Common Sense Media Review
By Marc Saltzman
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Survival horror game filled with blood, gore, and fright.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 18+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
Videos and Photos
Silent Hill: Downpour
What's It About?
SILENT HILL: DOWNPOUR follows Murphy Pendleton, a convicted felon, who has been incarcerated for several years. While being transferred from Ryall State Prison to the nearby Wayside Maximum Security Penitentiary, a freak bus accident cuts the journey short. Pendleton comes to in a forest next to the accident, and takes advantage of the situation to escape to the sleepy town of Silent Hill. But as he soon discovers, something isn't quite right here. This third-person adventure in the longstanding series combines combat, puzzle-solving, and exploration.
Is It Any Good?
While not as good as some previous Silent Hill games, this new adventure -- from first-time developer Vatra Games -- has a few things going for it. This includes bigger set pieces with more freedom to explore, side-missions that add to the gameplay, and solid voice acting that helps with the chilling narrative. But shortcomings can hamper the experience, such as some stiff combat that takes away from the immersion and a choppy frame rate when there's a lot of action onscreen at the same time. Overall, however, Silent Hill: Downpour is a decent and more action-heavy Silent Hill offering with some memorable moments. Note: The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions of the game are the same.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether Silent Hill: Downpour pushes the envelope in violence, blood, and gore. Does this really add to the scariness of the game? Or is the darkness, suspenseful music and creatures that jump out at you really what makes this game creepy?
What is it about this survival horror genre that you like? It is better or worse than watching a horror movie?
Game Details
- Platforms : PlayStation 3 , Xbox 360
- Pricing structure :
- Available online? : Not available online
- Publisher : Konami
- Release date : March 13, 2012
- Genre : Survival Horror
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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