Silent Hill HD Collection Review for Xbox 360

System: Xbox 360*, PS3
Dev: Konami
Pub: Konami
Release: March 20, 2012
Players: 1
Screen Resolution: 480p-720p	Blood and Gore, Violence

For the most part, the survival horror genre has faded since these games released. A few remain, like Amnesia: The Dark Descent and the recent Silent Hill: Downpour, but the genre has since evolved toward a more action-based approach. Both of these titles are examples from when the survival horror genre was at its prime. They're incredibly well-made games, crafted with a loving attention to detail and a fantastic sense of atmosphere. They easily stack up against some of the best horror games of this generation.

Silent Hill HD Collection Screenshot

Famed series composer Akira Yamaoka has since left the series to work with Goichi Suda (aka Suda51) and Resident Evil creator Shinji Mikami on Shadows of the Damned and the upcoming Lollipop Chainsaw, but his fantastic scores are still here. Silent Hill: Downpour and next week's Book of Memories each have soundtracks scored by Dexter composer Daniel Licht. While Licht's work is equally as amazing as Yamaoka's, returning to a Silent Hill with Akira's ambient, muted industrial tunes playing softly in the background just feels good.

The most disappointing thing about this bundle is it lacks any extras. There's no artwork, music tracks, featurettes, or anything to cater to the fans that have stuck with the series for so long. It's strange because this series is so iconic, its history rich with some of the most interesting characters in video games. There are years of content to mine from, so the fact that there's nothing here outside of the option to watch the credits is more than a little disheartening.

If you've been patiently waiting for the ultimate version of Silent Hill 2 and/or 3, this is it. What it lacks in extras, it more than makes up for in some of the best visual upgrades I've seen in a re-release and some truly fantastic new voice work. Whether you're a fan of the series or simply looking for an opportunity to get into Silent Hill, this is a collection you shouldn't miss.

By
Adam Dodd
Contributing Writer

@BabyColada
Date: March 22, 2012

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

4.3

Graphics
Both games have aged nicely, but with the remastered visuals, everything looks better than ever.

3.6

Control
For better or worse, awful controls are a staple of the survival horror genre, and they really haven't changed here.

4.8

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
Akira Yamaoka's score and the option to hear the original or the new voice work are enough to make this worthwhile to any fan.

4.2

Play Value
There isn't any extra content packed on the disc, but SH2 and its sequel will keep you busy for a while.

4.4

Overall Rating - Great
Not an average. See Rating legend below for a final score breakdown.

Review Rating Legend
0.1 - 1.9 = Avoid	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	3.5 - 3.9 = Good	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair	4.0 - 4.4 = Great	5.0 = The Best

Game Features:

Experience two classic Silent Hill titles—Silent Hill 2 & Silent Hill 3—that defined the Survival Horror genre in its early inception.

Both titles re-mastered at 720p for improved graphics.

Completely updated in-game voiceover directed by series vocalist Mary Elizabeth McGlynn and soundtrack score enhancing the storytelling and ambient music within each remastered game.

Full PlayStation Network Trophies and Xbox 360 Achievement support integration.