primeiro jogo de terror bom que joguei
Made me fall in love in survival horror games. Love you Harry.
It's genuinely incredible seeing the amount of influence this clearly had on horror games for years to come, but it's not hard to see why. This is absolutely packed full of raw atmosphere and dread, memorable imagery, and classic survival horror gameplay. It's also legitimately frightening at times, despite the hilariously awkward dialogue (another beloved hallmark of survival horror for me). It's impressively ambitious, with these huge wide-open sections that set it apart from the tightly controlled smaller environments in older resident evil games, for example. However that ambition did naturally lead to a few issues for me. While the player direction was generally surprisingly good, it's very difficult to tell which buildings you can and can't enter in the overworld, and what items you can and can't interact with in the environments, making it easy to miss important optional areas or just run straight into an unusable door while trying to run from enemies. The map system was extremely cool, with realistic maps that get annotated as you explore areas, but a little inconsistent; sometimes important items/interactables were highlighted on the map, and sometimes they weren't, especially in the later game, which made navigation a lot more difficult. The dynamic camera was another mixed bag; while it was often well used and allowed for larger and more complex areas, it was often frustrating during combat, leaving enemies offscreen or awkwardly pivoting at the wrong times. The final boss especially came down to just firing at what little of it was onscreen and hoping you got a hit in. Still, this is a remarkable achievement for early horror videogames, and more than good enough to get me to play the next few games in the series.
amazing
despite constantly showing it’s age, this remains an essential title in the horror genre. i still jumped a lot and was on edge every time that radio static picked up in the deep fog
I FUCKING HATE THESE TANK CONTROLS. Good game tho.
Amazing music, amazing artistic vision, insanely scary without relying on jumpscares, fun puzzles and still relatively fun gameplay. Going through this game is an insanely harrowing experience in the best way possible. I wanted to write something interesting but it's difficult to put into words how great it is. Because it becomes great through the sum of it's parts.
The only reason I don't give it 5 stars is because some puzzles (piano) are very difficult to figure out without a guide, New game + automatically forcing the difficulty up and hard not being fun for me and how the tank controls are outdated by now.
The only reason I don't give it 5 stars is because some puzzles (piano) are very difficult to figure out without a guide, New game + automatically forcing the difficulty up and hard not being fun for me and how the tank controls are outdated by now.
Top jogos do Ps1.
Apesar dos controles de tanque e os poligonos do Ps1 terem envelhecido como leite eu ainda recomendo demais esse jogo.
Mesmo sendo o primeiro ele não perde muito pras suas sequencias em nada que não seja culpa do tempo. A atmosfera, ambientação e conceitos que fizeram todos amarem a franquia já estavam todos ali (Btw a ideia da nevoa é genial pra resolver as limitações da epoca)
É pog podem jogar.
(Alessa My Beloved)
(Eu odeio a ultima area.)
Apesar dos controles de tanque e os poligonos do Ps1 terem envelhecido como leite eu ainda recomendo demais esse jogo.
Mesmo sendo o primeiro ele não perde muito pras suas sequencias em nada que não seja culpa do tempo. A atmosfera, ambientação e conceitos que fizeram todos amarem a franquia já estavam todos ali (Btw a ideia da nevoa é genial pra resolver as limitações da epoca)
É pog podem jogar.
(Alessa My Beloved)
(Eu odeio a ultima area.)
Muy buen juego, con una ambietación de 10 incluso siendo un juego de PS1. Lo malo, es que ha envejecido regular, por eso la nota.
Well, I'm not gonna lie, this game is cheesy, a lot, the voice acting, oh god, but even so, i forgive, since it's the first game of the series, and this cheesy tank game will change the survival horror forever, so, good work Konami.
No existe juego de terror post 1999 que no este de alguna manera inspirado en Silent Hill, así como este tomo elementos de Resident Evil, perfeccionó el aspecto del horror al punto de plantar la semilla de una formula del terror que nunca paró de dar frutos.
El juego en si es excelente, con una historia super criptica que te realmente te dan ganas de entender, multiples finales, multiples puzzles, y gráficamente es increíble lo que pudieron hacer con el hardware de la PlayStation 1. Realmente mientras mas investigues sobre el desarollo de Silent Hill 1 mas te vas a sorprender de la absoluta genialidad de los devs.
El gameplay, si bien nunca fue el fuerte de la franquicia, sufre por cuestiones técnicas de la misma consola, pero de ninguna manera hace que sea feo o aburrido de jugar.
Literal es como "El Padrino" de los juegos de terror, tenes que jugarlo amigo
El juego en si es excelente, con una historia super criptica que te realmente te dan ganas de entender, multiples finales, multiples puzzles, y gráficamente es increíble lo que pudieron hacer con el hardware de la PlayStation 1. Realmente mientras mas investigues sobre el desarollo de Silent Hill 1 mas te vas a sorprender de la absoluta genialidad de los devs.
El gameplay, si bien nunca fue el fuerte de la franquicia, sufre por cuestiones técnicas de la misma consola, pero de ninguna manera hace que sea feo o aburrido de jugar.
Literal es como "El Padrino" de los juegos de terror, tenes que jugarlo amigo
I liked the story and atmosphere, but the game shows its age in some of gameplay.
Dios que divertido que es este juego. Los puzzles son un dolor de cabeza absoluto diseñados por satán, MUY troll y rebuscados pero me cague de risa, NUNCA tuve que usar tanto el cerebro en un juego. La atmósfera es excelente, la música es buenísima y los sonidos de todo me hicieron cagar encima varias veces. El gameplay es estresante, en parte por los controles y en parte por el diseño en general. Correr de noche por Silent Hill intentando averiguar a donde concha tengo que ir y evitando los pajaros fue sin duda una experiencia. Los cuartos que te cambian de piso como el baño o la ultima parte en el Hospital son fantásticos. El hospital es fantástico. Me diverti mucho jugando, de hecho me lo terminé en un día. Una pena que no pueda experimentarlo de nuevo (y además saqué el bad ending xd). Mañana arranco con el 2. La historia esta ok pero le falta un poco para terminar de entenderse bien y hay cosas que según Nano literalmente no están explicadas en este juego, pero me gustó igual.
Silent Hill é assustador e comovente, trágico e obstinado: enfrente o inferno para salvar quem se ama. Claro que é antigo, meio datado, mas nem por isso se torna uma experiência menos marcante.
This review contains spoilers
Esse jogo é muito bom porém datado...
Para iniciar meu desafio de jogos de terror, comecei com essa pérola do mundo do terror aqui.
Silent Hill 1 é um jogo de terror psicológico que progride em passos beem Leeeeentos.
No jogo, controlamos Harry Mason, que está dando um role com sua filha quando ocorre um acidente. Na tentativa de desviar de uma menina que estava parada na estrada, Harry bate a porra do carro e capota e fode tudo.
Quando Harry acorda, ele tá sozinho e o único caminho que ele pode seguir é em sentido a Silent Hills, onde ele deve trilhar para reencontrar sua filha que desapareceu após o acidente.
O jogo em si é interessante, amedrontador e a história é o ponto mais alto de todo jogo, só que a gameplay é muito lixo puta que pariu. O combate é travado e é piorado com a câmera fixa, que atrapalha a visualização dos bixos vindo em corredores, por exemplo. O personagem é lento e devido novamente a essa câmera lixo, você parece um trem desgovernado, se batendo em tudo que é direito.
Além disso, o jogo possui Puzzles (de praxe em qualquer survival horror de respeito) que tem um grau muito elevado de dificuldade (para minha capacidade mental limitada, claro) e eu confesso que me aproveitei de detonados pra passar em certas partes (to nem ai kkkkk).
Normalmente esses jogos survival horror possuem backsitting e não é diferente por aqui, porém o mapa é muito grande e você é muito lento e descoordenado (devido a câmera fixa). Se você for imbecil igual eu, provavelmente se perderá dentro de Silent Hill e vai ter que voltar de porta em porta para conferir se pegou tudo ou achar a porta que leva ao progresso do jogo!
No quesito de recursos, o jogo te dá munição o suficiente para passar dos monstros e zerar o jogo com tranquilidade, e ele recompensa a exploração. A variedade de armas não é grande mas são mais que SUFICIENTES para completar os desafios do jogo.
Esse jogo possui diversos finais que, dependendo das quests dos NPCs que você fizer, você desbloqueia uma cutscene final que conta os acontecimentos após (ou antes...) os atos de Harry (eu acabei fazendo o final mais bosta).
AQUI CONTÉM EXXXPOILER
Agora falando de forma mais profunda, a história do jogo conta sobre um culto a um Deus antigo e, a filha de Harry é a peça chave para despertar esse suposto "Deus".
Se você não fizer as quest do doutor maluco lá, você vai pegar o final mais lixo (que foi o que eu fiz), onde você deixa a Pm lá morrer e você perde sua filha também, onde você descobre que na verdade, Harry nem saiu vivo daquele acidente.
Por mais que seja um jogo de playstation 1, cheio de limitações, o jogo consegue te colocar imerso até os dias de HOJE! Você de fato se sente no corpo do personagem.
No geral é um bom jogo de terror, que consegue passar um experiência nostálgica e ao mesmo tempo agoniante (no bom sentido). A gameplay é datada e em certos pontos do jogo, eu senti que ele se arrasta mais do que devia. Recomendo a todos que curtem um jogo de terror sem porra de Jumpscare, onde o medo está no psicológico!
1/53
Para iniciar meu desafio de jogos de terror, comecei com essa pérola do mundo do terror aqui.
Silent Hill 1 é um jogo de terror psicológico que progride em passos beem Leeeeentos.
No jogo, controlamos Harry Mason, que está dando um role com sua filha quando ocorre um acidente. Na tentativa de desviar de uma menina que estava parada na estrada, Harry bate a porra do carro e capota e fode tudo.
Quando Harry acorda, ele tá sozinho e o único caminho que ele pode seguir é em sentido a Silent Hills, onde ele deve trilhar para reencontrar sua filha que desapareceu após o acidente.
O jogo em si é interessante, amedrontador e a história é o ponto mais alto de todo jogo, só que a gameplay é muito lixo puta que pariu. O combate é travado e é piorado com a câmera fixa, que atrapalha a visualização dos bixos vindo em corredores, por exemplo. O personagem é lento e devido novamente a essa câmera lixo, você parece um trem desgovernado, se batendo em tudo que é direito.
Além disso, o jogo possui Puzzles (de praxe em qualquer survival horror de respeito) que tem um grau muito elevado de dificuldade (para minha capacidade mental limitada, claro) e eu confesso que me aproveitei de detonados pra passar em certas partes (to nem ai kkkkk).
Normalmente esses jogos survival horror possuem backsitting e não é diferente por aqui, porém o mapa é muito grande e você é muito lento e descoordenado (devido a câmera fixa). Se você for imbecil igual eu, provavelmente se perderá dentro de Silent Hill e vai ter que voltar de porta em porta para conferir se pegou tudo ou achar a porta que leva ao progresso do jogo!
No quesito de recursos, o jogo te dá munição o suficiente para passar dos monstros e zerar o jogo com tranquilidade, e ele recompensa a exploração. A variedade de armas não é grande mas são mais que SUFICIENTES para completar os desafios do jogo.
Esse jogo possui diversos finais que, dependendo das quests dos NPCs que você fizer, você desbloqueia uma cutscene final que conta os acontecimentos após (ou antes...) os atos de Harry (eu acabei fazendo o final mais bosta).
AQUI CONTÉM EXXXPOILER
Agora falando de forma mais profunda, a história do jogo conta sobre um culto a um Deus antigo e, a filha de Harry é a peça chave para despertar esse suposto "Deus".
Se você não fizer as quest do doutor maluco lá, você vai pegar o final mais lixo (que foi o que eu fiz), onde você deixa a Pm lá morrer e você perde sua filha também, onde você descobre que na verdade, Harry nem saiu vivo daquele acidente.
Por mais que seja um jogo de playstation 1, cheio de limitações, o jogo consegue te colocar imerso até os dias de HOJE! Você de fato se sente no corpo do personagem.
No geral é um bom jogo de terror, que consegue passar um experiência nostálgica e ao mesmo tempo agoniante (no bom sentido). A gameplay é datada e em certos pontos do jogo, eu senti que ele se arrasta mais do que devia. Recomendo a todos que curtem um jogo de terror sem porra de Jumpscare, onde o medo está no psicológico!
1/53
Несмотря на возраст в четверть века, игра отлично выглядит, звучит, ощущается и проходится. Всё благодаря тому, что Team Silent делала инновационный проект на годы вперёд.
Первая часть вбирает в себя черты Alone in the Dark и Resident Evil, но не останавливается на этом. Помимо мрачной атмосферы, оккультной тематики, сейв-румов и решения головоломок, первая Silent Hill предлагает игрокам новые механики и развитие идей своих вдохновителей. Так, к примеру, обнаружение монстров происходит через радиоприёмник. Игроку даётся выбор: включать фонарик и привлекать к себе монстров или же блуждать с плохим освещением и быть менее заметным для них. Фиксированная камера стала более динамичной, что позволяет осмотреть помещение целиком, меняя ракурсы нажатием кнопки. Вместо изучения особняка нам предложили бродить по мрачному туманному городу, но элементы метроидвании никуда не делись, так что испытать удовлетворение от постепенного изучения и открытия всех помещений в таких локациях, как школа и больница, всё же выйдет.
Акира Ямаока проделал потрясающую работу со звуком. Даже зная, что в тёмном коридоре никого нет, слушая ужасающие звуки окружения, вы не будете чувствовать себя в безопасности.
Сюжет, пусть и не является откровением и не блистает выдающимися диалогами, всё же выглядит богаче, чем в первых играх серии Alone in the Dark и Resident Evil. А твисты ближе к финалу способны удивить и даже вызвать некоторое изумление от того, что на самом деле случилось.
За счёт удобных сохранений, чекпоинтов, навигации, геймплея, стиля и звукорежиссуры Silent Hill даже сейчас достойна вашего внимания. Крайне рекомендую всем любителям хорроров!
Первая часть вбирает в себя черты Alone in the Dark и Resident Evil, но не останавливается на этом. Помимо мрачной атмосферы, оккультной тематики, сейв-румов и решения головоломок, первая Silent Hill предлагает игрокам новые механики и развитие идей своих вдохновителей. Так, к примеру, обнаружение монстров происходит через радиоприёмник. Игроку даётся выбор: включать фонарик и привлекать к себе монстров или же блуждать с плохим освещением и быть менее заметным для них. Фиксированная камера стала более динамичной, что позволяет осмотреть помещение целиком, меняя ракурсы нажатием кнопки. Вместо изучения особняка нам предложили бродить по мрачному туманному городу, но элементы метроидвании никуда не делись, так что испытать удовлетворение от постепенного изучения и открытия всех помещений в таких локациях, как школа и больница, всё же выйдет.
Акира Ямаока проделал потрясающую работу со звуком. Даже зная, что в тёмном коридоре никого нет, слушая ужасающие звуки окружения, вы не будете чувствовать себя в безопасности.
Сюжет, пусть и не является откровением и не блистает выдающимися диалогами, всё же выглядит богаче, чем в первых играх серии Alone in the Dark и Resident Evil. А твисты ближе к финалу способны удивить и даже вызвать некоторое изумление от того, что на самом деле случилось.
За счёт удобных сохранений, чекпоинтов, навигации, геймплея, стиля и звукорежиссуры Silent Hill даже сейчас достойна вашего внимания. Крайне рекомендую всем любителям хорроров!
definitivamente tá no top 10 jogos de terror q eu joguei
The graphics hadn't aged well even back when I first played it. Still good though.
Dialogue is not it's forte. Navigating in nowhere is disorienting due the teleporting teleporting nature of the map. Missed some more music, majority of the game is way too quiet. The beginning is way too slow and stale. Gameplay is good (or not) old PSX survival horror one.
Gosto muito de Silent Hill 2 então esse é um jogo que eu tava pra jogar faz bastante tempo.
A combinação de um emulador muito mal configurado por minha parte e a decisão de encher o jogo de filtros pra tentar deixar ele o mais parecido possível com o original me fizeram ter uma experiência um pouco menos agradável do que eu esperava, visto que o jogo rodou muito mal em certas partes, mas isso é culpa minha mesmo.
Não tenho muito o que dizer sobre o jogo que já não tenha sido dito, um ótimo jogo de fato, mas honestamente a última parte dele me deixou tão frustrado a ponto de eu quase desistir, assistir uma gameplay do resto e considerar ele zerado. Felizmente (ou infelizmente) não fiz isso e sofri muito pra finalizar ele de verdade.
Joguei evitando ao máximo pesquisar ou ver qualquer coisa sobre ele, então eu não descobri que precisava fazer coisas específicas pra ter o final bom até ser tarde demais, o que não é algo que eu reclamaria normalmente, mas o fato de eu ter jogado uma versão mais difícil do jogo por me recusar a tomar spoilers foi bastante frustrante.
No geral um bom jogo, fico feliz de ter finalmente jogado mas tenho quase certeza de que não vou rejogar ou tentar pegar os outros finais. Minhas 5 horas de jogo foram o suficiente.
A combinação de um emulador muito mal configurado por minha parte e a decisão de encher o jogo de filtros pra tentar deixar ele o mais parecido possível com o original me fizeram ter uma experiência um pouco menos agradável do que eu esperava, visto que o jogo rodou muito mal em certas partes, mas isso é culpa minha mesmo.
Não tenho muito o que dizer sobre o jogo que já não tenha sido dito, um ótimo jogo de fato, mas honestamente a última parte dele me deixou tão frustrado a ponto de eu quase desistir, assistir uma gameplay do resto e considerar ele zerado. Felizmente (ou infelizmente) não fiz isso e sofri muito pra finalizar ele de verdade.
Joguei evitando ao máximo pesquisar ou ver qualquer coisa sobre ele, então eu não descobri que precisava fazer coisas específicas pra ter o final bom até ser tarde demais, o que não é algo que eu reclamaria normalmente, mas o fato de eu ter jogado uma versão mais difícil do jogo por me recusar a tomar spoilers foi bastante frustrante.
No geral um bom jogo, fico feliz de ter finalmente jogado mas tenho quase certeza de que não vou rejogar ou tentar pegar os outros finais. Minhas 5 horas de jogo foram o suficiente.
A breathtaking entry into the early survival horror canon that took inspiration from David Lynch movies and the individual eccentricities of the misfit developers who had been cobbled together from various teams and tasked with creating something that only they would be able to.
What we got was easily the scariest of them all: a masterful aesthetic curation that brought into gaming something unique that simply did not exist before, in gaming or any other medium, really, and spawned a franchise that, unfortunately, never seemed to really understand again just what made this initial title so brilliant. Given the expansive nature of the horror canon, to have created something that actually stands uniquely within it must be such a honor for everyone involved. Team Silent was really, really onto something here.
This title is a real testament to the majesty of gathering creative people and giving them the freedom to take a leap of faith. It is a shame that, in the era of focus groups and even more intricately honed metrics for development success, we don't really get to see titles like this very often. I'm begging all the publishers out there to try something similar. Instead of firing that creatively difficult employee who wants to make things that don't seem to promote reactions from anyone but the weirdos, perhaps giving them the opportunity to work in a way where they can fully embrace their more unique nature is how you're going to create something that actually leaves a lasting impact. Though it may not be what it used to be... long live SILENT HILL.
What we got was easily the scariest of them all: a masterful aesthetic curation that brought into gaming something unique that simply did not exist before, in gaming or any other medium, really, and spawned a franchise that, unfortunately, never seemed to really understand again just what made this initial title so brilliant. Given the expansive nature of the horror canon, to have created something that actually stands uniquely within it must be such a honor for everyone involved. Team Silent was really, really onto something here.
This title is a real testament to the majesty of gathering creative people and giving them the freedom to take a leap of faith. It is a shame that, in the era of focus groups and even more intricately honed metrics for development success, we don't really get to see titles like this very often. I'm begging all the publishers out there to try something similar. Instead of firing that creatively difficult employee who wants to make things that don't seem to promote reactions from anyone but the weirdos, perhaps giving them the opportunity to work in a way where they can fully embrace their more unique nature is how you're going to create something that actually leaves a lasting impact. Though it may not be what it used to be... long live SILENT HILL.
What an experience, in more ways than one...
The story was honestly great. First off, Harry Mason? Definitely a contender for best video game dad. No amount of man-made horrors beyond his comprehension will deter this man from finding his daughter. You can call it bad, but I think his voice acting just sells how much he doesn't care about anything other than his objective, despite how absolutely fucked up Silent Hill is. The rest of the cast felt kinda secondary. Apart from Dahlia, there's no else you can really care about, they're just there. Cybil? Didn't care. Lisa? Sad, but ultimately indifferent. Kaufmann? Lol
The other experience comes from the gameplay. This was my first "tank controls" type game, and it took some getting used to, but it wasn't so bad. Walking around the foggy town was just as interesting and unnerving as everyone else makes it out to be.
My god, the puzzles though. I applaud anyone who legitimately solved the school piano puzzle. And a special fuck you to the blood bag in the otherworld hospital blending in with the environment so well that it took me quite some time to find it.
The environment is great, the game's age and design give it such a vibe, there wasn't a single place where I didn't feel unsettled and alone.
Wandering around in the city, whether it was nighttime or foggy, hearing the radio static grow and shrink as I progressed to the next destination, it all made me uneasy all the time despite how easy it is to cheese some of the wandering enemies. I commend it for taking a technical difficulty and making it work so well
Honestly. don't let this game's age get to you. It's a beautiful experience beginning to end, with some weird voice acting in between (at least to me, the only other Konami game I played was MGS1 and that had some solid voice acting. They couldn't care to give this one some too?)
The story was honestly great. First off, Harry Mason? Definitely a contender for best video game dad. No amount of man-made horrors beyond his comprehension will deter this man from finding his daughter. You can call it bad, but I think his voice acting just sells how much he doesn't care about anything other than his objective, despite how absolutely fucked up Silent Hill is. The rest of the cast felt kinda secondary. Apart from Dahlia, there's no else you can really care about, they're just there. Cybil? Didn't care. Lisa? Sad, but ultimately indifferent. Kaufmann? Lol
The other experience comes from the gameplay. This was my first "tank controls" type game, and it took some getting used to, but it wasn't so bad. Walking around the foggy town was just as interesting and unnerving as everyone else makes it out to be.
My god, the puzzles though. I applaud anyone who legitimately solved the school piano puzzle. And a special fuck you to the blood bag in the otherworld hospital blending in with the environment so well that it took me quite some time to find it.
The environment is great, the game's age and design give it such a vibe, there wasn't a single place where I didn't feel unsettled and alone.
Wandering around in the city, whether it was nighttime or foggy, hearing the radio static grow and shrink as I progressed to the next destination, it all made me uneasy all the time despite how easy it is to cheese some of the wandering enemies. I commend it for taking a technical difficulty and making it work so well
Honestly. don't let this game's age get to you. It's a beautiful experience beginning to end, with some weird voice acting in between (at least to me, the only other Konami game I played was MGS1 and that had some solid voice acting. They couldn't care to give this one some too?)
Good game, good story, a bit boring walking around but when there is progress in the story, it's really good.
compared to the cheap horror games that tries to get you nerveous by only jumpscares,this game is a banger. but fck em flying things
where is heather!????????
Silent Hill is definitely something else. Of course, we all know how much of a unique gem this series is among the rest of the videogame industry. But i would even go as far as to say that Silent Hill is pretty much unique in the entirety of the horror narrative, including cinema, literature, and other media. I would even suggest to those horror fans who are not into videogames that they should make an exception for the Silent Hill series, and if they can’t get to play it, at least they should watch a walkthrough, but they definitely have to experience this in some way.
It is a common thing, when citing games that are somehow considered pioneers in something, to cite them applying a criteria based on technical or gameplay-related aspects, such as “the first survival horror ever” or “the first game done entirely with 3D graphics” and such. I’d like to propose a different criteria, and actually ask about what are some of the first game to heavily borrow inspiration from Twin Peaks. And naturally i’m guessing Silent Hill would play a significant role there, probably not the first, but definitely one of the first to actually cause an impact. Of course, it’s very well known that Team Silent took inspiration from other media besides Twin Peaks (notably, the film Jacob’s Ladder, among others). To me it’s fascinating to think that despite being heavily influence by media coming from western culture, they somehow handled the strictly horror elements in a very japanese manner. That’s at least my impression. But what’s undeniable, is that they definitely wanted to go way deeper than the mere application of typical horror/action tropes. The ambition of Team Silent was more akin to cinema, even literature. And because of that ambition, Silent Hill represents an incredibly solid introduction to the whole saga.
I’m tempted to say that the only problems in SH are related to the gameplay. In this obvious and unavoidable comparison with Resident Evil, one can’t help to notice that Silent Hill’s camera might get confusing at times, that despite having many more movements and mechanics they still get to be pretty clunky at times, that weapons are not as pleasant as they could be, that the concept ends up forcing the look of the game to be quite repetitve at a certain point, that some maze-like areas are a bit frustrating, and that backtracking can get boresome. In more simple words, one can say that Silent Hill isn’t that fun to play as, obviously, Resident Evil is. But still i can’t help but feeling that such criticism wouldn’t be fair at all. Maybe the fact that the gameplay is quite uncomfortable is all part of the nightmare-like mood and the whole concept. Maybe the concept is actually reinforced by a gameplay that isn’t meant to be your average shooter fun, and maybe weapons are not all that fun to use because there shouldn’t actually be fun in killing things, and actually killing is form of survival that only should happen in pretty extreme situations. Probably this seemingly coherence between gameplay and story might be purely accidental, given that maybe developers weren’t purposefuly trying to make the movement kinda janky and the weapons quite tame. But in the end, one has to recognize that both aspects merge just fine, even if some parts are hard to get by, they have to be that way.
Leaving that aside, and even if SH2 and SH3 are pretty much the stars of the show, one can’t deny how much of a game changer SH1 was. It caused a shift not just in Survival Horror, i also think it pretty much created a whole aesthetic that arguably trascended videogames.
It is a common thing, when citing games that are somehow considered pioneers in something, to cite them applying a criteria based on technical or gameplay-related aspects, such as “the first survival horror ever” or “the first game done entirely with 3D graphics” and such. I’d like to propose a different criteria, and actually ask about what are some of the first game to heavily borrow inspiration from Twin Peaks. And naturally i’m guessing Silent Hill would play a significant role there, probably not the first, but definitely one of the first to actually cause an impact. Of course, it’s very well known that Team Silent took inspiration from other media besides Twin Peaks (notably, the film Jacob’s Ladder, among others). To me it’s fascinating to think that despite being heavily influence by media coming from western culture, they somehow handled the strictly horror elements in a very japanese manner. That’s at least my impression. But what’s undeniable, is that they definitely wanted to go way deeper than the mere application of typical horror/action tropes. The ambition of Team Silent was more akin to cinema, even literature. And because of that ambition, Silent Hill represents an incredibly solid introduction to the whole saga.
I’m tempted to say that the only problems in SH are related to the gameplay. In this obvious and unavoidable comparison with Resident Evil, one can’t help to notice that Silent Hill’s camera might get confusing at times, that despite having many more movements and mechanics they still get to be pretty clunky at times, that weapons are not as pleasant as they could be, that the concept ends up forcing the look of the game to be quite repetitve at a certain point, that some maze-like areas are a bit frustrating, and that backtracking can get boresome. In more simple words, one can say that Silent Hill isn’t that fun to play as, obviously, Resident Evil is. But still i can’t help but feeling that such criticism wouldn’t be fair at all. Maybe the fact that the gameplay is quite uncomfortable is all part of the nightmare-like mood and the whole concept. Maybe the concept is actually reinforced by a gameplay that isn’t meant to be your average shooter fun, and maybe weapons are not all that fun to use because there shouldn’t actually be fun in killing things, and actually killing is form of survival that only should happen in pretty extreme situations. Probably this seemingly coherence between gameplay and story might be purely accidental, given that maybe developers weren’t purposefuly trying to make the movement kinda janky and the weapons quite tame. But in the end, one has to recognize that both aspects merge just fine, even if some parts are hard to get by, they have to be that way.
Leaving that aside, and even if SH2 and SH3 are pretty much the stars of the show, one can’t deny how much of a game changer SH1 was. It caused a shift not just in Survival Horror, i also think it pretty much created a whole aesthetic that arguably trascended videogames.
- Enjoyed the setting, monster design and the general tone of this game.
- Combat is a little wonky but serviceable for its era.
- Great OST, really memorable sometimes.
- "Have you seen a little girl?"
- Combat is a little wonky but serviceable for its era.
- Great OST, really memorable sometimes.
- "Have you seen a little girl?"
This review contains spoilers
Pure ludo.
I can't believe how hard they've push the console limitations.
There is a crispness that I felt while playing that I rarely find in other games, especially of that era.
The tank controls and combat take some getting use to but ended up being quite simple and satisfying. It fits the idea of controlling a confused father with no combat experience. The encounters can easily turn against you fast but some good timing and a bit of luck allow you to steamroll some creatures in really satisfying ways. Beating up a dog with a pipe as it jumps towards you feels intense.
This feeling holds up well thanks to some TIGHT animations, atmosphere and attention to detail. The way creatures heave slightly and wheeze as you finish them off, the way Harry pushes against surfaces if you send him running into walls...
It is genuinely impressing to me.
The atmosphere itself is perfect. The visuals are simple but striking, the locations don't feel gamey and there is a realistic sense of space (well, except from the abnormally large streets).
This is where the sound design and especially Yamaoka's music really come in to play.
Running through the dreamy streets, full of fog and snow, hearing the radio chatter getting stronger as you make out a figure in the distance.
Walking through the silent school classrooms with your flashlight (impressive lightning effects btw) while listening to the quiet drone and whispers and finally rising metal grinding as you enter the next room and are surrounded by knife wielding grey children.
All those elements mix elegently to create a tension you could slice like butter.
There's a lot of areas you can make looping gifs off since they look so easthetically pleasing and calm.
As an aside, the OST has a place of its own in my heart and I believe it really makes the game. Yamaoka is a genius.
The story is laid out in quite a simple and unfocused series of events, but behind that basic frame lies quite a bit of world building and a cryptic story.
The game deals with strong themes like child abuse, loss, identity, yet delivers its story through extremely basic dialogue and cheesy voice acting (obviously due to limitations) and it makes for quite a dissonent experience and a lot of unintentional humor.
Harry's braindead comments with that so recognizable font have indeed made it into the series soul and are a lot of fun.
("Probably a doghouse, though I'm not sure as there's no dog around")
There's some inspiration from Twin Peaks and the ethereal exchanges and cryptic and dreamy logic of the story beats really fit well I think.
Behind the seemingly basic framework of the story lies a lot of easily missed details that you can find only by analysing the environment or approaching it the same way Dark Souls delivers its story. Alessa's trauma and manifestation as monsters, the religion and drug backstory and general history of the town, all these elements can be guessed from small details, out of place decorations and objects.
There's this confusion or brain fog with all the characters interaction or monologues that makes it feel like they're all in the same nightmare and like in nightmare, unable to act upon the horrors they see. Unable to stick together and always part once they meet again.
When you get over the B-movie voice acting, there is a feeling of dread to be find in those dialogues.
Other strong elements I forgot to mention are the creature and boss designs, which are varied and horrifying in the best of ways.
They really feel original and not basic monsterish if that makes sense.
Having to fight a giant moth through multiple stages of its life (larval and adult) as different boss fights is just genius.
Once you fight through a literal god to find and save Harry's daughter, you are presented with a result screen with a banging song and there it hit me that I had experienced a game I found perfect in all its imperfections.
I can't believe how hard they've push the console limitations.
There is a crispness that I felt while playing that I rarely find in other games, especially of that era.
The tank controls and combat take some getting use to but ended up being quite simple and satisfying. It fits the idea of controlling a confused father with no combat experience. The encounters can easily turn against you fast but some good timing and a bit of luck allow you to steamroll some creatures in really satisfying ways. Beating up a dog with a pipe as it jumps towards you feels intense.
This feeling holds up well thanks to some TIGHT animations, atmosphere and attention to detail. The way creatures heave slightly and wheeze as you finish them off, the way Harry pushes against surfaces if you send him running into walls...
It is genuinely impressing to me.
The atmosphere itself is perfect. The visuals are simple but striking, the locations don't feel gamey and there is a realistic sense of space (well, except from the abnormally large streets).
This is where the sound design and especially Yamaoka's music really come in to play.
Running through the dreamy streets, full of fog and snow, hearing the radio chatter getting stronger as you make out a figure in the distance.
Walking through the silent school classrooms with your flashlight (impressive lightning effects btw) while listening to the quiet drone and whispers and finally rising metal grinding as you enter the next room and are surrounded by knife wielding grey children.
All those elements mix elegently to create a tension you could slice like butter.
There's a lot of areas you can make looping gifs off since they look so easthetically pleasing and calm.
As an aside, the OST has a place of its own in my heart and I believe it really makes the game. Yamaoka is a genius.
The story is laid out in quite a simple and unfocused series of events, but behind that basic frame lies quite a bit of world building and a cryptic story.
The game deals with strong themes like child abuse, loss, identity, yet delivers its story through extremely basic dialogue and cheesy voice acting (obviously due to limitations) and it makes for quite a dissonent experience and a lot of unintentional humor.
Harry's braindead comments with that so recognizable font have indeed made it into the series soul and are a lot of fun.
("Probably a doghouse, though I'm not sure as there's no dog around")
There's some inspiration from Twin Peaks and the ethereal exchanges and cryptic and dreamy logic of the story beats really fit well I think.
Behind the seemingly basic framework of the story lies a lot of easily missed details that you can find only by analysing the environment or approaching it the same way Dark Souls delivers its story. Alessa's trauma and manifestation as monsters, the religion and drug backstory and general history of the town, all these elements can be guessed from small details, out of place decorations and objects.
There's this confusion or brain fog with all the characters interaction or monologues that makes it feel like they're all in the same nightmare and like in nightmare, unable to act upon the horrors they see. Unable to stick together and always part once they meet again.
When you get over the B-movie voice acting, there is a feeling of dread to be find in those dialogues.
Other strong elements I forgot to mention are the creature and boss designs, which are varied and horrifying in the best of ways.
They really feel original and not basic monsterish if that makes sense.
Having to fight a giant moth through multiple stages of its life (larval and adult) as different boss fights is just genius.
Once you fight through a literal god to find and save Harry's daughter, you are presented with a result screen with a banging song and there it hit me that I had experienced a game I found perfect in all its imperfections.
ABSOLUTE CINEMA
This is an unreasonably scary video game.