Silent Hill: Shattered Memories
Lack of weapons ups scary ante in survival horror game.
Parents say
Based on 3 reviews
Kids say
Based on 13 reviews
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Silent Hill: Shattered Memories
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this game.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that the survival horror game Silent Hill: Shattered Memories is filled with creepy imagery that can terrify kids and thus is intended for players 17 and up. The creepy imagery -- ranging from blood-smeared rooms with shadows running past you to twisted pink demons who gyrate towards you to nightmares with little children in trouble or a hanging teenager -- make it not appropriate for kids. But parents should know the main protagonist does not carry any weapons and so he must run for his life when pursued by creatures. There are references to sex and drugs in the game, too, as well as foul language.
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NOT FOR KIDS!
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What’s It About?
If you thought the Nintendo Wii was all about cute cartoon mascots and arcade sports games, you might be surprised to boot up Konami's SILENT HILL: SHATTERED MEMORIES, a \"Mature\"-rated horror game that will likely send chills up your spine. It's definitely one to play after the kiddies go to bed, but fans of the series (or scary movies) will be pleasantly surprised the Nintendo Wii (as well as PlayStation 2 and PlayStation Portable) can deliver chills and thrills. Shattered Memories might be considered a spin on the original 10 year-old game, where the game's protagonist, Harry Mason, wakes up after a car accident outside of the spooky town of Silent Hill, only to find his daughter Cheryl is missing. From a third-person perspective, he wanders the snow-covered town to find answers but in doing so, discovers a chilling secret about the town, its inhabitants, and how he fits into this story. The unique aspect of this game is that Harry has no weapons, so his is constantly on the run trying to avoid the demons.
Is It Any Good?
Yes, it is. Silent Hill: Shattered Memories works on a number of levels -- including the story, pacing, combat, controls, and production values. Armed only with a flashlight and cell phone (for information, camera, map, and more), Harry must avoid nightmarish creatures while navigating through abandoned malls, amusement parks, hotels, fishing docks, and wooded areas. The Wii Remote is your flashlight in this dark game, which helps create atmosphere and tension (including haunting nightmare imagery), while escaping demons who jump out of the shadows or chase you down icy streets -- without you donning any weapons -- is downright frightening. Plus, this sequel challenges you to think, too, as it's packed with adventure game-like puzzles and encourages exploration to help solve this epic mystery. While it's adult content means it's not for players under 17 years of age, gamers who want a mature experience on the Nintendo Wii won't be disappointed with one of the last games to debut in 2009.
Note: Despite some differences in how the game is controlled, the Nintendo Wii, PS2 and PSP versions of the game are the same.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how much scarier this game is compared to other survival horror titles because you don't have any means to fight back. Doesn't it add to the fear factor that you are unarmed yet in a town crawling with demons? How can you solve this nightmarish mystery without any tools other than a flashlight and cell phone?
Game Details
- Platforms: Nintendo Wii, PSP, PlayStation 2
- Available online?: Not available online
- Publisher: Konami
- Release date: December 10, 2009
- Genre: Survival Horror
- ESRB rating: M for Blood, Drug Reference, Language, Sexual Themes, Violence
- Last updated: August 31, 2016
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