Game Stooge

PSP Goes Silent

• Scribbled on June 27th, 2007 by Sublimenumber7
• Filed in Adventure, Mobile Gaming, Previews, Sony PSP, Strategy

Ahhhh the memories! Four in the morning, darkness hanging just outside my window, getting the crap scared out of me as Silent Hill looked back at me from my TV screen. The old PlayStation title was enough to creep the hell out of anyone, and now the scare-fest is able to follow you anywhere you run…well, via your PSP anyway. Silent Hill Origins from Konami is slated for a fall release; ironically around the same time that night descends faster. Coincidence? I think not.

According to Game Informer Magazine, Origins, as the name implies, will be going back to the basics. No more over the shoulder camera; the traditional third-person fixed perspective is back. And since prequels are so popular these days, Origins decided that it can jump on the bandwagon as well. Taking you way back, you play as truck driver Travis O’Grady, someone who has no idea the hell that awaits in the dark town ahead. Being a good citizen, he rescues a young girl from a fire, and makes the mistake of not heading for the hills immediately after. As a nice touch, fans of the series will recognize several characters in the game, such asDr. Kauffman and Dahlia, and there will be some connections between the prequel and future happenings in Silent Hill.

Origins boasts impressive visuals and a well thought out control scheme. You will move Mr. O’Grady with the analog stick, hold in the R button to initiate combat, and center the camera by hitting the L button. If you are looking for a stockpile of weapons, good luck. You will have to improvise with anything you can find, and since all weapons degrade with each use, you will be forced to pick and choose your battles wisely. Hey, there is no shame in a trucker running like a scared little girl. Well, maybe a little. Sissy.

If you are a PSP owner and have been wondering lately just how scared you can get from that tiny screen, you are about to find out. Enjoy your summer, because when Origins drops in the fall, you’ll be spending your nights in a brightly lit bedroom. Energy conservation my ass.