Silent Hill: Downpour -- Fall 2011
01-25-11 | 04:49 PM
#1
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Silent Hill: Downpour -- Fall 2011
Screens and a sampling of the soundtrack: http://videogamewriters.com/silent-h...and-music-2618
Survival Horror is still going strong despite claims I’ve made as Konami recently revealed that Silent Hill 8 will now be known as Silent Hill: Downpour. This time, players will take control of Murphy Pendleton, a prisoner who finds himself on the wrong side of the fog. Set for release next fall, Downpour will keep the classic look and atmosphere that Silent Hill fans come to expect from the series, but there will be a very big difference in the music.
An important diversion to note is that the music of Downpour will not be crafted by long-time Silent Hill composer Akira Yamaoka. Konami announced that Daniel Licht who is known for the music of the Showtime series, “Dexter” will be take the helm of the audio in this iteration. Akira officially announced his leaving Konami back in 2009 after the release of Shattered Memories, but it was not made clear what he would plan to do next. Yamaoka served as the music composer for the Silent Hill series from the very first game (with the GBA spinoff as the exception), and had producer credits for Silent Hill 3.
An important diversion to note is that the music of Downpour will not be crafted by long-time Silent Hill composer Akira Yamaoka. Konami announced that Daniel Licht who is known for the music of the Showtime series, “Dexter” will be take the helm of the audio in this iteration. Akira officially announced his leaving Konami back in 2009 after the release of Shattered Memories, but it was not made clear what he would plan to do next. Yamaoka served as the music composer for the Silent Hill series from the very first game (with the GBA spinoff as the exception), and had producer credits for Silent Hill 3.
"Having a compelling story is the key element to a good Silent Hill game," said associate producer Tomm Hulett, "It's what set SH1 apart from the other early survival horror games, why SH2 is so fondly remembered, and so on. Of course, an important aspect of this is how the story ties into the horrific things the player encounters."
Producer Devin Shatsky went on to explain how Silent Hill: Downpour's environment differs from that of previous games. "We have this huge city at our disposal, yet in the past, it was comprised primarily of locked doors," he said. "We wanted to give players a bit more incentive to search around and check those doors without facing a constant barrage of discouraging locks."
To that end Silent Hill: Downpour will feature side missions: "This gives the player a greater sense that they are 'exploring the town' and then rewarded with these mini-stories," saud Shatsk. "We've been very careful to keep these immersive enough to make the player feel like they're still a part of the main story, yet separate enough that they aren't forced into completing all of them in a linear fashion to reach the ending."
Producer Devin Shatsky went on to explain how Silent Hill: Downpour's environment differs from that of previous games. "We have this huge city at our disposal, yet in the past, it was comprised primarily of locked doors," he said. "We wanted to give players a bit more incentive to search around and check those doors without facing a constant barrage of discouraging locks."
To that end Silent Hill: Downpour will feature side missions: "This gives the player a greater sense that they are 'exploring the town' and then rewarded with these mini-stories," saud Shatsk. "We've been very careful to keep these immersive enough to make the player feel like they're still a part of the main story, yet separate enough that they aren't forced into completing all of them in a linear fashion to reach the ending."
01-25-11 | 04:52 PM
#2
Re: Silent Hill: Downpour -- Fall 2011
Nice - really digging that music sample. It does have a very Dexteresque feel to it as well.
Looking forward to this - I haven't played a SH game sinceAlan Wake 2 though 
Looking forward to this - I haven't played a SH game since
01-25-11 | 05:28 PM
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DVD Talk Hero
Re: Silent Hill: Downpour -- Fall 2011
Great music. Hopefully the game is also great.
01-25-11 | 05:37 PM
#4
Re: Silent Hill: Downpour -- Fall 2011
This game has been in the works by Vatra for sometime now. They are shooting for the SH 1-3 look/feel/type of story.
There is a comic series that ties in with this game, Silent Hill: Past Life. They are currently on issue 3/4. One of the characters in the comic is going to be in the game which has been a headscratcher for SH fans. He has different names in both. (The comics take place in the 1800s, but we don't know the decade this game takes place during.)
The entire game is going to take place in the SE corner of Silent Hill, which has not been explored before. No more schools or hospitals! There is also an underground subway system that connects the parts of the city.
There is a comic series that ties in with this game, Silent Hill: Past Life. They are currently on issue 3/4. One of the characters in the comic is going to be in the game which has been a headscratcher for SH fans. He has different names in both. (The comics take place in the 1800s, but we don't know the decade this game takes place during.)
The entire game is going to take place in the SE corner of Silent Hill, which has not been explored before. No more schools or hospitals! There is also an underground subway system that connects the parts of the city.
01-25-11 | 08:13 PM
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Re: Silent Hill: Downpour -- Fall 2011
Hopefully it's better than the last Silent Hill (Homecoming?) I got bored with it and frustrated about half way through my rental I just returned it but I loved SH1 and 2.
01-25-11 | 08:23 PM
#6
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Re: Silent Hill: Downpour -- Fall 2011
Never finished Homecoming (or the Room, now that I think about it), but I'm definitely interested. The first three games rank among some of my favorite games of all-time.
He has some enormous shoes to fill, but I like what I'm hearing from Licht -- sounds like something that would fit perfectly in either Silent Hill or Dexter.
He has some enormous shoes to fill, but I like what I'm hearing from Licht -- sounds like something that would fit perfectly in either Silent Hill or Dexter.
01-25-11 | 08:44 PM
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Re: Silent Hill: Downpour -- Fall 2011
I like that these guys seem to be fans of the series and understand it. One thing that was cool was when during an interview with members of the Dev. Team, the interviewer asked them about if Pyramid Head or the nurses would be returning. Their answer?
I like that they won't shoehorn the characters in just because they are 'fan favorites', since it would make no sense in the scope of the whole story. (Of course that didn't stop Double Helix from shoving them into Homecoming.)
Also, I think Licht is an awesome choice to do the score. The sample in the video is great.
The thing about Silent Hill is that everything you encounter appears for a reason (in that game). So things like Nurses and Pyramid Head are tied to the storylines of their respective games. Since Pyramid Head was linked specifically to James Sunderland's experience, there is no reason for him to appear in a game about Murphy Pendleton.
Also, I think Licht is an awesome choice to do the score. The sample in the video is great.
Last edited by Bob_Bobbson; 01-25-11 at 08:50 PM.
01-25-11 | 09:04 PM
#8
Re: Silent Hill: Downpour -- Fall 2011
I like that these guys seem to be fans of the series and understand it. One thing that was cool was when during an interview with members of the Dev. Team, the interviewer asked them about if Pyramid Head or the nurses would be returning. Their answer?
I like that they won't shoehorn the characters in just because they are 'fan favorites', since it would make no sense in the scope of the whole story. (Of course that didn't stop Double Helix from shoving them into Homecoming.)
Also, I think Licht is an awesome choice to do the score. The sample in the video is great.
I like that they won't shoehorn the characters in just because they are 'fan favorites', since it would make no sense in the scope of the whole story. (Of course that didn't stop Double Helix from shoving them into Homecoming.)
Also, I think Licht is an awesome choice to do the score. The sample in the video is great.
01-26-11 | 01:48 AM
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Re: Silent Hill: Downpour -- Fall 2011
I can't wait to play this. It's one of my most anticipated games.
Two major reasons as to why I'm looking forward to it so much are:
1) The incorporation of the psychological aspects/tests from Shattered Memories. The psychological aspect and the fact that the game changed based on your answers, was probably the best part of that game. I liked it in general although it had issues. However, I was blown away by that aspect.
2) The flashlight. One of the other great things about Shattered Memories was its pixel perfect flashlight you could control by pointing the Wiimote at the screen. It was used in exploration, to find clues, etc. It looks as if they're bringing that style of flashlight mechanic back.
Not to mention the fact that it looks great and seems to have some great new additions, as well as the excellent atmosphere that made Silent Hill 2 so great. I hope it won't disappoint.
Two major reasons as to why I'm looking forward to it so much are:
1) The incorporation of the psychological aspects/tests from Shattered Memories. The psychological aspect and the fact that the game changed based on your answers, was probably the best part of that game. I liked it in general although it had issues. However, I was blown away by that aspect.
2) The flashlight. One of the other great things about Shattered Memories was its pixel perfect flashlight you could control by pointing the Wiimote at the screen. It was used in exploration, to find clues, etc. It looks as if they're bringing that style of flashlight mechanic back.
Not to mention the fact that it looks great and seems to have some great new additions, as well as the excellent atmosphere that made Silent Hill 2 so great. I hope it won't disappoint.
01-26-11 | 05:33 AM
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Re: Silent Hill: Downpour -- Fall 2011
I like that these guys seem to be fans of the series and understand it. One thing that was cool was when during an interview with members of the Dev. Team, the interviewer asked them about if Pyramid Head or the nurses would be returning. Their answer?
I like that they won't shoehorn the characters in just because they are 'fan favorites', since it would make no sense in the scope of the whole story. (Of course that didn't stop Double Helix from shoving them into Homecoming.)
Also, I think Licht is an awesome choice to do the score. The sample in the video is great.
I like that they won't shoehorn the characters in just because they are 'fan favorites', since it would make no sense in the scope of the whole story. (Of course that didn't stop Double Helix from shoving them into Homecoming.)
Also, I think Licht is an awesome choice to do the score. The sample in the video is great.
01-26-11 | 04:18 PM
#12
Re: Silent Hill: Downpour -- Fall 2011
I love me some Silent Hill and I am looking forward to this (and the movie sequel!). I have enjoyed all the games so far (2 is of course the best). In 4 though, the ghosts that you couldn't kill really pissed me off.....
01-27-11 | 01:21 PM
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Re: Silent Hill: Downpour -- Fall 2011
The loss of Akira Yamaoka is actually a pretty big deal to me, since I think more than anything the sound and music of the Silent Hill games is perhaps its most effective element. While I enjoy video game music in all it's forms, from the 8-Bit squarewaves of the NES to the orchestral Final Fantasy types, the Silent Hill music always came off as the only thing I'd probably listen to outside of playing the game and not feel slightly nerdy/embarrassed by doing so.
Daniel Licht's scores for Dexter are good, but am I the only one who realizes that they've been using the same 3-4 pieces of music for its entire 5 season run? There's the opening credit theme, the moody 'Dark Passenger' theme, the peaceful acoustic 'Episode Wrapup w/ Narration' song, and the closing theme. Any other music used in the series is Latin music that wouldn't really work with Silent Hill. And even those tracks have largely been the same since Episode 1. I honestly wonder sometimes if the guy's even put in a days work on that series since 2002.
The game looks (and sounds) promising, so hopefully everything turns out well.
Daniel Licht's scores for Dexter are good, but am I the only one who realizes that they've been using the same 3-4 pieces of music for its entire 5 season run? There's the opening credit theme, the moody 'Dark Passenger' theme, the peaceful acoustic 'Episode Wrapup w/ Narration' song, and the closing theme. Any other music used in the series is Latin music that wouldn't really work with Silent Hill. And even those tracks have largely been the same since Episode 1. I honestly wonder sometimes if the guy's even put in a days work on that series since 2002.
The game looks (and sounds) promising, so hopefully everything turns out well.
01-27-11 | 04:25 PM
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Re: Silent Hill: Downpour -- Fall 2011
The loss of Akira Yamaoka is actually a pretty big deal to me, since I think more than anything the sound and music of the Silent Hill games is perhaps its most effective element. While I enjoy video game music in all it's forms, from the 8-Bit squarewaves of the NES to the orchestral Final Fantasy types, the Silent Hill music always came off as the only thing I'd probably listen to outside of playing the game and not feel slightly nerdy/embarrassed by doing so.
01-29-11 | 11:34 AM
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Re: Silent Hill: Downpour -- Fall 2011
I passed Homecoming 4 different times for their endings, bring on Downpour!
06-11-11 | 12:59 PM
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Re: Silent Hill: Downpour -- Fall 2011
This looks to have some great atmosphere. Though I'm not digging the graphics. They're not bad at all but I can't shake the nagging feeling that it could look much better.
06-14-11 | 10:34 PM
#20
Re: Silent Hill: Downpour -- Fall 2011
Eight minutes of gameplay .... looking pretty good.
<iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Ni50Pk3qqCI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Ni50Pk3qqCI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
10-10-11 | 02:49 PM
#21
Re: Silent Hill: Downpour -- Fall 2011
Was looking forward to playing this before halloween but Joystiq is reporting that the game has been delayed until 2012.
In a way this is good though because IGN did a hands-on a few weeks ago and said the game was good but didn't seem ready...
In a way this is good though because IGN did a hands-on a few weeks ago and said the game was good but didn't seem ready...
10-10-11 | 03:07 PM
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Re: Silent Hill: Downpour -- Fall 2011
Amazon lists 3/31/12, for what it's worth, but I've seen other dates as well. I was sorta looking forward to playing this around Halloween too, but I'd rather wait for a better quality game.
03-13-12 | 06:55 AM
#23
Re: Silent Hill: Downpour -- Fall 2011
Finally comes out today after several delays. My brother and I both like all things Silent Hill so its a day 1 purchase. I will probably play it around the fall though (ME3 is a timesuck! followed by a XenoBlade Chronicles timesuck). I enjoy survival horror a little more in October.
Unfortunately IGN gave it a pretty scathing review. All of their previews leading up to it were generally positive. I guess something happened along the way...
For me, the games rank:
Silent Hill 2, 3, 1, ..., 5, ..., ..., 4
I also played Shattered Memories and it was okay but it was so different that I wouldn't consider it part of the series...more like a spinoff.
Unfortunately IGN gave it a pretty scathing review. All of their previews leading up to it were generally positive. I guess something happened along the way...
For me, the games rank:
Silent Hill 2, 3, 1, ..., 5, ..., ..., 4
I also played Shattered Memories and it was okay but it was so different that I wouldn't consider it part of the series...more like a spinoff.
03-13-12 | 07:40 AM
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Re: Silent Hill: Downpour -- Fall 2011
I look forward to playing this, but the writing is on the wall that it will be $20 before the end of the year, if not sooner. I have it at the top of my Gamefly queue, though, so maybe I'll get to play it soon.
03-13-12 | 08:16 AM
#25
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Silent Hill: Downpour -- Fall 2011
Finally comes out today after several delays. My brother and I both like all things Silent Hill so its a day 1 purchase. I will probably play it around the fall though (ME3 is a timesuck! followed by a XenoBlade Chronicles timesuck). I enjoy survival horror a little more in October.
Unfortunately IGN gave it a pretty scathing review. All of their previews leading up to it were generally positive. I guess something happened along the way...
For me, the games rank:
Silent Hill 2, 3, 1, ..., 5, ..., ..., 4
I also played Shattered Memories and it was okay but it was so different that I wouldn't consider it part of the series...more like a spinoff.
Unfortunately IGN gave it a pretty scathing review. All of their previews leading up to it were generally positive. I guess something happened along the way...
For me, the games rank:
Silent Hill 2, 3, 1, ..., 5, ..., ..., 4
I also played Shattered Memories and it was okay but it was so different that I wouldn't consider it part of the series...more like a spinoff.