Silent Hill: Origins PlayStation 2
  • Publisher: Konami
  • Release Date: Mar 4, 2008
Metascore
70 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 22 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
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  1. Gamers' Temple
    85
    Even if some of the aspects have gone downhill when compared to the PSP version, the game still remains the same from a gameplay perspective and overall story point of view.
  2. Cheat Code Central
    80
    Origins is a solid entry in a popular horror franchise, but some mechanics (such as the combat and camera) show that the series is in need of a reboot. However, it's hard to beat the psychological sense of the fear that Silent Hill creates.
  3. Pelit (Finland)
    80
    While bringing nothing new to the series and having some serious problems with the camera and clumsy battle controls, the game still comes out as highly atmospheric and enjoyable survival horror-experience. [June 2008]
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  4. GameZone
    78
    Silent Hill Origins might be the weakest installment in the series, but it’s a testament to the quality of the franchise when the weakest entry is still this good.
  5. PSM3 Magazine UK
    76
    Still compelling, but it was more suited to PSP. [June 2008, p.84]
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  6. Games Master UK
    75
    An unnerving experience certainly, but the same old problems persist. [June 2008, p.73]
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  7. ZTGD
    74
    Silent Hill Origins is a solid entry in the franchise.
  8. GamingTrend
    73
    Adventure fans and fans of past Silent Hill games will find a lot to enjoy with Silent Hill Origins for the PS2.
  9. GamingTrend
    73
    Adventure fans and fans of past Silent Hill games will find a lot to enjoy with Silent Hill Origins for the PS2.
  10. Worth Playing
    73
    Fans of survival horror and the Silent Hill series will enjoy Silent Hill: Origins, while others will be turned off by its morbid nature. If you don't have a PSP and didn't get the chance to check out the title a year ago, now's your chance.
  11. Game Chronicles
    72
    There are some interesting differences in the controls, and considering that Origins is meant to be a prequel to the rest of the games, it's forgivable that the game doesn't try to revolutionize the entire series.
  12. Official Playstation 2 Magazine UK
    70
    There are moments that'll have you on the edge of your seat, but unwieldy combat and easy enemies takes away the fear. [May 2008, p.70]
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  13. IGN
    70
    With a good storyline, intriguing gameplay elements and excellent production and replay value, 0rigins is definitely worthy of a Silent Hill fan's attention.
  14. Play Magazine
    70
    For 30 bucks, the capable haunts here are worth this house of horrors. [May 2008, p.60]
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  15. Console Gameworld
    70
    Silent Hill and survival horror fans will like it for the most part. But if you played the original on PSP, there's not really any pressing reason to go through it again.
  16. Eurogamer
    60
    Its willfully old-school design and clunky combat belong in a bygone era, and for the optimistic price-tag Konami has slapped on the game we've every right to expect more. Only the most hardcore of fans will have time for this; the rest of us should wait for Homecoming.
  17. Thunderbolt
    60
    While it’s unattractive and a bit awkward on the PS2, if you don’t own a PSP and you’re a survival horror fan, Silent Hill Origins still comes recommended.
  18. Playstation Official Magazine UK
    60
    More of a snak than a satisfying meal. [June 2008, p.106]
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  19. Gamer.nl
    60
    It's a cliché, but this is a game for the fans. Not because we're scared and we can't take the horror. It's because fans are the only ones that can overlook the faults. The controls and the camera are terrible to work with. The typical Silent Hill-vibe makes up for it.
  20. GameSpot
    60
    The problem with most of the game is that it's all been done already, and was done better by the last three games in the franchise to hit the system.
  21. PTGamers
    60
    The great atmosphere is harmed by flawed mechanics – camera, fighting, response delay – that hopefully will be addressed in the next chapter.
  22. GameShark
    58
    All in all if you miss the quaint old town and feel like returning for old time's sake then Origins mostly satisfies.

User Reviews

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User Score
6.9 out of 10

Mixed or average reviews- based on 26 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 6
  3. Negative: 2 out of 6
  1. doodlerman
    8
    So far it's the last game in the series to use fixed camera angles. It's not as good as its predecessors, but it does at least live up to the name of Silent Hill. I also liked that your only weapons could break, so you're never truly safe. Combat in this game is a bit difficult, which can either be frustrating or make the game more thrilling - I found it to be more thrilling, because combat in SH games isn't supposed to be easy. You're supposed to want to run instead of fight. Also the atmosphere is great, like most of the series, and though the graphics are a bit too clean at times (the opening house on fire sequence is a bit cheesy looking and the final boss is the same way). The other monsters are some of the most twisted and disturbing in the series. Also it has a sort of sense of incoherency, which has always been pleasing to me in the Silent Hill series.… Full Review »
  2. Chaosritter
    2
    Silent Hill Origins is nothing but a poorly made wanna-be action-adventure who only lives of the big name. The combat system fails hard since the weapons break after 2 -3 monsters and you can't block nor parry, there are also way too many monster who are too fast and too strong that you could defeat them in CC without getting hit from every side, the balky camera and laggy controls make it almost impossible to attack first.It seems like the NPC's are only there because you also met them in the predecessor and Travis isn't able to show any kind of emotion. The story is quite interesting but pointless in the end and almost unrelated to the mainplot. It's also the shortest game in the series (~8 hours). Since it's a prequel i don't care about the lack of new content, but they also fucked up the good things: there are just a few humanoid monster left, the rest looks like badly mutated animals and stuff you put in a microwave for too long. The NPC's have nothing to say at all, everytime you meet them you'll hear nothing but "GTFO! NOW!", the promoted prehistory is nothing but a selling point. The possibility to switch between the normal and alternative world is quite interesting, but pointless since nothing you do affects the other side, you have to play the straight-line way all time long. They also overused the rust-effect in the alternative world and forgot almost everything else, soon you don't mind if you're in the normal or alternative world.

    This game's nothing but a steamy pile of fail who was only made to boost the PSP sales and badly ported after the goal was reached. Save your money, pirate it if you're a masochistic hardcore fan or watch the story sequences on YouTube and save time. It wasn't even made by Team Silent, so it isn't a real SH at all.

    Thanks for reading and excuse my syntax, english isn't my native language.    … Full Review »
  3. Patrick67
    7
    Silent Hill Origins i believe did justice to the series. Honestly Silent Hill 4: The Room just didn't really make a good game. It was just so different than the previous 3. However, this game is a prequel to the 1st game of the series and in my mind its pretty decent. The story is pretty decent enough in my opinion. The only things i don't really like about the game were the not so great controls. It bugged me that my character was a bit sloppy to control in tight places and what not. The combat system was interesting to me however i felt that some weapons could have lasted longer than others. The plethora of weapons in the game was amazing but i just felt a little let down. I was used to the usual 3 or 4 melee weapons and 3-4 firearms in Silent Hill games. This game has between 10-20 or so melee weapons (some are throwable and break after a single it) and around 6 guns. Thats just too much for a survival horror game and when playing through it you never really have to worry about running out of weapons or ammo cause there is just so much of it throughout. The transitions to the Other World are pretty interesting as you control when to go back and forth, however it does get annoying at some points. The enemies throughout the game are mostly OK. The nurses are easy, the straighjackets look like a rip off of the lying figures from Silent Hill 2 and the final boss is just something i never really expected to see out of these games. Also finishing the enemies are a little difficult as, say you knocked down an enemy and another one is around you sometimes finishing off the enemy wont work like you press the button and nothing happens, and if you do finish off the enemy while your character is in the process of it another enemy is charging an attack and sometimes is just unavoidable. This game does have its flaws as most games do but i liked it and would prefer it if you are a fan of the series.… Full Review »
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