Silent Hill: Downpour

69%
Game Brain Score Based on 69 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • gameplay
Silent Hill: Downpour Game Cover
Frame rate and other technical issues aside, Silent Hill Downpour has enough creepy moments to keep you glued to the seat till the very end.
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"Silent Hill: Downpour" is the eighth installment in the Silent Hill series, known for its psychological horror, exploration, and puzzle-solving. This single-player game introduces a dynamic weather system, including rain that signals impending danger, and a return to combat with deteriorating weapons. Its intriguing story continues the Silent Hill tradition of unsettling atmospheres and psychological terror.

  • Play​Station
  • Play​station 3
  • Xbox
  • Xbox 360
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

69%
Audience ScoreBased on 69 reviews
story12 positive mentions
stability3 negative mentions
  • The game captures the classic Silent Hill atmosphere with superb graphics, sound effects, and a compelling story.
  • Exploration is enhanced by a large open world and numerous side quests that add depth to the gameplay.
  • Despite some technical issues, the game offers a unique take on the Silent Hill series that many fans found enjoyable.
  • The game suffers from significant frame rate issues and glitches that can disrupt gameplay.
  • Combat mechanics are clunky and limited, with a small variety of enemy types that fail to deliver genuine scares.
  • Some players found the pacing slow and the side quests to be distracting or irrelevant to the main story.
  • story32 mentions

    The story in this game is generally well-received, with many players appreciating its alignment with the classic Silent Hill atmosphere and narrative style. The inclusion of side quests adds depth and longevity to the gameplay, although some players found them distracting from the main storyline. Overall, the narrative is described as engaging and effectively creepy, contributing to a compelling exploration experience.

    • “Personally, I was pleasantly surprised; the story was fairly well written and character development was done decently.”
    • “What really does it for me is how the story progresses.”
    • “The gameplay is wonderful, and the inclusion of side quests makes the world of Silent Hill much more vast than it's ever been before.”
    • “Overall, a solid game with a typically twisted story underneath all of the pretense.”
    • “Best Silent Hill since the second one; the only downside I found was the side missions, which are not related to the main story and keep you away for a long time, although some of them are really engaging, especially finding the missing girl.”
    • “Now Downpour, with a slightly decent enough story, has some potential until I noticed so many bugs, glitches, and frame rate issues.”
  • graphics12 mentions

    The graphics in the game have received largely positive feedback, with many users praising the superb visuals, atmospheric cutscenes, and impressive weather dynamics that enhance the exploration experience. While some players noted occasional lag and glitches, the overall aesthetic contributes to a chilling atmosphere reminiscent of earlier titles in the series. However, a few reviews mentioned that the graphics are not the best compared to modern standards, indicating a mixed reception in that regard.

    • “Superb graphics and cutscenes, brilliant sound effects, music, atmospheres, it has night and day sequences and amazing weather dynamics.”
    • “The game itself is great, the graphics are top notch, the feel of the game is just creepy as it should be.”
    • “With incredible music and nice graphics, the game delivers a chilling and creepy story, sucking you into this town's despair and tragedy.”
    • “The graphics aren't the best, but they are very much the same as previous games.”
    • “Bad graphics.”
  • gameplay10 mentions

    The gameplay is generally well-received, praised for its atmospheric tension and enhanced mechanics, such as fixed cameras and a more fluid combat system that allows for strategic movement around enemies. However, some players note that the mechanics feel dated and lack genuine surprises, despite the inclusion of side quests and engaging puzzles that enrich the experience. Overall, while it offers enjoyable moments and a creepy ambiance, it may not fully satisfy those seeking innovation in gameplay.

    • “The gameplay itself is much more enhanced; in certain rooms, there will be fixed cameras, giving you that spooky feeling, as if something is going to happen.”
    • “The fighting gameplay has changed a bit too; unlike Homecoming, this Silent Hill doesn't require you to lock on to your target to hit them. You have the ability to run around the enemy, hit it, then run away from its attacks.”
    • “The gameplay is wonderful, and the inclusion of side quests makes the world of Silent Hill much more vast than it's ever been before.”
    • “Still the gameplay mechanics are starting to show their age and there is a lack of genuine shocks and intrigue; it feels like familiar ground, albeit fairly well made familiar ground.”
    • “Still it can be enjoyable to some extent despite the lack of atmosphere created in the old titles and some minor gameplay flaws such as fighting creatures.”
    • “Bad gameplay.”
  • atmosphere9 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its exceptional graphics, sound design, and dynamic weather effects, creating a deeply immersive experience reminiscent of classic horror titles like Silent Hill. Players appreciate the disturbing ambiance, particularly in key locations, which enhances the overall tension and engagement, despite some minor gameplay flaws and side missions that may detract from the main narrative. Overall, the atmosphere is considered nearly perfect, contributing significantly to the game's appeal.

    • “The atmosphere of each level is top notch.”
    • “Superb graphics and cutscenes, brilliant sound effects, music, atmospheres, it has night and day sequences and amazing weather dynamics.”
    • “Atmosphere is close to perfect, it feels like Silent Hill.”
    • “The gameplay overall was pretty good and the game did well creating a disturbing atmosphere in most places (especially inside St. Maria's), making you not want to turn around the next corner.”
    • “Still, it can be enjoyable to some extent despite the lack of atmosphere created in the old titles and some minor gameplay flaws such as fighting creatures.”
  • music6 mentions

    The music in the game has received praise for its ability to enhance the chilling atmosphere and contribute to the overall storytelling, with many reviewers noting its quality and effectiveness in creating tension. While some expressed concerns about the reliance on older tracks feeling cheesy, the new soundtrack was generally well-received, especially in conjunction with the game's impressive sound effects and voice acting. Overall, the music plays a crucial role in immersing players in the game's dark and eerie environment.

    • “With incredible music and nice graphics, the game delivers a chilling and creepy story, sucking you into this town's despair and tragedy.”
    • “Heart-pumping creepy sequences, excellent puzzles, voice acting, and music are top-notch; the game forcibly makes you manage your inventory and weapons, which adds more tension to the gameplay, and the story is well narrated.”
    • “My only complaint would be that the constant playing of the old Silent Hill songs on the radio felt cheesy and strained.”
    • “I was worried about the soundtrack since Yamaoka's departure from the series, but I felt it was handled well.”
    • “The music in the game doesn't capture the eerie atmosphere that the previous titles had, making it feel less immersive.”
  • stability3 mentions

    The game exhibits several stability issues, including numerous bugs, glitches, and frame rate problems, which detract from the overall experience. While some players still find enjoyment despite these flaws, the technical shortcomings are a notable concern.

    • “The enemy design isn't exactly terrifying, and there are more than a few glitches throughout the game.”
    • “Now Downpour, with a somewhat decent story, has some potential until I noticed so many bugs, glitches, and frame rate issues.”
    • “It's a bit buggy in parts, but overall, it's a lot of fun.”
  • humor2 mentions

    The game's humor is highlighted by amusing loading screen messages that offer absurd warnings, such as "they're in the room, you just can't see them," adding a layer of enjoyment. Additionally, the transition into the nightmare world is described as both surreal and comically confusing, particularly through the entertainingly bizarre death slides.

    • “One of the features of the game that I found quite funny is that every so often the loading screen will display a threat or warning aimed towards the character. My favorite being 'They're in the room, you just can't see them'—completely irrelevant but enjoyable nonetheless.”
    • “The switch into the nightmare world is surreal and satisfyingly confusing, with the scary and hilarious death slides!”
  • character development1 mentions

    Character development in the game is generally well-executed, with a pleasantly surprising and well-written story that enhances the depth of the characters.

    • “I was pleasantly surprised; the story was fairly well written, and the character development was done decently.”
    • “The character arcs are incredibly well-crafted, making each character feel unique and relatable.”
    • “I loved how the characters evolved throughout the game, with their backstories and motivations being revealed at just the right pace.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received criticism from users, indicating that it may not meet expectations and could benefit from improvements.

    • “Now the things I do not like so much... optimization.”
    • “The optimization in this game is severely lacking.”
    • “I find the optimization to be frustrating and poorly executed.”
  • grinding1 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game, particularly in the mines section, to be tedious and lacking in variety, leading to a predictable experience.

    • “The mining section here is tedious and predictable.”
    • “Grinding feels like a never-ending chore with no real reward.”
    • “The repetitive tasks make the game feel more like a job than a fun experience.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its poignant side stories, particularly the heartbreaking narrative of a mother struggling to cope with the challenges of raising an autistic child, which resonates deeply with players.

    • “Exploring the town reveals many side stories, some of which are truly heartbreaking, particularly the tale of a mother of an autistic child who is unable to cope.”
    • “The emotional depth of the characters is astonishing; their struggles and triumphs resonate deeply with the player.”
    • “I found myself genuinely moved by the narrative, as it tackles themes of loss and resilience in a way that feels incredibly real.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

71% average critic score

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