New Silent Hill Wii has no combat, should appeal to cowards

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Home Silent Hill

11:40 AM on 04.02.2009, Colette Bennett

72 comments | 8022 views

New Silent Hill Wii has no combat, should appeal to cowards photo

#Silent Hill #wii

A Silent Hill on the Wii is sure to stir up a lot of controversy, from Wii owners who are dying to play the classic horror franchise on their consoles to Playstation purists who are furious to see this "reimagining" come to life. More details from the issue of Nintendo Power have emerged, and there are some pretty major changes according to what we're reading. Here's what you can look forward to from Silent Hill: Shattered Memories:

-Harry is moved using the control stick, the Wii remote is used to aim the flashlight
-When you look at something Harry will vocally respond

-No load times

-The Wii remote acts as your cell phone, and the static noise comes out of the Wii remote speaker

-Combat has been removed from the game, you can only flee

-When the monsters chase you the Z button will allow you to break through doors, climb fences, through windows etc.

The control scheme sounds more or less what I would expect, and the no load times thing is great to hear. I don't know how I feel about combat being entirely removed from the title, as part of the helplessness that made the original game so good was feeling as if your weapons were less than sufficient, but having to use them anyway. I'm not sure if I want to spend the majority of the game running. And how am I going to fight a boss -- run around them in circles until they get dizzy and fall down?

Let's hope there's some misunderstanding in the wording here. I don't mind a creative take on Silent Hill, but since this game is directly related to the first Silent Hill, I have to admit I'm feeling a little sensitive about having it dicked around with. Could no combat be a good thing, in your opinion?

[Via GoNintendo]

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next 50 comments

70 comments | showing # 1 to 50

zombiekiller13

I'm going to wait and see. It could either be an awesome new way to experience survival horror, in almost a slasher-flick way (where the hero/heroine is just trying to escape and not attack the psycho killer)...or really friggin' shitty.

CypherVR

I've got mixed feeling on this remake (even though it's being touted as a new game-from what i've heard)

I'd buy it regardless.

Midgetsnowman

I think it could work. Mind you I never played the first and have never really liked survival horror games..but I mean, no combat seems like it would ratchet the panic up even further as you'd be forced to find more creative ways to get the hell out of dodge or to down a "boss" without becoming grotesque thing that should not be-chow.

After all, wasnt the appeal of the Silent Hill franchise always supposed to be about how they were pretty much the only "survival horror" game to ever evoke actual dread? I mean, I even enjoyed the movie version tbh because you got the feeling very quickly that no amount of weaponry could possibly help the poor lady.

PhazonYoshi

Hmm. I think most of "horror" in horror games comes from knowing you can fight back, but knowing it's not your best option, and you'll probably die. Not being able to fight at all doesn't sound good to me.

Gen Eric Gui

-Silent Hill weapons

-less than sufficient

...wat? The original Silent Hill had some of the most broken weapons in the series. The Pipe and Fire Axe were so powerful and so good that almost nothing was a real threat to you if you had to break down and fight. The only big threats came form not being able to see, rather than not being able to defend yourself.

SH3 was the one with the worthless weapons.

Chronic Logic

NO COMBAT?! Surely they're just dicking about.

Jonathan Holmes

I really liked the non-combat found in the Fatal Frame games and Haunting Ground, though not enough to say that any of them are favorites.

That said, my theme for today is "give me options", so to have the option to fight be removed from the game leaves me feeling frowny. Like Colette said, why not give us the option to fight, and find out for ourselves that it's not going to work?

Shael

It could work. Clock Tower (the PS1 version) was something similar. You could only use environmental hazards or hide from Scissorsman and it's STILL one of the best survival horror/point and click game in existence. Always get my blood pumping when I play...

Drach

Wow.. talk about screwing up a classic!

Part of overcoming the fear is knowing that you are able to fight back.

I'll skip this game, thanks.

MrSadistic

What.

eternalplayer2345

No-combat could potentially make this game insanely scarey but it's gonna be fine line to walk between being boring with out combat and being unplayable. That said I'm actually more interested now.

Ogu

whaat? First they turn Resident Evil into an Action game, and now they take it all out from Silent Hill?

The genre is certainly decaying.

@Jonathan Holmes, but Fatal Frame is Fatal Frame and Haunting Ground is Haunting Ground... part of what people liked about Silent Hill included the combat. Just sayin'

HamalSharatan

No combat? Dammit, who do they think wii owners are??

EggmaniMN

No one ever liked the combat in Silent Hill. It was always awkward.

If Yamaoka is still behind this, I'm all for it. His input and music is what makes the game.

KarateKidMcFly

I'm actually very interested in this. I loved Silent Hill for scaring the bejesus out of me. I don't think I need combat for that. Really, what normal person is going to be able to fight against the horrors in Silent Hill? The natural response is run the hell away. And if they make it work in a video game, I'm all for it.

Furyfire

Some people would prefer to run. It seems that I can see, Like Mr. Holmes says, fight only when you would need to fight. It seems that this game will follow a heavy story/mystery feel to it and perhaps combat will only come if needed.

imaginarythomas

I look forward to seeing this. Silent hill has never been about the combat its been about story and environment. It always seems like combat was shoehorned in to classify it as a game by some arbitrary guidelines.

russtolium

This is a surprising and pretty ballsy decision to make, if they can make fleeing from monsters something that isn't frustrating I think it could be a really cool. My concern would be having monsters on your back while trying to solve a puzzle or something, and have no way to remove them from the area so that you can focus.

I found Silent Hill 4's unkillable ghost enemies annoying to no end, mostly because they didn't give you a satisfactory way of dealing with them (those 4 sword items you find in the game that pin them to the ground were lousy and only worked on certain ghosts). I think if they took a more stealth style gameplay approach that gives you plenty of options for sneaking past/hiding from enemies this could be great.

As for bosses... I can't really say. It probably wouldn't be too hard to have boss fights be puzzles themselves, several games have managed boss fights without weapons (the Penumbra series has some great examples of this.) I also hope this is a sign that they're trying to bring back some of the adventure game-style feel that the original had (especially with puzzles.)

Though I groaned when I heard about this at first, the fact that they seem like they're making changes to the gameplay and the story that go beyond the usual fan wankery and ho hum gameplay additions that the recent US-made SH titles embody is promising.

Vanor

I'll trade stiff combat for FINALLY having the damn freedom to go wherever the hell I want! Seriously, "This door is locked/jammed." got REALLY damn old after the second game. Why can't I just fucking kick the door in? Why can't I just climb through a window? So what if the fucking windows are barred shut, I HAVE A CROWBAR!

Look, yes, games look prettier now, but they lose their appeal when they don't wisen up with age. And that's been the case for most games over the last few generations. We make them *look* realistic, but we don't spend any time actually letting you have the freedom to do stuff in the game's world, so all you have in the end is a game with pretty scenery that you can't interact with.

That is what I hate more than anything. I'd rather my game immerse me by giving me a realistic world I can INTERACT with, not blow their wad on making it look "real" and bore me to tears because I can't do anything with the environment, stuck on a set path, with no freedom to go from Point A to Point B how I please.

I know I got long-winded, but it's about time the damn genre branched out. It's long overdue.

Jonathan Holmes

@ Ogu- But like Perdrovay2003 says, this new game isn't going to make your old copy of Silent Hill burst into flames.

I'm glad this "re-imagining" is going to be vastly different from other Silent Hill games. If they're going to make a new Silent Hill, they might as well take some risks with it. If the risks don't pan out, that's OK. I still have all the other Silent Hill games to revisit if I want that old Silent Hill feeling.

If this no combat thing doesn't work, it wont be because it's not "Silent Hill" enough, it will be because it just not fun.

Holyetheline

No.

I run from my problems enough in real life... they can't make me run from my problems in videogames now too!!!

Blackhat

This actually sounds like an awesome idea -- I really like games that show you that you cannot, in fact, defeat the entire world on your own.

Makes it more horror-y, less 'oh, a huge demon, good thing I have my board-with-nails-in-it...'

CocoJambo

A survival horror game that you actually have to think about surviving. What has become of the genre...

The crowd just chose its new "RE5" to nitpick. Seriously, there's way to much bitching about everything. Why do you people think that game designers have to be constrained by the ideas YOU perceive as good? You would expect the gaming community would be the ones more adept to experimentation and designer creativity.

DaedHead8

Last semester the final project in my Game Design class was to design a game completely devoid of combat, so I for one can see how this can work and turn out really fun.

I think the problem most of you are having is you are picturing a game where the monsters work like SH1-4 but you're no longer able to fight against them. This will not be the case, no combat means the enemies in the game will work very differently from enemies in other games. It's not like in mario where you either stomp the goomba or not. In this game, I imagine each monster you come across will be intricate to the story or environment. Honestly, the promise of no combat has me excited. =)

Prince Ghidorah

I think no combat is a great idea. The appeal of survival horror has always been disempowerment, helplessness and so on.

Wexx

Interesting. I'm skeptical, but it might work. I wish they had picked an original storyline instead of using the Original one though.

Bugsport

I'm still pushing for this to be a nasty fools joke that's gone on far too long.

ugghhh... If there is one thing i can not stand, it's reimaginings. It's just an arrogant attempt to cash in on the nostalgia of older gamers while having the balls to claim that its a new title.

5 reasons why this game will suck.
1: Its a reimagining, translating into the developers not giving a shit about the cannon and just slapping together a bad hodgepodge of setpieces from the first game. Which mean that those balless wonders will find a way to shove pyramid head into it.
2: stupid gameplay ideas that are obvious attempts to cash in on the non gamer market. only fleeing, what the fuck is that? there is a reason why clock tower is not popular.
3: It's on wii. nothing against the console, but it raises my shovelware flag whenever i hear the name.
4: waggle and quick time events, you know some smarmy ass producer is going to want it in there.
5: All these changes to source material in order to sell a new experience makes me reel from the arrogance of the matter.

Furthermore, the retard motherfrakkers who are putting this walking travesty together are going to have to be carefull not to screw this shit up or I swear to god that I will have a psychotic breakdown and chase them down and cut their god damn hands off with a rusty fork. Lets see them flee from that scenario.

There are game series you do not FUCK with me on, and thats Black and White, Silent Hill and Oddworld.

This unbelievable piece of shit just comes across as an insult to gamers, fans and horror aficianados in general.

Vanor

@CocoJambo

Yeah, you'd think we WOULD be open to things being changed up. I just rolled my eyes when everyone bitched about RE4 and 5 for changing things, when I was perfectly happy for Capcom trying to change things up instead of slapping the same old game together.

That's what really kills me: People bemoan a company when they keep doing the same thing, and then bitch when they try to do something different. Creativity requires growth and maturity, and if you don't at least try to grow, then your creativity becomes stagnant.

I just hate how games insult my intelligence so much, even though they try to make them look real. I always hated that on Silent Hill as it went along. All the doors locked, and I'm essentially on a set path that I can't deviate from. The appeal of the first game was that gradually you got some leeway to at least explore the damn town. But I welcome a change that allows the player to have the freedom to navigate the town and its environs as the player sees fit. This game could be absolutely amazing if they just employ some common sense into it.

In fact, most games would be better off if the developers spent some time doing that instead of just making the game look good.

T9X

Experimentation is great,but for every Braid there ends up being a hundred Too Humans.Besides,there is absolutely no reason for a complete lack of combat.It would be wiser to make the combat extremely tough and have a plethora of escape tactics.At least then the game wouldnt be constraining the overall experience.

atastysammich

Mr. I from Super Mario 64 confirmed for Silent Hill Wii boss.

Ambulance-Y

i like the idea they are using that you take a personality test and the monsters and how the game pans out depends on the results.

they have some good ideas, i just wish it didn't have silent hill in the title

AdamDuffield

everything else seems gold
if only there was combat ><

gains

There was a no combat mode for SH2. I kind of hope that's what they mean here too. Without combat, we'd reduce the scene at the amusement park where you have to kill or save the cop to just a Yes/No choice instead of unloading your gun at her while dodging or trying to get close enough to force the antidote on her. Of course, they could probably turn it into a quicktime event, ala Indigo Prophecy but no one seems to believe that's a viable game mechanic anymore. Despite the fact that Rock Band is one gigantic quick time event.

brainderailment

That's

fucking

stupid.

wrathofpink

No combat, or an emphasis on running away can work out fine if done right. Play Penumbra.

CaTrophy

mmm clocktower. how i feel ike playing you now.

Dv8thwonder

I guess most of the posts above me forgot their Ritalin today.This major departure from the core gameplay experience might be a little jarring for some but this is great way to give this series a serious shot in the arm and what better way to do it than on the Wii.You can say what you will about the design choices made by the developers or Nintendo on its hardware but this is great idea.Taking chances is what being truly creative is all about.Be less jaded and be more of a gamer.

I am neither hardcore nor casual.I'm a gamer and I own a Wii.

Chack

Like many people said, this makes me remember Clock Tower, and damn if that was not a great game. The fact that you have to flee instead of fight added to the game a lot of tension.

Sure I am buying this game.

Usedtabe

No play for me. I cannot play horror games unless I know I have killed every single motherfucker in the room, and no one is left to follow me.

eggz

maybe it means no combat as in no combat on wolfback?
might still be interesting

Bugsport

My issue is the liberties with the story they are taking more than anything else. Believe me, as a writer, there is nothing creators hate more than remake artists taking extensive liberties with their property, even more so when there is no respect for the material.

My big issue with it is that it seems to be 'modernizing' it, making cybil into a cold ice queen super model character thats decked out like she gonna raid a fucking meth lab. The original game took place in 1978 for christ's sake, the most awesome goddamn decade in the history of man, why do you have to change that. (the original creator has a fondness for period pieces, look at shadow of memories early 1900s, silent hill 1978, siren 1973, and silent hill 2 1980s)

Why is it that americans think they need to remake every god damn thing and think they can do it better. It really pisses me off. look at rec and quarantine, godzilla, let the right one in, the host, sanford and son, the office, state of play, dr who. ehh fuck they'll never learn, and most of all THE WICKER MAN.

and for a shot of the americanized cybil shepard, go looking around goNINTENDO for a bit, you'll find it.

My prediction, this retarded idea is going to go down as The Wicker Man of Gaming.

ygro wok

I think no combat is a good thing for Silent Hill. I've never played a Silent Hill where the combat was engaging and I usually ran around most enemies rather then fought them. If done well it could add to the tension and suspense since you have no form of defense.

Sharpless

No... combat?

Wh...at?

o_o

pedrovay2003

Wow, so that story WAS real...

Well, I don't know. I'll still give it a shot. The only Silent Hill game I spent a lot of time with was the second one, and the combat system in that game was broken in my opinion.

I suppose if SH were real, I wouldn't want to stick around and fight the creatures, anyway, huh? I still this this is kinda weird, but I'm still excited.

*knuckle-touch Holmes*

Wintersocks

I hope it doesn't turn into a quicktime events, but i kinda think thats how its gonna be

Face

I wanted the combat to be pulled back a bit form the last few efforts, but removing it completely is a drastic step. I'd prefer to have the option to fight, but have the enemies so tough and an atmosphere so demoralizing that you wouldn't want to 90% of the time.

TheStripe

Classic horror movies don't have combat. What's scarier than only being able to run away.

Aziel13

every dorr is now openable XD
awesome

Lucca

Yup. The world is officially going to Hell.

Alessa is going to be so pissed.

MechaMonkey

I am surprised at the amount of positive responses to this. I would have expected the comments to be filled with much wailing and gnashing of teeth.

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