Silent Hill: Shattered Memories for Wii looks good; confuses gamers

[Howard Alan Treesong]

http://gonintendo.com/?p=77596

“This is a reimagining of the first Silent Hill,” explains producer Tomm Hulett. “It’s not a remake or a port. That’s an important distinction. It really feels like a new game.”

“The characters play different roles, things don’t necessarily happen in the same order, and the story is taken in lots of new directions. You still play as Harry Mason, you’re still looking for your daughter, and you’ll see familiar elements, but they’re all twisted to betray your expectations.”

“One of Shattered Memories’ most significant and intriguing additions—your answers actually affect how the game unfolds. And it doesn’t end there. the game “watches” you constantly, and your behavior throughout can determine when you’ll meet certain characters, which scenes you’ll witness, and a variety of other factors.” “In Silent Hill games, the town always gets inside the protagonist’s head,” say Hulett. “But now, it’s getting inside YOUR head.”

“We’re using the Wii Remote to interact directly with the environment, so the puzzles are all based around that idea,” says Hulett. “You’re not just hitting buttons to choose things.” He also notes that the solution to a puzzle is always in the immediate vicinity, and assures us there’s a lot less backtracking then in previous games.”

“Longtime fans of the series will also be delighted to learn that there’s a way through every locked door; no more checking dozens of entrances only to find that 90% of them are permanently barred shut.”

EDIT: More Info

-You steer Harry with the control stick

-The Wii Remote is used to aim the flashlight "This is one of the things we dreamed about when the Wii controller was first unveiled, and it's every bit as effective as we imagined."

-The developer wants the game to be as immersive as possible. "When you want to check on something in the environment, for example, you simply fix your view on it rather than press a button, and instead of text appearing on screen, Harry comments vocally." (MARl0 note: This sounds really awesome!)

-Streaming environments that completely eliminate load times

-The static noise comes out of the Wii Remote now. It also acts as your cell phone. "Just as we're starting to feel sufficiently uncomfortable, the Wii Remote rings and nearly scares us out of our seats." "There's no response when we answer this particular call, so we hang up and try the first thing that comes to mind: dial 911. An emergency dispatcher actually picks up, her voice emanating from the Wii Remote speaker, but she can't hear Harry and eventually hangs up. Looks like we're on our own."

-Combat has been completely removed from the game. "Instead, you have no choice but to flee, which proves considerably more terrifying."

-Once the monsters see you, the chase is on. "Holding Z button makes Harry get the lead out, and during the getaway, you can barge through doors, climb over fences, jump through windows, and so on. You can even barricade doors behind you with a bookshelf or whatever else might be handy. The static gets louder as the monsters close in, and while Harry is running, you can look back over his shoulder. Watching these abominations leap over cars and crawl along the rooftops as they relentlessly pursue our hero had us on the edge of our seats." "To be clear, these chase sequences aren't quick-time events; you have full control over Harry and can choose whichever path you see fit to his destination." "The monsters will take alternate routes to try to cut you off, and they'll use their numbers to flank you whenever possible."

- "Shattered Memories is about as far removed from a typical remake as you can imagine. It takes inspiration from the original as the foundation for something that feels like a true evolution of the series."

spoiler (click to show/hide)

[close]

[Great Rumbler]

I really wanted to go back and play the original, never really did mainly just watched my brother play it. But the graphics are really, really janky and cut the eyes.

So, yes, I'm very interested in this.

spoiler (click to show/hide)

Harry looks kind "lol" on the cover, though.

[close]

[demi]

Another game to put on my USB Loader ^_^

[Smooth Groove]

Looks good?  

It's kinda hard to tell how much the blurry scans are enhancing the graphics' appeal.  

I'm definitely interested in checking it out.  The SH series is one of my favs but I've never tried the original game.  Like Rumbler said, the graphics are simply too crappy by today's standards.  

[Smooth Groove]

Does the USB loader work with a USB powered harddrive like the USB passport?  Does it work with Gamecube games?

There isn't anyt WII game that I would want to pirate but I just want to see how it works, for curiosity's sake. 

[Great Rumbler]

It's kinda hard to tell how much the blurry scans are enhancing the graphics' appeal.  

I can at least make out what appears to be real-time shadows cast by the light from the flashlight, so that's something at least.

[HyperZoneWasAwesome]

Up is down, black is white, Wii games that don't look completely shitty?

I'm still halfway through SH: The Room, haven't played it in years, haven't even picked up Homecoming or Origins.  So I'll likely get to this sometime round 2013.

[Howard Alan Treesong]

OP updated with more info

[Great Rumbler]

-Combat has been completely removed from the game. "Instead, you have no choice but to flee, which proves considerably more terrifying."

This aspect could turn out to be really cool.

[Smooth Groove]

I like how the flashlight will be controlled with waggling controls. 

[Great Rumbler]

I like how the flashlight will be controlled with waggling controls. 

IR isn't waggle.

[EmCeeGrammar]

Man year of the wii continues.  And since its on the only  console with a future its not a sarcastic meme.

[Van Cruncheon]

pointing uses the gyroscope in conjunction with the ir reciever; therefore it is filthy waggle

[Eel O'Brian]

i think no combat will get pretty old

no one likes feeling completely helpless for extended periods of time

[Akala]

Could be decent, not getting too excited just yet. At least it's not a port of the iphone game.

[Van Cruncheon]

it'd be cool if you could use the environment for contextual attacks, even if there's no weapons, like pulling a table over or picking up a box and smashing a monster in the head

[Bildi]

I dunno, I enjoyed games built around running away like Clock Tower 3 and Haunting Ground.

I'm looking forward to this, I hope it turns out OK.

I just noticed the flashlight seems to cast shadows on the barstools.  That's pretty damn impressive for a Wii game.

[EmCeeGrammar]

i think no combat will get pretty old

no one likes feeling completely helpless for extended periods of time

Feeling helpless all the time sounds like a good motif for survival horror.

Doug, IR only uses the accelerometers for games with a rotating pointer, and as far as that goes I've never had IR controls be unreliable ingame like canned animations tied to gestures.  Don't make me link your re4 wii appreciation thread.

[Van Cruncheon]

I just noticed the flashlight seems to cast shadows on the barstools.  That's pretty damn impressive for a Wii game.

i liked the effect better back in 2002 when it was part of a first-gen gamecube game called luigi's mansion

[Eel O'Brian]

i like the contextual attacks idea

i'm sure the new owner of my wii will apreciate this

[TakingBackSunday]

I just noticed the flashlight seems to cast shadows on the barstools.  That's pretty damn impressive for a Wii game.

i liked the effect better back in 2002 when it was part of a first-gen gamecube game called luigi's mansion

[Bildi]

i liked the effect better back in 2002 when it was part of a first-gen gamecube game called luigi's mansion

I'm more thinking proper shadowing from flashlights is so rarely used, even on the PS3/360, but especially in Wii games.  I really liked it in Tomb Raider Underworld and it added a lot to the atmosphere.

[EmCeeGrammar]

I'm not guilty of playing Luigi's mansion.  Score one for me.

[Positive Touch]

wow, i had written off the series after the last few mediocre entries, but i might have to give this one a shot, depending on reviews.  the no combat stuff sounds neat and reminds me of siren, which i loved.  i'm sure the dynamic story will end up being pretty lame and shallow though.

[Bildi]

Games based entirely around running away can be awesome fun - I don't think I'd be too worried about it.  From what they say about the running away (being able to look behind you and so on), I think it could be really good.

I think they should have avoided the term "re-imagining".  Everyone is tired of spin-offs and remakes so the term "re-imagining" is maybe not doing them any favours.  Maybe rather say 'this is a new game set in the Silent Hill 1 universe'?

I'm not guilty of playing Luigi's mansion.  Score one for me.

I never played it either, I was excited to get a Cube at launch but not that excited.

[demi]

I'm not guilty of playing Luigi's mansion.  Score one for me.

It's awesome, of course you did not play it

[demi]

I also can't judge the art very well from that screen, but I can almost tell that Cybil Bennett (the cop) looked better in the original.

We can assume the original is better in all aspects

[duckman2000]

Sounds hot

[bork]

Looking forward to playing the superior PSP and/or PS2 versions that will follow.

[EmCeeGrammar]

I'm not guilty of playing Luigi's mansion.  Score one for me.

It's awesome, of course you did not play it

How was Super Princess Peach and Wario Land Waggle?

Because I have no desire to play these either and I can't fathom who outside of neckbeard fanboys would.  Well some girls I know come to think of it. They get a pass.

[EmCeeGrammar]

Looking forward to playing the superior PSP and/or PS2 versions that will follow.

No flashlight waggle no sale.  In all seriousness I kind of have a geeky appreciation for games that do have ir flashlights.

[HyperZoneWasAwesome]

this is one of the very few instances where a current-gen remake doesn't feel at all superfluous.  I played Silent Hill 1 after already beating and loving the shit out of SH2, I could see how it would be pretty good for its time, but by the standards of five years ago it was pretty weak, I don't imagine its aged any better since then.

I like what I'm hearing about this, a rethinking of the SH formula was badly needed.

and Luigi's Mansion is still the best Ghostbusters game out there.  I don't expect it to keep that title much longer, but I vaguely recall it not sucking.

[cool breeze]

If it has good use for the wii remote, I'll get the Wii version, otherwise I'll get PSP or PS2 version.  Tenchu has taught me that Wii/PSP games usually are better with traditional controls.

btw, why the hell hasn't Fragile been announced for Europe or America? it looks like it would be really great.

[EmCeeGrammar]

If it has good use for the wii remote, I'll get the Wii version, otherwise I'll get PSP or PS2 version.  Tenchu has taught me that Wii/PSP games usually are better with traditional controls.

btw, why the hell hasn't Fragile been announced for Europe or America? it looks like it would be really great.

Do you honestly think Fragile would be worth localising for Namco.  No offense, it bombed in japan and I sincerely don't see how it could find an audience anywhere else.

[cool breeze]

It's a game that looks good for the Wii; they should do it just for kicks.  At least to Europe so I can import it in English.  Even Disaster was put out in Europe and that sold awful too.

[demi]

I'm not guilty of playing Luigi's mansion.  Score one for me.

It's awesome, of course you did not play it

How was Super Princess Peach and Wario Land Waggle?

Because I have no desire to play these either and I can't fathom who outside of neckbeard fanboys would.  Well some girls I know come to think of it. They get a pass.

I didnt play Super Peach, and Wario Waggle is nice to look at, but typical nintendo distinguished mentally-challenged fellow difficulty

[recursivelyenumerable]

Wii hardware is > PS2 at least, right?      Therefore silenthilloldman.gif

[Howard Alan Treesong]

Wii hardware is > PS2 at least, right?      Therefore silenthilloldman.gif

yeah but Wii developers are generally < PS1

[recursivelyenumerable]

note that I wanted to use the Unicode character for therefore, ∴, but realized at the last minute that most of you filthy innumerates probably wouldn't recognize it 

this forum is holding me back

[Madrun Badrun]

no one likes feeling completely helpless for extended periods of time

Poor Malek.   :'(

[Howard Alan Treesong]

look man

Patel ∈{understands ∴}

okay

[bork]

Hey, I hope it's good, but SIlent Hill fell off after The Room came out.  Origins (what I played of it) was so-so, and I didn't bother with the last game.  A remake of the original is fine, and the lack of combat isn't too bad since it always sucked anyway, but I'm not too big on the running away thing.  It's been done in Clocktower already anyway.

[Howard Alan Treesong]

how is The Room, which I never The Played

[bork]

I didn't think the game was awful and enjoyed the first half of it.  The big problem with The Room is that it's The Repeat-- You have to go through the same levels twice, only the second time around you're not alone; it all goes downhill when it becomes an escort mission protecting a distinguished mentally-challenged A.I. partner and running from an unkillable enemy.

[HyperZoneWasAwesome]

that's exactly where I petered out.  The game wasn't half bad though, and out of the first four games I'd say it might have the 2nd best story (at least for 2/3rds of the game its pretty decent).  Graphics and atmosphere and overall cleverness took a dive from part 3.

[EmCeeGrammar]

It's a game that looks good for the Wii; they should do it just for kicks.  At least to Europe so I can import it in English.  Even Disaster was put out in Europe and that sold awful too.

This is known as a precedent.  Its an easy point of reference when someone decides whether or not they are good indicators of an outcome based on certain qualifying factors.  Sorry for the condescending attitude but I suck at tact.

[Crushed]

Heard there were new scans somewhere?

[Crushed]

found 'em:

[Bildi]

I just got an offer to view amateur sex. 

[Crushed]

only the best for the bore 

[Madrun Badrun]

also not safe for marriage

 

[EmCeeGrammar]

Woah, sounds like sex.  Using the first game for inspiration means a better chance of not fucking it up.

[Jansen]

seeing as how origins was decent i guess i'll play the inevitable ps2/psp version.

wow cybil looks fucking dumb

[brawndolicious]

I think the no combat thing will be good.  It sounds like the point is to make you more vulnerable.  If they really flesh out the "fleeing", then it could be really fun.

I am looking forward to dusting my Wii off for this game though.  It sounds like everything that I want from a Wii-exclusive horror game.  Lots of atmosphere, unique puzzles, and relatively decent graphics.  I'm excited but I'm still cautious.

[Himu]

please be on psp

please be on psp

[The Sceneman]

I'm not guilty of playing Luigi's mansion.  Score one for me.

It's awesome, of course you did not play it

How was Super Princess Peach and Wario Land Waggle?

Because I have no desire to play these either and I can't fathom who outside of neckbeard fanboys would.  Well some girls I know come to think of it. They get a pass.

okay wtf, youre a Wii only gamer but youre 'above' games like Princess Peach and Warioland?

[dark1x]

OK, I have to admit, this looks really good and sounds exciting.  Hopefully it hits in 2009.

I just noticed the flashlight seems to cast shadows on the barstools.  That's pretty damn impressive for a Wii game.

i liked the effect better back in 2002 when it was part of a first-gen gamecube game called luigi's mansion

They did it in 2001 with Silent Hill 2 on PS2.  Furthermore, Silent Hill Origins on PSP actually had a nice flashlight effect that also cast full shadows.  If this Wii game did NOT offer that, I would be really concerned.

[Third]

Great news.

No combat sounds a bit weird, though. But I'm looking forward to the game.

[EmCeeGrammar]

I'm not guilty of playing Luigi's mansion.  Score one for me.

It's awesome, of course you did not play it

How was Super Princess Peach and Wario Land Waggle?

Because I have no desire to play these either and I can't fathom who outside of neckbeard fanboys would.  Well some girls I know come to think of it. They get a pass.

okay wtf, youre a Wii only gamer but youre 'above' games like Princess Peach and Warioland?

I did have mariokart for a few weeks.  I'm so ashamed.

[dark1x]

I'm not guilty of playing Luigi's mansion.  Score one for me.

It's awesome, of course you did not play it

How was Super Princess Peach and Wario Land Waggle?

Because I have no desire to play these either and I can't fathom who outside of neckbeard fanboys would.  Well some girls I know come to think of it. They get a pass.

okay wtf, youre a Wii only gamer but youre 'above' games like Princess Peach and Warioland?

I did have mariokart for a few weeks.  I'm so ashamed.

Do you even enjoy games?  You're ashamed about the games you play...yet you only own a Wii!?!  What the hell.

Warioland Shake-it was a great platformer well worth playing (one of the better games on Wii, really).  Luigi's Mansion was excellent as well.  What the hell kind of games do you actually play?  If you're skipping good games on the Wii, it doesn't exactly leave you with a lot of choices.