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Silent Hill: Shattered Memories recollects Feb. 5 UK release

by Alexander Sliwinski { Dec 22nd 2009 at 2:30PM }

The "reimagined" first installment of Silent Hill is set to shatter memories in Europe on February 5, 2010. Konami confirmed the survival-horror title will release on Wii, PS2 and PSP on the appointed date. For those who can't wait, there's always an early Homecoming in anticipation for that return to the cursed town.

Reviews of the game have been what Metacritic defines as "generally favorable," with a 76 average. Our own review took the approach that the game is good, but is it still Silent Hill with all the changes?

Gallery: Silent Hill: Shattered Memories (Wii, 8/11/09)

Review: Silent Hill: Shattered Memories

by Richard Mitchell { Dec 9th 2009 at 6:30PM }

I'm a big fan of Silent Hill. I've played every game in the series and a few years ago you might even have caught me defending the Silent Hill movie. When I first heard that Climax was re-imagining the first game in the Silent Hill series, and putting it on the Wii, I was a bit nervous. When the company revealed the logo and announced that the rust laden, nightmarish Otherworld was being brushed aside for an ice world, I was downright scared. After gathering some more info and trying the game at E3, all fears were assuaged. This was to be the great hope of the Silent Hill series.

Having spent two evenings with the game and completing the story for the first time, I'm conflicted. Was it good? Yes. I'm just not sure it's Silent Hill.

Gallery: Silent Hill: Shattered Memories (Wii)

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Konami coin-op cameo in Silent Hill: Shattered Memories

by David Hinkle { Dec 9th 2009 at 3:15PM }

While playing through Silent Hill: Shattered Memories for review, our very own Richard Mitchell stumbled upon a pretty neat thing: classic Konami coin-op arcade cabinets. Sadly, you can't play the cabinets in-game, but it's a nice Easter egg for fans, if we may say so. There's Contra, Rush'N Attack and -- our personal favorite -- Gradius. Check 'em out in the video above.

Silent Hill adapted for the stage

by Justin McElroy { Dec 8th 2009 at 6:00PM }

We're not sure what makes a franchise a good fit for unconventional adaptations, but Silent Hill certainly has it. First it was transformed into a haunted house, now a group of fans in Sweden has put together a stage play based on the second game in the series.

Though the play will be subtitled and put on to YouTube eventually, we don't have any details about the production just yet. We assume, however, it'll basically be like Miss Saigon if everyone in Miss Saigon had a pyramid for a head. Sure, the critics will say it's unorthodox, but they also said Babs was too young to play Dolly Levi and we all saw how that turned out.

[Via GoNintendo]

Silent Hill: Shattered Memories trailer rocks out

by Richard Mitchell { Dec 2nd 2009 at 4:20PM }

Konami has released a new trailer for Silent Hill: Shattered Memories and ... it kind of rocks. Literally. Rather than flooding the senses with creepy atmosphere, rusted metal and sexually confusing nurses, the trailer opts instead for a montage of the game's characters and some rock music, specifically "When You're Gone," a new theme composed by the series' longtime (and recently departed) maestro, Akira Yamaoka.

Sharp-eyed viewers will also notice that Cybil, the friendly police officer from the original Silent Hill, appears in two different variations in the trailer. The version of Cybil encountered will be different for each player, depending on the player's actions prior to meeting her in the game. Also featured in the video: Monsters. Lots of 'em.

Shattered Memories releases December 8.

Silent Hill's Akira Yamaoka officially leaves Konami

by Richard Mitchell { Dec 2nd 2009 at 1:58PM }

That eerie, oppressive sound you hear is that of a million Silent Hill soundtracks being played in memoriam of Akira Yamaoka. Original Sound Version has confirmed Yamaoka's departure from Konami, a rumor that began circulating yesterday. Yamaoka is known primarily for his work on the characteristic soundscapes of Konami's Silent Hill series, including the upcoming Silent Hill: Shattered Memories. In fact, the man has composed the soundtrack for every game in the series (with the exception of the GBA spinoff, Silent Hill Play Novel). He has also served as a producer on the series since Silent Hill 3.

Exactly where the composer plans to go from here is unknown, though OSV claims to be preparing an interview with Yamaoka in "the coming days." In the meantime, we plan to let his music lull us into a nervous, nightmare-ridden sleep.

[Via Hell Descent]

Rumor: Silent Hill composer Akira Yamaoka leaves Konami

by Alexander Sliwinski { Dec 1st 2009 at 10:00AM }

Aeropause claims that Akira Yamaoka, the man responsible for Silent Hill's evocative sound, has apparently left Konami after 16 years and is currently vacationing in Europe. Fans of the survival-horror series would rightfully claim that Yamaoka, whose work has been a constant in the entire series, is inextricably linked to Silent Hill.

Silent Hill: Shattered Memories producer Tomm Hulett told Joystiq in an interview back in June that Yamaoka's music "adds a special element, it's kind of the atmosphere of the town." He continued, "If Akira's music isn't there, it just doesn't sound quite right. And I'm sure that there are people out there who could emulate the sound and try to get it close, but there would be something missing." We've followed up with the publisher for confirmation and comment.

Silent Hill: Shattered Memories debuts on Wii Dec. 8

by Richard Mitchell { Nov 12th 2009 at 1:30PM }

It looks like GameStop got it right, as IGN reports that Silent Hill: Shattered Memories will arrive on the Wii on December 8. The PS2 and PSP versions have yet to be given solid release dates, with Konami promising to reveal further information at a later time. Given the Wii version's proximity to the holiday shopping season, it sounds like PSP and PS2 players can consider their sanity safe until 2010 -- though not long after, considering our experience with the PSP version at Tokyo Game Show.

Wii owners, on the other hand, should start preparing now by stocking up on flashlights, blankets and plenty of batteries. Just remember, so long as you're completely covered they can't get you. Braver readers might consider perusing some of our terrifying Shattered Memories preview coverage.

Konami not silent about Silent Hill: Shattered Memories' European release date

by JC Fletcher { Oct 13th 2009 at 6:30PM }

Somehow, Konami managed to provide a release date for Silent Hill: Shattered Memories while still not clearing up any of the recent confusion about the release date. How? By announcing a release date for Europe. Eurogamer reports that Konami will release the re-imagined survival-horror game on Wii, PS2, and PSP in February 2010.

While the Eurogamer article references the uncertain American release date, no answer is given. Either the release date is being moved to 2010 worldwide, or Europe has the usual delay after the American date. The uncertainty is by far the scariest aspect of this game! Either that or the nightmare world that alters itself to more directly involve your worst fears. One of those.

Gallery: Silent Hill: Shattered Memories (Wii)

Retailers move Silent Hill: Shattered Memories release date again

by JC Fletcher { Oct 12th 2009 at 9:00PM }

Konami has yet to offer an official release date for Silent Hill: Shattered Memories, and the unofficial release dates keep shifting identities like some kind of haunted village. After Nintendo dated the game on its release schedule, we thought we could safely expect the game in November, but retailers have changed their dates once again.

GameStop now expects to have Shattered Memories in stock on December 8. GameFly, whose dates tend to differ from official ones by a few days, lists the Wii game as being available November 26, but the PS2 and PSP versions on December 31. Wal-Mart's dates put the Wii version at November 24 and the PlayStation games on Christmas Day (which is probably not the real ship date, on account of there not being any mail delivery that day).

Basically, the game is coming out later. It's not in stores right this second. That's all we can say with any degree of certainty.

Gallery: Silent Hill: Shattered Memories (Wii)

[Via Kotaku]

TGS 2009: Hands-on: Silent Hill Shattered Memories (PSP)

by Ludwig Kietzmann { Sep 26th 2009 at 12:30PM }

Much like 2007's Silent Hill: Origins, the PSP version of Shattered Memories is quite capable of conveying an eerie, unsettling experience, even on a platform that might seem ill-equipped for the survival-horror genre in comparison to home consoles. The Wii re-imagining of Konami's PS1 classic is faithfully represented on Sony's portable, with only a few framerate hiccups tarnishing a very impressive visual representation.

Recreating the Wii version's moody ambiance isn't the port's only major success, as it handles the absence of the motion-sensitive remote quite elegantly. Here, you manipulate Harry Mason's flashlight from a third-person perspective by holding R1 and moving the analog nub. While this removes the ability to move and peer into the terrifying town's dark recesses at the same time, the game's generally slow pace makes such multitasking more of a luxury than a necessity.

Gallery: Silent Hill: Shattered Memories (PSP)

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Forget about buying Silent Hill: Shattered Memories before November

by Ludwig Kietzmann { Sep 15th 2009 at 4:17PM }

Though it fails to offer a precise date, Nintendo's packed holiday release schedule has confirmed a November debut for Silent Hill: Shattered Memories, the frigid re-imagining of the PlayStation survival-horror classic. GameStop, which is currently offering a Silent Hill soundtrack CD as a pre-order incentive, expects the game to arrive on November 3rd.

According to producer Tomm Hulett, "If you've played the PlayStation game to death, you still have no idea what to expect for Shattered Memories." Oh, and definitely don't expect Dahlia to be a robot in this one. We made sure about that.

Silent Hill: Homecoming not coming home to Japan

by David Hinkle { Sep 10th 2009 at 7:02PM }

Konami regrettably informs us that the latest installment in the Silent Hill series, the Western-developed Silent Hill: Homecoming, won't be making its way to Japan following its North American release last year and European release earlier this year. Konami blames "assorted issues" for the lack of a Japanese release, yet says Japanese gamers can "look forward to future releases in the series." Just not this one. Ever.

That doesn't mean Japanese gamers are without hope, however. If you've got a PS3, you can pick up the US version of the game and play it on your Japanese PS3, since there's no region protection. If you've got a Japanese Xbox 360 though, you're out of luck. Also, you're weird.

[Via Magweasel]

PSN Thursday: In time with Turtles, Silent Hill and George Takei

by Alexander Sliwinski { Sep 10th 2009 at 5:49PM }

Oh, my! Although the release of Turtles in Time and Silent Hill on PSN this week is certainly noteworthy, it's the appearance of George Takei in PAIN that takes the cake. The original Star Trek star will be at your disposal to shoot from a canon and ... seriously, why would you want to hurt George Takei? He's awesome! The Andy Dick hurtable PAIN DLC character from a couple weeks back was a far more understandable option. Check out the rest of the update after the break.

Choose your platform to view the corresponding release list:

(Note: Continue past the break to view both release lists.)

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Remember to pre-order Silent Hill: Shattered Memories for a free soundtrack

by JC Fletcher { Sep 3rd 2009 at 2:45PM }

GameStop's listing for Silent Hill: Shattered Memories (also on PS2, PSP) includes a pre-order item that seems perfect for a Silent Hill game: a soundtrack disc containing "18 of your favorite tracks from the Silent Hill series." Akira Yamaoka's music is one of the standout elements of the series, so if you don't already have a bunch of Silent Hill pre-order bonus soundtracks, you'll want this one. Oddly, the wording makes it sound like it's a Silent Hill sampler and not necessarily a Shattered Memories sampler, though we're sure at least a few tracks from the new game will appear.

Shattered Memories does not have an official release date, but GameStop has moved its tentative date from October to November 3. So it's delayed, kind of?

[Via GoNintendo]