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MyraHindley
09-28-2009, 12:18 PM
So Silent Hill has been my all time favorite franchise for as long as I can remember. Silent Hill 3 being the gem of the series for me. When Silent Hill 4 "The Room" came out, I was less than thrilled with the new mechanics and the lackluster plot elements, but it was still worth playing at least once, of course, for the mind blowing Silent Hill Visuals.

And then there was Homecoming.

I understand that they were trying to update things... keep it fresh, so to speak. However, they failed in almost every aspect. The monsters were gimmicky and too strong. Rather than the main character being vulnerable (which made the first 4 so terrifying) he's an ex soldier from the f***in' US Army. He's not afraid of the glowing spitting whining monsters. The combat relies on a series of dodging maneuvers, and it's very easy to get cornered trying to take out 3 monsters that all take more damage than you do. The story was contrived and predictable, completely replacing the vague and nuanced stories of previous installments. Cheesy, unnecessarily difficult, and predictable. The golden age of Silent Hill appears to be over.

Angra
09-28-2009, 01:49 PM
O'boy...

When you're wrong, you're wrong.


Homecoming instantly became one of my all time favourite horror games. Thought it had so many things going for it that the former games in the series lacked. Especially the combat movements where very much improved. Also the graphics had taken a huge step up since "The room". And i loooved the Silent Hill (the movie)/Hostel inspirations.

"The Room" is still the very worst SH in my book.

MyraHindley
09-28-2009, 02:30 PM
Yeah... I really hated The Room, but I felt that Homecoming lacked everything I liked about the first 3.

I felt that a lot of the scenery was stuff I'd seen before, and I saw the "plot twist" coming from the first time you talk to your mother. The only thing it had going for it was the next gen graphics and lack of load screens. But on the whole, it just wasn't working for me.

That said, as a gamer, I'm much more about story than action. This is probably why the first three appeal so much more to me.

Angra
09-28-2009, 11:41 PM
Yeah... I really hated The Room, but I felt that Homecoming lacked everything I liked about the first 3.

I felt that a lot of the scenery was stuff I'd seen before, and I saw the "plot twist" coming from the first time you talk to your mother. The only thing it had going for it was the next gen graphics and lack of load screens. But on the whole, it just wasn't working for me.

That said, as a gamer, I'm much more about story than action. This is probably why the first three appeal so much more to me.

I can agree with you about the story lacking compaired to the first 3 and the constant change of scenery (which i loved by the way) was a little... well... easy. He just blacks out and then wakes up in a new place. Sad they couldn't come up with something a little more clever, but that detail really wasn't a big deal to me.


If you haven't already, you should definitely check out the "Fatal Frame" series. Scary as fuck and with a lot of depth in the story.

MyraHindley
09-29-2009, 07:53 AM
I remember trying out the first Fatal Frame when it came out. I had very high expectations after being spoiled by Silent Hill in the horror game genre. Many people find the story elements and the lack of action in Silent Hill to be boring, but I thought Fatal Frame was a snooze and a half. Taking pictures? Really? It was very aesthetically pleasing, and it had great potential, but I didn't think it was a very well conceived game on the whole. Maybe my standards are too high. There's no other excuse for my hatred for all things.

Angra
09-29-2009, 08:42 AM
First Homecoming. Then Fatal Frame...


BAN THIS HEATHEN!!!


:mad:

MyraHindley
09-30-2009, 02:15 PM
Fatal Frame offered no threat that I found legitimate.

episode 666
10-22-2009, 02:37 AM
great game!

p1zl3
10-27-2009, 11:01 AM
I'ma have to say Fatal Frame was pretty damn spooky, at least I thought so... The graphics were weak, but the delivery was primo!
I've played through the first two Silent Hill games and dug em' alot. Luckily I avoided SH:The Room (thanks to friends and colleagues who love me) but am definitely gonna give the new installment a whirl...

p1zl3
10-30-2009, 12:36 PM
I beat SH: Homecoming and somehow I got the secret UFO ending, which pissed me off something fierce! It was retardedly outta context and I was a little let down. I felt like I didn't get story closure. The game was pretty fun, but the puzzles were weak...

I'de give it a recommend to any Silent Hill fan... 6/10

ChronoGrl
11-03-2009, 04:15 AM
O'boy...

When you're wrong, you're wrong.


Homecoming instantly became one of my all time favourite horror games. Thought it had so many things going for it that the former games in the series lacked. Especially the combat movements where very much improved. Also the graphics had taken a huge step up since "The room". And i loooved the Silent Hill (the movie)/Hostel inspirations.

"The Room" is still the very worst SH in my book.

Thanks for the review, Angra. This game seems ubiquitously panned, but I still REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEALLY want to play it - I might pick up a used copy.

Question: I haven't played a single Silent Hill game and I'm finding it difficult to find a used copy of the first one... Am I missing out on a lot if I just jump into the series at #2? Is the second one worth picking up?

Thoughts on the Silent Hill series as a whole?

Thanks for the feedback, guys!

Angra
11-03-2009, 09:12 AM
Thanks for the review, Angra. This game seems ubiquitously panned, but I still REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEALLY want to play it - I might pick up a used copy.

Question: I haven't played a single Silent Hill game and I'm finding it difficult to find a used copy of the first one... Am I missing out on a lot if I just jump into the series at #2? Is the second one worth picking up?

Thoughts on the Silent Hill series as a whole?

Thanks for the feedback, guys!


Yes, go for the second SH. It's really good. Personally I found both the second and third to be better than the original. Also notice the soundtrack in the second one. Really cool. ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xnUoywnr0o&feature=related

The only real flaw in this franchise has always been the combats.

But the atmosphere rocks.

p1zl3
11-04-2009, 12:16 PM
the atmosphere rocks

Hands down the creepiest atmosphere of ANY game series... Who'd-a-thunk fog could be so menacing.
http://www.mahalo.com/image:Silent_Hill_Homecoming_Walkthrough_pkf_12120 8.jpg

ChronoGrl
11-04-2009, 05:59 PM
Yes, go for the second SH. It's really good. Personally I found both the second and third to be better than the original. Also notice the soundtrack in the second one. Really cool. ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xnUoywnr0o&feature=related

The only real flaw in this franchise has always been the combats.

But the atmosphere rocks.

Wow - KICK ASS trailer. Thanks! I'll have to see if I can get my hands on a used copy.