Summary
Over a long period of releases, developers tend to stick to a formula that gives video game franchises their identity, like the ridiculous amount of guns and humorous conversation inBorderlands. So, when the developer takes a risk and changes that formula, it’s a gamble that could either be accepted or loathed on a wide scale. Sometimes it works out like in the newGod of Wargameswith their father-son dynamic between Kratos and Atreus, and on other occasions, it flops spectacularly like inWarcraft 3: Reforged. However, once in a while, a title sharply divides its fan base through its mechanics, andSilent Hill 4is very much that kind of game.
Like many other IPs, theSilent Hillfranchise has had its fair share of good and bad titles, though the good releases have generally outstripped the bad. With the release ofSilent Hill 4, the shift from the typical series formula was clear, but the game maintained its status as an exciting psychological horror experience. Although aremake forSilent Hill 2has been announced,Silent Hill 4is still Konami’s best choice for a remake, considering how much more fear-inducing the original narrative would be when coupled with modern graphics and gameplay changes.
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Silent Hill 4 Could Benefit from Next-Gen Graphics
Silent Hill 4follows the story of Henry Townshend in Ashfield, departing from the franchise’s regular setting. He travels through enigmatic holes between his apartment and a nightmarish place called Walter’s Otherworlds. Entangled in Walter Sullivan’s plot to carry out a ritual to reunite with his mother, Henry goes toe-to-toe with the nightmarish monsters in Walter’s Otherworlds to stop the occult practice. Although divergent from the usual narrative,Silent Hill 4’s plot, similar to previousSilent Hillgames, delves into psychological horror in the manifestations of Walter’s victims and the themes of claustrophobia throughout the game.
The game’s story was a welcome twist, and its gradual unfurling made it stand out even among theSilent Hilltitles developed by Team Silent. Despite the narrative accomplishments,Silent Hill 4featured elements that made it frustrating at times. Gameplay and graphics are two non-negotiable dynamics for games to get right, andSilent Hill 4dropped the ball in this regard, even for its time. Its unnecessarily difficult combat mechanics, faulty hit detection, and limited inventory worsened its outlook. The hauntings also progressively became an inconvenience, as players had to backtrack to gather and save holy candles. The challenges made it almost impossible for the game to reach its potential – which is why a remake holds so much potential for Konami.
ASilent Hill 4remake would have to include more detailed textures and environments to add to its eeriness, similar to what EA Motive did with theDead Spaceremake. The developer not only added more atmospheric details through fog and lighting, but theUSG Ishimuraalso featured extra attention to environmental and textural elements. Konami could take a similar approach in reworking the levels in the game; the reaction to the second half ofSilent Hill 4also indicates another area for a remake to tweak. Escorting Eileen throughout the second half and having to deal with her AI grated on players' nerves, and the redundancy in the game’s level design was a pain point for many gamers.
Through improved combat and AI coupled with modern-day visuals, a remake ofSilent Hill 4could make a splash for Konami. WithSilent Hill 2still in the works, and a promise of staying faithful to the canon storyline, there’s hope the remastering trend will extend toSilent Hill 4. The two games share a loose connection through a memo mentioningWalter’s victims, and it’s only right for the fourth installment to get a touching up along withSilent Hill 2.
