Video Game Reviews
Title: Silent Hill 3
Review rating: ***1/2
Platform/console: PC, Playstation2
Release date: August 2003
Genre: Role-playing / horror action
Players allowed: 1
ESRB rating: M (blood, gore, violence)
Production company: Konami USA, Inc.
Some parts of this game may seem violent or cruel. That's
common knowledge if you're familiar with the Silent Hill series.
In this continuation, game makers open up some options, such
as variable blood color and an adjustable action and riddle
level, but most importantly they produce an intriguing storyline
that keeps gamers interested in the characters and gameplay.
A less linear storyline would've been nice, instead of eliminating
options through trial and error action. For example, it would
be interesting to be able to go back and see if Detective
Douglas Carter is still waiting outside the bathroom after
you first meet him in a subway. This game satisfies for the
most part, especially if you enjoy scares and high drama.
Available in several languages, Silent Hill 3 starts in Lakeside
Amusement Park, an eerie location that provides a solid cache
of environments and spooky sound effects that everyone can
relate to. As in previous installments, Silent Hill 3 has
some great direction, lighting and inventive camera work using
angles and perspective to increase the scares, surprises and
make you anxious about what lies ahead. The grainy graphics,
the always impactful fog and the spooky storyline make this
yet another highly recommended title in this series. Silent
Hill 4 should have a more open-ended storyline - a choose-your-own-adventure
type giving you multiple ways to solve problems.
Review by Michael Siebenaler
© Konami USA
®
