No more terrible controls or camera for this silent hill, only an exciting adventure with amazing graphics. http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/impressionsArt.cfm?artid=18714 For me, one of my big guilty pleasures in life is a good survival horror, something that usually leaves me scared like a five year old girl and pausing the game every two seconds while I regain my sanity. Silent Hill is a series that always intrigued me and I was always absolutely hooked on the story. There was really just one problem with the series as a whole: the controls were horrendous.
By controls of course I am not only referring to the controls themselves but also the terrible camera, combat, and the fact that trying to figure out where to go can sometimes be a major pain. However, I am very happy to report that with the newest installment in the series, Silent Hill: Shattered Memories, these issues have been addressed.
Before I get into anything about the actual E3 demo, I have to compliment the graphics as they looked absolute incredible, far better than anything I would have expected coming from the Wii. The textures looked crisp, the character looked great, and the light reflecting from the flashlights beam wasnÂ’t fuzzy or shaky at all. Overall IÂ’d have to say great job to the team with graphics, the game looks amazing.
Shattered Memories deviates fairly heavily from the original Silent Hill formula that many veterans would be familiar with. Just to name a few right off the bat there are no more: frustrating controls, bad combat, and aimless walking. Now let me elaborate on these points.
First the controls, how I hated them and fought endlessly with them in nearly every Silent Hill title I have ever played. In Shattered Memories the controls could not be more fluid and smooth. The character is controlled with the Nunchuck and this allows for accurate three-hundred sixty degrees of motion, which is necessary considering my next point.
That point is the combat in the game, or should I say the lack thereof. ThatÂ’s right Silent Hill fans, there is no longer any combat whatsoever in this title. Shattered Memories is completely based upon avoiding enemies at all cost, although it is certainly harder than it may seem. When an enemy is close a static sound can be heard and the screen will become a bit fuzzy; this is definitely the time to run away. If an enemy happens to grab the character, players have to push their Nunchuck and Wii Remotes in a specified direction, which is shown on screen. It is important to note that outrunning enemies is necessary as they will continue to give chase, and since you canÂ’t kill themÂ…run, run, run.
Another great addition was a highlighted path that demonstrates where the player must go next. Walls, edges and doors are all highlighted blue in order to direct the player. Now this may seem as though it takes much of the challenge out of the game but navigating a dark world with a small flashlight beam while evading several monsters at a time tends to disorient and confuse players adding a new challenge to the title that was previously based upon killing enemies.
In addition to all the wonderful fixers included in this new title, Shattered Memories also contains some unique features that make the gameplay feel more immersive. One of these is based around a cell phone that the main character carries around and will receive numerous call on throughout the game. When a call comes in the voice on the other side of the phone doesnÂ’t come through on the tv speakers but rather uses the speaker in the Wii Remote, requiring the players to put the Wii Remote to their ears as if they were answering a real phone. Unfortunately, due to the incredibly loud noise that completely engulfed the show floor, I was unable to really get a good feel for how well the sound came through.
The other interesting feature that I truly enjoyed was the peaking ability. I am, sad to admit, one of those gamers who whines as they have to turn a corner or open up a door. Ever since the dogs burst through the window in the original Resident Evil, I have been scarred. Onward then. In Shattered Memories players have two options when opening a door. The first is to simple run into the door barging it open regardless of what awaits them on the other side. The second is to slowly approach the door and tap the “A” button which allows players to take a small peek as to what is hiding on the other side.
All in all, I was incredibly impressed with the Silent Hill: Shattered Memories demo. Everything I griped about with original Silent Hills has been fixed and the overall presentation is simply amazing. I couldnÂ’t really get a good grasp on the creepiness factor since loud booming noises and lots of yelling people donÂ’t really create a creepy ambiance as well as being alone at two in the morning playing in the pitch black. I am very interested to see the final project and I think we should all be very excited for this release.
Topic: IMPRESSIONS: Silent Hill: Shattered Memories (Read 1694 times)
