This review contains spoilers
It was my very first horror game!
I avoided playing that genre my whole Life simply because I get scared very easyly, and I also hate jumpscares.
But hopefully there weren't too many jumpscares in Silent Hill 1. I only remember the one in the school, upon opening the locker; and the one in Nowhere, right after checking the fridge in the kitchen.
When I started the game, I was annoyed by the tank controls. Not only is the camera hard to handle, but it's also really difficult to change direction with your character. But I eventually got used to it.
I wasn't bothered at all by the poor graphics of the PS1 era. In fact, I think it fits really well with horror games.
The fog is very aesthetic and the low view distance made it hard to spot the threats around me, which added even more tension.
The sound of the radio everytime a monster was nearby never stopped being stressful.
I used a guide only once. It was in the first part of the game, when you need to find the way to the school. Since it was at the beginning of the game, it was the moment when I was the most frightened, because I wasn't used to the atmosphere yet. And I somehow missed the map that indicates the key locations, next to the door with the three locks.
I lost my temper while wandering around the town and decided to check internet to find the remaining keys. But I never used a guide again after that.
I got less afraid as I progressed in the story, so the moments that scared me the most happened during the first few hours:
- I got really freaked out by the scene in the alleyway. It was the most frightening moment in the game, and the build-up was masterfully executed.
- I was also terrified when I went in the school's courtyard for the first time. The sound effects were extremely creepy, and I had trouble maintaining my composure.
There were still several scary moments later in the game, but I became a bit more used to it.
Figuring out the piano puzzle on my own was really fulfilling, especially because I was discussing about the game with other people at the time, and they were all telling me how difficult this puzzle was to solve.
And it's also one of the first puzzles in the game, so I was quite proud. The school in general was really fun to go through.
Finishing the Midwich Elementary School segment was one of the most memorable moments in my playthrough.
After I defeated the Boss, I suddently realized I was back to the real world, and it was so relieving.
I still remember all the details: you wake up in the boilroom, you notice that the color palette went back to normal, and you hear the Church bell in the distance.
As you make your way through the school's exit, you realize all the monsters have disappeared, the atmosphere seems almost peaceful. Leaving the school and being back in the foggy streets of Silent Hill was such a breath of fresh air.
The Alchemilla hospital was another great highlight of Silent Hill 1.
The encounters with real human beings are rare in that game, so it was kinda reassuring to meet Kaufmann, even though he quickly leaves you alone afterwards.
The appearance of a new floor in the elevator was brilliant. I was lost in the hospital for quite a while, and I kept looking for the next element of progression when I finally noticed the 4th floor button. It really gave me the shivers!
It was such a clever transition to the otherworld, and also different from the previous times where it always manifested with the sound of a siren.
I couldn't work out the puzzle with the Zodiac signs, in Nowhere. But I accidentaly solved it after losing my patience and pushing buttons randomly. It was kinda frustrating to not figure out this puzzle.
It certainly has something to do with the music, but Lisa's death got me really emotional. The fact that she had to endure all of that against her will made me feel for her.
It was also disturbing to learn just how much Alessa had to suffer because of this cult. It was really macabre.
Considering how dark the game is, I was wondering if there would even be survivors by the end of it. But luckily, Harry was able to make it out alive with the baby. I'm glad the game ended on a bright note.
----------Playtime & Completion----------
[Played in mid-April 2023]
Playtime: 11 hours
I got the good ending, where Cybil is dead, but Harry manages to escape with the baby.
I watched all the other endings tho.
I avoided playing that genre my whole Life simply because I get scared very easyly, and I also hate jumpscares.
But hopefully there weren't too many jumpscares in Silent Hill 1. I only remember the one in the school, upon opening the locker; and the one in Nowhere, right after checking the fridge in the kitchen.
When I started the game, I was annoyed by the tank controls. Not only is the camera hard to handle, but it's also really difficult to change direction with your character. But I eventually got used to it.
I wasn't bothered at all by the poor graphics of the PS1 era. In fact, I think it fits really well with horror games.
The fog is very aesthetic and the low view distance made it hard to spot the threats around me, which added even more tension.
The sound of the radio everytime a monster was nearby never stopped being stressful.
I used a guide only once. It was in the first part of the game, when you need to find the way to the school. Since it was at the beginning of the game, it was the moment when I was the most frightened, because I wasn't used to the atmosphere yet. And I somehow missed the map that indicates the key locations, next to the door with the three locks.
I lost my temper while wandering around the town and decided to check internet to find the remaining keys. But I never used a guide again after that.
I got less afraid as I progressed in the story, so the moments that scared me the most happened during the first few hours:
- I got really freaked out by the scene in the alleyway. It was the most frightening moment in the game, and the build-up was masterfully executed.
- I was also terrified when I went in the school's courtyard for the first time. The sound effects were extremely creepy, and I had trouble maintaining my composure.
There were still several scary moments later in the game, but I became a bit more used to it.
Figuring out the piano puzzle on my own was really fulfilling, especially because I was discussing about the game with other people at the time, and they were all telling me how difficult this puzzle was to solve.
And it's also one of the first puzzles in the game, so I was quite proud. The school in general was really fun to go through.
Finishing the Midwich Elementary School segment was one of the most memorable moments in my playthrough.
After I defeated the Boss, I suddently realized I was back to the real world, and it was so relieving.
I still remember all the details: you wake up in the boilroom, you notice that the color palette went back to normal, and you hear the Church bell in the distance.
As you make your way through the school's exit, you realize all the monsters have disappeared, the atmosphere seems almost peaceful. Leaving the school and being back in the foggy streets of Silent Hill was such a breath of fresh air.
The Alchemilla hospital was another great highlight of Silent Hill 1.
The encounters with real human beings are rare in that game, so it was kinda reassuring to meet Kaufmann, even though he quickly leaves you alone afterwards.
The appearance of a new floor in the elevator was brilliant. I was lost in the hospital for quite a while, and I kept looking for the next element of progression when I finally noticed the 4th floor button. It really gave me the shivers!
It was such a clever transition to the otherworld, and also different from the previous times where it always manifested with the sound of a siren.
I couldn't work out the puzzle with the Zodiac signs, in Nowhere. But I accidentaly solved it after losing my patience and pushing buttons randomly. It was kinda frustrating to not figure out this puzzle.
It certainly has something to do with the music, but Lisa's death got me really emotional. The fact that she had to endure all of that against her will made me feel for her.
It was also disturbing to learn just how much Alessa had to suffer because of this cult. It was really macabre.
Considering how dark the game is, I was wondering if there would even be survivors by the end of it. But luckily, Harry was able to make it out alive with the baby. I'm glad the game ended on a bright note.
----------Playtime & Completion----------
[Played in mid-April 2023]
Playtime: 11 hours
I got the good ending, where Cybil is dead, but Harry manages to escape with the baby.
I watched all the other endings tho.