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[Editor’s Note: This article contains references to themes such as teenage suicide, self-harm and bullying. Reader discretion is advised.]Silent Hill: The Brief Message is a model new recreation within the storied psychological horror sequence Silent Hill, introduced and launched at the moment as a free obtain for PlayStation 5. I (Daniel) performed the total recreation from begin to end forward of its shock launch, together with my IGN Japan colleague Koji Fukuyama, and each of us discovered rather a lot to get pleasure from – and much more to ponder. This text is a mixture of each of our impressions.This compact two-hour first-person recreation centres on teenage protagonist Anita as she searches for her lacking pal Maya in a spooky deserted constructing. The sport makes efficient use of its themes of suicide, self-harm, bullying and isolation to create a sense of real dread, bringing the central themes of early video games within the sequence entries into a contemporary perspective, whereas providing a delicate portrayal of its subject material that by no means feels exploitative or crude. That stated, the sport does embody some pretty graphic scenes that could be an excessive amount of for individuals who are delicate to such themes, so I’d advise warning. The sport is rated 15 and up, and I’d say it’s a tough 15, and positively not appropriate for youthful gamers.Motoi Okamoto, the general producer of the Silent Hill sequence, additionally served because the director and situation director on The Brief Message, whereas longtime Silent Hill crew members Masahiro Ito and Akira Yamaoka return as monster designer and composer respectively. Whereas the sport was developed by Osaka-based indie studio HexaDrive, it’s clear that Konami has very a lot taken the lead – The Brief Message just isn’t a derivative however a brand new standalone entry within the sequence, setting the tone for the remake of Silent Hill 2 and different introduced titles corresponding to Silent Hill f and Silent Hill: Townfall.The sport does an excellent job at elevating expectations for upcoming video games, whereas its use of a teenage protagonist and its attractive monster design really feel recent. The sport’s story is linear, and its central thriller unfolds with some twists you may even see coming and a few you gained’t. However whereas the story itself is fascinating, its themes are what make The Brief Message fascinating to play.The sport is about in an deserted residence constructing generally known as Villa, within the fictional metropolis of Kettenstadt in modern-day Germany. Plans to renovate the residence constructing had been thwarted first by the monetary disaster after which the Covid-19 pandemic; the constructing now lies in ruins, and has develop into a preferred suicide spot.Excessive-school pupil Anita arrives at Villa in quest of her pal Maya, a Japanese teen who’s a proficient graffiti artist with a big following on social media – which stokes envy and self-doubt in Anita’s coronary heart. The residence constructing is darkish and dilapidated, and Anita’s seek for Maya leads her by way of creepy hallways lined with 1000’s of sticky notes with scrawled slurs that mirror her low shallowness: “Loser”, “creep”, “weirdo”, “ugly”. Flashbacks and cutscenes jarringly juxtapose CG animation with live-action footage, actuality with hellish visions, serenity with surprising scenes of self-harm. Anita’s relationships with Maya and together with her different pal Amelie play out by way of smartphone chat messages crammed with nervousness and uncertainty, a portrait of teenage angst.After which, Anita’s smartphone display screen and audio system crackle with distortion – and in a Silent Hill recreation, we all know what meaning.Starring because it does a terrified teen, The Brief Message options no fight. More often than not gamers are free to discover at their very own tempo, however at sure sections within the recreation, Anita is abruptly pursued by a monster that seems to be comprised of cherry blossoms – magnificence and the beast in a single. All you are able to do is run. A few of these sequences additionally add environmental puzzle parts, which could be difficult to unravel whereas additionally beneath panicked pursuit from the pollinating predator. The sudden change from gradual exploration to crazed escape is genuinely scary: Lit with nothing however the gentle on Anita’s cellphone, and soundtracked by her strangled gasps blended with Yamaoka’s brooding music, the slender corridors are claustrophobic, looping and tough to navigate. The visuals flip from photoreal to surreal. Whereas there are a number of leap scares, it’s not an outright survival horror; as an alternative, its sense of psychological dread feels overwhelming. I actually had goosebumps at a number of factors within the recreation.The puzzles should not massively difficult; fixing them beneath strain provides to the strain, however most gamers ought to have the ability to clear the sport inside two about hours. There isn’t any stock to handle, no weapons or iron pipes to seek out. It’s extra like an escape room recreation, designed to check your wits, your braveness and your mettle. The ultimate escape sequence specifically required my full consideration to outlive, however after repeated failed makes an attempt, I started to note the clues the sport subtly affords. The monster that pursues Anita may be very totally different to earlier Masahiro Ito designs such because the menacing Purple Pyramid Factor and the provocative Bubble Head Nurses. With a really Japanese motif of cherry blossoms, the monster is gorgeous, natural, and completely terrifying. Yamaoka is among the world’s greatest recreation music composers.Akira Yamaoka’s music, in the meantime, builds sensible cyclical rhythmic loops with harrying digital noise, and infrequently appears to foreshadow what’s coming subsequent. My colleague Koji noticed it as a reminder that Yamaoka is among the world’s greatest recreation music composers.Themes corresponding to neglect, home violence, loneliness, bullying, suicide, self-harm, damaging jealousy and trauma are interspersed all through The Brief Message. Konami treats these themes with care. Detailed tips at first and finish of the sport show recommendation for individuals who could really feel affected, together with particulars of suicide prevention helplines particular to every area the place the sport is offered.This isn’t the primary time the Silent Hill sequence has addressed these sorts of themes. Silent Hill 2, which is at present present process a full remake, pioneered the very nature of narrative expression in videogames by critically exploring its protagonist’s struggling. As a recreation that handled psychological well being points, Silent Hill 2 was method forward of the curve. As such, The Brief Message appears like a pure extension of those themes, however introduced bang updated. Slightly than an grownup lead, right here we’ve got a teenage woman who’s navigating a digital world, the place posting cute selfies on social media in a relentless drive to realize followers leaves her feeling hole, nugatory and mentally exhausted. That is in fact a really actual concern within the always-online age, and it’s great to see a brand new Silent Hill recreation really feel so related.The Brief Message is clearly meant as the primary salvo in Konami’s upcoming run of Silent Hill video games, and hints at a wider overarching story. It immerses gamers within the horror, cruelty and sweetness typical of the Silent Hill sequence, setting the tone for video games to come back. The occasions right here in Kettenstadt could also be unfolding all all over the world, alluding to a universe-style framework that would doubtlessly hyperlink different upcoming video games.Villa is shrouded in a mysterious fog, and readable paperwork littered all through the constructing point out comparable phenomena in america city of Silent Hill amongst different locations. In different phrases, the occasions right here in Kettenstadt could also be unfolding all all over the world, alluding to a universe-style framework that would doubtlessly hyperlink different upcoming video games.As its title suggests, The Brief Message affords each a direct message about valuing ourselves and people round us, and a press release of intent for the sequence itself. And even after beating the sport, we got here away with the sensation that there should be mysteries hidden inside. The sport left an enduring impression on me: A number of weeks after my playthrough, I nonetheless take into consideration its story and themes. Greater than something, The Brief Message serves as a reminder: Suicide is one thing you do to the folks you allow behind. Speaking issues by way of may also help to make life extra bearable, so present love to your family members, and let’s get by way of the nightmare collectively.Daniel Robson is Chief Editor of IGN Japan. Koji Fukuyama is a contract author for IGN Japan.
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