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Petara

04-07-2009, 08:14 PM

http://www.shocktillyoudrop.com/news/topnews.php?id=10146

I keep praying that if the second one is made, the story would revolve around James and his nightmare.

Native Jovian

04-07-2009, 08:58 PM

ridiculously long thread + epic necrobump = goddamn, son.

(Incidentally, I recently played and beat Silent Hill 2 for the first time. My ultimate verdict was "meh". It was fun beating monsters to death with a 2x4, though.)

Global-Trance

04-07-2009, 09:55 PM

http://www.shocktillyoudrop.com/news/topnews.php?id=10146

I keep praying that if the second one is made, the story would revolve around James and his nightmare.

That should have been the Silent Hill movie in the first place.

DJMetal

04-08-2009, 02:43 AM

If you'll allow me to complain a little (about silent hill) (again), I was all hopped up for "Homecoming". I was sincerely excited. I ran through, re-beat 3, almost beat "the room" (because for some reason I can NEVER beat that game), and got it the day it came out. The experience was just so lack luster. The games are supposed to be about plot, and I saw the whole thing coming miles away. Yes, I liked how it looked. Yes, I liked how the controls felt. But aside from that, I just couldn't get into it. I dunno. Maybe it's sequel burnout, maybe I'm growing out of my 'scary' games phase...but I just wish they'd leave well enough alone, y'know?

But who knows. Maybe I'm just being a snob and need to give "homecoming" another chance. I mean, 4 got similar reviews to "homecoming", and I liked 4 well enough. But I think a part of me is still looking for that great game experience I had with the first Silent Hill, and then again with 2. 3 was a little rehashed and too short for my tastes, but had a lot of cool things going on with it. 4 was just new and some parts scared the living bejesus outta me. But with "homecoming"...nothing like that. It's like when you eat a really good meal. Just when things get going, you look up and your plate is empty. To me, 5 felt like I was trying to eat the plate just for some residual taste of the really good food.

Anyways, that's my bit.

Bleck

04-08-2009, 04:19 AM

I recently played and beat Silent Hill 2 for the first time. My ultimate verdict was "meh".

GET

OUT

aaaaaaa

Monobrow

04-08-2009, 04:20 AM

I have yet still to play Homecoming...

However I really like 4... It had to grow on me, and even though I think the aesthetics (especially in lighting and texture) in that game are something to be desired (they are nothing compared to 3)... I still think the story is a sad and thoughtful one.

The hauntings and ghosts are kind of trite though.

Nulion

04-10-2009, 08:51 AM

I posted this in the other thread, although honestly this thread right here is the "true" Silent Hill thread, I'd say.

...Anyway, IGN let loose an eyes-on preview, a developer interview, and some new screenshots of Silent Hill: Shattered Memories.

I'm really, really getting excited for this after reading these enthusiastic, extremely positive-looking articles.

Have a look!

Here's the eyes-on preview: http://wii.ign.com/articles/971/971316p1.html

Here's the interview: http://wii.ign.com/articles/971/971319p1.html

Here's the screens: http://media.wii.ign.com/media/143/14325477/imgs_1.html

Petara

09-16-2009, 03:56 AM

Ultra necro bump.

The film sequel has the green light (http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=59119)

Nekofrog

09-16-2009, 04:03 AM

and unfortunately, the weakest link behind the first movie (scriptwriter) is writing the script for this movie. and the strongest link from the last movie (director) isn't returning.

guaranteed shit incoming

Inimitable

09-16-2009, 04:56 AM

But I want to BELIEVE. :puppyeyes:

Nulion

09-16-2009, 05:16 AM

As far as game-to-film adaptations go, Silent Hill was definitely one of the better ones.

I hope they don't continue the story from the first film though; that would be...meh.

Good to see this thread back up though :)

Nekofrog

09-16-2009, 05:29 AM

Visually and aurally the Silent Hill movie was fantastic. Story wise it was wretched.

ifirit

09-21-2009, 09:37 PM

I know that the article says that the film sequel has Samuel Hadida and Roger Avary attached, but I wonder if production is going to be a problem after Avary is sentenced for Vehicular Manslaughter on September 29. Prison sentences for this are about 2-3 years in most states.

The New York Times - Arts - "'Pulp Fiction' Writer Pleads Guilty in Crash" (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/22/arts/22arts-PULPFICTIONW_BRF.html?_r=1)

Additionally, Avary has previously stated that he would not do a sequel to Silent Hill if Christophe Gans was not also attached to the project. I wonder if he has changed his mind since 2007.

Shock Till You Drop.com - Exclusive: Avary Skips Trip to Silent Hill 2 (http://www.shocktillyoudrop.com/news/topnews.php?id=804)

StarZander

09-23-2009, 11:13 AM

He can always write the script from prison. They are allowed pen and paper, aren't they?

ifirit

09-26-2009, 08:08 PM

For the love of God, when is the damned soundtrack going to be released!?:-x
Silent Hill Homecoming Update:
SHH Promotional Soundtrack Released in North America via GameStop Retailers:
While it was originally reported that the soundtrack for Silent Hill Homecoming was to be released at the same time as the home console versions of the game on September 30, 2008, as stated by Akira Yamaoka (executive producer and lead composer), the soundtrack failed to appear in stores or from distributors of the game at said time. Information about the soundtrack's release date from Konami Digitial Entertainment, Inc. (http://www.konami.com) or from retailers was not available and many people assumed that the news about the soundtrack release date being congruent with the game release was a mistranslation on the reporters' end.*[1]

However, later, Gamestop (http://www.gamestop.com), GameCrazy (http://www.gamecrazy.com/) and EB Games Canada (http://www.ebgames.ca/) retailers in North America ran an advertisement (http://www.gamestop.com/gs/weeklyad/current/120508/olfsi_120508-2.aspx), distributed via email promotion*[2], stating that a limited supply*[3] of promotional copies of the soundtrack for Silent Hill Homecoming would be distributed with in-store purchases of either console version of Silent Hill Homecoming (XBOX360/PlayStation®3)*[4] during the week of Friday, December 5, 2008 and Thursday, December 11, 2008.

The promotional CD features 21 tracks from the game's soundtrack and was packaged in a shrink-wrapped jewel case with a front cover image insert and back image insert. A tracklisting of the soundtrack is listed below. Like previous iterations of other original soundtracks in this series, the promotional soundtrack is composed of arranged and extended versions of the original music pieces from the game.*[5] The tracks were mixed from the original 5.1 surround sound scheme, so it is recommended that you listen to the music via headphones or a sound system with surround sound capabilities.*[6]

Because the soundtrack was only released as a promotion from GameStop, physical copies of the soundtrack are not available from retailers, meaning that if you are searching for a copy of the promotional soundtrack you'll have to search peer-to-peer sales or auction sites, i.e. ebay, amazon, etc.*[7]

SHH Soundtrack Tracklist:
One More Soul To The Call
Witchcraft
Mr. JOY
Cold Blood
The Terminal Show
Elle Theme
4 Pattern
Snow Flower
Attitude #70
Regards
Total Invasion
The Real Love
Voodoo Girl
Living In Fear
Dreams of Leaving
Who Knows
Slave 2 Death
The Thing
Dead Monks
This Sacred Line
Alex Theme

*[1] Footnote: Previously reported (http://www.originalsoundversion.com/?p=562) by Original Sound Version (http://www.originalsoundversion.com).
*[2] Footnote: Only those signed up to receive emails promotions from GameStop and its affliates were informed of the in-store only promotion.
*[3] Footnote: According to Original Sound Version (http://www.originalsoundversion.com), in a later article (http://www.originalsoundversion.com/?p=1750) about the status of the Silent Hill Homecoming Soundtrack, they reported that supply shipments of the promotional CD were received in late November 2008. As such, most websites are reporting the receive date as November 24, 2008, though this is only an approximate date.
*[4] Footnote: According to user (http://silenthillforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=393659#393659) posts (http://www.gamefaqs.com/boards/genmessage.php?board=942059&topic=46971669), while the promotion was restricted to purchases of Silent Hill Homecoming, some were able to obtain the game with purchases of Silent Hill 0rigins (PlayStation®Portable/PlayStation®2). Others were able to obtain a copy from their local GameStop retailers with a copy of their pre-order receipts for Silent Hill Homecoming.
*[5] Footnote: Many of the tracks from the soundtrack are changed from the original game music files, either slightly or heavily in terms of arrangement and/or EQ. (Personal Note: An example of a significant change made can be seen in the track "The Terminal Show," which plays when Alex first enters the town of Shepard's Glen, which originally contained a breakbeat, synthetic percussion section half-way through the piece in-game, while the promotional soundtrack version contains a jazzy, acoustic drum kit section in its place.)
*[6] Footnote: Many fans have complained about issues dealing with a lack of musical elements in the latter portion of the promotional soundtrack, but without the proper listening device(s), you cannot hear a large portion of the music in each song. (Personal Note: For example, the song "Regards" features a heavy synthetic bassline that plays throughout most of the song, but listening to the song over a 2 speaker system, the section was completely absent.)
*[7] Personal Note: Because of the the high number of physical copies released by GameStop, finding a copy of the promotional soundtrack is not difficult and because it was essentially free, it is not recommended that you purchase a copy for over $20.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b338/Ifirit0/SH%20Images/shh_promo_ost_front.jpg

Silent Hill: Lost Memories.net (English Branch) - Music - Silent Hill Homecoming Soundtrack (http://www.silenthillmemories.net/music/shh_osts_en.htm)

He can always write the script from prison. They are allowed pen and paper, aren't they?
It's not a question of whether or not he'll be able to write the script while in prison, but a question of whether or not the project as a whole will suffer because of the lack of a direct collaboration with the producers and film makers on what will essentially be the narrative structure of the entire film.

EdgeCrusher

09-26-2009, 08:35 PM

I'm too lazy to look through the thread, but how bad is silent hill origins? I bought it for ps2 for 4 bucks, but just haven't brought myself to put it in to try it yet.

Ashamee

09-26-2009, 11:39 PM

EdgeCrusher

09-27-2009, 01:33 AM

Haha, I figured as much. I'll probably goozex it and make a little profit.

Petara

11-13-2009, 07:46 PM

Another film sequel update.

Silent Hill 2 (http://www.shocktillyoudrop.com/news/topnews.php?id=12811)

Next year would be freakin sweet.

Schwaltzvald

11-13-2009, 07:53 PM

The official OST has 21 tracks.

Hmm... (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=EFD5C26B3EDA90C1&search_query=silent+hill+homecoming+soundtrack)

Petara

11-13-2009, 07:58 PM

I need them all! The battle music against Scarlet was one that really stuck with me.

Schwaltzvald

11-13-2009, 08:02 PM

I need them all! The battle music against Scarlet was one that really stuck with me.

That's what bothered me of the "official" track listing... While the youtube playist does repeat one track, it still contains a few tracks missing from the "official" listing...

Edit:

Don't worry I'll make the rest of the OST available for the rest of us...

Global-Trance

11-14-2009, 12:54 AM

It's pretty poop. Combat system is ass, and you get to use things like TVs, pieces of pipe, and other silly inanimate objects THAT BREAK after being used a few times.

Good thing the game's so cheap, huh? I'd say skip it, but we made ourselves play it for the story and not for anything else. At least there's that. The plot is all it's good for.

It wasn't the items I was terribly offended by... it was how many things he was allowed to carry was blowing my mind. LET ME SORT THROUGH MY TVS AND LARGE JUGS OF ALCOHOL AND PIPES AND TOASTERS AND EVERY THING. At least they let you punch things... however that just made me PUNCH EVERYTHING in the game including all the bosses.

Origins wasn't THAT bad, though I don't really care for the fact that they made Alessa more like the Alessa in the movie. It at least felt more like a Silent Hill than Homecoming did. I didn't care for Homecoming except the soundtrack.

Sindra

11-14-2009, 07:34 PM

You know, I too thought Origins was pretty crappy.....but now that GT mentions it, it was more Silent Hill-ish than Homecoming was. Dunno if I'd say "better" really....but had more of the SH atmosphere about it.

Thanks for making me realize that. I'd been dumping on Origins otherwise. (I still will...but less so now)

Monobrow

11-15-2009, 01:07 AM

Disagree about Origins. I really enjoyed it. It was the first game since SH3 that I enjoyed a lot. SH4 was great story-wise, but it didn't feel like a Silent Hill game.

Origins however, I thought it felt a lot like SH2 and SH3. Seriously, I got over the fact that he was carrying tvs and stuff around, but besides that, I had no problem. It really felt like I was playing something that could have been released around the SH2 or SH3 era. It had a lot of darkness and grit, a great OST, a decent tie-in story, weird ass monsters, and very SH2-ish puzzles.

Also about the way Alessa was portrayed, I don't think it was so much like the movie as it was like she was portrayed in SH3, kind of carrying over from the lack of personality she had in SH 1 (her and Dahlia both) to a little more of a SH2 kind of story. Let's face it, I love Dahlia in SH1, but she looked like she was seventy and a wandering gypsy. She looked like an undead corpse!

Since this is a prequel, I think it makes more sense for her, and Alessa, to be a bit different.

I only played Origins for PSP though, so I haven't seen what it looks like on a tv, if that makes any difference whatsoever.

Nulion

12-01-2009, 06:41 AM

Ohhh man, bad news...

http://www.aeropause.com/2009/11/akira-yamaoka-leaves-konami-after-16-years/

Apparently, Akira Yamaoka left Konami. Not sure where he's going, or if this is even fully real (Kotaku branded it a rumor), but I really hope this isn't true. I'm not sure where the Silent Hill series could go without his trademark sound.

This...sucks.

Inimitable

12-01-2009, 07:38 AM

TBH the Silent Hill franchise hasn't been all that great recently (I don't mean musically), so I certainly wouldn't mind seeing Yamaoka take on a new game/franchise. Preferably a really good one.

Malaki-LEGEND.sys

12-01-2009, 12:29 PM

Schwaltzvald

12-01-2009, 01:31 PM

Silent Hill: Shattered Memories is out next week on the Wii. Anyone excited about this? The fact that they have the game making subtle changes based on answers you give to determine what puts you on edge sounds pretty interesting.

It's a nice gimmick and yet, SH2 did it rather well without it imo. Plus the idea of Harry being completely defenseless except for running just seems off putting; at least in a SH sense. Not that he ought to be able to carry tons of pipes and guns in his jacket but still.

Plus I'm still feeling a burned somewhat by Fatal Frame 4 being exclusive in Japan only. However there's been some reports of an unofficial patch coming out for it that puts in English subtitles & text utilizing the Wii SD Slot and a Japanese copy of the game. Supposedly this patch will allow the copy to play on US/European Wiis.

ifirit

12-08-2009, 11:38 AM

Silent Hill Shattered Memories Update:
Shattered Memories Pre-Order Bonus Available from GameStop, EB Games:
On September 19. 2009, GameStop (http://www.gamestop.com/) and EB Games (http://www.ebgames.com/) retailers in North America began offering a bonus promotional soundtrack with pre-orders of Silent Hill Shattered Memories for all currently supported home console systems (Nintendo Wii / PlayStation Portable / PlayStation 2).

The bonus soundtrack was originally listed as containing 18 tracks *[1] from the Silent Hill Shattered Memories game score composed by Akira Yamaoka. Box art for the soundtrack was also available on the pre-order webpage (see below).

Silent Hill Shattered Memories will release for the Nintendo Wii on Tuesday, December 8, 2009 for $49.99 USD (plus sales tax) in North America. The release date for the PlayStation Portable and PlayStation 2 consoles is tentatively set for Tuesday, January 12, 2010 for $29.99 USD (plus sales tax) in North America.*[2]

*[1] Footnote: Early reports (http://boards.ign.com/silent_hill/b6286/187419108/p1/?6) state that the pre-order bonus soundtrack actually contains 21 tracks (Personal Note: 3 more that is reported on the pre-order page.)
*[2] Footnote: Although Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. (http://www.konami.com) set the release date for Autumn 2009, retailers have been floundering dates with progressive (http://kotaku.com/5379777/silent-hill-shattered-memories-enters-fog-of-delay) delays (http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/12/retailers-move-silent-hill-shattered-memories-release-date-agai/). Amazon.com having the initial release date set for October 13th, 2009, while GameStop having set its release date for November 3rd, with changes to November 26th for Wii and December 31st for the PSP and PS2. (Personal Note: Although the release date for the PlayStation Portable and PlayStation 2 versions is still not completely certain, it seems unlikely to change now that a 2010 has been precisely given. I think that the initial setting of the date for Dec. 31 was simply to state that a 2010 date release was likely to occur, though the exact date was still to be determined.)

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b338/Ifirit0/SH%20Images/SH_Shattered_bonusLG.jpg

GameStop - Silent Hill Shattered Memories (Wii) (http://www.gamestop.com/Catalog/ProductDetails.aspx?product_id=74828)
EB Games - Silent Hill Shattered Memories (Wii) (http://www.ebgames.com/Catalog/ProductDetails.aspx?product_id=74828)
GameStop - Silent Hill Shattered Memories (PSP) (http://www.gamestop.com/Catalog/ProductDetails.aspx?product_id=74811)
EB Games - Silent Hill Shattered Memories (PSP) (http://www.ebgames.com/Catalog/ProductDetails.aspx?product_id=74811)
GameStop - Silent Hill Shattered Memories (PS2) (http://www.gamestop.com/Catalog/ProductDetails.aspx?product_id=74813)
EB Games - Silent Hill Shattered Memories (PS2) (http://www.ebgames.com/Catalog/ProductDetails.aspx?product_id=74813)

Silent Hill Shattered Memories Update:
Silent Hill Shattered Memories Bonus Soundtrack Leaked:
On November 24, 2009, user Godai from #gamemp3s (http://www.gamemp3s.net) uploaded*[3] a torrent containing the, as yet, unreleased promotional bonus soundtrack to Silent Hill Shattered Memories.

The soundtrack contains 21 tracks from the game composed and performed by Akira Yamaoka. A complete track listing appears below. Four vocal tracks are included among the track list performed by Mary Elizabeth McGlynn*[4] with lyrics by Joe Romersa. The tracks are "Always on my Mind,"*[5] "When You're Gone," "Acceptance" and "Hell Frozen Rain." Lyrics for the four vocal tracks are also listed below.

Although the soundtrack has been leaked, please remember to support the official release by pre-ordering a copy of Silent Hill Shattered Memories from either GameStop (http://www.gamestop.com) or EB Games (http://www.ebgames.com/).

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b338/Ifirit0/SH%20Images/shsmost.jpg

Gamemp3s.net - Silent Hill Shattered Memories Soundtrack (http://www.gamemp3s.net/2009/11/24/shattered-memories-our-life-story/) [torrent / .mp3 files / 90.5MB]
Silent Hill Lost Memories.net (English Branch) - Silent Hill Shattered Memories Soundtrack (http://www.silenthillmemories.net/music/shsm_osts_en.htm) [.mp3 files / 90.5 MB]

*[3] Footnote: The majority of sites which are mirroring the torrent of the promotional bonus soundtrack cite the release date as November 25, 2009. However, this date is incorrect from the originally posted date (mostly because that is the date that Silent Hill Lost Memories (http://www.silenthillmemories.net/main/main_en.htm) mirrored the individual mp3s). (Personal Note: For those that are assuming that this is the receive date for the soundtrack to GameStop and EB Games, one can only cite this as an approximate receive date.)
*[4] Footnote: The trailer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5Lvy8pmT5E) from the 2009 GamesCom (http://www.gamescom-cologne.com/) in Cologne featured an alternate singer for the same song in the 2009 E3 trailer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4QM1G-Ts_A) which contained the track "Always on my Mind." It is currently unknown whether this alternate singer will be featured in-game or if it was merely a promotional tactic, as the only singer featured on the bonus promotional soundtrack is Mary Elizabeth McGlynn. (Personal Note: I really hope that the game uses different singers in response to the player's actions.)
*[5] Footnote: The track "Always on my Mind" is an arranged track of the country-western song originally performed by Brenda Lee (most famous for singing "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwxfN3oSHaQ)) and written by Johnny Christopher, Mark James and Wayne Carson in 1972. The song was popularized by Elvis Presley, hitting gold status in the same year. (Currently, there are over 300 published adaptations of this song.) However, the version on the Shattered Memories soundtrack reflects the "arranged" lyrics sung by Willie Nelson in 1982 (which are the most commonly used lyrics in modern adaptations) and the synthetic elements from the Pet Shop Boys (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDe60CbIagg) tribute in 1987. (Personal Note: Considering that Akira Yamaoka cites a number of influences from various 1980's musicians [metal, synth-pop, new-age] in the Ushinawareta Kioku [Book of Lost Memories], it seems safe to say that the Pet Shop Boys version of "Always on my Mind" was the primary source for the Shattered Memories inclusion.)

SHSM Soundtrack Tracklist:
Always on my Mind
When You're Gone
Searching the Past
Childish Thoughts
Creeping Distress
Hostility
Snow Driven
Hibernation
Devil's Laughter
Lost Truth
Angel's Scream
Another Warm Body
Forsaken Lullaby
Raw Shock
Lives Wasted Away
Blackest Friday
Endless Depths
Different Persons
Ice
Acceptance
Hell Frozen Rain

Always on my Mind (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tTQy9-uqz0)
Maybe I
didn't love you
quite as often
as I could have.

And

Maybe I
didn't treat you
quite as good
as I should have.

If I made
you feel
second-best,
I'm so sorry.
I was blind.

You were always on my mind.
You were always on...
on my mind.

Maybe I
didn't hold you
all those lonely,
lonely times.

And

I guess I
never told you
I'm so happy
that you're mine.

Little things
I should have
said and done,
I just never
took the time.

You were always on my mind.
You were always on...
on my mind.

Tell...
Tell me...
Tell me that
your sweet love
hasn't died.

Give...
Give me...
one more chance
to keep you
satisfied.

Little things
I should have
said and done,
I just never
took the time.

You were always on my mind.
You were always on...
You were always on...
You were always on my mind.
You were always on...
on my mind.
When You're Gone (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkM4e1_QRo4)
Did I wait too long?
Moments gone.
And now
wasted.

Comin' back to home,
it feels wrong.
Changes haunt me.

Ends I came before
leave me lost,
confused,
searching...

Everything I own
takes me back
nowhere.

Objects in my room,
they might be tellin' me
something soon.

Still you

ask me how I feel.
I feel lost.
That's how I feel!

I know (I know).
I know (I know).
There's something I've forgotten,
like a time (a time),
a place (a place),
a shattered memory.

For me (for me),
it' more (it's more)
than I can seem to handle.
It's the pain (the pain)
my mind (my mind)
is writing on the wall.

The truth (the truth)?
You lie (you lie)!
You said it can't convince you
to give up (give up).
This place (this place)
will never set me free.

Enough (enough)!
I know (I know),
I really did it this time.
It's a sign (it's a sign),
this place
is somewhere I should be.

Takin' a piece of muh heart
when you're gone.

Are my eyes too blind
to find illusions
from deep inside

growing?

What I lost I find,
and what I find
brings me here.

I know (I know).
I know (I know).
There's something I've forgotten,
like a time (a time),
a place (a place),
a shattered memory.

For me (for me),
it' more (it's more)
than I can seem to handle.
It's the pain (the pain)
my mind (my mind)
is writing on the wall.

The truth (the truth)?
You lie (you lie)!
You said it can't convince you
to give up (give up).
This place (this place)
will never set me free.

Enough (enough)!
I know (I know),
I really did it this time.
It's a sign (it's a sign),
this place
is somewhere I should be.

Takin' a piece of muh heart,
that's how it always starts,
when you're gone.
Acceptance (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQxNhIN3TPQ)
Time flows.
Nobody knows.
The years
go by.

Where we go
alone
from here...?

Night falls,
Strange-colored walls,
my eyes
deceive.

What is wrong
...
with me?

Deep in the night
you think everything's right.
Tell it to yourself;
say it's just a nightmare.

Something is telling you
nothing can change where you are
again.

Why should it matter,
your dreams of a child?
Innocence is gone.
Only fear to play with.

Faces are changing
but nothing is changing the pain
too late.

Two steps
I take
get closer
and closer.

And one more breath
I take
sends me
further back.

Ah ah, ha ah ah...
Ah ah, ha ah ah...

Over and over
it calls to your soul.
Say it isn't so.
Emptiness surrounds you.

No one can help
if the angels refuse to
come near.
Who's there?

Cold faded photos,
they lay by your side.
Something in my room,
never mind the reason.

Visions of lying
and reasons just
live to survive
this time.

The cold (the cold)
The light (the light)
The fear (the fear)
returning...

It's not (it's not)
the ice (the ice)
you feel (you feel)
that's chilling you.
Hell Frozen Rain (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHUtuwRNaA4)
In your mind's eye
lives a memory,
hard to find,
blinded by sorrow.

And her cold voice
sings a melody.
Hear her sing,
"Hell-frozen rain falls down."

She can't hear your voice.
She can't hear you call.
You have burned your choice.
If you're here
can you prove
you're really here.

There is a moment in time
when all the cards that
you've played _______ (divide).

You feel the temperature dive
and all your demons inside
come crashing through.

In your mind's eye
lives a memory,
hard to find,
blinded by sorrow.

And a strange voice
sings a melody.
Hear it sing,
"Hell-frozen rain falls down."

Everything is wrong. (Everything is wrong.)
This is not my home, is it?
Do I know your face? (Do I know your face?)
Does my mind wish to forget?

A toast to lonelier souls
who never could take control of life.
And all the missing we love,
I hope the darkness they find
will give 'em light.

In your mind's eye
lives a memory,
hard to find,
blinded by pain.

And a cold voice
sings a melody.
Hear it sing,
"Hell-frozen rain..."

Out of safe arms,
feelin' dangerous,
missing truth
frozen in lies.

Is your family
just a memory?
Once again,
hell-frozen rain falls down.

Of all these pieces of broken dreams,
there's one that scares and confuses me.
If all these things that you say are true,
you should be someone I always knew.

In your mind's eye
lies a memory,
hard to find,
blinded by pain.

And your father
sings a melody.
Hear him sing,
"Hell-frozen rain..."

Out of safe arms,
feelin' dangerous,
missing truth
frozen in lies.

Are your loved ones
just a memory?
Burning pain,
hell-frozen rain falls down.

Life is cold here.
Empty, hallowed ground.
In my head,
blood-colored rain falls down.

StarZander

12-08-2009, 01:11 PM

First of all, I feel the need to defend Silent Hill: Origins, as I thought it was a great game. It managed to frighten me, even though it was handheld, and the locations in the game were amazing (especially the sanitarium) and the overall feel of the game was very much Silent Hill. Homecoming failed me in these aspects. The story was exciting, and I didn't mind the combat system. And about him being able to use and carry TVs and stuff, the only game where such physics DIDN'T exist, was SH4. I mean, carrying around the great knife in SH2? And the expendable weapons seemed like a good idea to me. That actually worked pretty well in SH4, although I managed to break most of my weapons. Atleast this time I didn't have to go back to my apartment to get more weapons all the time.

Second, about Akira Yamaoka leaving Konami, I just have one thing to say. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Third, I'm excited about Shattered Memories (although I'd kind of forgotten about it until recently), and I'm going to miss the combat and the classic statement "Huh, radio. What's going on with that radio." but if there's puzzles galore, then I'm in!

Nulion

12-08-2009, 03:47 PM

Origins was pretty good, yes :) It was by no means a "bad" game; it just wasn't long enough, or maybe fresh enough for a lot of fans...and I can see why they might take issue with that.

Seems like the game was a kind of "greatest hits" of the series, all mixed up and taking cues from various games in the series. The Sanitarium had a SH2 vibe to it, while the Motel felt very SH1-SH3ish, for instance.

I still really enjoyed myself with it, and I've gotta say it was the very first portable game that has *EVER* managed to freak me out. It's still the only one that's ever been able to do so.

You'd think that's merit enough! I mean, can you guys think of any other portable games that have actually been scary? Off the top of my head, I can only think of SH Origins, and maybe Sanitarium and Moon for DS, although I have yet to play either. They did look a bit freaky though.

...and yeah, still such a shame about Yamaoka-san leaving Konami :( They actually confirmed it too. Wish I could find the link, but apparently they had some sort of interview with him (That I hadn't seen the full version of) and the gist of it was that he was leaving to bigger and better things, perhaps in the light that Silent Hill is becoming a more western-developed franchise these days. Sad :(

And as for Shattered Memories? I'm gonna be picking that up today! I've got high hopes, as it really looks like they've tried something different. Gonna enjoy seeing how they added in those spiffy permutations to the classic SH1 formula :)

Monobrow

12-08-2009, 04:26 PM

Haha, always on my mind eh? Isn't that a Willie Nelson song?

ifirit

12-08-2009, 05:07 PM

Haha, always on my mind eh? Isn't that a Willie Nelson song?
No, it's a Willie Nelson cover of a Brenda Lee song. Just like it's been a Shakira cover (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWti1_Wgzh4), a Michael Buble' cover (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiB8hr10Ubo), a Counting Crows cover (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEM0mgZjMfs) and a Bon Jovi cover (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uc_Oc48mZ-g).

JaDE ARaN HaRuNo

12-09-2009, 11:19 PM

Game released today and it's already got amazing reviews. I CAN'T WAIT TO BUY IT!!!!!!

GarretGraves

12-10-2009, 03:39 PM

Bought Shattered Memories on Tuesday. Since I pre-ordered it from Gamestop, I got a free OST disc with the game. (Which had 21 tracks. Not 18 )

First impression...

Wait a sec... let me explain something.

This game was so short that I was done in less than 5 hours. Considering the psych profile feature, I decided to play another round immediately after. Since I knew what I was doing this time, the game ended faster. About just over 4 hours. So I went ANOTHER round immediately after that. So because of this, let me start like this...

First, second, and third impressions...

This is a GREAT game! I've never played a game like this and I highly enjoyed it! The story grabs you from scene one and never let's you go. The graphics are slick, smooth and definately shows what the Wii really is capable of. The snow alone will should tell you that. The voice acting is spot-on and very convincing.

The chase scenes in the frozen nightmare areas, however, get a little repetitive. The first couple of chases feel absolutely horrifying. But that feeling gets smaller and smaller the more chases you go through. And when you can't find your way to the waypoint, it's just irritating when those little pink bastards grab a hold of you.

Playing the game through 3 times (in a day, even) I got different results in certain parts of the game. The first time through, Cybil was a tough, fit and angry ass cop. The second time she was a more neutral-looking, mother-sounding officer. The third time she was dead sexy and busting out of her uniform....but also very angry. (Kind of a turn on for m- AHEM!)

Out of the 3 play throughs, i got 2 different endings (not spoiling anything). I'm told there's more than that so that means I gotta go through it AGAIN or else i'm not gonna feel complete.

Overall, definately worth the buy and a great reimagining of the first game. It's a little short, but that shouldn't stop you from adding it to your Wii collection.

Schwaltzvald

12-10-2009, 03:50 PM

To be fair the speed run record for the original PS1 version of Silent Hill (http://speeddemosarchive.com/SilentHill.html) is 35 minutes and 29 seconds which was recorded onto VHS tape...

About four to five hours ought to be fine...

Hell the speed record for Resident Evil 2 (http://speeddemosarchive.com/ResidentEvil2.html) (a favorite amongst gamers to my knowledge) is somewhere above an hour and thirty minutes.

Ashamee

12-10-2009, 09:48 PM

I've wanted this game for a long while now, and I've been more than excited about it. Now that we're hanging with Monobrow, it's kind of a given that we'll have to pick this up eventually. Should be fun!

And honestly, after the disappointment of Homecoming and the ho-humness of Origins, I'm really glad to see that Climax seemingly got this one right. Took them long enough, I guess!

GarretGraves

12-11-2009, 05:53 AM

I personally didn't have a problem with Homecoming. Other than the fact that the PC version has MAJORLY ANNOYING sound problems. And to make things worse, the dev team ignores the PC community on the matter. On the Steam forums, people continue to complain but the cries of bitter sound fall on deaf ears.

But it seems Homecoming is quite unpopular for some reason. The main reasons that I keep reading about are because the story is bland and that Pyramid Head should NOT have been in it (because he/it was a manifestation of James Sunderland's guilt in SH2)and that it took elements from the Silent Hill movie such as those guys in the hazmat suits or whatever they were.

I liked Homecoming though. It's a shame no one else does.

Monobrow

12-11-2009, 09:19 AM

No, it's a Willie Nelson cover of a Brenda Lee song. Just like it's been a Shakira cover (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWti1_Wgzh4), a Michael Buble' cover (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiB8hr10Ubo), a Counting Crows cover (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEM0mgZjMfs) and a Bon Jovi cover (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uc_Oc48mZ-g).

Haha, gotcha. I've only ever heard the Willie Nelson version :J

Nulion

12-12-2009, 01:14 AM

Petara

12-12-2009, 01:29 AM

ifirit

12-12-2009, 09:46 AM

And...an Elvis Presley version. He do this song originally?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VI94AsuvUUA

And good god, a Pet Shop Boys version? This song's really gotten around, eh?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSaV7fP107c
You probably should read the last post (http://ocremix.org/forums/showpost.php?p=620692&postcount=2030) on page 203.

Nulion

12-12-2009, 07:43 PM

Strange, I usually read your posts especially, top to bottom....but that one must've squeaked by!

Thanks for the info :)

Over 300 adaptations though...yeowch.

Global-Trance

12-14-2009, 11:07 PM

Nobinsor

01-04-2010, 11:18 AM

I just finished playing through Silent Hill: Shattered Memories and I was definitely impressed by the experience! I was initially worried about this game because of the lack of combat but actually found it quite refreshing. Too many games focus on killing as an objective, or even the only objective. So it was unique to play one which focused solely on exploration, escape, and discovery. At times it felt like I was playing an old adventure game (anyone remember Sanitarium?), a feeling that was heightened by the sense of immersion I had when playing it.

While playing it I couldn't help but feel nostalgic about the first time I played Silent Hill back when I was in high school. At that time, with limited internet access, I had to piece together the games story and meaning myself. I remember walking around the town, terrified, wondering whether the people had been taken by aliens, if they were gone as the result of some kind of apocalyptic event, the game just kept me guessing, building, and eventually coming to some kind of logical (as far as the game goes) conclusion. Shattered Memories had me doing the same thing, just in a different context. They bent so many rules that I kept thinking how it was the same, how it was different, and how the game's story was actually going. It was nice to recapture that feeling of immersion, confusion, and fear that I felt in the original.

And...this game scared the crap out of me. Just walking around the town is an unsettling experience. And the chases...By the mid-point the chase scenes had become a little dull. But, they actually got more exciting near the end when I had become more emotionally involved in the game. Even though there isn't really a death penalty, I felt like I owed it to myself to escape, and escape well. The game designers really did a good job of making you join Harry in the game. The environments, messages, and subtle touches here and there really pull you in and build a pressing feeling of dread and anxiety, and it really doesn't let up. Even after the denial inducing finish.

Even though this thing was a huge departure from the series canon, it sits right beside the original game as my favourite.

ifirit

03-05-2010, 11:43 AM

According to 1-UP.com (http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3177798) and Joystiq (http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/03/silent-hill-composer-yamaoka-joins-suda-51s-video-game-band/), Akira Yamaoka has joined Grasshopper Manufacture and will be working on a new game for the company. Grasshopper Manufacture is the development company behind the games No More Heroes and its sequel Desperate Struggle, killer7, Flower, Sun and Rain, and Michigan.

More news to follow...

Thalzon

03-05-2010, 06:01 PM

Even though this thing was a huge departure from the series canon, it sits right beside the original game as my favourite.

It might still be canon. I believe the director recently retracted the statement that this game is technically another continuity. It certainly shares a lot of ideas with Silent Hill 1's "Dying Dream" ending.

That said, I am looking forward to what comes next. I played Shattered Memories through 3 times (Cybil was the same every time, but I got 3 different Michelles and 2 different Dahlias).

AJ-enova

03-06-2010, 07:04 PM

Hope they dont fuck up the 2nd movie 'tut'

Aetherius

04-24-2010, 05:47 PM

Bump, because I miss you guys.

I'm midway through both shattered memories and homecoming. (It takes me forever to finish anything).

Shattered memories:
Good-ish. Graphics are a bit PSX-y, which is sad, for this generation. I hear the Wii graphics are better than the PS2 port's which is extra sad. I like the ice motif, and the plot. I also think that the psychologist fellow is extremely unprofessional, but I suspect that has something to do with the plot in the longrun.

Homecoming:
Eh. It's still a silent hill game. It's just too shiny! Why is everything so shiny?! The story's a little too straightforward. Hardly any twists and turns. Nobody dies and then comes back to life and then dies again and then comes back to life wearing your dead wife's clothes... Sigh. Good enemies. Puzzles are pretty simple, too.

About Yamaoka going byebye:
He's been half-assing it since the rest of team silent left. I do hope that the series evolves without him. I don't mind hearing someone else's music, so long as it fits the mood (my music, maybe? I'm good! I sound like Yamaoka!). I would like a return to the complexity of the earlier games. The recent games were pretty lacking in terms of non-story memos (like the mood enhancing ones about murders and drownings and historical sorts of things in SH2) - and they were lacking in subtlety, which is unfortunate.

That said, I'll still follow this series into the dark so long as it continues to emphasize psychological horror and suspense with a little bit of beating formless blobs to death with a bent pipe on the side. Preferably with a bit more subtlety and a bit less "We're gung-ho americans who don't understand that this series is rooted in japanese culture."

ocre

04-24-2010, 08:12 PM

Ah, it's teh Strack. :) I actually made something that sounds a little Silent Hill-y. I think. Maybe it sound slike Half-Ass-Mode Yamaoka.

Thalzon

04-25-2010, 04:15 AM

The psychologist in Shattered Memories (Dr. Kaufmann, btw) is totally unprofessional because *spoiler!* any time he tries to root out an issue with his client they "freeze up" and spout some bullshit not relevant to anything to keep from admitting the truth.

I disagree with it looking a little "psx" though. This is a PS2 game with PSX-esque graphics:

http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2001/ps2/shadowhearts/shadowhearts_1219_790screen001.jpg

And this is Shattered Memories, for comparison.

http://nsider2.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Shattered-Memories-Cybil.jpg

A little squished, because I guess this is an HD screenshot compressed to CRT proportions, but the difference is quite clear. I'd say Shattered Memories is late-era PS2 at worst, but the animation is done so well that I really don't get any sense of the uncanny valley.

ifirit

04-28-2010, 10:43 AM

Shattered memories:
Good-ish. Graphics are a bit PSX-y, which is sad, for this generation. I hear the Wii graphics are better than the PS2 port's which is extra sad. I like the ice motif, and the plot. I also think that the psychologist fellow is extremely unprofessional, but I suspect that has something to do with the plot in the longrun.
I have to agree that Shattered Memories is "good-ish," mostly because it's the most polished and re-playable game of the Tomm Hulett series of games (SH0; SHH; SHSM). However, in all honesty, the reason that that is so, is that it does interactivity better than any of the games in the entire series and probably better than most video games to date. Almost all of the scenes in the game are in some way interactive. If not in the way that the player affects the story, some aspect or another is interactive, whether it be what objects you pick up (or don't), to which places you go (or avoid), or simply to what you look (or not). Even in situations where the dialogue is constrained and/or predetermined, the player is still given the option to follow what line of sight they wish to see. For example, on two different play-throughs, in the scene of the car ride with Dahlia from the Balkin to the drawbridge (probably one of the most uninteresting scenes in the game), I first played it indifferently, looking out the window in order to avoid eye-contact with her and hardly listening to what she had to say, which gave me a very detached look at her throughout that play-through; while the next time, I played the scene very intently, staring at her expressions, watching her actions, and I admit I began to warm up to her and took a greater interest in her well-being.

While I admit that the level of attachment that I formed is purely subjective and not something that everyone is going to experience, it's the fact that the game allows you to choose your level of interaction that helps you to formulate your opinion, which lends itself greatly to subtlety and nuance. In that aspect alone, Shattered Memories excels extraordinarily above the series.

However, that being said, the plot is par for the series, looking deeply at the emotions, motivations and events that drive the main character to be the person they are by game's end. What the plot fails to offer is an adequate reflection on the conclusion to the story. What did it all mean? What did I learn about the character and myself throughout the process? What did I take away from all of it? I think the last scene in the game (regardless of ending) says it best: [minor spoiler]Packing away a box of trinkets that once held significance because they are important to the character, but in retrospect, loses meaning once you walk away from the box.[/minor spoiler]

I did really like the ice motif as well, not merely because it's a metaphor for the main character locking up about their denial, but also because it re-establishes the series' defining feature as the nightmare of one's mind. That nightmare can take whatever form is most descriptive/appropriate to the character's state of mind, be it fire, darkness, flesh, machinery, ice or whatever. The nightmare is what drives the fear, what is hardest to define, and what can frighten all of us. And, by using a motif that is thematically opposed to the previously established motifs, Shattered Memories makes it apparent that fear is the true theme that ties the series together.

Homecoming:
Eh. It's still a silent hill game. It's just too shiny! Why is everything so shiny?! The story's a little too straightforward. Hardly any twists and turns. Nobody dies and then comes back to life and then dies again and then comes back to life wearing your dead wife's clothes... Sigh. Good enemies. Puzzles are pretty simple, too.
Silent Hill: Homecoming is the rocket that never took off, the flower that never bloomed, the fire that couldn't ignite. (I've got more of these: the door that jammed, the hole that's gone now, the seal that did nothing, doll that cursed your inventory storage, etc., etc., etc.) It was just an idea that never came to be.

Whether you might say that it was the frenetic, noisy, overly visceral presentation of the atmosphere; the predictable, clichéd plot line that followed too closely to the mess that the movie tried to pass off as a narrative; the underdeveloped characters who seemed more out-of-place and expendable than items in your inventory; or even the half-hearted and underwhelmed conclusion at games' end, everyone can agree that the game has more than it's fair share of flaws.

But, let me give it some redeeming value. If one is willing to take the time and effort, read through the diary entries on the official widget (http://online.konamimobile.com/KDEOnline/SilentHill_Widget/index.html). They give an account of each of the three main characters story just prior to the beginning of the game. Alex's diary entries give an account of his internal conflict and better characterization of his mental illness. Elle's diary gives you a better account of the slow and disheartening demise of Shepard's Glen and of her impotence to fight against it. Wheeler's diary shows how inept the police department staff is at handling disasters and how dependent they were on the town's sheriff, explaining why the town was able to spiral out of control so easily in his absence.

From these entries, you can get a glimpse of the deeper characterization that didn't make it into the finished product. Still, it doesn't make up for the disappointment it causes. (I still can't tell if the irony is intentional or not, but it definitely is palpable.)

About Yamaoka going byebye:
He's been half-assing it since the rest of team silent left. I do hope that the series evolves without him. I don't mind hearing someone else's music, so long as it fits the mood (my music, maybe? I'm good! I sound like Yamaoka!).
I'm not going to say I take offense at the statement, since I am not Akira Yamaoka and cannot speak on his behalf, but I will say that his works on the soundtracks for 0rigins, Homecoming, and Shattered Memories do not sound "half-assed." In fact, I would go so far as to say that the music for these games are more evolved and nuanced than his previous soundtracks. While I don't think that he's made a Theme of Laura or True lately (songs most fans regard as his most acclaimed), I would go so far as to say that Witchcraft is as passionate and soulful as Please Love Me... Once More, that O.R.T. is as profound as Theme of Laura (Reprise), that Elle Theme is as rich and resonant as Tears Of..., or that Angel's Scream is as dark and foreboding as Flower Crown of Poppy. In fact, I could go on and on about how much more developed Akira Yamaoka has made the Silent Hill sound of late, which I might in some other place at some other time.

It will be interesting to see how the music develops in the next iteration of the series, should there be one. (Actually, it's been confirmed (http://www.silenthillmemories.net/main/main_en.htm)!) While I think that the conservative prediction is that the next music director will try to mimic the Yamaoka format, it will definitely be difficult to capture that subtle form of expression that is distinctly Yamaoka's. Should a more generic "horror game" sound be applied to the series from here out, which is a less conservative prediction, I think it goes without saying that it will sound more out-of-place than no music at all. However, should the least conservative prediction come to pass, which is that a new music director is given the freedom to find his own voice and apply it appropriately to the context of the games, I may find myself with several new soundtracks on my bookshelf.

I would like a return to the complexity of the earlier games. The recent games were pretty lacking in terms of non-story memos (like the mood enhancing ones about murders and drownings and historical sorts of things in SH2) - and they were lacking in subtlety, which is unfortunate.

That said, I'll still follow this series into the dark so long as it continues to emphasize psychological horror and suspense with a little bit of beating formless blobs to death with a bent pipe on the side. Preferably with a bit more subtlety and a bit less "We're gung-ho americans who don't understand that this series is rooted in japanese culture."
I really can't help but notice the contrast of tone in these two statements, which imply more that you want a rehash of Silent Hill 2 than an honest attempt to create something original within the series' context. I understand that Silent Hill 2 is a game that stands without peer in the Silent Hill universe. It's a beautiful and brooding poem that transcends its medium, but holding your expectations for any follow-up to compete with SH2 will always pale in comparison.

Still, Silent Hill 2 is definitely a game that any developer should strive to emulate, but not at the expense of its own development and expression. We'll see what happens over the summer.

Aetherius

06-10-2010, 05:45 PM

I would go so far as to say that Witchcraft is as passionate and soulful as Please Love Me... Once More, that O.R.T. is as profound as Theme of Laura (Reprise), that Elle Theme is as rich and resonant as Tears Of..., or that Angel's Scream is as dark and foreboding as Flower Crown of Poppy. In fact, I could go on and on about how much more developed Akira Yamaoka has made the Silent Hill sound of late, which I might in some other place at some other time.

Well, I've never felt as though his VOCAL tracks were lacking (except for those awful Joe Romersa tracks, but that's just my opinion). Origins's soundtrack is decent. Lots of good vocal tracks, and some fairly good instrumentals. Homecoming lacked any memorable instrumentals, attributed to the fact that I can't remember any of them. Shattered Memories, while it has some cool musical themes recycles them constantly - the limitations of the wii, I think. Frankly, the lushness and production value that went into Silent Hill 3's soundtrack has never been matched, and while I don't want a rehash of the music and themes in it, I'd like to have seen the same kind of effort and attention in the recent instalments. But you may still disagree on that.

However, should the least conservative prediction come to pass, which is that a new music director is given the freedom to find his own voice and apply it appropriately to the context of the games, I may find myself with several new soundtracks on my bookshelf.

I think part of finding your own voice is failing to find it initially. Which means, under a new composer, we may see some pretty derivative (or out of place) music until things gel in a future instalment (which is a little too far ahead, since the 'failure game' is only now just confirmed. Still, I welcome anyone who can create an appropriate atmosphere. Really, the sound of the music is intrinsically connected with the plot elements in terms of the noises used (clock chimes and ticks, furnace growls, etc), it would be hard to write appropriate score without emulating Yamaoka to some extent.

I really can't help but notice the contrast of tone in these two statements, which imply more that you want a rehash of Silent Hill 2 than an honest attempt to create something original within the series' context. I understand that Silent Hill 2 is a game that stands without peer in the Silent Hill universe. It's a beautiful and brooding poem that transcends its medium, but holding your expectations for any follow-up to compete with SH2 will always pale in comparison.

Oh, good lord, that's not what I meant to suggest at all. Like I mentioned when I said that Silent Hill 3's soundtrack is hard to match, it's not a rehash that I want, it's the same quality/calibre of writing and direction that I want. I don't want to see old plot elements recycled, I want to see A PLOT. An intricate, complex one. Which is to say, I don't want to see a) Silent Hill Homecoming's half-baked Hollywood Blockbuster simplicity, or b) Shattered Memories' taking literally the phrase "psychological horror" and effectively making the supernatural element of Silent Hill a backburner afterthought.

Okay, those were some pretty harsh statements. I enjoyed both games thoroughly, but I recognize their flaws when compared with previous instalments. (I should note that my favourite in the series is actually Silent Hill 4, and not Silent Hill 2).

ifirit

06-18-2010, 01:27 AM

Well, I've never felt as though his VOCAL tracks were lacking (except for those awful Joe Romersa tracks, but that's just my opinion). Origins's soundtrack is decent. Lots of good vocal tracks, and some fairly good instrumentals. Homecoming lacked any memorable instrumentals, attributed to the fact that I can't remember any of them. Shattered Memories, while it has some cool musical themes recycles them constantly - the limitations of the wii, I think. Frankly, the lushness and production value that went into Silent Hill 3's soundtrack has never been matched, and while I don't want a rehash of the music and themes in it, I'd like to have seen the same kind of effort and attention in the recent instalments. But you may still disagree on that.
Perhaps I've been playing the role of Devil's Advocate for too long, as I do have my own grievances with the soundtracks of late, particularly when looking at them as a whole.

I don't think the soundtrack for SH0 has problems melodically or structurally as you noted, but there is a definite over-reliance on the preset values of the samples and instrumentation used here. In other words, Akira Yamaoka does very little to alter the individual tracks (which consist of preset samples from various sources) he uses in a congealing way, which of itself, doesn't give the soundtrack as a whole a consistent mood. So, when you listen to it as an album, the shifting mood and atmosphere doesn't give you a sense that the music is made to mesh together. It all feels like selections from a game with highly varying situations, which SH0 was. In fact, Akira Yamaoka's works often reflect the nature of the games they portray, both in mood and execution. So, in essence, his problem with having a consistent mood throughout the SH0 soundtrack is a reflection of the game's own lack of a consistency throughout.

Silent Hill Homecoming's soundtrack suffered from poor track mixing, being that the individual tracks were ordered in an ineffective manner. The first half of the album focuses heavily on melodic and theme-oriented tracks making the ambient tracks of the latter half seem bare and hollow, attributing to its lack of memorability. Had the tracks been ordered in a way that alternated between melodic and ambient tracks in a more synergistic way as they were in the SH3 OST, it might have garnered greater popularity. However, the tracks were ordered in this manner to follow their appearances in the game, which shifted from an atmospheric, melody-oriented, character driven start to an action-horror, high-tension finale with little regard to the unfolding, if underwhelming, character development in the concluding chapters. Particularly speaking, as Alex infiltrates the Silent Hill religion's hive, he faces a number of encounters with the recurring characters as their true intentions are revealed and disseminated. Normally, the music would have been a major part of such character developments; however, there is little opportunity to ruminate upon these emotional encounters because the game ungraciously cuts away from these serendipitous moments in order to blindly press ahead to the next objective. As such, the music itself foregos providing emotion and context in order to move on to the next visceral and undulating piece of ambiance.

My issues with the SHSM soundtrack are in its familiarity, not only because of their repeated use in the game, but in the fact that a number of elements are recycled from previous games. Sound effects, synths, loops and other elements in almost every track come from a previous soundtrack and, while I consider it a farewell love letter to the series, it makes distinguishing one title from the next difficult without looking at the tracklist. More so, Akira Yamaoka even uses the same synths developed primarily for SHSM in multiple tracks, such as the distorted piano in "Creeping Distress" and "Snow Driven" or the twisted laughing synth in "Devil's Laughter" and "Blackest Friday" adding to the confusion. Additionally, since no track exceeds the 3 minute mark (averaging at about 2 minutes in length, the shortest in the series), looping tends to occur regularly, compounding the repetitious feel of the music in-game.

Still, it's a matter of opinion. While I think that the SH3 soundtrack is the best album (being that it works together well as a single collection of music) of the series, it certainly doesn't have the best individual tracks. This is mostly because of a number of elements that hinder their ability to be listened to as individual tracks, such as the ambient music at the beginning and ending of individual tracks ("Sickness Unto Foolish Death," "A Stray Child," "Innocent Moon") the stops where in-game loops occur rather than a developed ending ("Please Love Me... Once More," "End of Small Sanctuary," "Prayer"), the overlay of spoken word sections obscuring musical elements ("Sun," "Walk on Vanity Ruins") and the addition of silence in order to extend song length ("Hometown"). As such, this makes the SH3 OST and its predecessors great to listen to on CD, but is a bad choice for MP3/digital music players, while I think the opposite is true of the newer albums including the SH4 OSTs.

I think part of finding your own voice is failing to find it initially. Which means, under a new composer, we may see some pretty derivative (or out of place) music until things gel in a future instalment (which is a little too far ahead, since the 'failure game' is only now just confirmed. Still, I welcome anyone who can create an appropriate atmosphere. Really, the sound of the music is intrinsically connected with the plot elements in terms of the noises used (clock chimes and ticks, furnace growls, etc), it would be hard to write appropriate score without emulating Yamaoka to some extent.
Considering that today Konami announced the Music Director for the eighth installment of the Silent Hill series: Silent Hill Homecoming 2 (http://www.gametrailers.com/video/e3-2010-silent-hill/700166), Daniel Licht (http://www.danlicht.com/), I'm going to have to agree with you that the music is going to sound very out of place. Daniel Licht's musical focus has been primarily on passive media: movies, television shows and the like. While creating music for cut-scenes may be similar to writing for passive media, I have my concerns that the creation of music for the interactive parts of the game will not be of interest or intensity in the way they have been in earlier installments. However, my concerns are not in his experiences in past media, but in the style and direction of the composer himself, as very little on his website moves to impress.

A big part of Akira Yamaoka's style when composing for ambient or atmospheric parts of the games was his ability to stimulate your imagination for fear by using elements that weren't commonplace. For example, he would use effects and elements that were seemingly detached from the story and/or plot, such as distorted animal noises for the monsters, high pitched squeals in narrow spaces, fog horns in underground places, electronic interference in places without electronics, etc. It's this combination of the commonplace and the unexpected that made his works not only frightful, but interesting. How many games have we played where we've been stopped in our tracks, not because of an enemy or surprising visual element, but because of a particular sound that froze us stiff or had us looking in all directions?

Oh, good lord, that's not what I meant to suggest at all. Like I mentioned when I said that Silent Hill 3's soundtrack is hard to match, it's not a rehash that I want, it's the same quality/calibre of writing and direction that I want. I don't want to see old plot elements recycled, I want to see A PLOT. An intricate, complex one. Which is to say, I don't want to see a) Silent Hill Homecoming's half-baked Hollywood Blockbuster simplicity, or b) Shattered Memories' taking literally the phrase "psychological horror" and effectively making the supernatural element of Silent Hill a backburner afterthought.

Okay, those were some pretty harsh statements. I enjoyed both games thoroughly, but I recognize their flaws when compared with previous instalments. (I should note that my favourite in the series is actually Silent Hill 4, and not Silent Hill 2).
Me, too. (SH4 was my favorite game, too! ;-) )

Aetherius

07-06-2010, 08:49 PM

... Why are you calling it "Homecoming 2"?
I mean, other than the fact that it doesn't look like it's going to deviate significantly from what Homecoming was doing - which wasn't much.

StarZander

07-07-2010, 03:29 PM

I must say I like the trailer for the new game. And about having Daniel Licht as the music director, I can't help but being downright excited about it. He made the great, and eerie, music for Dexter and I'm guessing he did the music in the trailer as well, so that just makes me even more excited.
I thought Homecoming was okay, but I hope this one improves upon the most lacking detail in Homecoming: the locations. They were mostly repetative and boring, no real soul to them. Not like the Prison in SH2, or the asylum in SH: Origins.

Also, isn't it yet another new company developing this game? Or is it the same team as in Homecoming?

Aetherius

07-08-2010, 03:57 AM

It's being developed by Vatra games. They haven't made any games yet, but they're supposedly involved with some 2K Games retirees. If they retired, I don't know what they're doing starting a new company, but I think the most important part of a Silent Hill game is the writing, so, hopefully that's what gets some focus.

Anyway, I enjoy some of the moody tracks from Dexter, but the music in the trailer was a bit unnecessarily hollywoody. Certainly wouldn't suit actual gameplay. Might be okay in a cutscene.

Nekofrog

07-08-2010, 04:11 AM

How about a game not starring a 20something white male protagonist?

ifirit

07-08-2010, 09:38 AM

... Why are you calling it "Homecoming 2"?
I mean, other than the fact that it doesn't look like it's going to deviate significantly from what Homecoming was doing - which wasn't much.
Bingo.

I must say I like the trailer for the new game. And about having Daniel Licht as the music director, I can't help but being downright excited about it. He made the great, and eerie, music for Dexter and I'm guessing he did the music in the trailer as well, so that just makes me even more excited.
David Licht is not a bad choice for creating the music for Silent Hill. I'm just not all that impressed or excited about his music. Perhaps this game will change that; only time will tell.

Oh, yeah. For those wondering if Mary Elizabeth McGlynn and Joe Romersa will be returning for the next game, the answer is a definite "no (http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/01/silent-hill-vocalist-working-with-yamaoka-on-suda-mikami-game/)." In fact, they have joined Akira Yamaoka at Grasshopper Manufacture and are currently working on a new soundtrack for an upcoming title.

Jammin' with Akira (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIctjVELTKc)

I thought Homecoming was okay, but I hope this one improves upon the most lacking detail in Homecoming: the locations. They were mostly repetative and boring, no real soul to them. Not like the Prison in SH2, or the asylum in SH: Origins.
I wouldn't say it was so much the locations as I would say it was the pacing. Too long in certain sections (requiring repetition of features and layout), too short in others (skimping on design and creativity).

Also, isn't it yet another new company developing this game? Or is it the same team as in Homecoming?
Yes, the new development company is VATRA Games (http://www.vatragames.com/): a development studio under Kuju Entertainment Ltd. (http://www.kuju.com/), formed in early 2009 and based in Brno, Czech Republic. They currently staff 40 members who, for the most part, previously worked for Illusion Softworks (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2K_Czech) (now known as 2K Czech, a division of 2K Games), a studio mostly known for creating various WWII and Vietnam FPS's.

The current executive producers listed for Silent Hill are Konami Digital Enterainment, Inc. Executive Vice President Kazuya Takahashi (http://www.mobygames.com/developer/sheet/view/developerId,121289/) (formly the executive producer of Online Contents for Konami Digital Enterainment, Inc. and producer for Silent Hill: The Escape), Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. Executive Producer Jeremy Airey (http://www.mobygames.com/developer/sheet/view/developerId,39096/) (who produced over both Silent Hill Homecoming and Shattered Memories), and Matthew Seymour (http://www.mobygames.com/developer/sheet/view/developerId,111997/), current Studio Head for VATRA Games (who previously worked on games for 2K Sports and 2K Czech).

The current producers listed for Silent Hill are Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. Producer Devin Shatsky (who presented the trailer at E3 this year), Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. Producer Tomm Hulett (who has produced the last three home console versions of the Silent Hill series), and VATRA Games Studio Development Director Andy Pang (...nothing much else to say about him).

I'm not all that impressed with the development staff (granted they're doing the same visually with the game as Double Helix who had twice the staff), though there is a silver lining among them in Matthew Seymour. I'm intrigued by his philosophy of narrative design in games and their effects on gameplay (if not a little kooky), particularly in his interview (http://www.videogamer.com/videos/don_king_presents_prizefighter_preview.html) about Don King presents: Prizefighter (2008, XBOX360).

Mr Azar

07-08-2010, 10:24 AM

The series died when Silent Hill 4 was made. Nothing since has captured the true spirit of the series.

Nekofrog

07-08-2010, 11:20 AM

Play Shattered Memories. The story is the most pure form of Silent Hill since 2.

ifirit

07-08-2010, 11:36 PM

Play Shattered Memories. The story is the most pure form of Silent Hill since 2.
"This whole town, it's really a giant spaceship!"
"I am sober." "That would explain you weirding me out."
"What is this place?" "It's a boat. It's like a car, but goes on water."

In its most tender moments, SHSM can be very sincere, but for the most part, the script is rather catty.

Petara

11-03-2010, 11:05 PM

The film sequel has a confirmed director and will be in 3D.

Silent Hill: Revelations (http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=71374)

I gonna have to say that I'm a little put off by the 3D decision. More than likely, it will be more of a gimmick than any sort of enhancement. Time will tell I suppose.

Monobrow

11-04-2010, 03:48 AM

Oh yeah, figure this is relevant:

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs967.snc4/76017_458407658953_768938953_5293650_1369738_n.jpg

Hurrah... This and a few more are in the PPOY thread too *_* First time I've dressed up for Halloween... (since childhood)

Petara

11-11-2010, 12:28 AM

More news on the upcoming SH film sequel.

Silent Hill: Revelations (http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=71563)

The Smitchens

11-11-2010, 12:38 PM

"This whole town, it's really a giant spaceship!"
"I am sober." "That would explain you weirding me out."
"What is this place?" "It's a boat. It's like a car, but goes on water."

In its most tender moments, SHSM can be very sincere, but for the most part, the script is rather catty.

I haven't seen a script that well written since the days of Jill Sandwiches.

Thalzon

11-11-2010, 11:21 PM

The last two lines are a somewhat bitchy Dahlia making fun of Harry's inquiries. To his credit, the times he runs into Dahlia, Harry is exceedingly confused about what's going on.

ifirit

11-16-2010, 11:42 AM

New Silent Hill Shattered Memories Remix from Main Finger:
Since we're on the subject of SHSM, here's a rough cut of Jesse Gregory's (aka Main Finger) remix of Akira Yamaoka's version of "Always on My Mind." And it is A-W-E-S-O-M-E!

MainFinger.com - News - Stream a New Main Finger Remix (http://www.mainfinger.com/news/stream-a-new-main-finger-remix-on-youtube.html) / Download (http://www.mediafire.com/?nkyf51bayfw0mz3) (.mp4 file / 6.97 MB / 480 x 360)

Petara

01-24-2011, 10:21 PM

Thalzon

01-25-2011, 03:07 AM

You know, back when shattered memories was first released, people were making jokes about the sequel having to do with rain and being a reimagining of silent hill 2.

Petara

01-25-2011, 06:08 PM

I guess good ol fog isn't cool anymore.

Nobinsor

01-25-2011, 10:46 PM

I.....ugh....it DOES look atmospheric, but using a prisoner as the protagonist just seems too easy. Of course he has issues! Unless...there's no prison bus at all!!!

On the side...has anyone else been following this guy?

http://michaeljbassett.wordpress.com/

ifirit

02-11-2011, 07:14 AM

The next installment coming later this year

Silent Hill: Downpour (http://www.gamespot.com/news/6286829.html?tag=latestheadlines%3Btitle%3B6)

Lookin like another Homecoming... and without Yamaoka, how could it feel like Silent Hill? :whatevaa:
Actually, according to the escapist (http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/106785-Silent-Hill-Downpour-Poisons-Water-With-Horror), it looks like this is going to be another 0rigins, with breakable weapons, fixed camera angles and QTEs. Color me disappointed.

Incidently, if you haven't checked out Silent Hill: Past Life, read the first two issues; it's surprisingly promising. Particularly because the writer, Tom Waltz (Silent Hill: Sinner's Reward), is also co-writing Downpour. I'm highly impressed with the artwork as well, as it merges the art design of the entire comic series with a monochrome pencil-sketch style and an incomparable, original technique that warrants detailed inspection.

Also, if you happen to use PlayStation Home, check out the highly faithful, recreated Red Pyramid costume from SH2 in the Konami Space.

Petara

03-09-2011, 10:41 PM

More on upcoming Silent Hill: Revelation (http://www.comingsoon.net/news/gamenews.php?id=75001)

We have a Heather!

http://shocktillyoudrop.com/nextraimages/sh2photo.jpg

Meeting_Gman

03-09-2011, 11:48 PM

More on upcoming Silent Hill: Revelation (http://www.comingsoon.net/news/gamenews.php?id=75001)

We have a Heather!

http://shocktillyoudrop.com/nextraimages/sh2photo.jpg

She's pweettyy! Looking forward to the 2nd movie.

I didn't understand all the love for Silent Hill: Origins. It did an okay job of mimicking past Silent Hill's but when it was left on it's own it did things like make enemies who were puppets. I gave up when I got to the theater.

It was a game that was wholly unnecessary.

liquid wind

03-10-2011, 12:15 AM

SH, SH2, and SH3 are generally thought to be the best games in this series right? I've played SH2 and shattered memories, loved 2 but found SM intolerable because gimmicky motion controls are a plague to humanity. I have SH3 but haven't started it yet, I have a massive backlog...

Mustin

03-10-2011, 01:14 AM

Petara

03-10-2011, 01:48 AM

2 is great. 1 is great. 3 is great. Tried 4 but never got past the first couple of hours.

Loved (most of) the movie. I think it's the best video-game-turned-movie -- I think the use of the original soundtrack made up 50% of the experience for me. Here's hoping this one follows suit.

Seems we're on the level here. I've actually tried to play SH4 on several occasions, but it never grabbed my attention enough to stick it out. Same thing with Origins.

Meeting_Gman

03-10-2011, 03:08 AM

Silent Hill 4 actually did a really good job of being a game with the same deepness of Silent Hill 2. It just had poor production values and presentation that held it back.

Schwaltzvald

03-10-2011, 03:26 AM

Silent Hill 4 actually did a really good job of being a game with the same deepness of Silent Hill 2. It just had poor production values and presentation that held it back.

It did well enough to fuck with my mind (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjuMXY5MKFs) seeing as at the time I bought it I was still living in an apartment. Half the time I had the place all to myself (midnight) and playing SH4 did nothing but make me imagine strange sightings at night.

That fucking doll...

The Phalanx

03-10-2011, 04:54 AM

It did well enough to fuck with my mind (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjuMXY5MKFs) seeing as at the time I bought it I was still living in an apartment. Half the time I had the place all to myself (midnight) and playing SH4 did nothing but make me imagine strange sightings at night.

That fucking doll...

Friend of a friend scared the other one to hell and back by putting his hair down and 'floating' after her in the middle of the night, much like the ghosts in SH4. This has proven to be the greatest means of scaring the ever-loving piss out of her every single time.

The biggest weakness of SH4 was Henry (who had nothing for a personality and was bland as hell) and going back through the same levels a second time around. Had they done something about that early on I think it would have been received a lot better.

Sindra

03-10-2011, 04:29 PM

I'll say that while I liked SH4 the least out of the original four games, it still had more going for it than recent games, IMO.

Here's hoping Downpour brings some of the old feel of psychological creepiness back.

Meeting_Gman

03-10-2011, 10:02 PM

It did well enough to fuck with my mind (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjuMXY5MKFs) seeing as at the time I bought it I was still living in an apartment. Half the time I had the place all to myself (midnight) and playing SH4 did nothing but make me imagine strange sightings at night.

That fucking doll...

Oh man, I loved the hauntings that would happen. So freaky.
I loved the feeling of isolation and being trapped that the game conveyed. It was really a wonderful game that really tried.

The biggest weakness of SH4 was Henry (who had nothing for a personality and was bland as hell) and going back through the same levels a second time around. Had they done something about that early on I think it would have been received a lot better.

There was a reason for this and it is hinted at in the game. Henry became somewhat of a recluse, hence his timidness/quietness and lack of strong personality shown to others. He wasn't always like that though and he himself is speaks of this.

There is a wonderful article on Gamefaqs, that explores the characters:

http://www.gamefaqs.com/pc/920736-silent-hill-4-the-room/faqs/36931

ifirit

03-21-2011, 07:03 PM

Oh man, I loved the hauntings that would happen. So freaky.
I loved the feeling of isolation and being trapped that the game conveyed. It was really a wonderful game that really tried.
I feel like I should mention that it was also this feeling of isolation and confinement that put people off. For a video game, it was very counter-intuitive, because there seemed like there was more that you could do, but weren't allowed to do. ("Hey, I can look out my window. Why won't it open? Hey, I can look out my peephole. Why can't I get out of the apartment? Hey, I can play with the radio. Why can't I hear anything else but static? *Sigh*/*Quit*)

Silent Hill 4 actually did a really good job of being a game with the same deepness of Silent Hill 2. It just had poor production values and presentation that held it back.
I think SH4 had great presentation and fantastic production values. However, it lacked severely in appoachability. Unlike its predecessors, The Room greatly sacraficed approachability in favor of presentation (i.e. atmosphere). Personally, in hindsight, the overall game is better off for it, as the story comes across more effectively. However, I think this decision thinned the Silent Hill herd too much of fans who were looking for more of the familiar from the series. (IMHO, SH3 did the series a disservice by sticking to the original game design of SH1.)

Granted, I will agree that sacraficing approachability in certain gameplay aspects hurt some of the experience. However, the complaint isn't that the game design was broken or unplayable, but that said gameplay mechanics could have been made more succinct or effective. (It was just wonky, not broken)

There was a reason for this and it is hinted at in the game. Henry became somewhat of a recluse, hence his timidness/quietness and lack of strong personality shown to others. He wasn't always like that though and he himself is speaks of this.
Actually, Henry is a demure character, not a reclusive one. This makes him interesting to me, as this characteristic is uncommon in men, and also somewhat unfitting. There is a hugely subtle difference that should be addressed between the two. However, almost every aspect of SH4 leans heavily upon subtlety.

There is a wonderful article on Gamefaqs, that explores the characters:

http://www.gamefaqs.com/pc/920736-silent-hill-4-the-room/faqs/36931
This is a great article and one of the last remaining English overviews left on the internet. Glad you brought it up.

SH0: It was a game that was wholly unnecessary.
THANK YOU!!! I'm glad somebody else said it.

Lastly, I just finished reading Silent Hill: Past Life on my PSP. I have to admit, for a four issue comic, it is surprisingly good, aside from the fact that it has almost nothing to do with Silent Hill, which as it turns out is the best kind of Silent Hill story. Good story, excellent artwork, fairly faithful adaptation, great tension and build up, wholly satisfying conclusion. Definitely recommend it.

ifirit

05-24-2011, 02:45 AM

...That is some actually very beautifully-done cover art, and it's making me jealous already >.<

Ifirit, as soon as a full front-and-back scan is available of that Japanese SH:H cover art, might ya be able to post it?

As soon as that happens, I'm taking my copy of Homecoming to Kinko's along with that image, to prove I'm not pirating or anything, and getting a new cover image made...hehe.

Wish they'd be able to dig up Ito-san for more than just a cover image though!
Silent Hill Merchandise Announcement:
Silent Hill Sounds Box Released in Japan:
Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltm. (http://www.konami.jp) announced on December 28, 2010*[1] the release of a collector's edition of the Silent Hill music series in a single boxed collection entitled, "Silent Hill Sounds Box." Released on March 16, 2011*[2] on physical media format via Sony Music Distribution (Japan) Inc. (http://www.sme.co.jp/sme/corporate/smd.html), this collection features 9 discs: 8 soundtrack CDs and a DVD*[3] of trailers from the Silent Hill series and a 20-page art booklet. The catalog number for the Sounds Box collection is GFCA243-251 and retails at 14,700円 (YEN)*[4] (sales tax included).

The collections consists of 8 music CDs, 7 of which are soundtracks from the main series of titles and an 8th containing demos, unreleased tracks, extended versions and limited-edition-released tracks from the series. In addition, the 8th CD also contains Akira Yamaoka created tracks from Silent Hill The Arcade. The included DVD contains the E3 and TGS trailers from Silent Hill Zer0 (aka Silent Hill 0rigins), Silent Hill Homecoming (unreleased in Japan), and Silent Hill Shattered Memories. Each disc has a newly designed cover slip and CD face. The included 20-page artbook contains unreleased drawings and concept art from the above mentioned games as well.*[5]

Although this is seemingly a re-release of previous soundtracks, there are some major and minor changes, particularly with the most recent releases*[6]. For example, the original Silent Hill soundtrack does not include the track "Esperandote" by Rika Muranaka. Also, the Silent Hill Homecoming soundtrack features a re-ordering of the tracklist to spread out some of the more melodic tracks amid the more ambient tracks*[7]. In addition, the last track has been replaced with a remix version of "Alex Theme"*[8]. To hear a sample of select tracks from the collection, visit the full details page (http://www.konami.jp/products/gfca243/) and click on the "listen" icons*[9] next to the highlighted tracks.

*[1] Footnote: The Silent Hill Portal Site (http://www.konami.jp/gs/game/silenthill/?pcnt=silent+hill) announced the release by posting the order/pre-order (http://www.konamistyle.jp/item/70660) page on the KonamiStyle of Japan (http://www.konamistyle.jp) site on Tuesday, December 28, 2010. Subsequent (http://nobuooo.com/item/8028) news (http://www.game-ost.ru/news_comments.php?id=1576) reports (http://www.silenthillmemories.net/main/news2010_en.htm) followed on the same day.
*[2] Footnote: Although the collection released on schedule via Sony Music Distribution (Japan) Inc., shipments of the Sounds Box from KonamiStyle were delayed due to the recent tsunami disaster in Japan.
*[3] Footnote: Encoded for Region 2 (Japan, Europe, Australia). (Personal Note: Sorry, North America and East Asia.)
*[4] Footnote: For those that order from the KonamiStyle site, they recieve a 10% discount. The sales price of 13,230円 (YEN) is payable by cash (if ordered from the KonamiStyle retail store (http://www.konamistyle.jp/sp/shop/tmt/index_en.html) in Tokyo), credit card or Konami Points. In turn, KonamiStyle members recieve 126 points for purchasing this collection.
*[5] Footnote: Among the included images are the unreleased box art (http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b338/Ifirit0/SH%20Images/silent_hill_sounds_box_booklet_06.jpg) covers (http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b338/Ifirit0/SH%20Images/silent_hill_sounds_box_booklet_03.jpg) from Silent Hill Homecoming by Masahiro Ito.
*[6] Footnote: The Silent Hill Sounds Box marks the first official releases of the SHH and SHSM soundtracks.
*[7] Footnote: The US promotional release album features a different tracklist (http://ocremix.org/forums/showpost.php?p=597010&postcount=2015) for the Silent Hill Homecoming soundtrack. Personal Note: ??? (http://ocremix.org/forums/showpost.php?p=688920&postcount=2055)
*[8] Footnote: The new track is titled "Alex Theme (Machine Head Mix)" Personal Note: Which is A-W-E-S-O-M-E (http://ocremix.org/forums/showpost.php?p=730802&postcount=2069)!!!
*[9] Footnote: Samples download as streaming asx files.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b338/Ifirit0/SH%20Images/silent_hill_sounds_box_0b.jpg http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b338/Ifirit0/SH%20Images/silent_hill_sounds_box_0a.jpg

Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltm. - Products - Silent Hill Sounds Box (http://www.konami.jp/products/gfca243/)
KonamiStyle of Japan - CD・DVD・BD - Silent Hill Sounds Box (http://www.konamistyle.jp/item/70660/SILENT-HILL-SOUNDS-BOX-(CD))
Sony Music Shop - SILENT HILL SOUNDS BOX (http://www.sonymusicshop.jp/m/item/itemShw.php?site=S&cd=GFCA000000243)

Personal Note: *Ahem* This is probably the longest response time I've had between replies, but whayagonnado.

StarZander

05-25-2011, 11:46 AM

SH0: It was a game that was wholly unnecessary.

THANK YOU!!! I'm glad somebody else said it.

I have to disagree. I enjoyed it immensely, more so than both SH4 and Homecoming. It had great atmosphere, much like the first game IMO, and the "levels" were well designed, which was something I was really disappointed in with Homecoming. I was also impressed that it could actually be scary on a handheld device.

ifirit

05-25-2011, 07:20 PM

I have to disagree. I enjoyed it immensely, more so than both SH4 and Homecoming. It had great atmosphere, much like the first game IMO, and the "levels" were well designed, which was something I was really disappointed in with Homecoming. I was also impressed that it could actually be scary on a handheld device.
I don't think we're disputing the merits of the game itself; it definitely has its strong points, particularly in its atmosphere and level-design. However, as far as the story is concerned, it really isn't an integral or engaging part of the Silent Hill series. Its more like a side story or fan fiction game than a poignant, revealing take on the events leading up to the first game. That in itself makes the game unnecessary, especially as a prequel.

If you're not convinced, let's compare a few things. Image that Silent Hill 1 was not the first game in the series, but was instead created as a prequel to Silent Hill 3. So, let's take a look at the connections between the story, and just for the sake of argument, let's say it was developed for a handheld device (since as a PSOne Classic it can be played on the PSP).

In SH3, we're told that Harry Mason was Cheryl's father and that the cult of Silent Hill tried to bring their god into the world. As we begin SH1, the connection between father and daughter is already established, there isn't a need to set up that connection. In fact, even if we aren't privy to that information, we quickly learn this from a combination of Harry's immediate distress when she goes missing and in his introductions with other characters, where his questions always seem to revolve around searching for Cheryl. In SH0, Travis has a very lengthy introduction to his connection to Alessa, and even then the connection is only tenuous. There is no deeply connected motivation in relating a new character to a clearly established one.

While Travis' immediate concern for Alessa stems from a sense of curiosity and noble indignation, this is completely diffused upon meeting Lisa, who doesn't seem to have any connection to Alessa throughout the course of the game. I would think that in creating a prequel to Silent Hill, the Lisa/Alessa relationship would be the part that you and the audience would want to expand upon the most. In fact, by the time Travis reaches the Sanitarium, his focus isn't like Heather's in the first half of SH3, who was looking to escape the nightmare and return to a sense of sanity and order. He's not looking for escape from the terrors of Silent Hill, but rather he seems to be reveling in them, especially during a second play-through when one receives the moon gauntlets. While this in of itself doesn't make for poor narrative, it does make for a bad choice of a prequel storytelling.

Harry's story shows how deeply his concern for Cheryl was. That he was willing (if somewhat unable) to brave the darkness in order to reach her and take her from the hand that was pulling her away from him, which in SH3 sets up a clear and present motivation why she was so adamant on returning home to her father and her subsequent desire for revenge when he is murdered.

SH0 does little to set up the story for SH1 or its motivations. It only gives a means to it. Finding the pieces of the Flauros seems very arbitrary, especially towards the end of the game. (To which it is never explained why the Flauros was divided into pieces in the first place.) The connection between Alessa and the cult to Travis is non-existent in the motel area, so finding a piece of the Flauros after Travis confronts his past is more gimmicky than integral. Additionally, if Travis' story was to show a parallel between Travis and Alessa via his emotions and mental state, it isn't very convincing or necessary to have him maintain a protagonist role by game's end, especially if the goal is to present Alessa as the antagonist in SH1.

Ultimately, when one looks at the connections between SH0 and SH1 they are loose and unrevealing in comparison to the connections between SH1 and SH3. This makes SH0 wholly unnecessary.

If SH0 had actually not been related to SH1 as directly and instead focused on Travis and his delving into his murderous and perverse behaviors in the context of the Otherworld setting, I'd be much more likely to treat it as integral to the series as a transformation metaphor of man to monster, an underlying and unexplained theme throughout the series.

StarZander

05-26-2011, 08:51 AM

Ah, I understand, and with that I definitely agree. The story could have made much more sense if it skipped the Alessa part, and kept all connections to his own story with his family, and maybe kept other SH characters as cameos. Actually, when I play it I pretty much disregard those bits because they are pretty uninteresting.

ifirit

08-21-2011, 12:39 PM

I'm thinking that by this point, most everyone has seen this video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GX1GFlbICWw) for the forthcoming Silent Hill HD Collection. Based on comments and poll votes online, it's received a surprisingly negative response overall. Many fans are unhappy about the altered voice-overs, citing changes in the performances that are affecting the presentation of the story.

Well, in related news, Twin Perfect (http://twin-perfect.com) (a joint website operated by fungo, Rosseter and DerFuzhwar), who recently compiled their video commentary (http://silenthillmedia.net/trshe.htm) for the Silent Hill series, is petitioning fellow enthusiasts to not purchase the Silent Hill HD Collection in a "Vote With Your Wallets" campaign. Between their two video (http://twin-perfect.com/blog/index.php/silent-hill-hd-remake-r-i-p-sh2sh3/) commentaries (http://twin-perfect.com/blog/index.php/silent-hill-hd-collection-voice-acting-comparison/), they raise a plethera of valid reasons why fans should not purchase the re-releases of SH2 and SH3. Whether or not you agree with the popular opinion currently, it should be noted that if the campaign is successful, this could mark the first major console release of the last two generations to receive overwhelming support against its release by its intended audience.

In turn, it could also indicate a dramatic shift for the video game industry at large. It's currently unknown how much Konami has invested in the project or how much they intend to sell in return (though I assume it is a great deal), but if their goals fall short it could mean drastic changes within their business model, which could affect the general culture among video game executives. (I feel I may be over-dramatizing the situation, perpetuation the stereotype that well-written games generally don't sell, but I think it warrants explaining the possible consequences that could occur in the event that the Silent Hill HD Collection becomes a major flop, though I fear they may be farther reaching than I anticipate.)

Personal Note: I do not intend to purchase this re-release do my dislike of Konami's business practices toward the creative teams, as more and more talent comes forth citing poor treatment by executives post-release.

The Phalanx

08-22-2011, 06:18 AM

Reading the comments, all I see is "abloobloobloo" from self-entitled fans who apparently want to actively prevent Konami from making money off their own series.

This is a GREAT idea.

ifirit

08-22-2011, 05:18 PM

Reading the comments, all I see is "abloobloobloo" from self-entitled fans who apparently want to actively prevent Konami from making money off their own series.

This is a GREAT idea.
It's an interesting question: is it fair for a company to continue to make money on re-releases of its intellectual properties, even after the development team has left the company? In the case of Silent Hill, Team Silent has completely disbanded and almost all the original staff have left Konami. So, in essence, Konami is only earning money from Silent Hill re-releases as a publisher, not a developer. Therefore, is it appropriate for Konami to alter the original works (SH2 & SH3) without the input of the original staff?

I don't think there would have been much of a problem if the re-release was solely to remaster the graphics and sound, much the same way older films are remastered for new media releases. However, the issue here is complicated by a re-recording of the original dialogue by new cast members and a new cast director. The issue is even further complicated by allegations that even though members of the original staff are willing to work with Konami on a re-release, Konami is reluctant/unwilling to negotiate with said staff on payment of residuals from past and future releases.

I'm sure there have been cases of this before with other companies and other re-released games, but I think this is the first time the general audience at large has had to really think about the consequences it creates for development staff who are uncompensated in the process. Possibly with Final Fantasy/Square games, Mega Man collections, arcade collection re-releases, or even cult-title re-releases this is true, though in general these re-releases have had improvements added either through content, visual presentation or director's cuts. Even with previous Konami re-releases such as the Castlevania series were clear improvements added. However, who knows how much of the original staff was involved in any of these releases?

Schwaltzvald

08-23-2011, 01:26 AM

The least they could do is make the voices fit the characters better.

Really now, Mary's (the singer Mary Elizabeth McGlynn) huskier voice, while nice seems out of place for Mary/Maria. Eddie sounds like a stoner rather than a deranged psychopath. Finally James (Crispin McDougal Freeman?), I'm not entirely sold on; could work but not sure. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UV_NC4JGntM)

The point should be that so long as the new VA's voicing their lines don't sound as awkward or worse as some of the original VA's; it'll be fine.

ifirit

08-24-2011, 09:25 AM

I think you should know that Mary Elizabeth McGlynn is the V.O. director in charge of the HD Collection. So, the decision to put herself in the role of Mary/Maria is entirely her own. (This isn't the first time she's done this. If you recall her interview video a few years ago at an anime convention, she notes that during her direction of V.O. for the English dub of Cowboy Bebop, particularly when the time came to place a voice for Julia, she filled the role herself out of her own personal desire for said role.)

Schwaltzvald

08-24-2011, 12:49 PM

I think you should know that Mary Elizabeth McGlynn is the V.O. director in charge of the HD Collection

Oh I'm aware of it, just not sure it was the best idea for Mary. Perhaps I need to play the HD collection rather than just see parts of her performance to really appreciate the changes. On the video clip though, rather than sounding as if she was being recorded on a old video-recorder at that scene with Mary at the hotel, it just sounded as if she was right next to you ad-libbing along side you rather than from the TV's speakers.

ifirit

08-25-2011, 08:42 PM

I agree with you, though MEMG is an overdub professional and not a sound designer by trade. So, who knows if there's someone from the sound department that will be overlaying the static/noise filters onto the dialogue, especially for Mary's lines heard on James' radio? And what about the sound effects? Will Konami be re-recording James' and Maria's in game sound effects (breathing, attack grunts, injured grunts, death screams)? I honestly don't think they'll leave it out, but how weird is going to be to hear someone else's voice every time you stop running?