Silent Hill: Origins (PSP)

It doesn't deviate much from past Silent Hill games, but Origins is a creepy, portable delight.
1/31/2008 12:00 AM | 0 Comments | Page 2 of 2

Along with the attractive full motion videos and high-resolution graphics is outstanding audio, which is key for this type of game (well, audio is important for any game, but especially one that is meant to be an interactive horror movie). Specifically, the sound effects -- including the sound of creaking doors, footsteps, weapons, and radios that buzz as enemies approach -- and abovementioned music soundtrack are all very high quality and can be appreciated when playing the game with a good set of earphones (highly recommended).

Silent Hill: Origins stays true to the formula that made the series so popular, so with that comes some annoying shortcomings carried over from the console games, too. For one, the shifting camera angles when you walk can be disorienting, especially when you're walking in a specific direction (say, along a deserted road or down the hallway of a sanitarium) and when the camera shifts for cinematic effect, you need to change Travis' direction using the analog stick to keep walking the same way. This takes some getting used to. Personally, I'd like to see how a Silent Hill game would play out with a fixed behind-the-shoulder camera, which might be creepy since you wouldn't always be able to see the enemy approaching (not unlike Resident Evil 4).

Another issue arises when trying to fight two enemies at once. Veteran Silent Hill players know that creatures tend to latch onto you, so attempting to keep two at bay while you equip a new weapon or try to get away long enough to take one on individually is tough to pull off. As a result, you might find yourself dead and forced to load the game from the last save point (represented by large red triangles).

One other small beef also common to Silent Hill games is odd dialogue (translated from Japanese to English) that ends up coming off as cheesy, which could break the all-important immersion factor.

OK, here's the dillio with Silent Hill: Origins: It's a 'more of the same' experience that doesn't veer far from its console and PC predecessors, which is good news for those who don't want the new-to-the-series developer (UK's Climax Games) to mess with Konami's formula. The game looks and sounds amazing on the PSP and offers an acceptable, intense, 12- to 15-hour single-player adventure.

For those frustrated with past Silent Hill games -- either because you don't like the camera or the sometimes difficult-to-control combat -- you won't like this prequel. Everyone else, however, should find themselves immersed in this creepy survival horror game that proves when done right, a game can freak you out -- even on a portable system.

This review is based on a retail copy of the game provided by the publisher.