Remastered HD collections of PS2 favorites such as Sly Cooper, Devil May Cry, and Tomb Raider have begun to appear on the PS3, complete with updated visuals and trophy capability. A recent addition to these collections is the Silent Hill HD Collection, collecting both Silent Hill 2 and the somewhat scarcer Silent Hill 3.
To start things off Silent Hill 4: The Room, one of the more adventurously diverse entries in the series, is noticeably absent from this collection. The two games that are included are mostly intact save for a few unlockable outfits for SH3 and more importantly it’s original voice overs. Purists may be outraged at this as the vocal performances of the original Silent Hill 3 are superior to the new voice over track and weren’t really in need of replacing. Mystifyingly Silent Hill 2′s original voices may be selected at game’s start however, unlike SH3. The new voice overs are serviceable, but are at times badly synched (resembling a bad kung fu movie). Many sections of cutscenes’ sound appear to be missing or synched improperly such as gunshots not matching with their sound effect or a now soundless pounding fist on a door.
SH HD Collection’s technical problems sadly don’t end there. Silent Hill 2′s cutscenes are merely stretched to fit HD screens and aren’t fully upconverted to high def. Slowdown, lag, and even the occasional freeze is commonplace in SH HD Collection, problems never apparent in their original incarnations. Silent Hill’s dated survival horror tank controls may also leave something to be desired for most newcomers as well.
Having said that, Silent Hill 2 and 3 are still great games. Two of the best survival horror titles ever, not to mention two of the scariest period. Silent Hill 3′s graphical presentation, already jaw-dropping on the PS2, really shines in HD and could easily pass for a true PS3 title. Sadly this particular HD collection won’t be pleasing longtime Silent Hill fans or newcomers as much as it really should. Silent Hill HD Collection is recommended for anyone who simply must see Silent Hill 2 and 3 in HD. For everyone else, stick with the originals. (Also available on XBOX)
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