No April Fools: "Re-imagining" of Silent Hill 1 coming to Wii

[Reality's Fringe]

From GoNintendo


“This is a reimagining of the first Silent Hill,” explains producer Tomm Hulett. “It’s not a remake or a port. That’s an important distinction. It really feels like a new game.”

We will have more details on this game as they come in, and I will add that information to this post. Thanks to Marl0 for the heads up!

UPDATE - quotes from the article…

“The characters play different roles, things don’t necessarily happen in the same order, and the story is taken in lots of new directions. You still play as Harry Mason, you’re still looking for your daughter, and you’ll see familiar elements, but they’re all twisted to betray your expectations.”

“One of Shattered Memories’ most significant and intriguing additions—your answers actually affect how the game unfolds. And it doesn’t end there. the game “watches” you constantly, and your behavior throughout can determine when you’ll meet certain characters, which scenes you’ll witness, and a variety of other factors.” “In Silent Hill games, the town always gets inside the protagonist’s head,” say Hulett. “But now, it’s getting inside YOUR head.”

“We’re using the Wii Remote to interact directly with the environment, so the puzzles are all based around that idea,” says Hulett. “You’re not just hitting buttons to choose things.” He also notes that the solution to a puzzle is always in the immediate vicinity, and assures us there’s a lot less backtracking then in previous games.”

“Longtime fans of the series will also be delighted to learn that there’s a way through every locked door; no more checking dozens of entrances only to find that 90% of them are permanently barred shut.”

Well,I don't know. I enjoyed Homecoming, it wasn't the best, but it was decent.Maybe this one won't suck.

[The Crotch]

First, how ya know it ain't an April Fools joke?

Second, it's a shame I'm too much of a pussy for most horror games, anyway.

[willardhaven]

This was announced a while ago wasn't it?

[Cao Cao]

Here's the GoNintendo link, complete with some scanshots of Nintendo Power:
http://gonintendo.com/?p=77596

[xycury]

this would be fantasic!

I would definately pick this up and it's great to see this kind of IP on the Wii.

[ksuwild25]

For a second I thought the "reimagining" might mean that Silent Hill was going to get the on-rails shooter treatment.

[Cao Cao]

More information:
http://gonintendo.com/?p=77624

-Harry is moved using the control stick, the Wii remote is used to aim the flashlight

-When you look at something Harry will vocally respond

-No load times

-The Wii remote acts as your cell phone, and the static noise comes out of the Wii remote speaker

-Combat has been removed from the game, you can only flee

-When the monsters chase you the Z button will allow you to break through doors, climb fences, through windows etc.

At first, it's easy to react with "ZOMG no combatz? DIS WIL SUX," but after thinking about it, there may be a chance that this could work out for the better. One survivor-horror game that immediately jumps to mind is the original Clock Tower, which absolutely discouraged combat by giving you the Scissorman as an unkillable enemy; instead of fighting him, you had to run away, hide, and hope that he wouldn't find you. Plus, the more recent Silent Hill games have been criticized by fans for focusing too much on shooting monsters rather than focusing on the series' trademark horror aspect, so this could work out. But on the other side of the spectrum, if the developers are unable to pull it off right, it could end up being another Vampire Rain.

[Mad D]

I hated playing levels in Siren : Blood Curse that I couldn't fight back in. It was too suspenseful. I'll probably buy this and torture myself again.

[Dr Mario Kart]

While I would certainly like a return to true survival horror, I'm skeptical of letting a western group (Climax) handle it. Plus their track record (http://www.gamefaqs.com/features/company/69913.html) isnt stellar.

[Monsta Mack]

Sudeki. The hell?

Well atleast they put Diablo on the PS1 :P

[sendme]

Day one buy but I'm not sure if I like the running and no combat. Might actually be the first game on the wii that I play through. I just hope they don't change to much from the original game.

[Kaijufan]

Sounds interesting. No fighting could make the monster encounters very intense and since I enjoy adventure games no combat in a game isn't a huge deal for me.

[Nephlabobo]

"-Combat has been removed from the game, you can only flee"

Doomed for failure.

Who let these idiots at this? Oh right, those fuckwits at Konami.

[Kaijufan]

"-Combat has been removed from the game, you can only flee"

Doomed for failure.

Who let these idiots at this? Oh right, those fuckwits at Konami.
No combat in a game isn't a deal breaker for me, Hotel Dusk and the Phoenix Wright series are some of my favorite DS games and they don't feature any type of combat at all. If they can manage adventure game like exploration and puzzles I would be interested in this game.

[Nephlabobo]

No combat in a game isn't a deal breaker for me, Hotel Dusk and the Phoenix Wright series are some of my favorite DS games and they don't feature any type of combat at all. If they can manage adventure game like exploration and puzzles I would be interested in this game.

I like the Phoenix Wright games too and Hotel Dusk is currently my goto game on the DS.

But they aren't horror games that originally had combat in them.

You're also comparing two DS games to a console game - apples and oranges.

[Kaijufan]

I like the Phoenix Wright games too and Hotel Dusk is currently my goto game on the DS.

But they aren't horror games that originally had combat in them.

You're also comparing two DS games to a console game - apples and oranges.
There are plenty of adventure games on consoles though, in Indigo Prophecy the only combat was Simon Says type button presses.

It seems to me that done correctly not actually being able to fight the monsters would be a lot more scary then being able to fight the monsters.

[crystalklear64]

But if you can fight the monsters, and realize that they don't go down in 1 or 2 shots like a normal thing would, that adds to the fear as well. Even armed with whatever the hell you find in these games, shotguns, grenade launchers, whatever, its much more scary because you are as prepared as you could be in that situation, and you still stand very little chance of surviving.

[itachiitachi]

While I can see "no combat" potentially making the game better, it's certainly going to make the sales number worse.

[Reality's Fringe]

I'm ambivalent about how I feel regarding the lack of combat. I think that if it's done right, it could work, but I feel that for that to happen, you have to be able to defend yourself. We don't have to strap him with a submachine gun, but give him something.

Actually, if they focused on the combat in a different way they could make it challenging which would add to the horror while not forcing you to constantly be running away from an annoying enemy.


Eh,I'll check it out to be sure.

[daflubby]

As much potential as this has to be terrible, I'm going to buy it day 1.

<3 Silent Hill

[wii skiier]

While I can see "no combat" potentially making the game better, it's certainly going to make the sales number worse.
I'm excited about the "no combat", but you're right about the sales numbers. Removing the combat takes away a video game crutch that most people are not comfortable playing without.

[plasticbathmonki]

Does this remind anyone else of Shadows of Destiny for PS2?

[Lone_Prodigy]

Agree about the sales. Just look at the RE5 threads where people go "ZOMG CANT MOVE AND SHOT AT TEH SAME TIEM! FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU"

And "no combat" doesn't mean "enemies don't die". It could be leading a monster into a trap, or getting monsters to kill each other.

[xycury]

I would think that this could be a great true definition of survival horror. Can't fight back but have to think and run around the game.

sounds fantastic.

[wii skiier]

Not that this necessarily sounds the same, but I loved the PS1 Deception games. You could not fight at all but strategically placed traps around rooms and got enemies to follow you into the traps which you triggered at the right time. I never played the PS2 sequel (Trapt) but I still like the idea.

[ArthurDigbySellers]

I am definitely interested since I never played the original Silent Hill (any of them actually).

[willardhaven]

Why take out the combat? It doesn't have to be a focal point, but Silent Hill without a pipe?

[Cao Cao]

Full, uncensored scans of the Nintendo Power article:
http://www.true-gaming.net/boards/showpost.php?p=505443&postcount=37

More info, possibly a trailer, will be revealed next Monday, at Konami's Games Day event.

[Yanksfan]

The weakpoint for Silent Hill 1 to me was the combat.

Now there is no combat.

My interest just actually increased.

[Vinny]

What's up with all these unexpected horror games on the Wii First Dead Space and now this? Not to mention the already known Fatal Frame and... Sadness (maybe, if it's real).

[Dr Mario Kart]

Horror outside of shooter/horror is a niche genre that doesnt sell well. Its super important to keep costs down, as well as going for the larger install base.

Imagine putting a game with no combat on a platform where everyone likes to shoot things.

[Kaijufan]

I just read though the Nintendo Power scans and the game sounds pretty fun.

Why Wii?
Why not?

[Kaijufan]

I just don't see the Wii being able to support a game such as Silent Hill well with all of the atmosphere, sound effects and graphical capacities that the games are known for. Plus, with Wii they need to incorporate their own little "twist" to make the game innovative, rather than just sticking to the formula that has made the game successful.
Just like how the Playstation and Playstation 2 couldn't support the Silent Hill atmosphere, sound effects and graphical capacities? :roll:

And what's so bad about changing up a game? Sometimes a refresh can do a series wonders. You would never catch me playing an older Resident Evil game since I hate the controls and mechanics, yet Resident Evil 4 is one of my favorite games of all time.

[Tsukento]

What's up with all these unexpected horror games on the Wii First Dead Space and now this?
Three words: Resident Evil 4

[Kaijufan]

Putting SH on Wii seems like trying to put it on N64 during that era, and on GC during the PS2's reign. It just doesn't seem like it fits. I wasn't complaining about the change in gameplay (I can agree with you on RE4 being one of the best games ever, and contrary to what many thought, I enjoyed SH: HC) but I just don't see the wii being structurally sound with a game that thrives on the realistic, psychological fear it places the player in.
I guess I still don't see the issue, I play games on my PC that look better then 360 or PS3 games yet I still play games on my 360 and Wii. I just don't have a problem with the graphics of either system. I also play plenty of older games that look pretty bad by today's standards.

As long as the game is fun to play it doesn't really matter what resolution it's running at. For example, I absolutely loved The Godfather the Game on the Wii even though the graphics looked like an early PS2 game and when they announced the second one wouldn't come out on the Wii my interest went from buying the game on day one to buying it when it's cheap enough.

[Yanksfan]

So the Silent Hill series before Homecoming was trash because the PSOne or PS2 was not able to capture the correct atmosphere? I, too, am confused.

Silent Hill 1 was on the PSOne. Now, I don't mind joking about the Wii's last gen graphics, but it is still quite capable of taking this older game and giving it a much appreciated facelift.

Now, I don't mind you wanting this remake on the 360 or PS3. If they were to remake FFVII or MGS, I would want it done on the PS3 myself. I just am confused by some of your reasons for it because of the whole SH experience is all visual, when the majority of the series has appears on machines that are of less power than the Wii.

[Lone_Prodigy]

His posts disappeared...

EDIT: and now so have mine.

[The Crotch]

I baleted mine, too.

[Kaijufan]

I see his posts are now gone. For everyone who missed the argument I'll post a reenactment:
http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/oo5/Bluth54/HarleyandSuperGirlsmall.gif

[whoknows]

I had to delete mine too so it didn't look like I was having an incredibly stupid conversation with myself :lol:

[The Crotch]

So... the palm tree represents me, right?

[Dead of Knight]

And it's coming to PS2 and PSP as well.
http://kotaku.com/5200513/silent-hill-shattered-memories-re+does-wii-ps2-and-psp
No waggle required. Delicious.

[willardhaven]

Since I have SH 2 and 3 on PS2, I'm picking the PS2 version for sure.

[Reality's Fringe]

I actually kind of want waggle for this one, if only because I HATE the Ps2 analog sticks.

[snipegod]

What the hell? Shouldn't we be past the "shitty PS2-to-PSP-to-Wii" ports by now? And I was excited for this game until this.

Anyone know which is the lead version?

[willardhaven]

I like the Wii's controller except for the analog stick's octagonal rim, it makes rotating or slightly changing directions very annoying.

[Cao Cao]

IGN put up an eyes-on preview:
http://wii.ign.com/articles/971/971316p1.html

[snipegod]

So, maybe I spoke too soon:

PS2 and PSP versions are also planned, although Wii is the lead platform.

[Cao Cao]

IGN put up their hands-on preview:
http://wii.ign.com/articles/987/987412p1.html

They also put up screenshots and a trailer, though someone must have messed up in uploading it, because the volume becomes ear-splittingly high at the trailer's mid-point, so if you do watch it, be sure to turn down the volume

[crunchewy]

I had no idea what this game was, but that preview article makes me look forward to this game quite a bit. It sounds pretty awesome so far.