Silent Hill Review (doll)
In Defense of Homecoming
Throughout the years, Homecoming has received weird mixed criticism. Those who like it will overlook its mediocrity and claim that even though it may not be the best entry into the franchise, it at least still has the ‘soul of Silent Hill.’ And you know, I’m inclined to agree. There is something creepy here. A mysterious title. A town haunted by a dark past and inhabited by a host of unique monsters. All of which makes Shepherd’s Glen worthy of the canon.
Just like the 2006 movie, this Silent Hill entry is enjoyable and nostalgic. It’s a solid game. Series regular Akira Yamaoka (who also composed for the movie) returns with a melancholic and haunting score. The game also borrows the movie's "peeling-off" transition scene. I thought this made for a memorable and eerie world transformation. As far as the story goes, it's flawed but good. The characters are memorable and realistic. Another aspect I enjoyed from this game were the enemy designs. Homecoming has some of the best boss designs in the franchise. Bosses like Scarlet and Asphyxia are my personal favorites. Their AI is challenging and their design is dark and macabre.
It has been interesting to read that some fans were upset at how Team Silent was not present in Homecoming. They critique the Westernization of Silent Hill. By that they mean that Western developers like Double Helix Games (DHG) prioritize action over horror. This perspective is honestly a mixed bag. I largely agree with it, but it can be misleading. The combat can be lackluster at times. It can also distract from some of the grimmer themes of the game. Because of this, the game can seem less intense than some of its predecessors. However, more action is not a death sentence. DHG also introduced good new steps, like how in this game it is the first time the player can select dialogue responses that impact the ending. They also upgraded the franchise's graphics to another level, bringing a unique filmic quality to Homecoming that some previous entries may lack.
And, hey, at least we’re not here talking about Downpour...that game is devoid of the soul of Silent Hill.
Technical Epilogue
One of the most common complaints I’ve seen here in the Steam Reviews is that this PC port is horrendous. This is true. The vanilla port is riddled with technical problems. It is poorly optimized, and the game will crash at every loading screen. However, all you have to do to alleviate this issue is to go check out the Unofficial Patch. If you do this, problem solved. If not, then Homecoming will be a needlessly frustrating experience.