Silent Hill: Homecoming

 PlayStation 3
Silent Hill: Homecoming Image
Metascore
71

Mixed or average reviews - based on 41 Critics What's this?

User Score
6.8

Mixed or average reviews- based on 179 Ratings

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  • 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 ofThe 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]… Expand
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 41
  2. Mixed: 23 out of 41
  3. Negative: 0 out of 41
  1. Destructoid
    90
    We expected the worst, but in the end, we were pleasantly surprised by the authenticity of the game's world and the depth of its story. We're glad to say that the little lakeside resort town of Silent Hill continues to be just as messed up as it always was.
  2. Gamervision
    80
    Silent Hill: Homecoming may not be a great game, but it’s certainly enjoyable. For fans of the series, or just survival horror in general, this game certainly warrants a playthrough… after the crowded holiday season is over.
  3. PSX Extreme
    77
    Despite its flaws, it has the desired impact, and that’s the best that can be said about this particular game.
  4. Level7.nu
    70
    When it was announced that a western developer was to take over the reins from Team Silent there were many raised voices of concern about what would become of the series. Silent Hill Homecoming is actually a classic Silent Hill experience, a bit too classic to be honest, with the game's formula sticking very close to the old Silent Hill games. The graphical upgrade works great, lending design inspiration from the movie, and the music and sound is phenomenal. The plot is also told very well. The modernized combat system unfortunately eliminates the sense of respect and fear for the enemies, the main gripe we have with this otherwise great survival horror experience.
  5. GameSpy
    70
    Silent Hill: Homecoming is a very strange game, as its dual nature and oddly unsatisfying gameplay could likely turn both fans and newcomers away.
  6. IGN
    67
    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.
  7. Thunderbolt
    50
    Silent Hill: Homecoming feels tired. The series is past its best and is in need of a complete re-work.

See all 41 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 29
  3. Negative: 1 out of 29
  1. beeanadou
    Apr 16, 2018
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Guess this is an interesting cultural difference? :) Most Asia players would more into Silent Hill: Homecoming than Silent Hill 2, and home coming is often regarded as the best of the Silent Hill series. Many game forums I've been frequently visit give Homecoming much more positive feedback, say 8 or 9 +, there are heated discussion about which ending is the best as well, I'm really surprise to see it barely makes a 7 here.

    BTW, most discussed question I've encountered is why does Alex have to shot his mum to achieve a transitional good ending? So the people I know usually pick the Downing ending the best outcome    … Expand
  2. MartinWard
    Mar 23, 2009
    9
    silent hill back to basics love it well done Konami
  4. Joeshadowman
    Jul 12, 2015
    8
    If you're looking for a game that is both creepy and unsettling, look no further then the Silent Hill series. Every game has something uniqueIf you're looking for a game that is both creepy and unsettling, look no further then the Silent Hill series. Every game has something unique to offer to the series and Homecoming is no different. Offering a new combat system and streamlined controls. Throwing away tank controls does do some harm to the atmosphere the game is trying to create, but there are still genuine creepy moments. Make no mistake, running away from a fight is still your best option, when you can take it. Most of the monsters are no push over, and down right ferocious. If giving the chance they will kill Alex without any problem. The boss fights, on the other hand, where disappointing and offered little to no challenge at all. Including the final boss, which only succeeds in being disgusting.

    The story isn't the strongest the series has to offer, but for what it is, it's good. And if you've played Silent Hill 2, you should be able to figure out the twist at the end. Though, a lot of the characters needed more time to develop. We barely learn anything about the antagonists of the game, and there are even two throw away characters that only exist to move the story forward. And really Pyramid Head had no reason being in the game. He was only there to remind the player of Silent Hill 2. Still, as a character study, it works. The game only wishes to focus on Alex's quest to find his brother, and that's mainly what the game focuses on.

    The game looks scary in it's own way, in that the eyes on character models don't always match up with where they are looking. But the fog from previous games is still there and it does help to create an atmosphere that can at times be unsettling. There are also two different kinds of settings in the game. There is the normal world and the hell world. The normal world is the foggy city we've all come to know and understand. The hell world is something taking right out of an H. P. Lovecraft novel, and I like it. The difference between the two couldn't contrast more than it does. And the game loves to switch between them constantly, bringing a caution with every building you enter. In the end, if you enjoy the visuals of Silent Hill then you will enjoy the way this game looks.

    Silent Hill: Homecoming is a somewhat underrated game. It's controls are a much needed improvement for the series, allowing a much wider audience to join in to the experience of the series.    … Expand
  5. shawnwheeler
    Oct 11, 2008
    7
    I luv the silent hill series but this simply is not a true SH game.

    developer double helix tried but only delivered a mediocre horror game    I luv the silent hill series but this simply is not a true SH game.

    developer double helix tried but only delivered a mediocre horror game that taints the once revered silent hill series.

    heres hoping that team silent hill will return to give us all the true current gen silent hill game that we all want.    … Expand
  6. DovahK
    Dec 8, 2018
    7
    Siempre lo paso mal con todo lo que tenga que ver con miedo, y este juego no ha sido una excepción para nada.
  7. sityoazzdown
    May 18, 2012
    7
    this was an alright game. I found myself at times getting dizzy running in circles, because you never knew 'which was the right direction tothis was an alright game. I found myself at times getting dizzy running in circles, because you never knew 'which was the right direction to go, or trying to finding stuff. This game didn't really scare me, but I respect the spook feel to it. I wish there was more diverse monsters, but that's the only complaint I have. Game wasn't that entertaining, but it didn't' suck at all.… Expand
  8. phulos
    Mar 18, 2011
    3
    No! You just can't decently mix all that makes good adventures to create a fresh new one. But unfortunatly Double Helix did that for their SHNo! You just can't decently mix all that makes good adventures to create a fresh new one. But unfortunatly Double Helix did that for their SH Homecoming. The result of this? An untasty adventure guided by soulless protagonists, a nurse here a Pyramid Head there without any explanation.
    And how can the developpers explain the huge gap between the quality of the ordinary monsters design (the modelization of dogs and nurses was better on PS2... that's a limit for the first and big return of the series on new gen!) and the one of the different bosses (only good point of the game, maybe the best bosses of the all series! The most difficult to get rid of too...)? How can they explain the awful fight system (unplayable! In addition, the hero can't run away anymore...) and the level design coming from the age of the first 3D games on PS one?
    Shattered Memories gave me hope in the future of the SH license. Homecoming sank me back into despair...
    The Vatra Team will have to be careful for the chapter to come. SH Downpour is seen by lots of fans like me as the last chance for the series to recover even just an ounce of glory.    … Expand

See all 29 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

77
#77 Best PS3 Game of 2008
32
#32 Most Discussed PS3 Game of 2008
19
#19 Most Shared PS3 Game of 2008