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Silent Hill Downpour

Silent Hill ranks among my favorite franchises in gaming thanks to its slick story telling, fallible characters, and moody setting. At E3 2010, I sat through a painfully dull Konami press conference and laughable live performance by the cast of Glee in order to finally be treated to a trailer to the next Silent Hill. Thanks to the latest issue of Game Informer, Silent Hill 8 now officially has a title, Silent Hill Downpour and a slew of new screenshots to soak up. Here are a few but click the link at the bottom to see the rest.

Silent Hill Downpour

Silent Hill Downpour

Silent Hill Downpour

Silent Hill Downpour

Silent Hill Downpour

While I have yet to read the full Game Informer article, here is a little of what we know so far:

  • In the same vein as 2009's Silent Hill: Shattered Memories, the developers are using weather to create a mood.  In the place of the series's signature ash that pours from sky, Downpour uses rain and water to create a bleak but beautiful environment.
  • Downpour tells the story of an escaped convict who wanders into Silent Hill while eluding the authorities.  What ensues is sure to be a window into the character's shady past.  I actually find this to be one of the more interesting set ups in the series.
  • The Game Informer article suggests that combat can normally be avoided if players choose and boss fights will appear in the form of quick time events.  Hopefully this means that the emphasis will remain on storytelling and exploration.  While QTEs are often frowned upon, I think it may benefit the game by creating or more cinematic experience and keeping the focus on the series strong points.
  • Daniel Licht, the composer responsible for the hit show Dexter, will be replacing Akira Yamaoka in the composer chair.  While I was initially worried about losing Yamaoka, I can't wait to hear Licht's contribution given his ability to build dark atmosphere with his score on Dexter.
  • Once again, Silent Hill has found itself in the hands of a new developer.  This time, Vatra Games takes the reins... but I noticed something unexpected in one of the screenshots.  I've often wondered what Team Silent, the team originally responsible for Silent Hill, was up to...

 I hope everyone is as excited as I am.  Vatra seems on the right track to improve on the series given it's steady decline over the past few years.  Let's hope they can pull it off.

Silent Hill Downpour - Team Silent is Involved?

**Thanks to Silent Hill: Lost Memories for the high-quality screenshots**

Comments

  • Avatar
    Necroance
    13 years, 10 months ago

    As a fellow SH fanboy, I'm really excited and this seems to have a sense of good promise. But with that said there's still a lot of time as well as a lot of ground to cover and makeup for; being a new team and having a new music composer. But who cares it's a new Silent Hill game!

  • Avatar
    Joseph Christ
    13 years, 10 months ago

    Have they said anything about the combat or controls? I have yet to play a SH game where each do not suck to some degree.

  • Avatar
    FateS
    13 years, 10 months ago

    TBH... I'm kind of disappointed that it once again is going away from the snow and fog atmosphere that I so love. But as a SH fanboy, I'm still excited.

  • Avatar
    J52
    13 years, 10 months ago

    Are we sure Team Silence is the same as Team Silent?

  • Avatar
    Tweets that mention Silent Hill Downpour Revealed
    13 years, 10 months ago

    [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by 4Player Podcast, Dennis Gagliardotto. Dennis Gagliardotto said: RT @nickh0630: Silent Hill Downpour Revealed | 4Player Podcast http://t.co/VSfukbL via @4PlayerPodcast [...]

  • Avatar
    Dpool666
    13 years, 10 months ago

    I think that may be one of the most scary silent hill monsters I have ever seen, and I'm not easily terrified by disturbing images

  • Avatar
    Arxidus
    13 years, 10 months ago

    I like rain as an atmospheric device, especially in these kind of horror games. Should be interesting if they do it right.

  • Avatar
    SomethingSnappy
    13 years, 10 months ago

    never played a silent hill game so have nothing to compare it to but it looks interesting

  • Avatar
    tenkail
    13 years, 10 months ago

    Exploration, music, atmosphere, the environment, and obscure images is what I love most for the silent hill series and it looks like they are extending the exploration and environment even more further then shattered memories, but I wonder how the music, atmosphere, and ambiance will play out without Akira Yamaoka. And I wonder how difficult the enemies are, since combat is and advised to be avoidable. But still this one may be potentially the best of the series and i'm fukin hyped!!!

  • Avatar
    Yoshata
    13 years, 10 months ago

    I'm very excited for this game - the fresh story, characters, approach, everything. One thing that the developers are bringing back that I don't think has been mentioned here yet is this: fixed camera angles. I think that'll be a really nice thing to have again.

    Can't wait to see you play this on the feed, Nick!

  • Avatar
    TripleAgent
    13 years, 10 months ago

    Seems pretty fresh. Keep us updated, Nick

  • Avatar
    inthenameofharmon
    13 years, 10 months ago

    I wonder if pyramid head will be back :O

  • Avatar
    Tonkagarfield
    13 years, 10 months ago

    I have heard of people of Vatra games going to the silent hill forums to read what others have post. Even people working on the game reads those forums and reply somewhat. I actually have questions. Who here has read the official silent hill comics? The one that just came out with this. (It has to do with the game.) And anyone From silent hill forums on here? :P

    Anyway I do look forward to this new installment. I hope it breathes new life into series. (Kinda like shattered memories did.) And help crawl out of its own multiple holes. I know i'll be one of the first to buy it!

  • Avatar
    RobStef
    13 years, 10 months ago

    Great post! the game looks great.

  • Avatar
    AdjacentKitten
    13 years, 10 months ago

    No.. no more mannequins...

  • Avatar
    Elganko
    13 years, 10 months ago

    I hope they don't mess up they controls by not including inverted aiming this time..
    Or else it'll be another Silent Hill game that I don't consider to be a Silent Hill game.

  • Avatar
    Dark~Angel74
    13 years, 10 months ago

    I absolutely cannot wait for this. Silent Hill is one of the best atmospheric horror game ever made (at least for me). I love playing it on a stormy summer night.

  • Avatar
    Mintha
    13 years, 10 months ago

    I'm a little dissapointed Yamaoka isn't working with this game, but I guess I shouldn't judge the new guy until I hear what he makes.

    One of my favorite series nonetheless, I can't wait for it to come out!

  • Avatar
    Comradebearjew
    13 years, 10 months ago

    Oh man I am so excited, I just hope the quick time events don't suck.

  • Avatar
    Rusty
    13 years, 10 months ago

    Whatever. Let the die.
    I will legit actually care if they reveal that there will be no more fucking nurses with giant HD glistening tits.

  • Avatar
    AkumaBear
    13 years, 10 months ago

    I'm quite interested in this. I think Shattered Memories was a step in the right direction compared to Homecoming, so I really hope Downpour will follow.
    As the previous comment said; I'll be interested in this game as long as the female monsters are disgusting and vomit-inducing like they're meant to be, rather than mildly arousing and mocking-SilentHill like in Homecoming.

  • Avatar
    hitheresunshine
    13 years, 10 months ago

    I remember playing Silent Hill 2 at night with my cousins when we were little kids, it scared the bejeezus out of us!! Silent Hill holds a special place in my heart. And though I'm sad Yamaoka won't be on the team, I do believe that Daniel Licht will be a wonderful addition to the team. I was an avid fan of the Dexter series (not so much after the Trinity Killer arc… no spoilers though), and I've always loved the music.
    The screenshots look excellent, and I'm really hoping that this game restores the awesomeness to Silent Hill. SH4 kind of… well, it was awful. That's putting it lightly. Origins was okay, Homecoming I tolerated for the graphics and the fact that you could see the cuts you made on an enemy's body… I thought that was pretty neat. Shattered Memories was fun, but not necessarily frightening.
    I really look forward to playing Downpour~!

  • Avatar
    ex_machina
    13 years, 10 months ago

    I want a girl protagonist. SH3 shouldn't be the only one.

  • Avatar
    DamonD
    13 years, 10 months ago

    Hard Rain - The Game!

    I'm willing to give it a whirl, with some trepidation. Origins and Homecoming kinda messed the franchise bed for me in a big way, but Shattered Memories (despite flaws) showed a bit of the old Silent Hill intelligence and memorable imagery.

    It's a real gamble - the franchise is on the edge of needing a real root and branch overhaul, so Downpour needs to deliver something strong.