• Posted January 16th, 2008 at 17:01 EDT by
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(continued from previous page) ...the overall camera placement. It may not take away from the experience of the title in an extreme manner, but it does fault the combat system as well, which is an obvious key component for the title.

The battle configurations seem to be sufficient enough to enjoy the title without feeling awkward. You’ll use your directional pad in order to switch between weapons, while your R trigger will be used to go into “Combat Stance” in order to fight.

The game is filled with various weapons that even include items in your surrounding environment. You’ll be able to throw TV’s, filing cabinets, as well as other objects. Some of your more standard weapons happen to be crowbars, sledgehammers, and even firearms. Firearms will range from standard handguns to all out assault rifles. Why these guns are readily available in Silent Hill is kind of unknown; however, they’re definitely the best for taking out those pesky enemies.

One of the downsides to your artillery of weapons is the fact that they break and become useless so frequently. The developers combat this with more frequent pickups for use; however, no one individual should be able to carry around 30 potential weapons with them at all times. The game would have been a lot more entertaining had you felt the need to conserve your supplies as opposed to not having to worry at all.

The fighting system allows for minimal combo attacks, which is kind of disappointing though expected within the title. One key reminder, don’t forget to take your finger off of the R trigger in order to finish your seizure-bound enemy on the floor, otherwise you’ll just keep swinging away at air.

Your four main buttons will be used easily as triangle brings up your map, x interacts with everything as well as attacks (hold for stronger attacks), holding on square will allow you to run, and circle cancels out of options.

One of the biggest downfalls to this title, in our opinion, is the fact that the switch between the supposed real world to the dark and bloodied world of Silent Hill isn’t so random and unexpected anymore. Instead, Travis will interact with mirrors placed all over Silent Hill’s town and that will work as the switch between both worlds. Though this does detract from the original experiences gamers are used to having, it doesn’t degrade this installment at all.

Silent Hill is grunged up with magnificently rendered graphical detail. We were impressed with even the facial hair on Travis Grady, himself. The world around you is detailed and gives off that dark and suspenseful feeling that you just know something is going to happen. The game's look plays such a large role in pulling you into its world that the graphics could have significantly hurt it. Fortunately, the graphics help drag you into that twisted universe.

The score for Silent Hill is magically demented. From the opening song to the sound effects placed around the world. Each one will drag you in further and raise the hair on your arms as you make your way through it. The game will never hit complete silence, there will always be something causing you to feel on-edge. This game was created with the headphones in mind, so make sure to utilize yours if you have them handy.

Last but not least, Silent Hill implements a feature that gives the game a ton of replayability. The game gives you the ability to unlock fun and silly things to play the game through a second or even third time with. From flashlights with smiley face symbols hitting the ground or completely new skins for the main character to wear, the game definitely doesn’t fall short in giving you reason to play it again and again.

In the end, Silent Hill 0rigins is the type of game that will drag you into its world and leave you turning your PSP off with rust and blood on your hands from the experience. It’s literally that engulfing of an experience. Though it does have its faults, the game doesn’t fail at delivering to you the same chills and ... (continued on next page)