Every time I play this game, I find myself gaining respect in how it is presented. It looks like early Silent Hill, which I really like...But everything else, the story, combat, gameplay. It's fucking atrocious.

The game gives you like a billion weapons too, it's weird and adds comedy to the game. Storyline is really bland, and should've focused on Travis rather than being an origin story. The gameplay is buggy because the fixed camera angles and lack of tank controls still being here. Therefore jolting you around.

The combat is also real bad. I hate it. There's QTEs in the game now, because that was the thing ig.

Did you guys know the game was initially planned to be a dark comedy? Yeah I know, it's kinda hard to tell cuz even then the game is still goofy as fuck.

I think it's common knowledge at this point that the story in Silent Hill: Origins is really stupid and contradictory to events depicted in the first Silent Hill, and it was that plus my natural aversion to the non-Team Silent games that made me avoid it. Then one day I was futzing with my PSP and decided to launch it, if for no other reason than to have a laugh.

I didn't laugh. I was horrified. Not by the game, it's not scary at all, but by the fun I found myself having with it.

The graphics were pretty solid for the system. The music, of course, was excellent. The level design was competent. The puzzles, while not exactly brainbusters, were well done and enjoyable to solve. Although the weapon system was silly, the combat was mostly functional save for some awkward context sensitive actions and the very little need to engage with it. The only thing I found myself really frustrated with was the omission of the tank control option, as the static camera angles change a lot and the 2D-type controls don't handle it very well at all. Despite that and the odd interpretation of Silent Hill 1's plotpoints, I found myself in the same strange position I was in when I played Shattered Memories: I wasn't hating a dirty, stinky, non-Team Silent SH game, and I was mortified.

I know it's been said millions of times, but if this game were stripped of its ties to Silent Hill, had the original story elements fleshed out more, and had a little more general polish, it would probably make for a decent handheld action/horror game. That said, I also know it's hard to look past the fact that it's supposed to be a prequel to some of the literal greatest games ever made, so I completely understand why it catches flak. I'm not defending or making excuses for it. I just liked it, goddammit.

HALLOMAD 2.0 GAME #1

Since I did the Team Silent games last October I decided it'd be fun to keep the ball rolling and go through the various attempts by Westerners to keep this beloved series alive. While I do respect what Climax was trying to do with Origins being a prequel to the phenomenal first entry and having some pretty interesting ideas, it all culminates into what is the blandest Silent Hill game so far. Everything from the uninteresting levels that feel padded despite the short runtime, gameplay that desperately wants to shake the formula up with a shit durability mechanic and QTEs that add nothing, and a story that features the most uninteresting SH Protag interacting with very odd versions of the SH1 cast create something that just does not mesh well. If I had to say anything unanimously positive it would be the overall look of the game (this might be one of the best looking PSP games) and fantastic music from series legend Akira Yamaoka. Besides that it's just a very bland SH game that plays it way too safe. Also what the fuck is this games monster design.

5/10

Honestly not as bad as I was expecting it to be! Not anywhere near as good as the Team Silent group of games but not an unenjoyable time either!

- I felt it nailed the atmosphere relatively well
- The story wasn't too bad, I think it would stand so much better as a standalone story and not a shoehorned SH Prequel. For what it tries to do though, it isn't the worst thing I've played.
- Combat was okay but honestly also kind of easy compared to the previous titles. I had an inventory full of bullets and items and never really felt like I was in a tough situation (esp since if you just hoard bullets the bosses are a cakewalk)
- The way you move between worlds was not my favorite idea either as it really just felt more like a means to an end of completing a puzzle rather than an actual real setpiece for the game and world that it was building.
- The PS2 version also has some weird issues:
-- input delay on certain actions though I did see this on PSP too
-- music sometimes just not looping properly or at all and just cuts out
-- pressing X to hit enemies on the ground just sometimes wouldn't work)
- It was annoying at first, but I kind of got used to it over time.

I've heard the PSP version is better (since I believe it was made for that system) but by the time I learned this I was already like 80% through the game so I just stuck it out.

At the end of the game and the credits rolled, I felt satisfied enough with my time playing it (about 6 hours) and I think its a decent enough entry. Now to continue on to the rest of the games :)

i definitely don't think origins is a "bad" game per say, just not a very good one either. you can really tell that this is the west's first stab at a silent hill game, what with the lack of subtlety, focus on combat, and most bizarre of all its insistence to "explain" all of the cool mysteries from the first game. at times it feels like a prequel to the silent hill movie rather than the game.

however, for a first attempt at a silent hill game, AND for being on a PSP? this game is honestly pretty solid. the music is fantastic as usual but what really elevates it this time around is its usage. much like silent hill 3, the music is tweaked from the standard franchise's sound to fit the specific aesthetic of this game. the soundtrack sounds more folksy and old school rock n roll which is a really cool choice for the specific story and vibe this game has.

i would say fits the game's protagonist, but travis doesn't really have anything going on as a character. his specific trauma is really fascinating and very different from the other series' protagonists, but what's done with that is very limited because the game is so focused on being a silent hill prequel, which is sadly it's biggest drawback.

the core gameplay loop is great and it controls well, it is a silent hill game after all. the creature designs are freaky and cool, it is a silent hill game. visually it's pretty strong (especially for a PSP game), just like the other 4 silent hill games. but the issue is that origins is kinda... just another silent hill game. i complained about SH4 pushing way too far with its changes to where it feels alienating, but at least SH4 feels like something new and interesting. this just feels like... hey! it's silent hill on the PSP! which is cool and all, but i'm looking for a nice sweet spot between a classic solid SH experience AND a huge shakeup to the formula.

so if narratively, you can't help but compare it to SH1, and gameplay wise, you can't help but compare it to SH1-3, and the protagonist doesn't even stand out, then what identity does this game even really have other than being the PSP silent hill? not very much to be honest with you. which cuts right into the core issue this game faces: it's kinda boring?

it's good! it's enjoyable! but after a while your eyes just kinda glaze over. it is just a bland, generic, basic silent hill game. i don't really see myself ever replaying this unless it's with a friend. sorry climax studios, at least your next effort is a lot stronger!

>Random-ass hobo track driver gets into town.
>Takes any random object in his vicinity.
>Beats up Satan.
>Leaves.

Truly, we have entered the era of American made Silent Hill games.

god, that was just bad. as much as i hate the westerns i have to give homecoming props for being the least bad.

the story is just so boring. it felt rushed & trying to be the beginning to silent hill is so ass. the butcher makes absolutely no sense but it was their attempt at making a pyramid head rip off.. at least they didn't use pyramid head.

it sucks because there's cool mechanics here, like the mirrors to swap between worlds, & a few cool boss designs- ok nvm there's one good boss. but they shit the bed.

Silent Hill never needed a prequel, but I was still determined to give this one the benefit of the doubt. Ironically, this game is more reverent of Silent Hill 2 than the original Silent Hill, which is its exact problem. It never becomes its own story, its own thing. It's so reverent of Silent Hill 2 that it becomes a pale imitation.

Also, it's too short. Remember that joke Woody Allen tells at the beginning of Annie Hall about the two old ladies who eat at a restaurant? One says 'This food is terrible', and the other one responds 'Yes, and such small portions'. That captures Silent Hill: Origins in a nutshell. Except Silent Hill: Origins is worshipping a game from the past when it should have its own identity independent of it.

~🚚🔥🪞~
OST: ⭐⭐⭐⭐🌟
Best OST of the SH series.
Gameplay: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Story: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Was honestly surprised how much I enjoyed this one. As the first SH game to be made by a Western developer, I had low expectations going into this game. But honestly, I very much enjoyed this little PSP game.

The gameplay felt exactly like classic SH. Exploring the town, solving puzzles in confined areas, and fighting scary looking creatures. I enjoyed pretty much all of the areas here. Puzzles were satisfying to solve as usual.

The combat was pretty meh, but let’s be real, none of the SH games have that good of combat. It was odd how the game gave you a million different melee weapons tho. Because of this, it’s super easy to conserve ammo and get through the game easily.

The story is pretty meh as well. I mean, it doesn’t do anything offensive, but I also feel like it’s barely there? It adds to the lore of the original game okay enough, but it just doesn’t feel like there’s enough focus on most of the cast. Travis is such a weak protagonist, even with the admittedly intriguing motel level where we learn more about him and his past. I wish the game was focused more on these elements, rather than loosely explaining more cult things or having you go “oh look, it’s that character from the original Silent Hill!!”

Tbh tho, I liked the game more than expected. The core SH gameplay is here and was satisfying to experience. I don’t see myself really playing this game again unless I do what I’m basically doing now: playing every single Silent Hill that I haven’t played yet during spooky season. But even still, Origins is not a bad game. Just an underbaked one.