Here's a remake done right. Silent Hill: Shattered Memories reimagines the original PSX classic by only considering it a base framework to construct itself upon. Nobody ever questioned the original's value after playing Shattered Memories, since it unambiguously never meant to replace the 1999 PlayStation version in the first place. Instead it crafts its own identity by rewriting the original's story and gameplay into an entirely new experience (that as far as I'm aware is unique to this day).


This reimaginging bifurcates the classic survival horror gameplay into two distinct modes: an adventure mode, that is in a way a walking simulator with some light puzzles, and an action mode that leaves the player frantically trying to avoid monsters chasing them through a maze of snow and ice. A common complaint is that the split takes the horror element out of half the game, a sentiment I find hard to agree with because the adventure sections are still quite haunting because of the game's superb sound design and the creepy stories scattered throughout. On a first playthrough it's also never entirely clear when the game will shift over and spawn monsters. Maybe the action sequences are stressful to play at first, but become increasingly manageable as you get accustomed to the motion controls and labyrinthine maps.


Overall Silent Hill: Shattered Memories is a solid game I always had a good time with. The story diverges from that of the original in just the right way to be intriguing, the soundtrack and overall sound design is fantastic and the intermission sections that attempt to profile the player's personality a fun gimmick. This is one of those games where its atmosphere alone makes up for the mediocre gameplay. Much like Konami's original Silent Hill games, this is one I can always replay.