Konami explores the dark side of the player’s mind by utilizing a new & innovative psychological profiling system in Silent Hill®: Shattered Memories

Konami has released more details on the elaborate psychological profiling system at the heart of its new Silent Hill: Shattered Memories for Wii, PlayStation®2 and PSP®(PlayStation®Portable).

While the new game borrows key plot and setting elements from the original PlayStation game, this re-imagining begins with a visit to a psychiatrist, who asks the player to answer a series of questions. From here on in, their every movement, reaction and response is monitored and the game tailored accordingly.

For instance, if a player dashes from location to location, the game will present different reactions from people and situations than if a more considered approach is adopted. Characters may appear more hostile, for example, and less willing to help with the game’s ongoing mystery of the hero’s missing daughter. Similarly, if the player comes across as overtly flirtatious or, at the other end of the scale, stand-offish and reserved, those they meet will dress differently, and also adjust their behavior.

This means that Silent Hill: Shattered Memories is a game that will be different for everyone who plays it. At its heart, the mystery of main character, Harry Mason’s missing daughter Cheryl remains, but the game is centered on the notion of family relations, and subtle plot elements and situations in the game outline a series of circumstances related to Harry’s plight.

During the game, an all-new bespoke Wii control system allows the user to fully interact with their surroundings, and explore the sprawling town of Silent Hill. A mobile phone doubles as a GPS unit, and can also be used to stay in touch with those you come to meet, and receive mysterious messages related to Cheryl’s disappearance. For the first time ever in the series’ history, Silent Hill is presented as a genuine location, inhabited by believable characters each driven by the evil undertones they live within.

The series’ renowned horror elements are delivered in nightmarish sequences, where the world around the player is gripped by ice, and where misshapen creatures – again inspired by elements from the player’s psychological profile – relentlessly chase and attack until the world unfreezes. This frozen nightmare can appear when least expected. Harry is unarmed, so is forced to use all his wits to escape his pursuers, which maximizes the suspense and feeling of helplessness, creating a truly unique horror experience.

Konami is also releasing Silent Hill: Shattered Memories for PSP and PlayStation 2, both of which will feature a more familiar control system, but will include all the other additions mentioned. All three versions are being developed by Climax, the team behind the acclaimed Silent Hill: Origins for PSP and PlayStation 2, and will also feature an all-new soundtrack by series composer Akira Yamaoka.

“From the very beginning, we planned to re-invent the horror-genre, getting deeper into the player’s minds and taking a new approach for videogames,” commented Tomm Hulett, Producer of Silent Hill Shattered Memories for Konami Digital Entertainment. “The development team took a long time studying all kinds of psychological elements, and created a unique system to monitor all player actions – even small things like how long an object is looked at. The result is a diverse experience, which adjusts itself all the way through the game and creates a story-driven experience like never before in any video game.”

Konami reinvents its first Silent Hill classic, as Shattered Memories arrives to scare on Wii, PSP and PlayStation 2

Konami  is to bring its terrifying Silent Hill series to Wii as Silent Hill: Shattered Memories heads to the Nintendo system for the first time in Autumn. The game, a clever reimagining of the now out of print first Silent Hill title, will also be released for PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) and PlayStation®2 at the same time.

While the game shares its twisting plot with the original PlayStation game, Silent Hill: Shattered Memories takes a different path in many, many ways. Characters can be approached but will offer different responses and be found in different places, while new clues and gameplay paths can be followed. The title follows Harry Mason, as he attempts to unravel the mystery of his missing daughter, Cheryl. A broken man, Mason’s investigations lead him to the mist-shrouded, snowy streets of Silent Hill: a malevolent town where the shadows play host to a wealth of evil, misshapen creatures.

Designed to make full use of the Wii’s unique controllers, Silent Hill: Shattered Memories uses the Wii Remote as a torch and cell phone as Mason looks for clues. The torch is vital for scouring the darkened, abandoned buildings of Silent Hill, while the phone acts as a secondary user interface, allowing the player to access maps via its GPS capabilities and take pictures of interesting elements. Likewise, the Wii Remote also can be used to pick up, examine and manipulate items to solve puzzles along the journey. Such technology was not available when the original Silent Hill was released in 1999, and its inclusion showcases Konami’s determination to enhance the playing experience with new, available technology.

Also new to Shattered Memories is a psyche profile element, which monitors every aspect of player’s reactions – from where they explore first, items that have been examined, and their reaction to those they meet. Small visual elements will also be altered slightly, adding to the oppressing atmosphere where nothing is what it seems. The psyche profile will adapt Harry’s actions as and when he meets normal-looking people or the game’s many inhuman denizens.

While the PSP® and PlayStation®2 will feature a more familiar control system, both games will boast the new additions, and are certain to entrance hardened fans of Silent Hill and newcomers alike. All three games are being developed by Climax, the team behind the acclaimed Silent Hill: Origins for PSP® and PlayStation®2, and will also feature an all-new soundtrack by series creator Akira Yamaoka.