Rik Hideto
Reviews
Silent Hill 3 (PlayStation 2)
The game where the Silent Hill series should have ended.
The Good
Silent Hill 3 is one of the best survival horror games on the PS2, and it shows.
The game excels in areas such as graphics (which are so much more detailed and well executed than the ones in the previous titles, and are actually some of the best in the whole PS2 game line) and sound (maintaining the gripping quality we were used to in the series).
The plot might seem a bit convoluted at first (particularly if you havenāt played the first Silent Hill, as this is its direct sequel), but in the end it does the series justice and actually provides interesting food for thought.
What is probably the main attraction in the game though, is its constant feeling of dread and despair. Unlike Silent Hill 2, which provided a more subtle, psychological type of horror, Silent Hill 3 is actually very visually (and audibly) compelling in conveying its horror elements. It is graphic, it is gruesome, it is scary and it is wonderful. Everything, from the environments to the enemies, to the characters themselves, is incredibly dark and moody - including the main character. Heather looks like she was designed to pass on a feeling of stress and fatigue to the player right from the start of the game, with those big dark circles under her eyes.
And of course, speaking of dread, one character cannot go by unmentioned - Robbie. That is the cutest-yet-scariest bunny I have ever seen in my life.
The Bad
The main negative aspect of Silent Hill 3, if one might call it so, is a rather curious one - it is simply the fact that the previous entry was the pinnacle of the series. While this may seem like an unfair derogatory comment, the fact of the matter is that Silent Hill 3, despite having made certain improvements, still isnāt as gripping as its predecessor - while Silent Hill 2 made me dwell on it for quite some time after I had finished it, finishing Silent Hill 3 just didnāt have that long-lasting effect.
Aside from that, it simply suffers from the usual Silent Hill problems, such as not-so-great controls and sometimes poor camera angles. However, these are minimal issues that do not detract from the experience at all.
The Bottom Line
Thus, Silent Hill 3 is not without its flaws, and certainly seems to lack a certain something the previous title possessed that contributed a lot to the mystique of the series.
But when all is said and done, the game essentially marks the end of the GOOD Silent Hill games, not only providing a satisfying conclusion to the first game in the series, but also standing proudly on its own as an excellent survival horror game - in fact, one of PS2ās finest.
By Rik Hideto on December 2, 2014
Ico (PlayStation 2)
If you have someone for whom you would do anything, play this game.
The Good
ICO is very unique in the way that it combines graphics and music in order to achieve a wonderful feeling of nostalgia/longing, while being very dark and stressful at the same time.
Additionally, it makes an interesting use of the surroundings in order to produce puzzles that fit the game perfectly, not being blatantly easy nor excruciatingly difficult.
The use of voices is also very well executed, even if it is used scarcely (which just feels right in the barren, lonesome world of ICO).
And of course, the main characters themselves are what makes the game work, with the relationship existing between them being the focal point of the game, and what stood out the most ā it is a beautiful portray of friendship, and probably the gameās most appealing trait.
The Bad
The only negative aspects of ICO are really the fact that combat is very plain and simple (even though this is most likely purposeful to fit the mood of the game), and being a relatively short game (despite being slow-paced).
The Bottom Line
While surely not a game for everyone (due to its slow pace and heavy mood), ICO can arguably be considered one of the top - letās call it āspiritually enhancingā - games ever made.
If you let it, ICO grabs you by the hand (pun intended) and takes you along an emotional rollercoaster that you cannot feel disconnected from - both graphics and music contribute immensely in order to make sure your anxiety will leave you on edge, yet totally immersed.
And that is probably ICOās most recognizable trait ā it deep-dives you in such a way that you will not want to surface back to the real world. Essentially, thatās what games are really all about.
By Rik Hideto on December 1, 2014
Final Fantasy IV (Nintendo DS)
Itās Final Fantasy IV. With remastered music. In 3D! āNuff said.
The Good
The major change in this yet-another-remake of Final Fantasy IV is definitely the 3D aspect. Since all other incarnations of the game were in 2D, this new rendition comes as a welcome surprise, looking awesomely detailed while maintaining the same cutesy look the original had, both regarding playable characters and regular enemies / bosses.
The remastered sound is also very well thought out, trying not to deviate a whole lot from the original soundtrack (which is in itself a masterpiece), but still managing to portray an interesting modern feel.
The gameplay is very well executed, with nice additions suited for the DS (such as the use of the touchscreen for some interesting mini-games).
Regarding the plot, which is arguably Final Fantasy IVās strongest suit, it obviously hasnāt changed, though the use of voices might change the experience somewhat.
The Bad
The inclusion of voice acting was actually a bit rushed ā it lacks depth, and just feels out of place sometimes. Itās not Resident Evil level by any means, but still, the game could have steered clear from that.
Aside from that, the only negative point of the game could be its sometimes unforgiving difficulty, surpassing the original. And while this may be a downside for many, it could also be a plus for others.
The Bottom Line
To put it bluntly, Final Fantasy IV for the DS is, first and foremost, a true Final Fantasy game. And by that I mean it still has that impacting feel all the good Final Fantasy games have ā this is NOT one of theā¦lesser ones (Iām looking at you, Final Fantasy XIII).
Seriously though, considering all the revamped looks, swiftly altered sounds, somewhat passable voice acting and maintaining the original plot (which made whole generations of gamers appreciate a wonderful love story in a game for the first time), Final Fantasy IV for the DS is a title every fan should dig right in.
By Rik Hideto on November 26, 2014