New to Silent Hill? Or maybe it’s time you revisited the places where it all began? Either way, my guide recaptures the games and memorable moments in the series … along with some favorite scares.

It’s been a busy weekend for me. First, be sure to check out my interview with writer and ex-DC Comics president Paul Levitz on the new Huntress mini. You can find it at Impulse Creations.

Secondly, if you’re a Silent Hill fan, stop by GameZone for my editorial about Konami’s shaky grasp on the series and Vatra Games’ positive direction.

Finally, whether you played Spyro the Dragon on the PlayStation, pocketed him on your GBA or DS, or took to the skies in The Legend of Spyro trilogy, you’ll find something worth reading in my editorial on the history and evolution of Spyro.

Part One
Part Two

Spyro is iconic to different generations of gamers. Love him or loathe him, it’s hard not to admire his everlasting determination to fry the bad guys and keep going no matter what the demographic, design, or gameplay. In an era of blockbuster hit-and-runs, Spyro refuses to hide his horned head in shame and go the way of the bandicoot. As a character that survives the damaging cycle of new developers and new visions, he’s more than worth his weight in gems.

How do you remember the dragon?

Konami has released new details about their planned Vita game, Silent Hill: Book of Memories. Apparently, it will be a top-down co-op multiplayer shooter. That sounds a lot like Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light, especially since the raised perspective and co-op are odd decisions for a SH game (just like they were for Tomb Raider).

More curious is what players will be doing: creating a custom character and receiving a book of memories, which they can “rewrite through playing the game’s levels.” I’m not sure what that entails, but included in the game are signature weapons, guns, and monster Pyramid Head. That also reminds me of Guardian of Light, which equipped Lara with a familiar arsenal and forced her into a rematch with some prehistoric enemies.

From screenshots, the game looks pretty glossy. Could a multiplayer Silent Hill be fun if the developers mixed up the gameplay?

Apparently Murphy Pendleton, protagonist of the upcoming Silent Hill: Downpour, is afraid of water. That’s interesting, considering he’s also an escaped convict. Unlike the protagonists of past SH games, Murphy didn’t just do something bad (that’s assuming he’s guilty at all) or have some weird familial or congenital tie to the infamous town. He has a tangible fear, which Silent Hill is going to exploit in addition to manifesting his shame or subconscious desires or pathological imperfections. Cool.

Anyway, the new gameplay video (see bottom) blew my mind. It looks like a lot of fun. My biggest hesitation: the sequences where Murphy is running down a hall and pushing over objects to make barricades and looking behind him—that borrows from Shattered Memories, whose nightmare sequences were dreadfully boring and if anything, frustrating. But Vatra Games seems to be making up for it with mind-bending psychological craziness, which I can get behind.

It also makes use of the old “this can’t be happening” Hollywood pitfall, abused by modern horror, which I don’t like and I prefer the old “let’s not comment on anything odd because I’m a weird protagonist and nothing will make this any better” approach. James Sunderland was good at that.

But I do like that fixed camera angle after Murphy runs up the staircase. I have no idea what’s going on in the rest of the trailer. The “Murphy—run” is creepy, though. I won’t spoil anything else for you. Just watch the video below.

I hate to say it, knowing the series’ more recent track record—but gripes aside, I’m excited for Downpour. Really, really excited. Shoot me in the foot now.

I recommend clicking the video and viewing it in a bigger resolution—the details are easier to see that way.

Bring an umbrella. Fans can expect to get caught in a downpour with Murphy Pendleton this fall.

Konami claims that Downpour, the eighth installment in the Silent Hill series, will deliver an “expansive environment,” comparable with earlier franchise classics and “similarly claustrophobic … where the player is never truly alone.”

Let’s hope Konami and Vatra Games can make good on their promise. For now, I remain skeptical.

[via Spong]

So what can gamers expect from the rainy game? Reports are popping up all over the web, and I both like—and don’t like—what has hit the press. You can read more in-depth details at the Just Push Start and Silent Hill Memories websites, but below are a few points that struck my eye.

THE GOOD

The game’s events take place in the unexplored southeast region of Silent Hill, so count out visiting series classics like the hospital or elementary school. New locations are definitely a plus, because players won’t know what’s coming. In addition, a subway system will provide easy transport between areas. I’ll miss wandering around the fog in search of extra health items, but it’s an acceptable loss.

The Otherworld will consist of separate locations from the norm. That means you won’t be retreading the same ground anytime sirens warn of a nasty flood.

THE BAD

Quick-time events return for boss battles, of all things. Even James Sunderland understood that bashing ugly gross things with blunt objects is fun.

THE CATCH

Main character Murphy Pendleton isn’t much of a fighter, so most of the time he’ll rely on avoiding tough situations rather than engaging in confrontation. Sound familiar? The humdrum nightmare sequences of Shattered Memories ring a bell. On the other hand, Murphy isn’t completely helpless. He’ll be able to hold one—yep, just one—weapon at a time, and he’ll be grabbing whatever he can salvage from his surroundings. These makeshift weapons will break after some use, so again, combat isn’t everything.

Altering the game’s outcome through various actions isn’t a new concept to the series, but influencing how other characters interact with you is. Seemingly in the vein of Shattered Memories, players will be forced to make several choices that affect character relationships. My only gripe? Too much reliance on other people. Silent Hill is supposed to be about isolation, right?

Side quests will be included, but keeping past Silent Hill secrets like extra weapons in mind, they might work. The new hybrid camera system (combining the old, fixed style with the over-the-shoulder flair of Homecoming), though, is a matter of preference.

What are your thoughts on Downpour? Will you brave the rain, or did you call it quits at the mention of QTEs?

A fan's painting of "Misty Day - Remains of the Judgement"

Game writer Tom Waltz teased FearNet about the eighth installment’s historical twist, describing a tie-in, four-issue comic book that’s set in the 1800s and follows an outlaw named Jebediah Foster.

“I’m hoping that gets the fans going crazy and curious because the new game is a modern story and the comic take place in 1867. So we’re hoping people will be wondering, ‘How the hell can that happen?’”

Waltz confirmed that, with the script fully written, voice-acting for the game has begun. He’s also made fans a bold promise: “What I’ll say is, this is going to be a great game, and it’s going back to the core spirit, maybe people would point to Silent Hill 2. It’s character driven, it’s very dramatic, and I think it’s gonna rejuvenate the title.”

The writer assures gamers that the Silent Hill comics, like the games, aren’t throwaways, stating, “These comics they matter to Konami and they matter to the Silent Hill universe … Once ‘Team Silent’ disbanded and it just became Konami’s game but not the original creators’, the speculation was it’s just a franchise they’re milking and no one cares, but the truth is, everyone cares … Everyone on this team is a fan and cares what the fans think.”

What do you think? Are Silent Hill comics worth four bucks a pop? Can this new game, lacking Yamaoka’s or McGlynn’s grace, steer close to the high-esteemed Silent Hill 2?

No official word yet on the comic’s publisher, but I’m betting the company will stick close with their usual, IDW.

A previous Silent Hill comic.

As the most acclaimed of the series, Silent Hill 2, much like protagonist James Sunderland, shoulders a considerable burden. After nine years, do the mannequins and geometric monsters still emerge from the woodwork as viciously as before? Revisiting that “special place” should fill any gaps in memory. I plugged in a PS3 controller and loaded the PC version, companion to the PlayStation 2 and Xbox editions.

What You’ll Like

Turn Left on Nathan Avenue

Restless Dreams blankets players with the town’s looming isolation. The sirens, otherworlds, and even the staple flashlight and radio slowly drop into the player’s lap. Between Sunderland’s impeccable map-keeping abilities and the direct tactic of gameplay, players can navigate Silent Hill without breaking too much of a sweat. Memorable, unique architecture distinguishes key locations, and the heavy atmosphere complements the dreary wallpaper settings. Akira Yamaoka’s outstanding musical score and his fifty-plus sound effects provide each moment a haunting undercurrent.

Of Special Interest

Although James often pines over his late wife, even he enjoys a good puzzle—and so will the player. In addition to the several gameplay modes, selecting the riddle difficulty ensures a manageable experience. Logical and fair, the puzzles occasionally call for pen and paper solutions, but the clues rarely stump for long.

Fighting, split between light and heavy attacks, proves an equally satisfying affair, and James can target different enemies with a quick tap. A little exploration returns a big profit, as the game packs surpluses of ammo and health into its nooks and crannies. Keeping the flashlight shining will attract James’ attention to any noteworthy item, as well.

You Say Mary; I Say Maria

Silent Hill 2 gushes with more than blood: It writes the book on psychological horror. Voice-acting striking a reasonable chord, the dynamic characters interact purposefully with James throughout the gradually developing story, which is topped with a grand reveal. The clever scares, second only to the intelligent psychology manipulating them, lure players deeper into James’ mentality.

Pyramid Head, who has become the series’ go-to icon, triumphs as an unsettling antagonist, goading players onward through paranoia.

“Born from a Wish” places the seductive Maria in the midst of a haunted mansion. The extra scenario offers a less engaging run-around and little incentive other than a deeper look into Maria’s character, which interested players can appreciate.

What You Won’t Like

Look Sharp

Sometimes the game’s eerie perspectives enhance the frightful effect. In many cases, though, the stubborn camera controls inhibit exploration and acts as a nuisance, particularly upon entering rooms. James’ health meter also suffers from poor construction. Except for the unmistakable red health sign that appears when James is about to keel over, the static distortions viewable from the inventory screen give a lazy estimate of his overall status.

Recommendation: Rewarding and gripping, Silent Hill 2 expertly handles its love story bridled with horror. A solid game, players will find themselves venturing through the fog more than once, minor inconveniences doing little to dent the impressive experience. Few will forget the terror waiting among James Sunderland’s memories … unless they can’t bear to remember. 9/10

Review format credited to the Girls Entertainment Network

I guess that’s where composer Daniel Licht comes in; he’s got quite the reputation (Hellraiser, Children of the Corn, Dexter), but will his songs fit the series? The music sounds a bit too exotic for my tastes, and the gameplay looks like it meddles in the action-adventure genre (get that out of my survival horror!), but who knows. The thematic face lift could be just what the nurses ordered.

The game’s director does promise an “evolution of the franchise’s core combat.” What do you think? Too much Homecoming, too little James Sunderland, or just right, Mary?

Vatra Games is developing the 2011 title for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Windows.

[GameInformer]

Okay, this apparently went live Tuesday on the front page of Kombo.com, but I was too distracted by my recently defunct computer to notice. Anyway, I hope you take a moment to hop over to Kombo and check out my first guest article for them!

Over the years, my obsession for the Silent Hill games has nestled into my life like an infection. Akira Yamaoka’s music, which balances so beautifully against Mary Elizabeth McGlynn’s and Joe Romersa’s haunting vocals, effortlessly spreads its tendrils under my flesh. The gritty visuals poison my veins, the nightmarish town rots my bones, the psychological illusions deceive my brain, and the lingering terror grips my soul in my sleeping hours. Despite its deathly visage, I can’t help but experience a sort of inexplicable, Gothic fascination for the series whose stories have always rattled me. But when the recent Shattered Memories caused my dry throat to constrict and my eyes to wet, I knew the usual horrors weren’t culpable.

Eager about the upcoming Castlevania game for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360? I am, and you can pronounce your love by checking out these new screens and a quickie debate about Lords of Shadow‘s direction over at OneMetal.

Are you prepared to whip and magically cast Dracula across vast stretches of, well, 3D expanse? The new screenshots and artwork batch uploaded today suggests a bigger, denser world for gamers to explore. But can the developers and the assisting Kojima Productions rework the aging series into a hot-blooded successor?

Hooray! It’s been half a year since my demo and Konami interview at San Diego Comic-Con, but I finally sat down to play Shattered Memories. So … did I enjoy it? Well, that’s a tricky number. The game is quite a mixed bag of good and bad, but ultimately one lone feature redeemed the entire game for me. Find out what over at OneMetal.

Silent Hill has dramatically evolved since the original game, presently a decade behind us. Now Shattered Memories lifts the ashes and exchanges the rust-colored decor for a colder touch. Put down the chainsaw and stop running—the latest installment dares you to revisit the classic town and remember everything you, and Harry Mason, tried to forget.

Shattered Memories logs a relatively short length, and the gameplay and story elements are profoundly redesigned. In fact, fans will recognize the changes before they even start pressing buttons. The game invents more personality for characters, polishes familiar locations with fresh attributes, and incorporates the depth absent in the first run-around. Borrowing the first-person technique utilized in The Room, the psychologist sessions allow the game to profile you by translating various exercises, like coloring a picture or answering intimate questions, into Harry’s adventure. The characters and locations might remain, but this isn’t the game you remember. Shattered Memories molds to your unique personality and develops a new and engaging spin on an old story.

Oh, Silent Hill, how I adore you. Thanks to the PlayStation Network’s inclusion, I recently revisited the PSOne classic on my PSP. So despite the voice-acting that makes soap operas sound like Shakespearian language, what distinguishes Harry Mason’s experience and keeps the aging title memorable? Find out at Spawn Kill.

One decade ago, Konami left a neoteric imprint on the survival horror genre with Silent Hill, a video game that would inspire a number of future titles, a movie, and several books and comics. But Harry Mason’s investigation into the fog-covered town and its strange occurrences accomplished more than just a household name among the likes ofResident Evil. The heart-pounding adrenaline rush introduced gamers to a nightmare founded on psychological Japanese horror and an equally unnerving musical score by composer Akira Yamaoka.

I’ve been meaning to catalog the full Silent Hill history for awhile, but now couldn’t be a more perfect time. Unless I’m screwing up the math (which is possible, trust me), then January 2010 marks the full ten-year anniversary of the survival horror series. What better way to celebrate than to take a look back on the years with all their missteps and achievements? … Okay, well, I guess we could all dress up as the crazy gang of monsters and characters and put on a performance enacting famous scenes from the video games in a thematic party, but maybe that’s a little much. Eh, there would be punch, though.

Who’s your favorite Silent Hill individual?

For the last ten years since its 1999 debut, the Silent Hill video games have launched gamers into the heart of a macabre town crawling with unearthly creatures, cult secrets, and enough horrid psychological chicanery to justify a happily executed lobotomy. Despite the series’ notable footprint on the surface of the survival horror expanse, each installment bears its respective weight in flaws as terrifying as its disgusting creatures and unsettling music. So what makes Silent Hill unique and massively popular among horror addicts? Here’s a rundown of the Silent Hill landmarks that established the series and an envisioning of what fans can expect in the years to come. Feel free to add your own tribute in the comments below!

Our appointment with the psychiatric Silent Hill remake, Shattered Memories, has been moved … again. The game that was supposed to debut in late October was then pushed back to early November, and now Amazon and other sources have the title listed for even later dates. Currently, the Wii version is expected to hit shelves in early December, but for PlayStation 2 and PSP owners, Konami will be keeping the game on ice even longer. The inexpensive alternatives won’t be ready until late January.

That’s just cold.

On the other hand, a prolonged release usually means a better game.

Would you rather have the game now or later? What console will you buy the game for?