Silent Hill: Homecoming Preview

Konami's priorities on this project are very clear. They are resolute to bring some improvements, such as a more intuitive and easy-to-use camera, which will be controlled via the right analog stick. That's a commendable improvement, no doubt, since earlier Silent Hill games were largely criticized for awkward camera controls. More than that, it's important to note that Konami intends to retain the psychological thriller-style ambiance that made the series so popular. As before, apart from venturing through locations in the real world -- in this case Shepherd's Glen -- players will also pay a visit to the "Otherworld." The recognizable creepy atmosphere should be a welcomed slice for Silent Hill fans, as they pace through the dense fog and empty streets of an isolated little town. Things get worse, naturally, once the scenery switches to a more grotesque alternate reality. When the transition between the parallel worlds occurs, the environment radically changes from an ordinary indoor scene into a horrific setting with corroded metal objects everywhere, doors made of live, pulsating, flesh and so on. It's your basic Silent Hill-style nightmare.

Sound design and music make another crucial element and the developers were determined to bring back Japanese composer Akira Yamaoka, who worked on previous Silent Hill games and the Silent Hill movie. So, once again, you can expect a solid soundtrack and eerie sound effects. Incidentally, the sound mixes with the game's real-life physics, resulting in a more realistic environmental interaction. Thanks to Havok middleware, the main character can now bump into a table or chair, or other objects, making a sound, which may easily alert nearby enemies.

That's all we have for now, people. There are many questions that remain unanswered about SH5. The series is also getting significant visual improvements, while holding on to the grainy and moody atmosphere Silent Hill is known for.

With the game still far away from release, we'll be keeping an eye open for more details about Silent Hill: Homecoming.

Important note: Konami and The Collective are still keeping a tight lid on things. Nonetheless, we'd like to thank publications like 1UP.com and web site silenthillhomecoming.net for providing the information and shots.