Like many of you I was unable to attend E3 2011 and try out the Downpour demo. Lucky for us sites like Gametrailers.com have put up a full walkthrough of the entire demo and not just choice bits! Looks like producers Tomm Hulett, Devin Shatsky and design director Brian Gomez were there during the run through as they all made comments during the video. Here’s some of my thoughts on what I saw and heard

Tags: GameTrailers.com, Silent Hill: Downpour – E3 2011: Demo Walkthrough Part I (Cam), PC Games, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360

– Murphy moves differently depending on what terrian he’s on and how’s he feeling about an area.

This is pretty awesome! I really like their reason behind this to show that hey even the protagonist is getting creeped out at where he is and his situation. It really brings the “scare factor” to a whole ‘nother level and helps the game immersion.

-Using old “pick up item” sound effects

Yay! Bring back memories 🙂

– We are definitely back to oldschool puzzles here. Poor Murphy needs a tram ticket but the machine has been ripped from the wall! I wonder where we can find it.

-We can’t get on the tram since the machine is missing. On leaving the station we not only see a group of ravens/crows(?) on the back porch but also what looks like drag marks leading down the stairs…

That sure doen’t bode well for Murphy! Right now I’m wondering how much the birds will tie into, if any, to Murphy’s pysche. They may just be for ambience but they were also featured quite a bit in the trailer as well.

-We meet Howard, the Silent Hill Postmaster.

This guy seems to pop out of nowhere while Murphy is appreciating the ’52 car…though for a moment it looked like he was going to smash in the window before Howard surprised him.

Now knowing Howard has been alive for quite awhile thanks to the Past Life comic I can understand being weary of him but geeze Murphy was pretty rude for not shaking hands with the man 😛 It was hard to tell in the video but it is obvious Murphy is starting to see things not really there when he spots a body/doll in the house window one moment and the same window boarded up the next moment. Our visit with Howard isn’t long and the mysterious man is quick to disappear. To where…who knows? But I’m sure we will see him again later in the game.

– After meeting Howard our mission changes from just finding “a way out of the area” to also include “change into new clothes”

I think this was pretty cool, it shows Murphy is spooked by Howards comment about him heading to jail, due to the prison uniform. It makes sense he would be eager to change into something inconspicous incase he runs into any more locals.

Tags: GameTrailers.com, Silent Hill: Downpour – E3 2011: Demo Walkthrough Part II (Cam), PC Games, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360

– Jukebox plays Silent Hill’s opening theme

Love it! 😀

– Fire/Otherworld Transition

Pretty creepy I especially liked how the fire alarm distorted as if it went under water. Also loved Murphy’s reaction to the world changing around him.

-Fixed Camera angles

I actually wasn’t a fan of this in the old games since I like to see everything in the environment but it does bring back memories. I think it will be cool in the end that the game switches back and forth between view modes as it does provide easier ways to implement scare moments.

-Light creature, the mysterious voice and chase sequence

This scene totally made me think of Heather in the mansion during Silent Hill 3! Except this light was also like a vortex and sucking in the evironment in it’s path. Right now I’m wondering who the heck Murphy heard in his head telling him to run. If could of been Murphy talking to himself like he did before but I could have swore it was a different voice…is this the voice mentioned in the OXM article? For a couple moments there I didn’t think the player would survive the sequence as it seemed no matter what Murphy dropped in the bath the red light was quick to catch up. Totally reminded me of the Shattered Memories chase sequences.

Leaving the Otherworld and Screamer Fight:

– no loading in the game just like Shattered Memories

This is super cool I always liked that about Shattered Memories I’m glad the same has been implemented in Downpour as well.

– No health bar which ties back to wanting to immerse you into the gameplay. You can tell how much damage you’ve taken by Murphy’s appearance and his gait, his clothes will tear, bleed and he’ll start limping!

I remember people were upset to see the health bar in Homecoming and in Silent Hill 4 so I’m sure this less in your face way of showing Murphy’s status will please many fans!

– When Murphy encountered two Screamers at once they began to work as a team. One stood in the back and screamed to disorient Murphy while the other will attacked close up.

Very cool, I always like to see smart enemy ai in games!

– It is possible to use your fist in combat a la Travis from Silent Hill Origins but it’s not wise to go toe to toe with the creatures.

Aww I was hoping to brawl throughout the entire game like I did with Origins lol 😀

Overall I liked what I saw I wish I could of played myself, I was curious to see if there was any special animation to Murphy using the med pack to heal himself. It was hard to hear the sountrack the entire way through but what I heard sounded nice! So what do you guys think?

Source (Gametrailers)