I read the message boards like everybody else and the sentiment from at least some gamers is that Shattered Memories is destined for failure. Having sunk some time into the experience, this is not a sentiment I share. The Nintendo editors voted and collectively decided that it was the Best Game of E3 2009 and three hours in, it shows all the potential that it did back then and more. Climax has created a 3D engine that runs and looks fabulous on Wii. The utilization of the Mason’s flashlight as the main tool is a stroke of genius because it works triumphantly with Nintendo’s controller. The game is moody and beautiful at times. And, of course, it’s freakin’ scary. The experience may or may not hold up until the end, but so far, so good.

Shattered Memories ships just in time for the holidays. We’ll have more media leading up to our review in early December so stay tuned.

Fractured Fright

Silent Hill: Shattered Memories is a bold, ambitious attempt to reinvent survival-horror. It’s a game of big ideas, intended to break the shackles of genre tradition and create a more convincing nightmare. That if falls just short of those lofty goals is a disappointment only because we have to settle for something merely good when the potential for greatness is so explicit.

Still, this return trip gaming’s creepiest zip code is worth taking. Few, if any, Wii titles provide a more immersive experience. For starters, wielding the Wii Remote as a flashlight works brilliantly (no pun intended), and the lighting effects that accompany it are truly impressive. So, too, are your surroundings, which boast an amazing level of detail- each locale feels unique and realistically adorned (if a bit dilapidated, of course). The game also uses the remote as a phone to great effect, with calls and voice mails playing through the controller’s built-in speaker. I was so strangely compelled by this particular feature that I couldn’t help but call every number I found printed on a sign or billboard (all of which actually work). A GPS and other relevant applications are accessible from your phone, as well, eliminating the need for any sort of onscreen display. Plus, the ways you interact with the world are very organic, making intelligent use of the Wii Remote without going overboard. It’s all in the name of creating that suspension of disbelief- making you feel like you’re really in Silent Hill.

To pull you in even further, Shattered Memories employs a psychological profile, kicking off with a therapy session in which you, the player, must fill out a personality survey. Your answers will affect the game in a number of way, from the appearance of certain character to how the story unfolds. Additional session are sprinkled throughout, acting sort of like thematic chapter breaks and building on your profile. The Silent Hill series has always had a strong psychological component, but this novel approach makes it more personal. The game really does get in your head, and you’re constantly wondering what you’ve done to make things a certain way. (Fair warning, though: the therapist asks you some pretty personally and potentially embarrassing questions, so you may not want to play with friends in the room.)

Yet for all the great work it does drawing you in, the game is never able to leverage that into something truly scary. It’s uncomfortable and unsettling, to be sure, but doesn’t leave your nerves completely frayed like the first three games in the series did so effortlessly. The main source of terror is supposed to be the chase scenes, which are triggered when you reach certain points in the adventure that have you running away from monsters. It’s a great idea in theory, and I certainly don’t miss the awkward combat from previous installments, nor the mood-breaking tedium of scouring the town for weapons and ammo. But the fact that you’re in danger only during these scenes removes a lot of the tension from the rest of the game. They’re not very dynamic either; aside from knocking over the occasional bookshelf and picking up flares to keep the monsters at bay, you’re really just running from point A to point B. A few more items or environmental interactions would have gone a long way.

The reduced emphasis on horror puts greater importance on the game’s puzzles. Fortunately, they’re some of the best in the series- creative and varied, yet never obtuse. Plus, the clues are always cleverly integrated with your surroundings and do a nice job of encouraging exploration. The narrative is quite engrossing as well, and concludes with an inspired twist that you’ll never see coming.

So though it may not be the unqualified success we were hoping for, Shattered Memories proves an audacious and ultimately compelling experiment. We only wish it put our extra pairs of trousers to better use.

-Steve T.

Nintendo Power – New Super Mario Bros. Wii, Silent Hill: Shattered Memories review details
November 13, 2009 by RawmeatCowboy Filed Under: Wii

New Super Mario Bros. Wii – 9.0

+ improves on NSMB DS in every way
+ less linear levels and world maps
+ best multiplayer in a Mario yet
+ some of the advance play videos are amazing
– waggle to spin, sometimes happens by accident
– save point structure

Silent Hill: Shattered Memories – 8.0

+ good use of Wiimote
+ great graphics
+ psychological profile which affects game based on choices
+ creative and varied puzzles
– not particularly scary, lacks sense of danger

Working with Label Interactive, they were asked to develop a promotional microsite for a new release of the Silent Hill video game franchise. Shattered Memories centers around a frozen dark & grimy alternate version of the main characters town and his quest to find his lost daughter. Our task was to develop a promotional site that would allow the video game community to explore & experience what the video game was about. Our idea was not only to visually reflect the game but also to allow the user to experience the exploration of the town with items from the game & view the associated creatures & characters as well.

Nintendo Power – New Super Mario Bros. Wii, Silent Hill: Shattered Memories review details
November 13, 2009 by RawmeatCowboy Filed Under: Wii

New Super Mario Bros. Wii – 9.0

+ improves on NSMB DS in every way
+ less linear levels and world maps
+ best multiplayer in a Mario yet
+ some of the advance play videos are amazing
– waggle to spin, sometimes happens by accident
– save point structure

Silent Hill: Shattered Memories – 8.0

+ good use of Wiimote
+ great graphics
+ psychological profile which affects game based on choices
+ creative and varied puzzles
– not particularly scary, lacks sense of danger

Silent Hill Delayed for PS2
It’ll come to Wii in December, but PS2 owners will have to wait until next year.
by Matt Casamassina

November 12, 2009 – What could be better than spending the holidays scared out of your mind? If you answered ‘nothing,’ then you’re in luck — well, if you own Nintendo’s system, anyway. Konami confirmed on Thursday morning that Silent Hill: Shattered Memories will ship for Wii in America on December 8, despite rumors that the game might see a delay to next year.

The publisher also stated that the release dates for the PlayStation 2 and PSP versions of the game would be revealed at a later date, which suggests that these builds will in fact be pushed to the 2010 time frame, allowing Wii owners a temporary exclusive. Various online retailers have the PS2 and PSP titles listed for mid-January.

Shattered Memories, a re-imainging of the first game in the acclaimed horror series, stars Harry Mason, a distraught father with amnesia on a quest to find his daughter, who has gone missing in the eerie town of Silent Hill. Armed only with his flashlight and cell phone, Mason searches the town for clues and soon discovers that the area and its inhabitants are plagued by gruesome monsters. In addition to tight controls tied to Harry’s flashlight, which illuminates the dark hallways and spooky woods he treks through, Silent Hill employs a psych profile system that analyzes players’ decisions and moves and then dynamically modifies the game.

Silent Hill: Shattered Memories was named IGN’s Wii Game of E3 2009.

Check out new character art and screenshots in our media section.

At a Glance: Silent Hill’s Characters
Learn just a little bit about the people that live in Konami’s frightening town.
by Matt Casamassina

November 12, 2009 – Konami’s Silent Hill: Shattered Memories has long been one of our most anticipated games. Thankfully, we’ve already got an early copy and have been playing it every night — and yes, just in case, we’ve donned diapers. You can never be too careful, we always say. For the record, it’s just as scary as we could’ve hoped. Complementing the frights and mood is a unique cast of characters, at least some of which Konami was kind enough to profile alongside a press release announcing the release date. We’ve provided descriptions verbatim as well as screenshots and artwork for some of the characters.

Harry Mason (hey he has a weapon!)
While driving through the spooky streets of Silent Hill, Harry’s car skids on a patch of ice and veers off the road into a ditch. Upon waking from the crash, he realizes his daughter Cheryl is missing and sets out into the dark, freezing night to find her.

Cheryl Mason
Harry’s daughter who has mysteriously disappeared, causing him to brave the streets of Silent Hill. She’s a cheerful girl who loves her father very much.

Cybil Bennett
After years on the police force, Cybil has seen a lot of crazy things, but she’s not quite sure what to make of Harry Mason. She decides early on to keep an eye on him, and their paths cross repeatedly.

Dr. K
A friendly, relatable therapist who shows up periodically to evaluate the player. His therapy sessions consist of interactive psychological test which players will actually take part in.

Michelle
Michelle meets Harry at her High School reunion, however he doesn’t remember it. Tired of waiting to meet up with her boyfriend, she decides to aid Harry in finding his daughter.

Dahlia
A tough, street-wise young girl, Dahlia seems to know quite a bit about Harry. The fact that he can’t remember anything about her confuses Dahlia as much as it does Harry.

Lisa (yay!)

Lisa is a nurse at Alchemilla Hospital. Although she’s young, lines of experience are already evident on her face. Despite her cynicism, Harry finds himself protective of Lisa and offers to lend her a hand.