Where's my daughter? (cntd)

The puzzles in the game are shown by in-game clues either carved on a wall, or found out of discarded rubbish. You may actually need to use your phone's camera device to zoom in to look for other clues, but they may come back as distorted images that you need to identify. It may be considered one big puzzler of sorts, but nothing could be further than the truth. The game's puzzles actually look pretty clever, and more importantly, challenging.

Shattered memories also focuses heavily on the players' consequence, how it affects your progression and even on the state of environment around you. If Harry completes a task in a heroic way, fewer changes in the game will happen. If he does not, more horrors will come your way, such as the unexpected character changing. The environment may also change in general, and will be done more subtly. For example, more subtle changes may be the change in mood and colour of the environment that Harry may be in. For instance, a section may turn into a reddish colour in a certain room to alert potential danger crossing your way.

Another change in the game are character personality switches. A policewoman that first appears early on in the game may change from a stern authority figure to a much wilder, sexier figure. Also, some characters that Harry has received help from can suddenly have a change of heart and bring him harm next time they meet.

Silent Hill effortlessly makes the player feel like a vital, fundamental part to the town's atmosphere. There is an impressive diversity in the game's mission structure and all of the missions affect how the story plays out. Nothing in this game feels half-baked. All of it has a reason, for truly horrifying purposes.

Creating the intended atmosphere

The series' veteran composer: Akira Yamamoka once again provides an all-new soundtrack for the game. The game's music is already as eerie and spooky as ever, blending the use of old chimes and instruments with a foreboding orchestral sound. The original's fogginess and darkness is consistent in the overall surroundings. You'll rarely have a clear view and the town of Silent Hill still feels just as dead as it did the first time around.

The specific areas the player explores are rather linear in nature, yet where you are is a question mark throughout most of the game. Your playable hero is utterly terrified and, of course, worried whether he will ever find his beloved daughter. As such, it is easy to relate to his predicament and not knowing where you are only adds to the sense of distress. Of course there is plenty to be distressed about. Your monstrous enemies are faceless, genderless creatures that will come after you whenever they spot you. They carry a sharp bite and will damage you severely when they attack you.

The clues and your interaction with other characters in the town are unpredictable. No matter what action you take, you rarely know what the outcome will be.

Be afraid, be very afraid…

The game does not impress graphically and it also has a few minor problems with the responsiveness of the controls. But those two issues are the only negative remarks I can make about the game.

Silent Hill: Shattered memories is an incredibly absorbing game, both in its atmosphere, and everything that you may encounter. Konami certainly have not forgotten at all of why the series is so frightening to us in the first place. This game is scary in all the best ways.