F.G.M: Silent Hill 3 (PS2)

[Syed Fawad]

Amazing amazing amazing.......... This game simply rocks.

Graphics:

I haven't seen anything like this before. All those arguments over whether those posted shots were from in game or not are now totally invalid as I haven't seen an FMV yet! (Yes that image of the face of that ol' detective we saw was in-game REALTIME!)

Simply amazing. Animation goes so well with these graphics that you may use the word "PHOTOREALISTIC" for some scenes.

Excellent texture work, extremely smooth characters, perfect animation, excellent lightning (such great shadows, puts Splinter Cell to shame) and no jaggies make this a master piece of work on the PS2 and IMO the Graphically best game on Sony's System. It has to be seen to be believed.

I have the PAL version and you can select 50Hz or 60Hz modes in the start (YAAAAHOOOOOO). Then you may also, from the options menu, selct "Soft" or "Sharp" graphics much like that in Tekken4.

After that you may also toggle the Noise effect. But believe me, the noise effect this time round is at least 3x better than that of SH2. I have tried with it on or off (you can choose it anywhere) and both gives a nice taste.

The only possible improvement in the graphics department is the resolution, which will definetly be customizable in the PC version.

I am still dazed by this game's graphics and it makes FFX look like crap. (Nah, I over-exagerated )!

9.9 outta 10.




Sound

Oh man if SH2 scared you by its sound department then I don't know what SH3 is gonna do to you. The first time I reached the "scary" part, I switched off the game and went on to get a drink and a hike

I was scared by that creepy music. Such disturbing noise. Plus the sounds of the monsters aren't all that pleasurefull either. Sh3's Sound is prime as well.

9.5 outta 10.


Gameplay

Some ppl may remember that I kept on whinning that SH2's gameplay sucked and wasn't challenging enough.

But SH3 is a different story even on the easy difficulty. Conserving ammunition and using your supplies effectively is extremely critical. Oh and when you see Zombie Dog like creatures running at ya, don't waste your lead. Throw a piece of meat and it'll keep'em busy.

This game is more challenging and INTERESTING than SH2. I played SH2 merely 'cos a fanboy kept convincing me that SH series is better than RE series and SH2 is the only thing worth playing on Sony's system. I was forced and compelled to play SH2.

When I started SH2, I liked the graphics and atmosphere and the weird sense of story telling. But that long path to Silent Hill was frustrating enough and had I been playing that game from my own choice, I would have exchanged it for Virtua Tennis.

It did get better, or may be it was better cos I had no RE to play and I had been convincing myself that SH2 is great.

But SH3 is a different story altogether. Being a survival horror fan, this game does everything right from the start. But that after 5 or 10 minutes into the game because as the game starts you have a number of questions pooping up about your location, inventory, background,etc etc but a funny fact is revealed to you in such an interesting manner. I won't spoil that suspense. Play it yourself and you'll love it

Just a note: SH3 starts in a NORMAL world. Heck it starts in a
bustling SHOPPING MALL!!!! Really great method for story telling.

9.5 outta 10

Presentation

Hmm, I covered up much of the presentation aspect in the above heading so I'll simply say that it is so far the best I have seen of the series.

9.7 outta 10



About the story aspect, so far it looks compelling and I'll be playing SH3 till the end before going after the above mentioned games. (thinks again) donno

So story marks after I complete this game. I am willing to take your questions regarding this game

Marking as of now:

9.7

This is perhaps the highest marks I have given to a game. Let's see if the story affects it or not. Stay tuned for the final review.

[Sera]

finally, a normal start in the SH series, now i'm all hyped up! too bad i have to wait for the PC release..

[caipirinha]

yeah me too, and they said the pc version will have enhanced graphics :shock: yay!!!!!!!

[Sera]

but on fawad's review it looks like no more could be enhanced except for the resolution.

[Hanamichi]

Im going to kill you for posting this if SH3 doesnt reach the stores by this Friday (mid-term break starts on Wed).

[caipirinha]

textures will be enhanced too

[Phoenix]

Great review Fawad, coming from you I know the game without doubt is a must have/play.

Unfortunately as the other I'll have to wait till the PC release.

Doggies are the spice for any survival horror and seems that this SH release has a excelent balance of all the elements that makes a Survival Horror game honor of the genre.

Till October ..........

[Raiden1803]

are they making an Xbox port also? like they did Restless Dreams?

[Boltzmann]

Greetings,

I'll have to wait for the PC version too, but now I'm plagued by doubts Will my GeForce 2 be enough to run it? With such awesome graphics I'm beginning to doubt it.

Live long and prosper.

[Raiden01]

Loooks ammmmmmmmazzing for PS2

[Raiden1803]

If an Xbox version doesnt come out im definatly buying the PC verson.. Hopefuly my Raidon Card can take it, i never Tried the Silent hill 2 PC. i was just happy with Restless dreams..

[caipirinha]

Boltzmann i bet you will be able to play it , i got sh2 playing smooth on a gf2 at 800x600 and everything i could at max.

for sh3 you may have to lower some settings , but as i'm hoping konami's going to make a good port of this one i bet it'll run fine

[XXL3lit3]

Yeah, and IGN really gave the Import version of the game props. It said that it is easily the best in the series, though what I don't like to much about it is it sorta to me trys to be more like the resident evil series this time around.

[Raiden01]

hmm in silent hill 2 can yah lower settings and what are these and yes i have ntoiced it like resident evil i hope it doesnt countinue in that direction

[erkhesjr]

sh3 is simply the best horrorgame
btw: great story once again

[Finalbuster]

I haven't seen much of the story, but the graphics and music are great... but... it's too damn dark!!! I know the game is supposed to be scary... but this is too much in some areas... I also think the beggining of the game is too hard... It should start slowly, reaching to a climax obiously by the end of the game... but this game is hell right from the beggining! Guess that's what our nightmares are all about... mwhahaha...

[Kazuya Mishima]

The "too much dark" remembers the feeling of the first sh,. Maybe thats what the programmers had in mind.

[Syed Fawad]

Originally posted by Finalbuster
I haven't seen much of the story, but the graphics and music are great... but... it's too damn dark!!! I know the game is supposed to be scary... but this is too much in some areas... I also think the beggining of the game is too hard... It should start slowly, reaching to a climax obiously by the end of the game... but this game is hell right from the beggining! Guess that's what our nightmares are all about... mwhahaha...

Drakness is very important for this game.

I have so far reached the cubway part and a bit confused about my next move. I'll get back to it in 3 hours from now.

About the starting, well I wanted to to go BBBBBOOOOOOOOOOMMMM right from the start and it did just THAT!

[Sera]

well, i hope they added more "surprising events" like RE's "zombie closet", SH isnt scary at all, if it wasnt for that "dark" environment.

[Syed Fawad]

SH series doesn't shock to scare you. It builts a gradual fear inside you which is much much more scarier than RE's "shocks"