Silent Hill: Homecoming

 PlayStation 3
Metascore
71

Mixed or average reviews - based on 41 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 41
  2. Mixed: 23 out of 41
  3. Negative: 0 out of 41
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  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. Playstation: The Official Magazine (US)
    90
    Plan frequent breaks. Your emotional well being will thank you for it. [Dec 2008, p.64]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Cheat Code Central
    84
    The folks at Double Helix gave me the Silent Hill I wanted: a nerve-racking, scary as hell experience to hold me over this Halloween season. Any fan of Silent Hill should be checking this out, and anyone just needing a good scare can join in the Homecoming.
  5. G4 TV
    80
    Thankfully, the game manages to be worth more than the sum of its parts. The controls are the best they've ever been, and combat is actually tolerable this time. That said, you're still better off avoiding fights whenever possible, especially during the few annoying sections that continually respawn creatures.
  6. Video Game Talk
    80
    Homecoming isn't pure Silent Hill, but it offers a Highly Recommended restructuring of the series that keeps up with the speed of a more inventive gaming universe while staying very true to the brand's core visual and thematic essence.
  7. 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.
  8. My Gamer
    80
    Double Helix has given it a sorely needed overhaul while retaining what's made it great, and even though newcomers to the series may not love it as much as the regulars (for them, I would recommend try before you buy), there's still a frightful time to be had for all.
  9. GameDaily
    80
    Unless you've got nerves of steel, this game will at least send chills up your spine and at most scare the crap out of you. Sure, it feels similar to its predecessors, but the familiar mechanics and scares still give us hours of monster bashing fun.
  10. PlayStation Universe
    80
    It has its flaws, but Silent Hill: Homecoming is a solid entry in the franchise that any self-respecting horror fanatic should snap up.
  11. Multiplayer.it
    78
    Scary, dark and disturbing, Silent Hill is a classic title in the legacy of the Konami saga, everything fulfills the expectations of a true fan of the series. Otherwise a casual gamer or a freshman of the universe of Silent Hill, could find few issues, like a strictly linear progression and old gameplay mechanics.
  12. PSX Extreme
    77
    Despite its flaws, it has the desired impact, and that’s the best that can be said about this particular game.
  13. 3DJuegos
    77
    Silent Hill: Homecoming is just an enjoyable horror game but, at this time, its also the best Survival Horror of the present generation of consoles. Easy combat, classic puzzles and extraordinary atmosphere for a game that obviously needed a deeper, not so simple, gameplay.
  14. Game Revolution
    75
    American developer Double Helix has managed to stick its landing—right in the uneasy, dark parts of the mind that define the Silent Hill experience.
  15. GamerNode
    75
    Homecoming doesn't recapture the essence of the Konami-developed games. The action-oriented approach leaves players with an awkward camera and less impressive plot, but the game is still enjoyable in its own way.
  16. GameShark
    75
    Imagine the L.A. skyline during rush hour, condensed into the perimeter of a city block, and you have a good idea of how thick the trademark fog has become.
  17. Vandal
    75
    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.
  18. SpazioGames
    75
    Despite some big flaws, every Silent Hill fan out there will find in Homecoming some of the old (black) magic. Gameplay feels old, and the same goes for visuals, but the atmosphere is still intact. If you love Silent Hill, this is still your game, but starting from next chapter we all need something new.
  19. NZGamer
    75
    Viewed as a standalone title, Silent Hill: Homecoming is extremely competent, but as a sequel, it falls short of progressing the series in any meaningful way.

Awards & Rankings

77
#77 Best PS3 Game of 2008
24
#24 Most Discussed PS3 Game of 2008
20
#20 Most Shared PS3 Game of 2008

User Reviews

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User Score
6.5

Mixed or average reviews- based on 249 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 105 out of 249
  2. Mixed: 92 out of 249
  3. Negative: 52 out of 249
  1. 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.    … Full Review »
  2. DylanC
    Nov 30, 2010
    6
    This game by all means isn't horrible, but really Double Helix could have done better. The story seemed intriguing, but was pulled off in theThis game by all means isn't horrible, but really Double Helix could have done better. The story seemed intriguing, but was pulled off in the worst manners (i.e.,the little homage to "Hostel" near the end of the game, etc...) and there were really stupid/uninteresting characters in the bunch with whom took away the Silent Hill experience (i.e., Elle, Wheeler, Curtis, and Josh). No complaints about combat, however the recycled "Bogeyman," Nurse, and "Smogs" make it feel like nothing but fan service. And another huge problem is how predictable the whole story is and how much unnecessary gore they actually put into this game (albeit some argue it expresses the symbolism when really it just seems there for the "spookyness") However there are good things that I'd like to express about the game, such some of the otherworld designs (I love me some steam punk!). Also Mayor Bartlet and Lillian Sheppard were mysterious characters that seemed to fit well with the plot, which is awesome. I could go on, but in short, a great survival/horror game, but a questionable Silent Hill title.… Full Review »
  3. JonathanH.
    Oct 2, 2008
    9
    as a pretty big fan of the silent hill series, i'm very satisfied with this game and it's improvements over previous silent hill as a pretty big fan of the silent hill series, i'm very satisfied with this game and it's improvements over previous silent hill titles. the storyline is great, the atmosphere is just as frightening as any of the other games, and the combat system is much improved and not as clunky. for a survival horror title, you can't ask for much more in my opinion.… Full Review »
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