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Silent Hill: Homecoming

EMAIL PRINT pc

7.6 User Score:

Mixed or average reviews

Based on 14 critic reviews
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Based on 36 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Konami

Developer: Double Helix Games

Genre(s): Third-Person Adventure, Survival Horror

Players: 1

ESRB Rating: M (Mature)

Release Date: September 30, 2008

Summary

The game thrusts players into a shadowy world of chaos and terror with atmospheric graphics and an original storyline that sheds new light on the desolate, fog-shrouded town of Silent Hill. Silent Hill: Homecoming follows Alex Shepherd, a war veteran returning home from an overseas tour of duty to investigate the mysterious disappearance of his younger brother, Joshua. His travels lead him through the small, insular community of Shepherd's Glen and eventually through the hauntingly empty streets of Silent Hill. Building upon the series' trademark foundations of atmosphere, adventure and storytelling, Silent Hill: Homecoming introduces players to a frightening new experience. When confronted by the perverse incarnations of evil that roam Silent Hill and Shepherd's Glen, players are able to utilize an enhanced combat system and execute a number of offensive and defensive maneuvers as they experience every terrifying encounter with the game’s numerous nightmarish creatures. Players also have to solve a variety of puzzles as they progress through the highly atmospheric game world, using cues from the environment to unlock Silent Hill's darkest secrets. Continuing the series’ tradition of standout music and sound design, Silent Hill: Homecoming features an original soundtrack by famed composer Akira Yamaoka. [Konami]

Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central

Also On The Web: Official Website

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

Play (Poland)

Something new, something old, something borrowed and something rust-red. The Americans rebooted the old franchise and their mixture is strong. Numerous references to the roots of the genre and the previous parts don't get in the way of their efforts to rejuvenate the series. The game scares in a way that seems to tamper with what's in your head, a way that I consider superior. [Mar 2009]

GamingXP

If you like games of the Silent Hill series, you will enjoy this game. If you are looking for a high grade horror-game, you should pick another product situated in the genre.

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Gamers.at

Homecoming isn’t bad per se, it’s just that it isn’t frightening enough to be worthy of the Silent Hill-name. It might be a mildly enjoyable Action-game, but not much beyond that. [Issue#17]

Vandal Online

Despite its flaws, we have to say we have a more than decent title here, heir to a legacy of classic survival horror elements and an example of what Silent Hill should be in this generation. Although the final result is not so awesome, this is a good opportunity to return to that silent village.

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LEVEL (Czech Republic)

New installment to the popular horror series surprisingly discourages the gamers by an extremely slow opening. Those who get over the first few boring hours will be rewarded greatly — music, atmosphere, puzzles, boss fights are fantastic as usual. [Feb 2009]

GameStar

The fifth episode of the series is shocking PC gamers - with long distances to cover and stupid riddles to solve. It still has some well done horror moments to offer, but it's not as creepy as the earlier episodes. A lot of effects were just copied over, so instead of being scary they cause the feeling of "been there, done that".

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PC Format

Homecoming adds a few small elements to the mix. [Jan 2009, p.100]

Game Informer

Fans will probably dig the game’s cool set pieces and the story, but the save points are placed too far apart, many puzzles require too much random experimentation, and the dialogue system seems like an afterthought. [Nov 2008, p.118]

InsideGamer.nl

This action game with horror influences made us scream at night. The music and spooky enemies has driven us to a point that we had to switch on all the lights. Once we weren’t scared anymore we saw some things that made are eyebrows go up. The protagonist, Alex, can fight and uses a gun. This takes away a lot of fun that we had during the last Silent Hill. So it is safe to say that it’s a good game, but doesn’t have the ‘wow’ factor.

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PC Zone UK

Homecoming is too old-fashioned and lacks the originality and tension that made the previous games so enjoyable. [Mar 2009, p.70]

PC Gamer UK

Right up to date - the date being 2002. [Jan 2009, p.77]

IGN

The game feels like a bit of a letdown. The gameplay has been reduced from a tense psychological experience fraught with spine tingling jumps and scares to a generic, predictable action title set in the location with good graphics and a great soundtrack.

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Absolute Games

Instead of breathing new life into the dying series, Double Helix created a piece of fan fiction. This Silent Hill is as authentic as chicory coffee or synthetic rubies.

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Total PC Gaming

An under-egged effort even more compromised by a token PC port. [Issue#17, p.69]

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 7.6 (out of 10) based on 36 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Lee C gave it an8:
Graphics Brilliant Game play Brilliant but it would of got full 10 ... it pauses between fight scenes ... im total fan of Silent hils and this is the best for graphics and sounds ... but errors with pauses and save points are a little far between.

Dave J. gave it a4:
This average game does nothing for the reputation of Silent Hill. The scares pull their punches, character control and game play are not easy to use. This makes submersion into the game difficult. MOST ANNOYING is the PC port which is more littered with GLITCHES than the game is with bodies. 4/10 - a generous 4, do not waste your money on this game.

liquid j gave it a6:
If you like the "alone in the dark/ resident evil style" then this is your game. Other wise its not the true silent hill we all hoped for. Creative combat/action but not scary took every element from the movie (bad move). but holds up well to keep you entertained.

Lici C gave it a2:
I won't rant, too much, about how horrible this game is. It's not a REAL Silent Hill game, especially since it's made by different people. Sure, it may have Bubble Head Nurses, Robbie the Rabbit, and (dare I say it) Pyramid Head ("the Boogeyman" name makes him seem so lame... and they used MOVIE Pyramid Head!). What I'm getting at is, if I put Pyramid Head and Valtiel into Animal Crossing, it doesn't make it a Silent Hill game. Anyway, Silent Hill was never about fighting monsters. It was a psychological thing, and that was what made it scary. This game was not at all scary. I wish Team Silent would pick back up the series and show Konami how to really make Silent Hill games.

Kulhain Kulhain gave it an8:
I haven't played many Silent Hill games, but I've been having a good time with this one (well, good is relative given how disturbing the game is - but you know what I mean). To me, it's a solid Silent Hill title. I docked it 2 points because it gets laggy sometimes and I wish it had more puzzles.

TJ gave it a7:
Silent Hill 5 to me is something a bit off the charts from the original essence of the game, but it gives a different chapter or book in the game based on the differences. This game perhaps could of been more, or less, but what it did give was a fun, and interesting gameplay that I enjoyed, and added to my Silent Hill collection. I enjoyed playing a character a lot different from the others based on his military background, and I did feel a bit scared at times. DEF not a hardcore chapter to the series, but good enough.

Veronica T gave it a10:
The game is actually a masterpiece and dares to go there... Covers areas that no ordinary Silent Hill would ever go. I have played every Silent Hill. This one in particular is bold. None of the confusing endings or mixed up stories featured in the previous versions of Silent Hill. Graphics are pleasing. Combat is intense. Loading is questionable. Dialog... PERFECT! Soundtrack... Amazing! Graphics... Wonderful. I do miss the old dynamic camera angles featured in the other silent hills. Character designs are great! Story is unpredictable... Which is a good thing for horror games. It is absolutely worth the $50!!!

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Silent Hill: Homecoming

Game Info

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