Konami was responsible for the creation of the fantastic walking simulator horror experience, P.T., which generated widespread attention and acclaim upon it’s release in 2014. In response to P.T.’s success, CAPCOM released Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, breathing a fresh new perspective that propelled the series back into stardom. Almost a decade since the release of P.T, the Silent Hill dormancy has lifted with the release of Silent Hill The Short Message. This game attempts to utilise the framework of P.T, and deliver a story that addresses sensitive themes of cyberbullying, social media, and suicide. However, while the narrative intentions may have been well-intentioned, the execution left much to be desired, as the themes came across as more of a poorly constructed PSA rather than delivering the impactful horror experience one might have hoped for.
Before addressing the criticism, there are some plaudits I must attribute the game. Undoubtedly, the visual artistic elements of the game stand out as a key highlight. The game presents a dreary abandoned apartment complex and yet somehow strikes a perfect balance with the environment being both strikingly beautiful and oppressively intense. Walls adorned with sticky notes of hate-fuelled messages, the representation of thematic elements through graffiti on the walls all serve to contribute to the immersion of the experience.
Whilst the game only features one monster, it is meticulously designed by the talented Masahiro Ito, renowned for crafting iconic creatures from the early Silent Hill era, including Pyramid Head. Covered in cherry blossom petals that aligns with the narrative and artistic themes, the monster’s design is truly excellent. Despite this, it’s potential remains largely underutilised, making sporadic appearances in specific scripted chase sequences.
Masahiro Ito isn’t the only returning artist to the series, but so too did composer Akira Yamaoka, the man responsible for the wholly unique soundtracks of the previous Silent Hill games. Yamaoka pulls no punches here either, delivering an exceptional soundtrack that elevates the atmosphere even further. Despite the contribution these iconic artists have made, sadly the game falls shorts on all other fronts.
The Short Message’s gameplay doesn’t capitalise on the wonderful atmosphere developed and doesn’t captivate audiences the way it tries to. The on-the-nose dialogue, less than stellar performances, live action cutscenes, and plethora of notes to read leave the delivery of the narrative in an unstable place. You’re ultimately given no reason to feel invested in your character and it doesn’t have the time to marinate that earned investment from the audience. Other Silent Hill protagonists often begin on a journey that allows the player time to warm up to them, the themes of guilt and wrongdoing emerge over time which develop the level of complexity in the narrative. Unfortunately Anita isn’t much developed beyond her mental illness and trauma, making it hard to connect to the themes that it attempts to connect with.
The aforementioned chase sequences also don’t invoke the level of dread that they ultimately should, it becomes a rather mundane affair. Progression throughout the game can feel strange, whilst cutscenes and lore development can feel rewarding when it is well-written here it feels like a punishment, and almost all progression is this linear experience of trial and error until you find the correct escape route or pick up the appropriate newspaper article.
It’s a sad affair to see the state that Silent Hill is in at the moment, after a decade of no releases as discussed earlier, we have been met with the abysmal Silent Hill: Ascension, and the mediocre Silent Hill The Short Message. With Silent Hill 2 remake and Silent Hill f around the corner I am apprehensive and skeptical of the quality of these products but I hope with everything in me it is better than what fans of this iconic series have had delivered to them.
Before addressing the criticism, there are some plaudits I must attribute the game. Undoubtedly, the visual artistic elements of the game stand out as a key highlight. The game presents a dreary abandoned apartment complex and yet somehow strikes a perfect balance with the environment being both strikingly beautiful and oppressively intense. Walls adorned with sticky notes of hate-fuelled messages, the representation of thematic elements through graffiti on the walls all serve to contribute to the immersion of the experience.
Whilst the game only features one monster, it is meticulously designed by the talented Masahiro Ito, renowned for crafting iconic creatures from the early Silent Hill era, including Pyramid Head. Covered in cherry blossom petals that aligns with the narrative and artistic themes, the monster’s design is truly excellent. Despite this, it’s potential remains largely underutilised, making sporadic appearances in specific scripted chase sequences.
Masahiro Ito isn’t the only returning artist to the series, but so too did composer Akira Yamaoka, the man responsible for the wholly unique soundtracks of the previous Silent Hill games. Yamaoka pulls no punches here either, delivering an exceptional soundtrack that elevates the atmosphere even further. Despite the contribution these iconic artists have made, sadly the game falls shorts on all other fronts.
The Short Message’s gameplay doesn’t capitalise on the wonderful atmosphere developed and doesn’t captivate audiences the way it tries to. The on-the-nose dialogue, less than stellar performances, live action cutscenes, and plethora of notes to read leave the delivery of the narrative in an unstable place. You’re ultimately given no reason to feel invested in your character and it doesn’t have the time to marinate that earned investment from the audience. Other Silent Hill protagonists often begin on a journey that allows the player time to warm up to them, the themes of guilt and wrongdoing emerge over time which develop the level of complexity in the narrative. Unfortunately Anita isn’t much developed beyond her mental illness and trauma, making it hard to connect to the themes that it attempts to connect with.
The aforementioned chase sequences also don’t invoke the level of dread that they ultimately should, it becomes a rather mundane affair. Progression throughout the game can feel strange, whilst cutscenes and lore development can feel rewarding when it is well-written here it feels like a punishment, and almost all progression is this linear experience of trial and error until you find the correct escape route or pick up the appropriate newspaper article.
It’s a sad affair to see the state that Silent Hill is in at the moment, after a decade of no releases as discussed earlier, we have been met with the abysmal Silent Hill: Ascension, and the mediocre Silent Hill The Short Message. With Silent Hill 2 remake and Silent Hill f around the corner I am apprehensive and skeptical of the quality of these products but I hope with everything in me it is better than what fans of this iconic series have had delivered to them.