Silent Hill: Shattered Memories

"...a brilliantly deep game with subtle subtext and surprising symbolism.  Dale North, Destructoid.com
"...a true return to form for the series...  Steve Haske, AtomicGamer.com

IGN.com 9 of 10
Meet Harry Mason. He's crashed his car in the middle of a blizzard on the outskirts of a small town called Silent Hill. He's confused -- his memory is iffy, but he's painfully aware that his little girl is no longer in the vehicle. So with flashlight in hand, he braves the cold, the snow and inevitably the terror as he searches blindly for her. This is the setup for Shattered Memories, which is not a remake but a full-blown re-imagining of Konami's classic horror adventure game. While devoted franchise fans will find some familiar gameplay elements, characters and story arcs, the Climax Studios sequel is simultaneously distinguished by some altogether new mechanics and concepts that represent bold and refreshing departures from the conventions that some purists hold dear. Backlash is therefore inevitable, but whether you choose to define the experience as Silent Hill-esque or not, it is undeniably well-executed, eerily atmospheric and at times downright chilling -- literally, as I'll explain...Shattered Memories isn't your typical Silent Hill game. Some devoted fans will undoubtedly raise a fuss over every difference whether subtle or grand, but I believe this re-imagining succeeds as both a sequel and a departure. The overarching narrative, characters, and monsters will all seem faintly familiar to Silent Hill purists, but Climax has taken the series and run with it, crafting a title refreshingly different yet still at times terrifying...I feel that the separation between safe exploration and puzzling and run-for-your-life monster scenarios is too transparent and as a result you will inevitably come to fear the ice and few things else. And despite a unique psych profile system that allows for multiple endings and various changes throughout the adventure, the game runs a bit short -- perhaps too short for some...Even so, there are some incredible moments encapsulated within Harry's icy journey and you will be both wowed and scared as you finally uncover the truth about his daughter's disappearance and the nightmarish goings-on in the creepy town. - Matt Casamassina