The New Silent Hill game has no combat.
 

I did not realize that Silent Hill: Shattered Memories, a re-imagining of the first Silent Hill game on the PS1, was closer to a classic adventure game than the action oriented survival horror games of recent years.

After reading and watching some reviews, it looks like (other than some tense maze sections where you are chased by monsters) the game is mostly about exploring the environment and solving puzzles. This is a very interesting direction for the series and it looks like the game benefits from the approach. Are any adventure game fans and or purists planning on checking out this title? If anyone has already played it, I would love to hear your thoughts.

Unfortunately, most of the reviews indicate that the puzzles are really easy. The creepy atmosphere does seem really convincing, though. I'm going to pick it up when it releases here in Oz.

I'm definately going to give it a shot, but that's probably a given since I've played all the games in the series so far. I think you're right, the lack of combat I think is a good direction but I wouldn't want it to become permanent. Silent Hill 1 and 2 did a good job balancing combat with well, exploring I suppose, where later sequels leaned too far towards combat. Maybe this title will be enough to exercise more combat restraint in future titles...

That being said, I'm looking forward to visiting Silent Hill without the fear of running out of bullets. Might sound ridiculous but that concept scares me more than not having bullets to begin with. I'm just not so sure about the re-imagining Silent Hill 1 idea. Here's hoping it goes well.

I'm a huge fan of Silent Hill, but I have to say that this reenvisioning is a much needed change for the series. After watching the review from Gametrailers, I have fallen absolutely in love with everything. There is nothing scarier than running away from creatures without a weapon to fend yourself with.

I wish I had a Wii now. lol I'm hoping this game gets a facelift when the WiiHD comes out.

I've heard this game is also scheduled to be released for PS2 (sometime in February). I really like that. I got "Origins" as fast as possible, but I'd rather take a look at "Homecoming", which isn't for PS2 (and I'd rather not play such a game on PC, even if I WAS 100% sure I could run it).

I played games 2 through 4 before I got the original PS1 game. Really took some getting used to, especially graphics wise.

So is this more than a straightforward remake?

I've always played these games for their adventure qualities. The combat was always a necessary evil. Kind of how I feel about the Final Fantasy games. Story and exploration. Puzzles in these games are also more like logic puzzles instead of inventory puzzles.

I'll be getting the game. No doubt it would be better on the Wii, but I don't have one, nor do I want one. So it'll either be the PSP or PS2 version for me.

No. I saw a preview and it looks so Americanised. Like a trailer for a typical, average, run-off-the-mill low-budget horror flick.

I've given up hoping for a return to the Silent Hill glory days (the original trilogy).

Don't know about you, but that can be said about pretty much every Asian horror film. I purposely said Asian and not Japanese because most of the asian countries fall for the same visuals over and over again. Russia and India are exempt.

Don't know about you, but all the silent hill games were generally the same. Only difference is the characters and visuals. I would say this is the first Silent Hill game that leaves the traditional feel of the series.

No one should play Homecoming on the pc. Its buggy as S***. Better off playing it on the 360.

I have to say I do agree with that notion. Even though I'll give this new title a shot, it's lost some of it's genuinely unsettling atmosphere from the originals. Visuals and themes that pervaded the first games, particularly Silent Hill 2, were replaced with meaningless and largely irrelevant ones in later games. The subtle touch of American influence I suppose.

Hate to burst your bubble, but... well have a look here. I think it's a good thing anyway. I mean seriously, it's not the hardware that's necessarily failing the system (though it's not helping it). Mario Galaxy proved the system can handle great looking games, developers need to pick up the slack.

Uh, I know. WiiHD means the next "Nintendo Console" not a spinoff of the current console. I have no problem with the visuals at the moment. I just feel that it can do better without all the blurry textures and the low resolution shadows.

GameSpot review available.

I don't know about the ones who are skeptical about it, but I think it sounds promising.

I guess this was moved to General because its not an adventure game? Even though its more of an adventure than Dreamfall?

;) AG has always been a very conservative site, and in my opinion fails at enlightening people about so many games out there that have very strong adventure essences. Why should we be surprised?

In any case, the game has so far received reasonably favourable reviews. It seems to carry the Silent Hill tradition of psychologically challenging horror through the seemingly ordinary world of a small town.

I'll get it sooner or later. I'm too steeped in Dragon Age to pay some mind. :P

Is this game out? Or are the reviews from advanced copies or something?

I'm looking forward to this one, feels like the game is gonna be allot similar to 2's themes. Like playing against personal demons and stuff rather than being about some religious cult.

I'd heard someone say it was their favourite since 2 somewhere, I think.

Unlike the first Silent Hill, I felt that the Second and fourth games were my favorite. The first created a very Survivalish environment for a horror game, while the fourth created an amazing psychological environment. The second and fourth were my favorites, so I'm hoping this will pose as my next favorite. :D

I'm really excited about Shattered Memories. Silent Hill is one of my favourite game series, I've played all except for Origins and Homecoming (I will eventually check out the later title though).

SH2 is my favourite, SH1 and 4 comes in second place. I didn't get much out of the third one but it's still fun. I'm actually hoping that Shattered Memories can make it to the top. Fingers crossed.

I'm bumping this thread just to note that it's been moved (back) from General. AG's going to treat this one as an adventure. Review to come shortly.

(But no, this doesn't mean we're covering all survival horror games from now on. :P)

This is something I hoped would happen in the survival horror genre since I became aware of it.
Any chances for a PC version?

I think I will if the game is more adventure than action.