Silent Hill

The Silent Hill franchise of survival horror games originated on the Playstation One. During the development of the first SH game, developer Konami was looking to mimic the success that Capcom had gained with the Resident Evil series which is very evident in the franchises first outing, but quickly Silent Hill evolved into something dramatically more emotional and moving. The series has become well known for their haunting music and gripping stories which peaked on the PS2 with Silent Hill 2 and 3, and these same factors has set it apart from other horror games. The stories often revolve around conflicted emotions of guilt, portrayed by perverse creatures, blood stained walls, and the torture of the twisted residents of Silent Hill. The stories told in each game are very much more of a gameplay mechanic then an added extra. Silent Hill has always relied heavily on their moving story telling. Unlike many game franchises, Silent Hill games rarely connect into one on going story. Silent Hill 3 does continue the story of Silent Hill 1, but this fact is well hidden, and easily missed. Despite this, each tale is in its self some of the best story telling in any media.  

Silent Hill has stayed close to the traditional survival horror game make-up which relies on fixed camera angles and involving puzzles instead of fast paced combat. Silent Hill uses melee combat and the use as more average items as weapons such as golf clubs, base ball bats, and metal pipes. Item conservation has always played a strong roll in all survival horrors and Silent Hill is no different. Strategy plays a large roll in the series, which complements the slower pace and menacing, thought provoking story telling. All but one game took place in the actual town of Silent Hill. Silent Hill 4 strayed slightly from the series staple gameplay and location in an attempt to innovate. Early reviews praised the game for it's first person elements and haunting settings, but eventually was seen as a set back for the series in comparison to the blockbuster Resident Evil 4.  

Silent Hill 5 was released on the PS3 and X360 in September of 2008, this installment has been handed off from the usual japanese development team to the American based dev. team The Collective a.k.a Double Helix Games.  

Silent Hill produced one movie which was received as one of the best game to movie adaptations ever, but as a movie alone it suffered from the usual game to movie troubles such as mediocre acting and flawed pacing. The story kept close to the game, but exchanged Harry Mason, for a female protagonist named Rose Mason. The movie director felt that the Mother and daughter connection was more compelling then the game father daughter connection.