[RadioHeadAche]

I just saw the "Happy Birthday" cutscene. That was absolutely horrible. Oh and I could see what was going on behind that "smokey glass". In the PS2 version, you literally cannot see anything behind the glass when you first see it.


As for the patch, Heather seems to be running regularly, but there are still synching issues and the game freezes for a second at times.


This is truly awful. How well does SH3 run on Vista 32?

[Truant]

So I guess it's safe to say that after this, Book of Memories and the bad reviews for Downpour, Silent Hill is dead. Too bad, I wanted a HD port of Shattered Memories.

Seems like it. The worst part is, Konami will go "Well, people just aren't interested in SH games. Look at the sales!"

It's a circle of shit.

[Endo Punk]

Is it possble that Konami will release SH2 and SH3 as PS2 emulation in the store? I really can't support a downport even if it's 720p.

[RadioHeadAche]

I feel bad for buying this. I tried to be optimistic, but this is just sad.


The funny thing is, I was really looking forward to this. It may be fine for newcomers, but all I see are negative changes and flaws on what was once a splendid game.

Is it possble that Konami will release SH2 and SH3 as PS2 emulation in the store? I really can't support a downport even if it's 720p.

I'd say definitely not thanks to this collection.

[Panajev2001a]

I cannot understand why they had to release this version in this state, there is no pride in Konami's work anymore (SH related) it seems.

[RadioHeadAche]

I cannot understand why they had to release this version in this state, there is no pride in Konami's work anymore (SH related) it seems.

It's a shame that HD re-releases in general seem to be rubbish. Splinter Cell is basically sub-HD and is imperfect. Resident Evil 4 had low-res, VHS quality cutscenes, but it at least wasn't broken. Then there's Shadow of the Colossus and Ico which not only are remastered beautifully, but there are free dynamic themes and bonus features. Metal Gear Solid HD is three great games that look fantastic and despite some small technical issues, runs beautifully. What are these other teams doing wrong? Is it really that difficult to remaster these old games? Why is Bluepoint the only seemingly competent developer for this?

[Ahasverus]

So I guess it's safe to say that after this, Book of Memories and the bad reviews for Downpour, Silent Hill is dead. Too bad, I wanted a HD port of Shattered Memories.

If anything, Downpour is the last reay of hope. Horror community reactions range from Ok to zOMG best shit since 2.

And while Book of Memories sounds ridiculous, hey, it's Wayforward, they can't do wrong.

[dark10x]

Oh, I like the HD version one without the crushed blacks moreso than the PS2 one where the light and darkness washes out any detail you can see in the picture.

Well, keep in mind that SH2 and 3 were made for use on a CRT display. The black areas actually appeared very dark resulting a very scary, claustrophobic experience. By filling in all of this darkness with shadow detail you actually remove some of the tension from the experience as you have a clear visual indicator of what you're seeing. The extreme darkness used in SH3 (at times) was part of its appeal.

I maintain that there is no better way to play Silent Hill than on a high quality CRT of some sort. These games were designed for those displays and many of the visual tricks they use are destroyed by the beaming backlights of modern LCDs. At this point, the Vita would probably have been the best place for this port to land, oddly enough, as its OLED display could actually handle the blacks required. Some displays (such as the Pioneer Kuro) can deliver this as well, but the vast majority of TVs being used by gamers today simply don't play nicely with Silent Hill.

If you want to play these games in HD you should ignore this crap and get the PC ports. As far as I know they're faithful to the PS2 originals.

Silent Hill 3 is very faithful (though still missing the odd effect here or there), but the PC version of SH2 is NOT at all. Compared to the HD Collection it's a masterwork, but ignoring that it's actually a pretty bad port. It's missing a number of effects present in the PS2 version that damages atmosphere (hard shadows, missing fog, low quality FMV, etc.).

I still believe that nothing beats the very original release of Silent Hill 2. There's a purity to it that's tough to beat. It starts right up with barely a company logo and absolutely no "graphic content" warning. It just feels right.

[NinjaBoiX]

So this "collection" only actually contains half the games eligible? What's wrong with Silent Hill 1& 4?

[Combichristoffersen]

So this "collection" only actually contains half the games eligible? What's wrong with Silent Hill 1& 4?

SH1 would have to be remade since it was a PS1 game, and I guess they thought the demand for SH4 wouldn't be very significant.

[Ravensmash]

I cannot understand why they had to release this version in this state, there is no pride in Konami's work anymore (SH related) it seems.

I'm really disappointed; I never played the originals and was looking forward to it as the games have a really high level of praise.

I can not, and will not, spend £30 on a port that sounds broken. Maybe if it gets fixed via patch, but then that still sends the wrong message.

[RadioHeadAche]

It's funny, because these lighting issues and lack of fog effects really wouldn't affect Silent Hill 4 as the game is pretty bright and there hardly any areas with fog (just the forest and maybe cylinder prison).

I'm really disappointed; I never played the originals and was looking forward to it as the games have a really high level of praise. I can not, and will not, spend £30 on a port that sounds broken. Maybe if it gets fixed via patch, but then that still sends the wrong message.

A 4GB install (PS3 version) and an almost 300mb patch and the game still has problems. Try to find the PS2 versions if you can, because those are worth it.

[jimi_dini]

I'm really disappointed and conflicted. On one hand I can finally play two of my most cherished games on current hardware, and they look really good. On the other, out-of-synch voices and sound effects, missing textures, music glitches, terrible walking/running glitch, lack of fog, no noise filter (it seems) make me notice those glaring flaws which takes away from my enjoyment.

???
you seem to be confused

[Combichristoffersen]

??? you seem to be confused

I assume he's referring to how the image quality is clearer and crisper than in the original PS2 versions, and thus it looks better.

[jimi_dini]

I assume he's referring to how the image quality is clearer and crisper than in the original PS2 versions, and thus it looks better.

Yeah, but all the other issues negate that effect. So actually it looks worse broken.

[RadioHeadAche]

??? you seem to be confused

The games from a graphical standpoint look good. It hardly looks like a 2003 game. At the same time, it hardly looks like a Silent Hill 3 game.

I assume he's referring to how the image quality is clearer and crisper than in the original PS2 versions, and thus it looks better.

Yes.

Yeah, but all the other issues negate that effect. So actually it looks much worse.

The character models are still great looking as well as some of the environments. About the only good thing to come from this collection is that it looks pretty close to high-definition. However, everything else suffers.

[LiquidSolid]

It's a shame that HD re-releases in general seem to be rubbish. Splinter Cell is basically sub-HD and is imperfect. Resident Evil 4 had low-res, VHS quality cutscenes, but it at least wasn't broken. Then there's Shadow of the Colossus and Ico which not only are remastered beautifully, but there are free dynamic themes and bonus features. Metal Gear Solid HD is three great games that look fantastic and despite some small technical issues, runs beautifully. What are these other teams doing wrong? Is it really that difficult to remaster these old games? Why is Bluepoint the only seemingly competent developer for this?

Bluepoint isn't the only one. Ready at Dawn, Sanzaru Games and Mass Media all did really good jobs (Jak Trilogy wasn't perfect but then those would've been some of the hardest games on the PS2 to port). I'd say it depends more on the publisher. Sony and Kojima Productions actually cared about their ports, so they probably gave their port teams plenty of resources and support. Ubisoft and the Konami (which at this point, I view as entirely separate from KojiPro) were just after a quick buck and didn't really care about how well the games held up and it shows.

At this point, that's exactly what I expect out of Ubisoft ports though, as the complete lack of giving a shit about ports has been a long established trait of theirs going back to the PS1. Konami though? I'm pretty disappointed in. But then look at the state of that company (again, sans KojiPro) and it's not exactly a pretty sight.

Speaking of which, anyone know what's happened to Tsuboyama? How he went from directing SH2 to not being heard of for years, I have no idea. I guess he's left the industry?

[georaldc]

Shit ports like this makes everyone wary of future ones. Fucking Konami. anyways, official launch screens images...

So is resolution the only improvement, with everything else being a downgrade? I like how they just upsized the resolution of the original to emphasize the difference lol. I don't care if the original was running at SD res, at least it runs better and has the effects and atmosphere to back it up

[RadioHeadAche]

So is resolution the only improvement, with everything else being a downgrade? I like how they just upsized the resolution of the original to emphasize the difference lol. I don't care if the original was running at SD res, at least it runs better and has the effects and atmosphere to back it up

Yes. The game "looks better" than the PS2 versions, but at the same time is much worse than them.


Can someone please explain the why they would need to alter Pyramid Head's assault of the lying figure? It's not particularly graphic and lasts only a few seconds before the fight starts. This is also a mature game, so none of that censorship makes sense.

[Ridley327]

Speaking of which, anyone know what's happened to Tsuboyama? How he went from directing SH2 to not being heard of for years, I have no idea. I guess he's left the industry?

He worked on SH4, but he's completely disappeared after that.

[plagiarize]

Yes. The game "looks better" than the PS2 versions, but at the same time is much worse than them.

i think the most damning thing is how much worse than the PC versions this 'HD' collection looks, even when running the PC version at the same resolution. that the HD collections look better than the PS2 originals in one or two ways, doesn't excuse for me all the missing effects, the inappropriate new textures, the terrible performance, and so on.

[RadioHeadAche]

Wouldn't it be funny if Book of Memories turned out to not only run well, but actually be good? Of the three Silent Hill releases this year the multiplayer one being the best would just be nutrageous.

At this point, the only Silent Hill title I would look forward to is a console port of Silent Hill: The Arcade (yes, I know). However, such a release is highly, highly unlikely. I will play Downpour at some point, though.

[ScOULaris]

So I guess it's safe to say that after this, Book of Memories and the bad reviews for Downpour, Silent Hill is dead. Too bad, I wanted a HD port of Shattered Memories.

It was safe to say that from Homecoming onward.

[Teknoman]

Well mine is still sealed today...guess i'll just return it and repurchase the PS2 versions. I can take some missing effects here and there, but apparent framerate troubles, voice sync issues, and said missing effects actually making certain parts of the game look much worse than they should (SH2 fog + boat rope) or changing the entire point of a scene as a side effect...ugh. I want to think there was some reason aside from cutting corners.

[disappeared]

So I guess it's safe to say that after this, Book of Memories and the bad reviews for Downpour, Silent Hill is dead. Too bad, I wanted a HD port of Shattered Memories.

I was going to say that, if we're lucky, the originals might pop up on PSN someday. But given the legal and technical fist-fucks that both games have gone through, I doubt it.

[RadioHeadAche]

I was going to say that, if we're lucky, the originals might pop up on PSN someday. But given the legal and technical fist-fucks that both games have gone through, I doubt it.

I just want to play my favorite games on current hardware. Why must they make it so difficult?

Well mine is still sealed today...guess i'll just return it and repurchase the PS2 versions.

PS3 or 360?

[Bedlam]

Yes. The game "looks better" than the PS2 versions, but at the same time is much worse than them.

No, a higher resolution is only part of the "look". If there are effects missing, textures got replaced with really bland and unfitting ones and everything looks washed out, then I'd say it looks worse overall. Atmosphere is extremely important in SH games and it seems the HD ports lost quite a bit of it.

[Teknoman]

I just want to play my favorite games on current hardware. Why must they make it so difficult? PS3 or 360?

PS3. The would be about the same too.

[RadioHeadAche]

PS3.

Go buy a cannon and fire it into the sun.

[WoodenLung]

Go buy a cannon and fire it into the sun.

I remember people actually destroying their pro evolution 2008 discs when that was released and putting pics up of it, also a fine product of konami this generation. Everyone break your discs and upload photos of it, we can make a nice collages.

[Teknoman]

Go buy a cannon and fire it into the sun.

Would probably cause some chemical reaction at this point. Its kind of funny since I bought the MGS, ICO/SH, and RE4 HD ports without any second thoughts...then something like this happens. How game reviewers hit NG3 and RE:ORC so hard, and then let this slide is beyond me. Complaints about the controls were going to be an obvious mark on the collection from a general viewpoint, but i'm surprised no one, except the rely on horror site, pointed out sync issues.

[RadioHeadAche]

The only good thing to come out of this collection is the boxart. It's really appropriate and unique compared to most of the HD collection art.


I think this is the most I've ever bitched about something since I've been on gaf, or perhaps ever. If not, it's certainly up there.

[WoodenLung]

Yeah. Really compared to most silent hill box art too, some real stinkers through the time.

[RadioHeadAche]

Yeah. Really compared to most silent hill box art too, some real stinkers through the time.

Like Shattered Memories? Oh yeah. It was the blandiest piece of bland that ever bland.

[INDIGO_CYCLOPS]

So I guess it's safe to say that after this, Book of Memories and the bad reviews for Downpour, Silent Hill is dead. Too bad, I wanted a HD port of Shattered Memories.

If you're going to completely trust these reviewers, I suggest you rent Downpour to try it out for yourself, at least.

[Teknoman]

If you're going to completely trust these reviewers, I suggest you rent Downpour to try it out for yourself, at least.

Yeah aside from the plain enemy design, Downpour really isnt bad.

[Combichristoffersen]

Like Shattered Memories? Oh yeah. It was the blandiest piece of bland that ever bland.

It was still better than the actual game though.

Anyway, I managed to snag a used copy of the Director's Cut PS2 version off Amazon UK (in very good condition to boot!), so I'm set. I won't cancel my preorder for the PS2 Downport Collection tho, as I'll keep it if only for the convenience of playing SH 1, 2 and 3 on my PS3.

[RadioHeadAche]

Yeah aside from the plain enemy design, Downpour really isnt bad.

A majority of what I've read in the official thread makes me want to play it. I just don't want to spend $60 on it.

[Typographenia]

A majority of what I've read in the official thread makes me want to play it. I just don't want to spend $60 on it.

I'm hoping for a pricedrop, but since NeverDead still hasn't gotten one... I'm considering biting the bullet and just getting it.

[RadioHeadAche]

It was still better than the actual game though. Anyway, I managed to snag a used copy of the Director's Cut PS2 version off Amazon UK (in very good condition to boot!), so I'm set. I won't cancel my preorder for the PS2 Downport Collection tho, as I'll keep it if only for the convenience of playing SH 1, 2 and 3 on my PS3.

That's what I keep telling myself, but all those glaring flaws are making it difficult to enjoy.

[Teknoman]

It was still better than the actual game though. Anyway, I managed to snag a used copy of the Director's Cut PS2 version off Amazon UK (in very good condition to boot!), so I'm set. I won't cancel my preorder for the PS2 Downport Collection tho, as I'll keep it if only for the convenience of playing SH 1, 2 and 3 on my PS3.

That is my problem lol. I've got SH1 on PSN already since I missed out on the disc version while it was nicely priced, and there is still a part of me (after seeing what FFXIV went through and is current being improved) that still thinks Konami could pull through with a couple patches. But then there is still the issue of what will happen to the game and performance wise after the patches are no longer available...and after seeing a current patch being 250 something MB, yet not fixing anything...I feel dumb for my rug comment the other day lol.


Has the game released in japan yet?

[Combichristoffersen]

That's what I keep telling myself, but all those glaring flaws are making it difficult to enjoy.

I'll just stock up on ice cream, booze and tissues for the inevitable flood of tears when playing the demakes

[RadioHeadAche]

I'll just sock up on ice cream, booze and tissues for the inevitable flood of tears when playing the demakes

Maybe this will help dry those tears.

[Typographenia]

Has the game released in japan yet?

Seems the release date is the 29th, from what I could find online.

Maybe this will help dry those tears.

These always put a smile on my face.

The best Silent Hill 1 video ever.

That red, pyramid thing.

[RadioHeadAche]

I'm in tears after watching him gather all those items.

[Typographenia]

I'm in tears after watching him gather all those items.

Thank God... Another human being. *bang*

[scitek]

Is there footage of the censored scene in its censored form anywhere yet? I've only seen the original version and am curious what they cut.

[Schlomo]

I will try to forget this collection even exists.
Incidentally, do we know yet if the DMC HD Collection will be a disaster like this?

[Typographenia]

Is there footage of the censored scene in its censored form anywhere yet? I've only seen the original version and am curious what they cut.

It's supposedly the very first shot in this cutscene. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vprETGvyShM

It's only about 2 seconds of content, but it still makes you wonder why.

[Nemesis_]

I will try to forget this collection even exists. Incidentally, do we know yet if the DMC HD Collection will be a disaster like this?

My copy just shipped today, but probably won't be here till Tuesday =(