitment to creativity. As the series moves into the era of contemporary gaming, taking a few notes from this classic Wii game could stoke the creative flames of the franchise, once again establishing it as a thought-provoking industry leader.
New Silent Hill Games Could Learn from Shattered Memories' Psychological Profiling
How Silent Hill: Shattered Memories Gets Into the Player’s Head
There are loads of reasons whyShattered Memoriesis so unique. Originally released as a Nintendo Wii exclusive, the game leverages the console’s unique hardware to increase immersion in unexpected ways, creatively utilizing features like motion controls and the controller-integrated speaker. But the most captivating and compellingShattered Memoriesmechanic has nothing to do with hardware at all and could be easily replicated in a future title.
Interestingly,Shattered Memorieswas written and directed by Sam Barlow, who would go on to further experiment with game mechanics with famous titles likeHer StoryandImmortality.
Silent Hillis scariestwhen honing in on psychological horror, with the series heavily implying that the titular town is more of a manifestation of a given individual’s fears or grief than a hotbed of demonic activity.Shattered Memoriesdoubles down on this interpretation, altering the environment, character designs, and narrative in accordance with certain playstyles. Sessions with Michael Kaufmann, the in-game therapist, play the most obvious role in the psychological profile that the game builds for each player, but he is only part of the puzzle.
The Nuance of Shattered Memories' Psych Profiles Is What Makes It Work
WhileShattered Memoriesuses the Kaufmann sessions to telegraph its psychological profiling feature, there are several other systems at work behind the scenes. For instance, if the player adopts a nonchalant playstyle, taking their time during crucial moments or being overly concerned with trivialities, this will be registered by the game, leading to changes in enemy and NPC design, cutscenes, and even the ending of the game. In this way,Shattered Memoriesgoes beyondSilent Hill’s usual emphasis on choice, obfuscating which decisions will have an impact. This lends the game an unsettling sense of omniscience, as it molds itself around player choice without announcing it.
The subtlety of this psychological profiling system encourages dissection and repeat playthroughs, but it also supports the game’s themes. Theidentity of theSilent Hillfranchiseis built around the idea that one’s subconscious can shape their reality, so the games are a natural fit for mechanics built around player choice. But when the games are too obvious about what each decision means and how it will impact the narrative, it can undermine the sense of immersion and deep-seated terror.Shattered Memoriesshows how player agency can be effectively used in a horror game, and futureSilent Hillgames would be wise to adopt a similar design philosophy.
Silent Hill 2
WHERE TO PLAY
Investigating a letter from his late wife, James returns to where they made so many memories - Silent Hill. What he finds is a ghost town, prowled by disturbing monsters and cloaked in deep fog. Confront the monsters, solve puzzles, and search for traces of your wife in this remake of SILENT HILL 2.High-end Graphics and SoundWith ray tracing and other cutting-edge technical enhancements, the world of SILENT HILL and its unsettling ambiance is even realer than before.And with the inclusion of new, immersive soundscapes, you’ll feel like you’re standing in the thick of it.Larger EnvironmentsExplore locations and buildings that were once inaccessible, or are newly added in the remake. Enjoy the same acclaimed story, even while you experience the town of Silent Hill with fresh eyes across an expanded map.Over-the-shoulder CameraThe remake moves from the original’s fixed-camera viewpoints to an over-the-shoulder perspective, putting you closer to what James sees, for a more thrilling, more immersive experience as you explore the town and come face-to-face with monsters.Evolved Combat GameplayFamiliar weapons like the steel pipe and handgun make their return, but now with an updated combat system. Avoid attacks with carefully timed dodges, aim down sights, and more, making monster encounters more engaging and nerve-wracking than ever.
