Short, with intriguing ideas, but disappointing. (quickie)
Too short.
I beat it in about 3 and a half hours (according to the save file), without any prior knowledge of the game. In fact, I ran around in a few places out of confusion. Heh.
Well, anyway, there are indeed some nice ideas. There are new areas to explore, and not just the same 'ol hospital or subway. The story is, in a sense, also original.
Regardless of these few positive statements, there are still several things wrong.
One thing that bugged me is combat. No, I'm not complaining about ability to fight. That's just fine. What bugs me is that they put SO MUCH into melee that you'll never use most of it.
By the end of the game, I had around 35 extra weapons in my inventory (I have plenty of wrenches and meat hooks, alright?)
You won't use the planks, typewriters, alcohol bottles, drip stands, or toaster they give you (all right, maybe the toaster ^^).
Buttons are also VERY unresponsive at times. Press triangle for the map. It will take a second or two for it to pop up. Earlier games didn't even have this.
Running also takes a second to kick in. Sigh.
No matter how many cool enemies and semi-interesting twists you see, it won't make up for the lack of interest you'll have for this game.
Even if it has the largest normal enemy from any silent hill game (taller than a semi, and about as wide as one of those above-ground swimming pools)
--RK