Support NeoGAF

[disappeared]

This series desperately needs Masahiro Ito to return. Konami should pay him what ever he wants in order to get him to do some designs for these games.

It would be nice, sure, but that doesn't mean other developers aren't allowed to try their own designs. Sure, it hasn't exactly resulted in many stellar creations, but we'll see what the guys at Vatra can do.

While I agree that the backstory, lore and (probably) psyche behind the creatures is important, the truth is that if the monsters aren't particularly revolting/scary/disturbing, it's hard to care. The problem being -of course- that what may feel completely unsettling to some might actually cause laughter in others.

Truth be told, no SH enemy after Silent Hill 2 has had a positive (and by positive I mean negative) effect on me. So at this point I'm used to ignoring the enemies and just focusing on the story. While reading the descriptions and lore for the monsters in wiki pages and the manual is entertaining, none of the later games' bestiary has done anything for me.

I agree. But as I said above, it's always fair to give the new guys a shot.

 

[FunkyPajamas]

I agree. But as I said above, it's always fair to give the new guys a shot.

Oh, absolutely. I'm always hopeful of new, unproven teams. I've been pleasantly surprised in the past.

 

[pakkit]

Official Silent Hill thread of circular Shattered Memories Discussion

 

[brandonh83]

Mold people?

I think one of the designers said that they're supposed to represent bodies that have been submerged underwater for quite some time. In screens they look kinda bad, but maybe with more development time and seeing them in motion it'll be better.

Have faith!

*back to my Downpour level for LBP2*

 

[RadioHeadAche]

Based on those screens, Silent Hill appears to be more of a city than a small, resort town. That's one of the problems I have with these out-sourced titles, the lack of recognition with the layout of the town. Sure, it's good to have changes, but it doesn't feel like a Silent Hill game without the recognizable locations throughout the town. That's just my opinion, though.

Sometimes, when you really, truly love someone, you need to learn to let them go.

This is a pretty accurate description of my love for this series. Oh Silent Hill, I wish I knew how to quit you.

 

[shuyin_]

@Monocle: I'm a passive agressive ass and yet i haven't offended anyone, just made fun of a guy with a superior attitude.
And how the hell am i not presenting an opinion when i actually argumented my original statement (regarding Toyama) and i even said i know how some people work at one of Ubi's studios?

Lastly, it's hard not to quote people and make fun of them when their arguments go like: i'm smart, you don't know shit, hahaha. Not to mention i wasn't agressive, inspite of whatever you lot think. Just because i made fun of him and he interpreted it as an ad hominem attack, it doesn't mean i actually insulted him. If anything, you're the one being agressive and insulting me by calling me an ass, but whatever this is GAF....

@Jocchan: Good luck with your game.
About game development, let's drop it. I doubt you have more experience than people that actually worked on famous games. You think i don't know how things work in the industry, that's fine.

Lastly, you misinterpreted what i said about Toyama, because i didn't say Team Silent is Toyama, nor did i imply it (you can check back if you want). All i said is he should be given credit as the man behind the first Silent Hill. Yes, i know there's a lot of ppl with creative input. But Toyama is the man with the plan if you know what i mean. When you say KH, everybody knows it's Nomura's game (though there are people in charge of the battle system etc). It's the same with Silent Hill 1.

Regarding your penultimate paragraph, if that's the criteria by which you judge maturity, which one of us lacks it? I'm using a well known company's studio as an argument, you're using yourself (even though admitting you didn't work on any games before) as an argument. Which one has more credibility? Don't worry about how mature i am, worry about yourself.

 

[Jocchan]

@Monocle: I'm a passive agressive ass

Kudos for admitting that.

and yet i haven't offended anyone, just made fun of a guy with a superior attitude.

And how the hell am i not presenting an opinion when i actually argumented my original statement (regarding Toyama) and i even said i know how some people work at one of Ubi's studios?

Except the guy you wanted to make fun of knows what he's talking about, and has worked together with enough professionals to know that the pipe dream of the director's artistic vision is, sadly, a pipe dream most of the time. And that guy is currently directing a game himself by the way. Indie game, but coincidentally involving a number of industry professionals.

Unless the director's name is popular enough for the publisher to give him nigh complete freedom, you will never have a team working to create a single auteur's vision.
And no, a guy's name on a GDD is not enough to prove the game is entirely his vision, pure and unaltered. Game development is inherently a team effort. Unless you're making a Petz mobile game with four more people, you have a number of designers involved, feedback from the team impacting the basic design, and suits intervening all the time to make sure the product is what they want to release. Actually, you have the latter even in Petz.
Saying that Team Silent is Toyama, even if you ignore he only worked on the first game and had no input whatsoever on the sequels, is bs if you have the faintest idea of how game development actually works. And this is not me having a superior attitude.

But go ahead and have fun trying to make fun of me using a mysterious UBI team as your proof of unaltered creative vision being more than a small exception, sir. Shows a lot of maturity on your part.

Lastly, it's hard not to quote people and make fun of them when their arguments go like: i'm smart, you don't know shit, hahaha. Not to mention i wasn't agressive, inspite of whatever you lot think. Just because i made fun of him and he interpreted it as an ad hominem attack, it doesn't mean i actually insulted him. If anything, you're the one being agressive and insulting me by calling me an ass, but whatever this is GAF....

Whatever, this is GAF.

I already said I wanted to stop this derailment, so sorry everyone if I replied to this post too. I just wanted to clarify some points before letting this argument slide.

 

[KUFI]

Was just replaying Homecoming, ran into this part, and I'd forgotten how awesome it was.

are you joking? Homecoming was unbelievable crap. Worst SH game.

 

[Solid warrior]

This series desperately needs Masahiro Ito to return. Konami should pay him what ever he wants in order to get him to do some designs for these games.

o rly

 

[Jocchan]

o rly

Ya rly. Masahiro Ito's designs are still unparalleled.

 

[Solid warrior]

Ya rly. Masahiro Ito's designs are still unparalleled.

I don't understand the 'desperate need'.

 

[FunkyPajamas]

Wouldn't the submerged bodies be a bit more bloated? Unless they didn't drown but were thrown into the water after being killed, I guess.

Anyway, I'm interested in seeing how the main character's psyche is reflected in the enemies.

I don't understand the 'desperate need'.

Compare enemy design for SH1,2 and 3 with every other game in the series after that, it'll become apparent. Now, desperate is typical GAF hyperbole (no offense to Solid) but I do agree that we need a better art director for the Series.

 

[AshMcCool]

Btw. how about a Silent Hill HD Collection? 1(probably not in HD),2,3 plus Shattered Memories? For PS3? I'd buy it.

 

[badcrumble]

Uh, I'd rather have 2, 3, 4.

 

[FunkyPajamas]

Btw. how about a Silent Hill HD Collection? 1(probably not in HD),2,3 plus Shattered Memories? For PS3? I'd buy it.

I would be there day one for a collection, but I don't think we'll agree on the games we'd like to see included. SH1-3 are a must of course, but what about the others? SH0? SH4? SM as you suggested?

Uh, I'd rather have 2, 3, 4.

There you go.

 

[KAOz]

Compare enemy design for SH1,2 and 3 with every other game in the series after that, it'll become apparent. Now, desperate is typical GAF hyperbole (no offense to Solid) but I do agree that we need a better art director for the Series.

Well, skip 1, because that wasn't Ito. He joined when they where making 2.

But his designs are unparalleled really. So much, subtle beauty, in them all. And they are still being copied, which says alot really. Such a shame that he decided to jump ship before The Room really.

It would be nice to have his designs back.

 

[SolidSnakex]

Compare enemy design for SH1,2 and 3 with every other game in the series after that, it'll become apparent. Now, desperate is typical GAF hyperbole (no offense to Solid) but I do agree that we need a better art director for the Series.

It's also not just the enemy designs. Ito was the overall art director for SH2 and SH3. SH3 is still the best looking game in the series as far as i'm concerned, and a large part of that is due to the art direction

It should be noted that I think that Downpour looks rather good (although the character models are iffy). But it's almost like the recent SH devs don't understand how important the visuals were to the series.

 

[Jocchan]

I don't understand the 'desperate need'.

Desperate is hyperbole, but I sorely miss them. Monster designs in SH2 and 3 were top notch.

 

[badcrumble]

Yeah the enemy designs in Silent Hill 2 and 3 really are fantastic for the most part (not so much the weird gray one-eyed penis monsters in SH3, but the more humanoid ones are great), and absolutely the best in the series.

 

[FunkyPajamas]

Well, skip 1, because that wasn't Ito. He joined when they where making 2.

I stand corrected, thank you!

It's also not just the enemy designs. Ito was the overall art director for SH2 and SH3. SH3 is still the best looking game in the series as far as i'm concerned, and a large part of that is due to the art direction

Agreed, it's just that out of all the Silent Hill elements, the one that I miss the most is good enemy design.

 

[SolidSnakex]

Agreed, it's just that out of all the Silent Hill elements, the one that I miss the most is good enemy design.

Ito has said that the people behind the upcoming SH2 movie have asked him if he could do the designs, but he declined because he was too busy. That makes wonder if he'd be open to doing some work on the games again. He hasn't abandoned the series since he did the cover art for Homecoming and the artwork for the comic that came with the Origins soundtrack

 

[TheJollyCorner]

That is a horrible name. Murphy Pendleton sounds like a guy who spends a hundred dollars a week or more on VHS porn.

It's only 9am, but I'm convinced I will not find a more hilarious quote for the rest of the day. Bravo, theinfinityissue... Bravo...

 

[TheJollyCorner]

damnit, Snake... stop reminding me of the awesomeness of Ito!

I was browsing through his gallery on his website and I really wish someone would make some bizarre, surreal RPG with his art direction. I mean, he makes all the disturbing, psycho-sexual Silent Hill stuff, but he also has a lot of other unique work out there, too.

The guy is a flat-out amazing artist.

 

[Kiriku]

Well, skip 1, because that wasn't Ito. He joined when they where making 2.

I think most of the monsters in SH games (at least the earlier ones) have more thought put into them as symbolic creatures woven into the story rather than making the player scared, something that's always been a bit disappointing for me personally. Now, don't get me wrong... trying to give explanations as to why enemies look and behave like they do is something I appreciate a lot, but for me pyramid head, for example, is BOTH scary and has an interesting story and symbolic meaning. Most enemies are somewhat lacking when it comes to the scary part in my opinion. Or it could just be a problem with the game design itself (or enemy sound design, for that matter), making the enemies too easy to avoid or kill to pose any major threat.

 

[ezekial45]

Sorry if already posted, but here is a sample of Daniel Licht's music for the game;

http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/25/a-sprinkling-of-music-from-silent-hill-downpour/

 

[badcrumble]

I think most of the monsters in SH games (at least the earlier ones) have more thought put into them as symbolic creatures woven into the story rather than making the player scared, something that's always been a bit disappointing for me personally. Now, don't get me wrong... trying to give explanations as to why enemies look and behave like they do is something I appreciate a lot, but for me pyramid head, for example, is BOTH scary and has an interesting story and symbolic meaning. Most enemies are somewhat lacking when it comes to the scary part in my opinion. Or it could just be a problem with the game design itself (or enemy sound design, for that matter), making the enemies too easy to avoid or kill to pose any major threat.

They're quite scary. It's just that "scary" and "dangerous" aren't necessarily the same thing. If you need to feel like your character is going to get killed in order to feel scared, I suggest Demon's Souls.

 

[Prime Blue]

Well, skip 1, because that wasn't Ito. He joined when they where making 2.

He was already there for the first game.

 

[snoopers]

Compare enemy design for SH1,2 and 3 with every other game in the series after that, it'll become apparent. Now, desperate is typical GAF hyperbole (no offense to Solid) but I do agree that we need a better art director for the Series.

But Takayoshi Sato was the character designer, no ? Masahiro Ito is an illustrator.

 

[TheJollyCorner]

Compare enemy design for SH1,2 and 3 with every other game in the series after that, it'll become apparent. Now, desperate is typical GAF hyperbole (no offense to Solid) but I do agree that we need a better art director for the Series.

I think CLIMAX did a pretty damn good job with Origins. For not being designed by Ito, I thought the creatures still mixed with the first 3 games very well.

I mean, those weird, fleshy, horse/cow things that would drag themselves around freaked me the hell out. The Butcher, for being an obvious Pyramid Head clone, was still really cool, IMO.

BTW, anyone remember the creature designs for Origins before CLIMAX UK took over?
Good god they were horribly hilarious, lol...

 

[Dascu]

But Takayoshi Sato was the character designer, no ? Masahiro Ito is an illustrator.

Sato designed the human characters. Ito designed the enemies.



For what it's worth, Shattered Memories' Raw Shocks had interesting concept art. They looked terrible in-game though and weren't particularly scary.

 

[Lime]

I think CLIMAX did a pretty damn good job with Origins. For not being designed by Ito, I thought the creatures still mixed with the first 3 games very well.

I mean, those weird, fleshy, horse/cow things that would drag themselves around freaked me the hell out. The Butcher, for being an obvious Pyramid Head clone, was still really cool, IMO.

BTW, anyone remember the creature designs for Origins before CLIMAX UK took over?
Good god they were horribly hilarious, lol...

Always good for a laugh. Like Homecoming.

 

[FunkyPajamas]

But Takayoshi Sato was the character designer, no ? Masahiro Ito is an illustrator.

I believe he was credited as art director so I think we was overseeing the design choices, but I'm sure I'll be corrected if I'm wrong.

I think CLIMAX did a pretty damn good job with Origins. For not being designed by Ito, I thought the creatures still mixed with the first 3 games very well.

I mean, those weird, fleshy, horse/cow things that would drag themselves around freaked me the hell out. The Butcher, for being an obvious Pyramid Head clone, was still really cool, IMO.

Agreed, Origins had interesting enemy design as well. I liked it.

http://dimensiondark.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/saga-silent-hill-1.jpg

http://images.eurogamer.net/assets/articles/a/6/4/6/1/5/ss_preview_minaret.jpg

Stay classy, western designers.

 

[.la1n]

Ah man someone had to post Silent Hill 3 shots, now I have to go play it AGAIN. The art direction of that game really is timeless, pitiful that it can't be at the very least shamelessly copied. Whatever, I still hold out hope for the new entry as I always do.

 

[Jocchan]

http://dimensiondark.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/saga-silent-hill-1.jpg[IMG]

[IMG]http://images.eurogamer.net/assets/articles/a/6/4/6/1/5/ss_preview_minaret.jpg[IMG]

Always good for a laugh. Like Homecoming.[/QUOTE]
NEVER FORGET.
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/mvYAS.jpg

 

[FunkyPajamas]

NEVER FORGET.
http://i.imgur.com/mvYAS.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/vMesW.jpg

Oh god. This came to mind.

 

[Mau ®]

Looks like Silent Hill 2 IMO.

 

[Bebpo]

NEVER FORGET.

Wow, I'd forgotten how horrible the original Origins was. So glad they scrapped that and we got what we got. Origins build #2 was a pretty decent SH game.

 

[Vrakanox]

I liked Origins and The Room also. But everywhere I go I get nothing but crap for it.

 

[Jocchan]

Wow, I'd forgotten how horrible the original Origins was. So glad they scrapped that and we got what we got. Origins build #2 was a pretty decent SH game.

I dunno, the dancing purple monster seemed hella scary!

I liked Origins and The Room also. But everywhere I go I get nothing but crap for it.

I love Silent Hill 4.

 

[SolidSnakex]

Sato designed the human characters. Ito designed the enemies.

Sato ended up working on Goldeneye: Rogue Agent after SH2 was complete. :/

 

[AshMcCool]

Oh god. This came to mind.

Reminded me of Gunhead for the first second, then made me sad for the second (for several reasons).

 

[Futurevoid]

Origins build #2 was a pretty decent SH game.

It was the worse kind of copy cat "me to" Silent Hill a developer could spit out, IMO. The storyline was predictable. The overarching plot was retconned nonsense that the series could have done without.

The Butcher was a poor man's pyramid head (whether he was

Spoiler

Travis

or not is inconsequential) and the entire game just feels like someone trying to do a competent Silent Hill 2 impersonation wrapped up in a prequel to the first game without any of the depth . It's easily my least favorite Silent Hill title.

At least it had a solid soundtrack.

I liked Origins and The Room also. But everywhere I go I get nothing but crap for it.

I'll defend Silent Hill 4's story and first person apartment segments until my dying breath. I question the gameplay decisions made for the third person sequences (lack of inventory, backtracking level design etc.) but fuck if it isn't my second favorite game in the series from a plot/narrative perspective.

 

[TheJollyCorner]

NEVER FORGET.

for the full effect watch the videos of this. I mean, the monsters have PANTS ON!... and Travis is at least 7ft 2in tall. Either that or Silent Hill is really a small colony for little folk.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGROzNgf_mY

WOW.

I'm just trying to imagine the (smart) person at Konami that eventually said "No. NO! THAT'S ENOUGH! We need a new team!" at a board meeting.

 

[Lard]

I liked Origins and The Room also. But everywhere I go I get nothing but crap for it.

I liked The Room, but I found Origins pretty meh.

 

[FunkyPajamas]

I liked Origins and The Room also. But everywhere I go I get nothing but crap for it.

I liked Origins (I actually enjoyed it more than Homecoming) but haven't played The Room (I liked the demo though). I should probably hunt it down.

 

[Relaxed Muscle]

I liked Origins (I actually enjoyed it more than Homecoming) but haven't played The Room (I liked the demo though). I should probably hunt it down.

The Room it's bad....I mean RE:Gaiden level of BAD.

Not really, but the gameplay it's really weak and it has an awful 2nd part.Homecoming is better except plot and characters.

 

[ArjanN]

The Room it's bad....I mean RE:Gaiden level of BAD.

Not really, but the gameplay it's really weak and it has an awful 2nd part.Homecoming is better except plot and characters.

It's not that bad. It's still one of the better horror games even if it's not as good as Silent Hill 1,2 and 3.

Better plot and characters and being scarier (IMO) makes The Room a better game than homecoming.

 

[theinfinityissue]

The Room was pretty much the only SH game that really gave me some chills. Something about slowly walking around that apartment in first person as it slowly descended into madness kinda got me a little bit sometimes. It didn't hurt that I was living in my own apartment all alone for the first time while playing. Another thing that creeped the hell out of me was that the two headed baby monsters would always be pointing at you when you first saw them, no matter where you came from or how close/far they were. Always pointing. Shiver.

 

[Larson Conway]

Sorry if already posted, but here is a sample of Daniel Licht's music for the game;

http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/25/a-sprinkling-of-music-from-silent-hill-downpour/

Love it.

 

[KUFI]

NEVER FORGET.

but it was much better game than Homocummig