Silent Hill: Shattered Memories
If you have any doubts about it, let me lay them to rest:
It's fricking sweet.
The characterization, be they of Harry or the NPCs, is enthralling. Even though I've played SH1 several times before, I still wanted to know what happens to these characters. They converse very believably, and the changes from the original game add some new depths I wouldn't have expected.
The much-ballyhooed psych evaluations are really worth their weight in salt. I spotted quite a few differences already just between my initial "demo" play and my actual earnest save file, and I hadn't made many changes to the questionaire. I can't wait to see what other therapy I'm given. :P
The gestures, like any Wii game, are a mix bag. When they work, they work great and are immersive (see: most puzzles). But the chase scenes, the most polarizing new feature of the game, use them to shake off monsters, and those moments are VERY frantic, like "holyshitholyshit it's coming after me!" frantic -- and "frantic" doesn't tend to work well with motion controls. Then again, those controls rely on Nunchuk motion, too, and we all know how well the Nunchuk's accelerometer works. However, you just have to try and keep your cool and use slow, controlled motions during those moments when you get caught; or just don't get caught.
Graphically, it's quite stunning for a Wii title. The lipsynching is about on par with Beatles: Rock Band (which I still think has some of the best), and while the framerate takes a dive in wide open spaces, it's typically at a nice tight60 fps. And load times? I seriously don't notice any. At all. I mean, when you change rooms, there's a bit of lag. but it's so tiny that you won't notice it unless you're expecting complete seamlessness.
Oh, and attention to detail. I must speak about this. Harry's cell phone is a wonderful little piece of tech thanks to how functional it is. Every phone number I've come across can be called and get a response, along with 911; the camera portion behaves like the real deal, complete with framerate lag when capturing video; its map function is very useful and can be zoomed around and marked with an in-game stylus to plot routes; and naturally you can change its ringtone; whether it uses the TV or the Wiimote for responses, and store numbers in it.
Word of note, though -- don't feel bad if you buy it used. The manual is only three pages long, with another three for warranty and warnings/copyrights. I'm serious. Technically, it's 15, but only cuz it's reprinted in French and Spanish, too.
I love what Climax has done with this remake/sequel/expansion. It was a pretty bold move, and I think it succeeded beautifully. But of course, Yahtzee will destroy it in his review, and everybody will agree with him, so whatever, hehe.
It's fricking sweet.
The characterization, be they of Harry or the NPCs, is enthralling. Even though I've played SH1 several times before, I still wanted to know what happens to these characters. They converse very believably, and the changes from the original game add some new depths I wouldn't have expected.
The much-ballyhooed psych evaluations are really worth their weight in salt. I spotted quite a few differences already just between my initial "demo" play and my actual earnest save file, and I hadn't made many changes to the questionaire. I can't wait to see what other therapy I'm given. :P
The gestures, like any Wii game, are a mix bag. When they work, they work great and are immersive (see: most puzzles). But the chase scenes, the most polarizing new feature of the game, use them to shake off monsters, and those moments are VERY frantic, like "holyshitholyshit it's coming after me!" frantic -- and "frantic" doesn't tend to work well with motion controls. Then again, those controls rely on Nunchuk motion, too, and we all know how well the Nunchuk's accelerometer works. However, you just have to try and keep your cool and use slow, controlled motions during those moments when you get caught; or just don't get caught.
Graphically, it's quite stunning for a Wii title. The lipsynching is about on par with Beatles: Rock Band (which I still think has some of the best), and while the framerate takes a dive in wide open spaces, it's typically at a nice tight60 fps. And load times? I seriously don't notice any. At all. I mean, when you change rooms, there's a bit of lag. but it's so tiny that you won't notice it unless you're expecting complete seamlessness.
Oh, and attention to detail. I must speak about this. Harry's cell phone is a wonderful little piece of tech thanks to how functional it is. Every phone number I've come across can be called and get a response, along with 911; the camera portion behaves like the real deal, complete with framerate lag when capturing video; its map function is very useful and can be zoomed around and marked with an in-game stylus to plot routes; and naturally you can change its ringtone; whether it uses the TV or the Wiimote for responses, and store numbers in it.
Word of note, though -- don't feel bad if you buy it used. The manual is only three pages long, with another three for warranty and warnings/copyrights. I'm serious. Technically, it's 15, but only cuz it's reprinted in French and Spanish, too.
I love what Climax has done with this remake/sequel/expansion. It was a pretty bold move, and I think it succeeded beautifully. But of course, Yahtzee will destroy it in his review, and everybody will agree with him, so whatever, hehe.