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[RedSwirl]

http://www.vg247.com/2011/05/04/raining-down-vatra-returns-to-silent-hill-2-with-downpour/

This one's from VG247. While the article itself isn't the greatest thing, the comments from the producers convince me that these guys actually know what the hell is going on with the franchise.

And it’s time to face up to some hard facts. Maybe the holy grail Team Silent game the die-hards constantly lust for just isn’t a realistic project.

“Let me start by pointing out something which a lot of fans haven’t grasped yet: there was no homogenous ‘Team Silent’ that worked on all the Silent Hills,” says producer Devin Shatsky.

In fact, the original creator and director of the first Silent Hill game, Keiichiro Toyoma, never worked on any subsequent titles in the series, instead moving on to Siren. The reality is, there were only three people that actually worked across all of Silent Hill 1–3: Hiroyuki Owaku, Masahiro Ito and Akira Yamaoka, and Yamaoka-san being the only member of those three that worked on SH4.

“Team Silent will make a SH game when Sasquatch returns to Bluff Creek, or Plesiosaurs once again inhabit Loch Ness,” Shatsky adds.

Silent Hill: Downpour revolves around two key aspects: atmosphere and immersion. Hulett says the game’s more about building the suspense than fighting enemies every twenty seconds.

“In more action-based horror titles, there are zombies or whatever everywhere. You’re constantly fighting them, and the fear comes from knowing the odds are stacked against you and watching that ammo meter drop.

“In Silent Hill, however, there’s a lot more walking around spooky environments wondering what could be around the corner. While we do have plenty of monsters and scare moments in Silent Hill, the player’s mind does a lot of our work for us.”

Hulett continues: “A lot of the tension comes from you scaring yourself. If you’re constantly blasting zombies you never have a chance to calm down, look around, and let that dread grow again – you’re constantly on the go. Silent Hill games have a very methodical ebb and flow to their scares.”

Shatsky promises that Downpour’s horror elements will most closely resemble sibling Silent Hill 2, the usual fan favourite, but will stand on its own feet in terms of plot.

“We’ve said that it most closely resembles Silent Hill 2 in feel, and we’ve also noticed some fans being suspicious of this because, ‘It’s what they always say – does it really mean anything?’ That’s fair enough. However, Downpour is no Homecoming – we won’t be imitating SH2 by copying its key plot twist,”

“We’re fighting a bit of an uphill battle with Silent Hill, which leans more toward psychological exploration and atmosphere to create it’s tension. It will be interesting to see how things go in the next few years, but it’s obvious the trend has been continuing toward more action, more combat.”

 

[badcrumble]

Is there a silenthillcycle.jpg yet? There's a lot that looks good about this, but I refuse to get hyped for anything Silent Hill these days.

 

[Dead Man Typing]

‘It’s what they always say – does it really mean anything?’

I'm one of those people. But just because this developer points out that people are saying this, doesn't mean that we should get our hopes up.

Looking forward to this, but I wont believe any hype until I play it.

 

[wrowa]

Is there a silenthillcycle.jpg yet?

It would be appropriate by now, that much is certain. The developers of Climax made nearly the same statements during interviews. Whether or not someone likes Shattered Memories is one thing, but it's kinda hilarious to say that it's something new to the Downpour devs that they "get it".

 

[Haeleos]

The protagonist's face looks weird. Like his eyes are too close together or something.

 

[SolsticeZero]

So Yamakoa isn't doing the score? No Yamaoka, no sale.

 

[astroturfing]

so they understand it's important to not have too much action?

that alone doesn't really convince me yet. but we'll see. no one can replace Yamaoka's music though.. even Homecoming had amazing music.

 

[Neuromancer]

In fact, the original creator and director of the first Silent Hill game, Keiichiro Toyoma, never worked on any subsequent titles in the series, instead moving on to Siren.

I didn't realize this but it makes sense now that I think about it.

Anyway I wish these guys luck, they're saying the right things for the most part although I wish they were using SH1 for inspiration rather than SH2.

 

[SolidSnakex]

It would be appropriate by now, that much is certain. The developers of Climax made nearly the same statements during interviews. Whether or not someone likes Shattered Memories is one thing, but it's kinda hilarious to say that it's something new to the Downpour devs that they "get it".

Well, one major difference is that they couldn't let go of what Team Silent created. Their first game (Origins) was a complete botch job and Shattered Memories was a "reimagining" of the original. This game is attempting a completely new cast of characters and enemies. They're also trying to avoid going to locations that the series is famous for. Will that mean that it'll turn out amazing? Nope. But i'm happy that a developer is finally trying to do something on their own.

 

[SolsticeZero]

so they understand it's important to not have too much action?

that alone doesn't really convince me yet. but we'll see. no one can replace Yamaoka's music though.. even Homecoming had amazing music.

That was pretty much the only thing good about Homecoming...

 

[JustAnotherOtaku]

Psychological horror and the same vein as Silent Hill 2. Quietly hyped for this and can't wait to see/read more.

 

[Foxtastical]

So Yamakoa isn't doing the score? No Yamaoka, no sale.

This seems beyond silly.

 

[SolsticeZero]

This seems beyond silly.

Is it? Yamaoka was more than a composer for the games, he was largely involved with the creativity, too. We've already seen what happened to Silent Hill without Team Silent, and now that they're getting rid of the last surviving part of it, I show little interest.

Now I'm not saying I can't be proven wrong, but it's not looking good.

 

[badcrumble]

Psychological horror and the same vein as Silent Hill 2. Quietly hyped for this and can't wait to see/read more.

This definitely needs to be a part of silenthillcycle.jpg since it's also what we were told about Origins, Homecoming, and Shattered Memories.

 

[GenericUser]

Downpour’s horror elements will most closely resemble sibling Silent Hill 2

trying to resemble it is the one thing, but actually doing so is another. I think i fully understood the main story and concept behind SH2 but i would never think that i can actually do another game that faithfully recreates the horrors of SH2.

 

[ULTROS!]

I'll wait and see first. Hopefully it's good.

 

[Magicpaint]

Oh, another wannabe Silent Hill 2? I dunno why this doesn't inspire confidence in me! That said I am quietly hopeful that the results are favourable.

 

[PetriP-TNT]

Hopeful but doubtful

 

[KAOz]

Is it? Yamaoka was more than a composer for the games, he was largely involved with the creativity, too. We've already seen what happened to Silent Hill without Team Silent, and now that they're getting rid of the last surviving part of it, I show little interest.

Now I'm not saying I can't be proven wrong, but it's not looking good.

As the guys, and myself have been saying for ages; there is, and never was a Team Silent.

Also, Yamaoka never did much with creativity. It was only when he became a producer that he started to have other kinds of inputs. And that was the two weakest games in the "original series", 3 and 4.

 

[Xater]

Just a reminder these guys also did the new Rush'N Attack....

 

[Man God]

Shattered Memories is the best game in the series and the only game worth playing that was made after III.

 

[RedSwirl]

Probably should have put more emphasis on this quote:

“We’ve said that it most closely resembles Silent Hill 2 in feel, and we’ve also noticed some fans being suspicious of this because, ‘It’s what they always say – does it really mean anything?’ That’s fair enough. However, Downpour is no Homecoming – we won’t be imitating SH2 by copying its key plot twist,”

 

[SolsticeZero]

As the guys, and myself have been saying for ages; there is, and never was a Team Silent.

Also, Yamaoka never did much with creativity. It was only when he became a producer that he started to have other kinds of inputs. And that was the two weakest games in the "original series", 3 and 4.

I know all the list for this, but I don't give a fuck. I think 3 was a much better game than 2. I think 2 is very overhyped. And the plot twist it was very overrated.

 

[brandonh83]

They can trash Homecoming if they want, but I'd be shocked if Downpour has one element in it greater than Scarlet.

 

[JustAnotherOtaku]

This definitely needs to be a part of silenthillcycle.jpg since it's also what we were told about Origins, Homecoming, and Shattered Memories.

In fairness, Shattered Memories did recall the glory days quite a bit. Didn't ever reach SH 1-3 levels, but it was a definite step forward after Homecoming.

 

[sublimit]

Everyone "gets it" in the interviews.It's only later in the games that they fuck up.

 

[Grisby]

Homecoming was awesome. As have been all of the SH's. The diversity of each game tied with similar elements is what I love about the series.

 

[Sheppard]

Ppl said the same thing when Homecoming came out. I call BS. Also, if they got it, where is Mary-Elizabeth and Akira for the music. If he didn't want to do it fine, but at least some type of consult from him. Honestly the best parts of those Silent Games are from those two.

 

[KAOz]

I know all the list for this, but I don't give a fuck. I think 3 was a much better game than 2. I think 2 is very overhyped. And the plot twist it was very overrated.

And you are very free to think that. Thing is, things started to go "down" when Yamaoka got more creative input in the series. At least in most fans' eyes.

I used to really like Yamaoka, but lateley, it feels like he has just been phoning it in. Lateley means since Origins. And the rockstar-persona he started to adapt, where he seemed to think that he was the sole creative force of Silent Hill, really got to me.

I'm glad someone takes over for him, because he needs to go back and become humble again.

 

[mollipen]

Same kinds of things that were said (and by the same person) during the development of Shattered Memories. *shrugs* Nice to hear, but you know, how the final product actually turns out is all that matters.

 

[SolsticeZero]

And you are very free to think that. Thing is, things started to go "down" when Yamaoka got more creative input in the series. At least in most fans' eyes.

I used to really like Yamaoka, but lateley, it feels like he has just been phoning it in. Lateley means since Origins. And the rockstar-persona he started to adapt, where he seemed to think that he was the sole creative force of Silent Hill, really got to me.

I'm glad someone takes over for him, because he needs to go back and become humble again.

You do make a good point, I'll give you that. But after Homecoming and Shattered Memories, I'll wait for some trailers and gameplay. I.... I just don't want to be hurt again....

 

[Dascu]

This one's from VG247. While the article itself isn't the greatest thing, the comments from the producers convince me that these guys actually know what the hell is going on with the franchise.

For what it's worth, Tomm Hulett was also producer on 0rigins and Shattered Memories.

 

[ace harding: private eye]

Probably should have put more emphasis on this quote:

It's not hard to make a Silent Hill that's better than Homecoming, considering it was a piece of garbage. It's apparently hard to lift the series above its current state of mediocrity.

I'm sure this game will please most casual SH fans, and even the few die-hards that enjoyed the Wii game. I just disagree that these developers "get it." All it takes for me is looking at the screenshots. Silent Hill looks like a shithole garbage dump.
I'll still give the game a shot; I'm just not expecting much.

 

[The Praiseworthy]

Still no release date yet right?

E3 should put it out for us.

 

[SolidSnakex]

Here's an interview with one of the writers talking about the enemies in the game. He's even made the usual mistake (including Pyramid Head in his comic), but he seems to have a decent understanding of things now

Do you subscribe to the theory that each of the monsters in Silent Hill represent a thought or feeling of the main character? If so, do you continue that in your work on the franchise properties?

Yes. Every creature you're going to see in the new game is thought through and is tied into the psyche of the main character.

That's one of those neat things I found out way after playing the games.

It can't be by accident. There's a reason. When I had Pyramid Head in the first comic, I was just thinking of creatures. But I didn't realize creatures had a purpose. In hindsight, I know better. In this new comic, creatures relate exactly the sins of this man's past.

That's been our approach with the team I'm working with now. Here's the thing: I'm not a big fan of the occult aspect. Just because the occult doesn't do a lot for me. But I understand that it does to some people. I understand its place in the franchise. But I've never heard someone say that they don't like the human element of Silent Hill. That's the part everybody can relate to. Some people don't like Pyramid Head. Some of them do. Some people think the nurses are corny. Those things on the edges of the core story relate to people in different ways. But the core story is always the human story.

When we all went into this, we agreed: before we start worrying about the scares or the monsters or any of that stuff, what is the core story here? What is the human story?

http://www.destructoid.com/interview-tom-waltz-from-comics-to-silent-hill-8-180084.phtml

At least he made that mistake before this game.

 

[Hunter-Zero]

Shattered Memories is the best game in the series and the only game worth playing that was made after III.

Ugh...

Silent Hill 2 is the best one hands down, with the first one as a close second, the third one is a great game but not as good as the previous ones...about the games after III, The room is awfull imho (great music btw), Origins is ok for a handheld game, Homecoming is average, and Shattered Memories it´s not a Silent Hill, so it can´t be the best game in the series.

 

[John Harker]

Of course they "get it."

Tomm Hulett was also the producer of Silent Hill: Shattered Memories.
So they've gotten it for awhile.

 

[SolsticeZero]

Of course they "get it."

Tomm Hulett was also the producer of Silent Hill: Shattered Memories.
So they've gotten it for awhile.

So they've got that they're not going to be making a Silent Hill game. Like posted above, Shattered Memories was far from a Silent Hill game.

 

[ace harding: private eye]

Of course they "get it."

Tomm Hulett was also the producer of Silent Hill: Shattered Memories.
So they've gotten it for awhile.

I don't think you "get" "getting it," get it?

 

[MYE]

The protagonist's face looks weird. Like his eyes are too close together or something.

Retardation is no laughing matter.

 

[Kuran]

Yeah right... GAF should be excited about Siren: New Translation 2 instead. It's still coming, right? Right...? If it's not at next E3 it's probably dead... *

 

[Dascu]

Shattered Memories is the worst game ever and it killed my dog.

 

[KAOz]

You do make a good point, I'll give you that. But after Homecoming and Shattered Memories, I'll wait for some trailers and gameplay. I.... I just don't want to be hurt again....

Me neither. Me neither.

But just this once, I will keep a positive attitued. And if it sucks.... well, then Silent Hill ended at 4....

 

[Typographenia]

Homecoming was awesome. As have been all of the SH's. The diversity of each game tied with similar elements is what I love about the series.

I like you.


Their talk is great, but I'm still reserving complete faith until we see more and I have it in hand.
I'm hopeful for their fight/flight balance and not taking a similar plot approach as in previous game. Crossing fingers and toes!

So they've got that they're not going to be making a Silent Hill game. Like posted above, Shattered Memories was far from a Silent Hill game.

But then what really defines a silent hill game? Each game picks and chooses visuals, sound, colors, themes, and so forth. Is the first game the only real kind of blue print we can hold the other titles up against?

 

[MYE]

They got it with SM as far as i'm concerned.

Ugh...

Silent Hill 2 is the best one hands down, with the first one as a close second, the third one is a great game but not as good as the previous ones...about the games after III, The room is awfull imho (great music btw), Origins is ok for a handheld game, Homecoming is average, and Shattered Memories it´s not a Silent Hill, so it can´t be the best game in the series.

Shattered Memories was far from a Silent Hill game.

Considering were the franchise stands these days, I'll take that as a compliment.

 

[Aske]

I'm one of those people. But just because this developer points out that people are saying this, doesn't mean that we should get our hopes up.

Looking forward to this, but I wont believe any hype until I play it.

Agreed. I like the generalizations made in the article though. I remember the good old days, when all SH fans considered SH2 to be the best in the series, and all ranked the first three games just above the forth while generally despising the follow-ups. It was a golden age, when Silent Hill fans were united against SH:Lite games. These days, Shattered Memories and Homecoming have fans of their own, and they'll even rank those games above the three originals.

SH: Origins was the closest thing a western developer has made to a true SH game, but it suffered because it felt too by-the-numbers. Fans wanted new games true to the series' roots, but they also wanted them to evolve, like the sequels of any major franchise. Homecoming was a fine horror game, but it wasn't close to a solid SH title. It took too many cues from the movie, and its atmosphere was based more in style than substance. Shattered Memories had some interesting ideas, but it failed as a horror game because it segregated the monsters from the exploration, killing any sense of trepidation the player might have felt wandering around the environments; and the plot twist at the end was Sixth Sense obvious. Nothing about it felt like a Silent Hill title in terms of atmosphere or story. As far as I'm concerned it's the worst of the bunch.

I'll keep an eye on Downpour. It's not that I don't believe any western developer can nail a Silent Hill game, since the series' Japanese horror aesthetic is so heavily rooted in western traditions. The games are as much Twin Peaks as they are Ringu. Fingers crossed. I'll hope for the best, but expect something mediocre.

 

[sublimit]

When fans referring to "Team Silent" they refer to all the key people who contributed in SH 1-4.Everyone knows that this was not a continuous homogenous group (although Masahiro Ito in particular had contributed a lot and was a key creative person in all games.)But so what?Is it the term that its the problem?What if you change "Team Silent" with Konami?Will it make Devin Shatsky sleep better at night?

Actually what the "die hard" fans criticized for many years (which Konami still refuses to get it) is that this series became popular and unique because of the merging of western urban horror setting with the Japanese perspective.

Downpour may end up being a good game,but it's impossible for Vatra to recapture the feeling of the first Silent Hill games.

 

[sixteen-bit]

I hope this turns out good. It's been ages since I played a great Silent Hill

 

[B_Rik_Schitthaus]

Shattered Memories is the best game in the series.

I wish I could bottle this wrong.

 

[Angry Fork]

Have to see it to believe it. They say this with every Silent Hill now. Konami knows they dun fucked up by splitting up Team Silent and every game that comes out now they talk about how it's back to 'psychological roots' with Silent Hill 2 as inspiration etc. bla bla.

I wish Konami would stop being stubborn assholes and just round up the old team again for a real sequel, hire more people if you need to (i'm sure you would) but when it comes to the main head honcho's level designers programmers, creature designers etc. get those original people back.