Silent Hill: Homecoming tends to be the forgotten game of the Silent Hill series. During recent live streams of Homecoming, some of our viewers commented that they had never played it. Luckily, there remains a core group of fans of Silent Hill: Homecoming that have cemented its position alongside the likes of Silent Hill 2 and the original.
Admittedly, Silent Hill: Homecoming is not as enthralling as Silent Hill 2, but perhaps that’s because Silent Hill 2 came out first? I guess you never forget those early loves, and let’s face it, the creepy roads, apartment blocks, hospitals, and schools of Silent Hill and Silent Hill 2 were difficult benchmarks to follow with the proceeding games.
That is, until Silent Hill: Homecoming released in 2008. Of course, all of this is our opinion, and if you’ve played Homecoming and dislike the game, we suggest you stop reading now. But if you are looking for an intriguing horror game that is reminiscent of the first two Silent Hill games, please read on. Silent Hill: Homecoming was released on the PS3, Xbox 360, and PC.
The Haunting Return to Shepherds Glen
Silent Hill: Homecoming sees our main protagonist, Alex, return to his hometown of Shepherds Glen. His brother and father are missing, and Alex’s mother is present in body but seems to lack maternal affection for him. Her catatonic-like state and distress over her missing son pretty much sum up her role in Silent Hill: Homecoming. The general look of Shepherds Glen reminds us of Silent Hill and Silent Hill 2. It’s foggy, empty, with zero draw distance, broken roads, and enemies with legs for arms and arms for legs patrolling the streets. Alex’s main objective is to find out what happened to Josh.
At various points in the game, Alex witnesses apparitions of Josh running into various buildings. As you can imagine, these buildings are often overrun with enemies and puzzles. We had a lot of help on stream to solve the puzzles, but if you play alone, we would say that the puzzles are a lot simpler than in Silent Hill and Silent Hill 2. Ultimately, if you are familiar with those games, there will not be too many surprises in Homecoming.
Challenging Boss Battles and Unveiling Secrets
Bosses in Silent Hill: Homecoming can be tricky. So much so that we managed to brick our save file on the final boss, making it almost impossible to complete. We found ourselves in a position with only 50% health and armed with just a knife! The game would not allow us to venture back to look for supplies, and to add insult to injury, there were multiple doors in the last few rooms before the boss that were inoperable!
Had we been able to access one of these rooms or perhaps venture back a few corridors, we could have better prepared ourselves. Is this a flaw in the game design? We were literally caged in the final few rooms with no option but to try and tackle the final boss with a knife! We would suggest that you save as much ammunition as possible before any of the boss fights, as ammo is very scarce.
Unraveling a Gripping Story
Towards the last third portion of the game, we learn more and more about what happened to Alex’s father and his brother. There are tough choices to make when it comes to Alex’s mother. The writers add some defining details that show us how complex the relationships are between Alex and his family. Of course, this all adds to the tension in Homecoming. At times, the story is the most gripping aspect. Homecoming is a great game with a strong story to carry it to the end.
The Eerie Nostalgia and Silent Hill’s Legacy
Some reviewers have branded Silent Hill: Homecoming as mediocre. We can completely see why some gamers might feel this way. Silent Hill: Homecoming does nothing new. But why should it, though? The mood of Silent Hill was set perfectly in the first two games. Derelict, quiet, brutal, psychologically warped! We were gripped from the moment we entered Silent Hill, and Homecoming pays homage to this mood. We love it!
The Exciting Future of Silent Hill
During Konami’s Silent Hill Transmission showcase, the company made a thrilling announcement that left fans of the franchise buzzing with anticipation. Three brand new Silent Hill games are currently in development, each promising to bring a unique and haunting experience to players.
The first of these new titles is Silent Hill: Townfall, which is being developed by No Code and published by Annapurna Interactive. While specific details regarding the release date and platforms are still under wraps, the teaser trailer provided a glimpse into the deeply psychological horror that fans have come to expect from the Silent Hill series. No Code’s creative director, Jon McKellan, expressed their deep admiration for the franchise, stating that it has been a significant inspiration for their previous works, such as “Stories Untold” and “Observation.”
Next on the list is Silent Hill: Ascension, an ambitious project being developed by Genvid Entertainment. Set to debut sometime in 2023, this game takes an innovative approach by offering a live, real-time interactive series. Millions of fans will have the opportunity to watch and collectively make decisions that will shape the story, characters, and world of Silent Hill: Ascension. While the platforms for this unique experience have not yet been announced, eager fans can sign up for updates on the game’s official website, eagerly awaiting their chance to dive into the mysterious world of Silent Hill once again.
Lastly, Silent Hill F is another new addition to the franchise, developed by Neobards Entertainment, the studio behind the multiplayer title Resident Evil Re:Verse. The trailer for this game provided a captivating glimpse into its eerie setting, seemingly taking place in 1960s Japan. Viewers were introduced to a young girl wandering through a mysterious environment adorned with vegetation. The trailer takes a sinister turn as her body becomes engulfed by plants, and her transformation into a monstrous being appears inevitable. While a release date and platforms for Silent Hill F have not been announced, fans are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to explore this intriguing installment in the series.
In addition to these exciting new games, Konami also revealed that Bloober Team is working on a remake of the beloved Silent Hill 2. This remake will be a PlayStation 5 console exclusive but will also be available on PC, ensuring that fans across different platforms can experience the iconic horror of one of the franchise’s most cherished entries.
With these upcoming releases, the future of Silent Hill looks incredibly promising. Fans can look forward to a diverse range of experiences, each offering their own take on the psychological horror that has made the franchise a beloved and enduring part of gaming history. As we eagerly await more information on these titles, one thing is certain: Silent Hill continues to captivate and terrify gamers around the world, ensuring that the legacy of this iconic series will endure for years to come.
Summary
While some reviewers may consider it mediocre for not introducing new elements, we appreciate Homecoming’s dedication to maintaining the psychological horror that made the early games so memorable. The boss battles provide a challenge, although some flaws in game design can lead to frustrating situations. Nevertheless, the gripping story and complex relationships add to the tension and make Homecoming a great addition to the Silent Hill series. As we await the future of the franchise with uncertainty, we encourage fans and horror enthusiasts alike to experience Silent Hill: Homecoming and immerse themselves in its atmospheric and haunting world.
