Silent Hill: Downpour

[GamerMan316]

A New Silent Hill Coming From A Brand New Developer



There's a new Silent Hill game in the works at a new developer and it's coming to the Xbox 360, PlayStation and PC. Beyond that details on the next entry in Konami's psychological horror series are hazy. Wait, foggy.

According to 1UP, the next Silent Hill game is being developed by Czech studio Vatra Games, the third studio to take the series' development reins since 2004's Silent Hill 4: The Room. In the likely event that you've never heard of Vatra, the studio describes itself as "built from both industry veterans and new talent," lead by Matthew Seymour, formerly of Take-Two Interactive and Microsoft Game Studios

Another report from Joystiq implies that the game may be based on Silent Hill 2 and speculates that another re-imagining of a previous game—a la Silent Hill: Shattered Memories—could be in the works.

With Silent Hill vet Akira Yamaoka moving on to greener pastures at Grasshopper Manufacture and an all-new developer on the job, we'll be interested to see what Konami has to show at E3 this year.

[sambo]

A New Silent Hill Coming From A Brand New Developer

Another report from Joystiq implies that the game may be based on Silent Hill 2

That has me sold.

[GamerMan316]

I agree Sambo, Silent Hill 2 remains the best in the series, far far better than the games released since.

[xnightcrawlerxx]

it seems like they're still trying to cash in on a franchise that should have died out already

[nCogNeato]

it seems like they're still trying to cash in on a franchise that should have died out already

I haven't given up on the franchise yet.  If the next SH is a flop, I may consider it. 

[GamerMan316]

it seems like they're still trying to cash in on a franchise that should have died out already

A lot like the Resident Evil series.

[GamerMan316]

Is The New Silent Hill A First Person Shooter?



With Konami revealing very little about its all-new Silent Hill game, we're left to speculate about which direction the psychological horror franchise will go. Will Silent Hill, like XCOM, make the first person shooter switch?

Such was the speculation when Czech developer Vatra was pegged as the latest developer on the Silent Hill franchise, taking over where Climax and Double Helix left off. The source of that rumor-mongering was a profile of Vatra from its video game talent agency Digital Development Management. DDM labeled Vatra's specialties as "FPS and Action," noting that it was working on two projects, one an unnamed "major franchise" and the other Rush'N Attack Ex-Patriot.

That lead some to conclude that the unnamed game—which is likely Vatra's take on Silent Hill—was a first-person shooter. Not hard evidence, and we contacted Konami to see there was any truth to the matter, but here's the slide in question.



The facts that prevent us jumping to conclusions are Vatra's portfolio. While the studio is new, the talent isn't, having worked on titles like gangster action game Mafia and third-person tactical shooter Hidden & Dangerous.

When Kotaku reached out to Konami and Vatra to see if that FPS speculation was correct, both companies told Kotaku pretty much the same thing: "Wait for E3." No confirmation or denial, unfortunately. Konami reps walked us through the teaser shown at Konami's recent Gamers Night, which was apparently not shown from a first-person perspective, and ended with the line "...the silence ends at E3." The publisher had no official statement on the matter, we were told.

If the next Silent Hill for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC does go "FPS," it wouldn't be unheard of for the series, which featured first-person sequences in Silent Hill 4: The Room—sans shooting, though—and first-person light gun shooting action in Silent Hill: The Arcade. The latter, by the way, is actually quite fun.

Clearly, Konami is comfortable experimenting with the series, as shown by the more action heavy Silent Hill: Homecoming and the nearly combat free Silent Hill: Shattered Memories.

But as a first-person shooter? Is it just crazy enough to work? Or is the "FPSing" of beloved franchises a step in the wrong direction?

[DFUSIONITE]

I say they need to get back to basics with the new silent hill, they need to remember what made the series great. I will be happy if it is anything like silent hill 2 but with amazing graphics

[GamerMan316]

Silent Hill 6: Vatra Games Respond To FPS Rumours
The fog will be lifted at E3

After a week or so of speculation and rumour about the forthcoming Silent Hill game, we at Rely On Horror decided it was time that someone asked Vatra Games themselves for a comment. Well, we got our prompt yet short response from Vatra Games this morning!

"We can't speak to any rumors at the moment, but will definitely have more information for you at E3 -- stay tuned!"

Despite not giving anything away in regards to the FPS rumours, we do at least know that our questions will truly be answered in mid-June. E3 will be held at the Los Angeles Convention Centre from the 15th to 17th. Until then, we can be thankful in the knowledge that Vatra Games clearly care enough about the Silent Hill fanbase to respond to us!

[GamerMan316]

Konami shows new Silent Hill at E3

Konami has shown the first footage of the next Silent Hill at its E3 press conference. The game will be released for Xbox 360 and PS3 in 2011.

It hasn't been given a title other than Silent Hill at the moment. It's being developed, as previously reported, by Czech studio Vatra Games.

Silent Hill's producer promised that it would be influenced by everything the series has successfully implemented in the past - disturbing creatures and survival horror in a parallel world - but that special attention is being paid to evolving the combat "in a logical direction" rather than simply increasing it, or removing it altogether as in Shattered Memories.

The new trailer showed a lead character, a man with blonde hair, who going by his numbered jumpsuit and shackles is an escaped convict. He makes his way into Silent Hill after a bus transporting him crashes into a ravine. A female law officer - possibly a prison officer or Marshal - survives with him.

Once in the town, the convict begins to explore deserted houses by torchlight in classic Silent Hill fashion. Sparing combat was shown - stalked by one creature, he spun around and dispatched it with one pistol shot. At another point, the camera pulled away to show him walking through a quasi-fantastical prison setting, a giant construction of rusted iron.

The Vatra team revealed that the music would be by composer Dan Licht, who does music for TV serial killer drama Dexter.

[Failed]

I'll be playing this, got into my survival horror games over the years.

[GamerMan316]

I'll be playing this, got into my survival horror games over the years.

Me too, if it's as good as Silent Hill 2 then i'll be very happy, if it's bad as 4 then I won't be.

[Failed]

meh! Silent Hill will be forever judged by 2, think they peaked early.

[nCogNeato]

While SH2 is unarguably the best of the series, I've liked every game (included 4) for what they offered.

My love of the franchise gives SH4 a pass.  




ps.  I never played the PSP game, but I heard it was good.

[Handshakes]

My only experience with Silent Hill was the movie.

Naturally, I now hate the series passionately.