Silent Hill Downpour Analysis | The Secret Genius of a Controversial Game

#silenthill #sh #sh2 #silenthill2 #sh3 #silenthill3 #silenthill4 #silenthillanalysis #silenthillseries
Fans of Silent Hill are often divided about later games like Silent Hill Downpour - here I argue why the game is an incredible work of storytelling through gameplay mechanics.
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[@morgoth93]

I played all the installments and have to say Downpour has a very special place for me. Thanks for this great interpretation.

[@LadyBern]

This reminds me of the importance of "forgiveness". Forgiveness isn't simply to forgive the ones who wronged you but to come to a point that you will no longer let what happen/what they did weigh on you. It's letting go or moving on so that that old hurt and anger no longer controls you. And that's hard as hell to do when you're hurt and seeking justice.

[@bradmerilic6848]

Well, yeah. I'd say you hit the nail on the head about what Downpour is trying to get across. It's not so much about forgiving other people. It's about forgiving yourself for the things you can't control. I imagine losing a child is hella difficult. My brother died when I was 10 (he was 21), and it absolutely DESTROYED my parents, especially my dad. He would spew venom and hate for hours about the drunk driver that killed my brother, but the person he really hated was himself because after that there was obviously no way to reconcile all the terrible things that had happened between the two of them. So...yeah...I'd say you got it. 👍

[@benvids]

Life hack: If they are remorseful and if you would want forgiveness in their position, do not deny it to them.

[@DarkwaveMistress]

I like many aspects of Downpour. It's the one that brought me back to the sense of emotional claustrophobia that I felt with 4. I'm excited to delve into your analysis, Muse.

[@itsjustweezer4054]

Silent hill Downpour is my favorite one out of all of them, I don't know how everybody hates it so much. Great video too. Really went in depth with it, gave me a few angles I ain't looked at before. This one makes you think.

[@ChadSlampiece]

Downpour getting the recognition it has always deserved, we love to see it.

[@IkariMetalSlugger]

Would have been nice to have seen this game get that recognition when it first came out. If there's anything I've learned over the years, it's to stay away from mainstream gaming outlets when it comes to judging survival horror game quality.

[@adamvancleave9200]

If the hood was red maybe it would have been recieved better. Even a little. Not saying to make them yet another pyramid head (cult executioner + James's nightmare). Just saying give them the same origin (the executioner part).

[@shinbakihanma2749]

The only "recognition" this trash ass game deserves, is to be in landfill.🤣

[@GetOffMyDick00]

Pete R Boy ur a cornball

[@rockybalboa4593]

@@shinbakihanma2749 your opinion. This game is awesome

[@NuCrowe]

Silent Hill 4 The Room, was my first intro to this franchise. It holds a special nostalgia to me.

[@markpaterson2053]

yeah 4 is the best one, despite the divisive thing

[@xxxg-01hgundamheavyarms50]

I got into the series backwards. I watched the movies, but never played the games until the HD Collection came out, which influenced me to get Downpour. Now that I have played almost all of them, including the original PS1 & PS2 games, I realize why people don't really like the movies or HD Collection, but they are what allowed me to get into the series, so I can't fully look down on them as much as others.

[@rickerson81]

Gosh, I feel old... I fell in love with the series on PS1. The music was so mesmerizing as well.

[@FitchTV]

Huh. Guess I'm first. Id like to thank my mom, my dad, my dog, and the ten years I've been wasting away on this platform.

[@razielvalentine4076]

The problem I have with this game is not that it doesn’t do justice (no pun intended) to silent hill; it’s more like it does something that has already been done, and better. It’s too similar to the story of silent hill 2, but less subtle (and this is the problem with the American made SHs) *sigh* I wish we had a new entry in the series...

[@thegamingmuse]

Well, I will have to heartily disagree that it's similar to SH2, as the themes and the major plot points are wildly different. The only connection is that both protagonists are murderers. Also, it isn't an American game - it's a Czech game. The only American game is Homecoming. (SHSM and Origins are British).

[@razielvalentine4076]

@@thegamingmuse They are different, yes, but there's still little difference in not "remembering" and not "accepting" what happened; the journey is quite similiar IMO. The monsters are still projections of the main protagonist, as well as the changes in the world; not to mention a huge "nemesis-like" monster with a huge weapon. And yes, I should've said "non-Japanese Silent Hill". I think you got what I meant. Don't get me wrong though: I don't hate this game. But I was disappointed with many aspects of it, like the "other world" chasing sequences.

[@Scottymation]

@@thegamingmuse It still tries to pull different endings in a similar way SH2 does, though the choices are blatant in Downpour, where in SH2 they're working in the background unknown to the player, which is far more unique. It still has a big bad boss-type monster with a buster weapon, going after characters who have thoughts they don't want to acknowledge. It still has a main character suffering with some form of amnesia who has to go through their personal nightmare to uncover the truth. It's doing SH2 again, and isn't the first game guilty (no pun intended) of doing so. You can like the game all you want. lol I enjoyed Homecoming of all games. That said, I still acknowledge that not only do Homecoming and Downpour rehash the same archetypes established in SH2, but even contradict core concepts that were established in the original games regarding the town. They should've just been called Homecoming and Downpour, instead of slapping the Silent Hill title on it. I know they were intended to be Silent Hill titles, but there's really no reason for their stories to have anything to do with Silent Hill. Regardless of how people want to believe, Silent Hill isn't actually "up for interpretation".

[@shinbakihanma2749]

But Downpour DOESN'T do justice to Silent Hill. The story is awful and has nothing to do with the established lore and narrative of the first four Silent Hill games. The monster designs are pure ass. The production quality is mediocrity defined. Even the soundtrack (on of the hallmarks of this series) is unremarkable due to Akira Yamaoka being absent. This game is pure landfill fodder🤣

[@zebragirl_999]

This was also the first game that introduced me to silent hill, I played it and loved it, never finished it though but I'd like to. 👍

[@Bedaeurn]

I really enjoyed the game (especially since I played through it with my wife) and I felt so crazy since it felt like everybody else hated it. I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who thinks it's actually quite good.

[@shinbakihanma2749]

People hated DOWNPOUR because it sucked. It was a genuinely trash game. Poorly produced. Awful story. Mediocre gameplay. Uninspired atmosphere, level design and monster design. This game couldn't have been more of an insult to Silent Hill fans if they had Pyramid Head make a cameo appearance raping Tomm Hulett🤣

[@Aramintha]

@@shinbakihanma2749 nope wrong L + Ratio!

[@lowerclassbrats77]

I thoroughly enjoyed it. I bought it day 1. While I was playing it I remember reading reviews of Downpour getting scores 4 of 10 and thinking "what game are they playing because it isn't this one". I believe it suffered low scores due to snobbery from the games media and a segment of the fan base against the concept of non-Japanese developed entries in the series.

[@bikutaa80]

@@lowerclassbrats77 The game is simply not a good SH game that's the reason it got bad score but as a game in its own it is a decent one despite all the technical problems of the game.

[@SOLIDSNAKE.]

I got into the series at a blockbuster in 1999 my little 7 year old self rented silent hill 1,boy was that a mistake. A few years later, I saw it, the image that would forever change me, the cover of silent hill 2. As soon as I saw it I knew it was something special.

[@Xx_b3an_B1aSt3r_xX-tz5ge]

The feet of the wicked fly faster than that of the righteous. We will all be consumed by rot nothing in this world lasts forever And when the world crumbles leaving only leaking memory in its place you will know that god does not pity fools. Life is aged Death is infinite

[@matttyree1002]

I think we all form the strongest connection to the first SH game that we play. For me it was 3, and that will forever be my favorite, because it was my gateway into the series

[@DarkwaveMistress]

Definitely. For me it was 4, although I have to admit that 3 has a very special place in my heart because of Heather.

[@matttyree1002]

@@DarkwaveMistress 4 was second for me, and holds a special place in my heart

[@thegamingmuse]

Downpour wasn't actually my first game, it was simply the first one that really spoke to me (it took a while for the early games to grow on me.) To be honest, I don't remember which one I played first... it was either 2 or 3.

[@pyxl666]

Silent Hill 2 for me, and you are probably right. While I love all of the SH games, SH2 will forever be etched into my heart above the others.

[@ianfinrir8724]

That's true of every series, really.

[@adammoore2317]

Love your stuff, first heard about you in voices from the static.. bloody brilliant x

[@salelias8321]

I played this game but never really gave it the chance it deserved, that changed today... Thank GM

[@lerik8793]

I have played only the first four silent hill games because i believe that they are the best in the series and I never gave the "newer games" such as origins and homecoming a chance. You have convinced me that I should try them out and that maybe they are worth my time. In any case this channel is extremely underrated, I love your videos and it's apparent that every one of them is made with quality in mind, good work!

[@karma_420]

YES FINALLY A POSITIVE VIDEO ABOUT THIS GAME

[@zerokn755]

I agree with your points, especially on the concept of karma. I guess people didn't try the game due to the initial buggy state, and how they always compare it with Team Silent games. Honestly, they did a good job on delving a different take on the stories that were already explored in the previous SH games.

[@Projectsoul477]

I have it and man I couldn't finish it. It had a awesome music and great concept with the rain and everything but holy hell were the monsters lame and the framrate was bad

[@user-ze6mh8fg1k]

If a co-cola don’t burn your nose when you drink it you ain’t got a co-cola. It’s about original formula. And THIS? Is not the real thing. A.Y. Lays down great tracks as per tradition, and that is this titles ONLY saving grace. The only thing I like about post team silent titles are interesting enough breakdowns from perspectives like this youtuber and others.

[@pyxl666]

@@user-ze6mh8fg1k wait, you are mistaken. Yamaoka didnt do the soundtrack for Downpour? Aside from the Korn opening (which is the worst), it's all Daniel Licht (the composer for Dexter). I praise this game for finally trying something new rather than going the "safe route" and doing what Homecoming did...which was essentially copy/paste Otherworld transitions from the movie, shoehorning Pyramid Head in for fan service when he had absolutely zero business being there, and threw away a great concept of a soldier facing his demons for a **PISS POOR** rehash of the "I killed my loved one and forgot" twist of SH2. The only things wrong with this game were the poor enemy designs aside from the Doll and Wheelman, and the fact that Murphy's backstory is inconsistent based on choices made throughout the game (with one backstory even making little to no sense). Anyone who struggled with combat just sucks at the game. It was barely any different than SH1/SH2/SH3 (this "original formula" you spoke of), where you were just average people with no combat training whatsoever. And people expect them (specifically Murphy) to have combat skills? Morons, the lot of em. Homecoming had the WORST combat because it was so painfully easy that you could beat the whole game on Hard Mode with the knife without taking any damage (and then, as I stated above you find out you never had any military training whatsoever 😂😂😂😵). Not to mention you could get the Joke UFO Ending as the first ending (because the game is a joke) and get a LASER PISTOL that basically diminishes the need to even aim. If I'm playing a horror game, I'd rather the combat be a struggle than be a god. It defeats the purpose.

[@theMoporter]

It can sometimes be said as the result of simplistic xenophobia or Orientalism, but it IS true that the games being more American influenced made a big difference. It's not worse but it is different. I come from Scotland - the unrealistically small streets of the first few games is just more relatable to me than the way more accurate larger areas of the later ones. Agoraphobia isn't less scary than claustrophobia, but it will be to an individual. In the dialogue of the Tokyo games, there's an emphasis on characters miscommunicating with each other. Feelings aren't always left unsaid but are always unheard. Even characters which are clearly doing lying on purpose are inscrutable to the point that we have to guess based on body language and intonation what they're really trying to tell us. It makes sense that this would be more intimidating to people from cultures which are less extroverted. Conversely, the characters in the more American games tend towards projecting a strong false persona than on hiding their true persona. Fighting against the truth instead of looking away from it. The way "being dishonest about your crimes" is portrayed in Downpour and SH2 is a good comparison. It's not that extreme, and it's not the only reason. There are lots of differences, and nostalgia and exoticism *are* a big part of Western fans' hostility. It's really easy to only see the geographical observation expressed in in unhelpful, ignorant, even harmful ways. They're not made with less care or technique than the first four were. I hope this has conveyed my thoughts without falling into that

[@thehater6189]

Downpour is great and if it werent a silent hill game, it would get so much more love

[@rockybalboa4593]

It’s actually getting a ton of love now all these years later. The game and story are amazing. It’s personally one of my favorite Silent Hill games. The problem was as usual Konami was stupid and probably rushed the developers. All they needed was another month or two to polish the game so it would be flawless upon release. But it has gained a lot in popularity nowadays ever since.

[@thehater6189]

@rockybalboa4593 yeah for sure. I like it a lot and the story is solid. The final boss is also my favorite in the series

[@Demi_Purple]

I randomly came back to watch The Water Prison from SH4 analysis and this popped up--nice

[@opo3628]

This game is criminally underrated for sure. The themes and symbolism in its narrative are damn brilliant.

[@Aramintha]

Despite all the hate and criticism this game gets with good reasons, I dont know why I always remember this game I really enjoyed it from start to end I think the game was a good horror game just not a good silent hill if they put another name to it I think it would had gotten less hate. I really want to replay this game but its hard to play nowadays without emulation.

[@rockybalboa4593]

Same. It’s one of my top 3 in the series. Silent Hill 3 was the one I despised the most

[@cannibalisticrequiem]

I would love to see a Gaming Muse/Dena Natali (The Game Den) collab!

[@Nachito96]

i waited so long for someone to openly say downpour was good, its one of my favorites!

[@optimal8155]

Good analysis. I love Silent Hill too. I remember 2012 was a big year for Silent Hill fans. We got Downpour, Book of Memories, and the SH Revelations movie. I liked all three.

[@Strixer-gk2kz]

"Downpour gives the simplest most convincing argument that allows the town to be a place where the guilty suffer in, without requiring a consciousness or a god behind it." Didn't the town call the DJ on the phone in one cutscene?

[@ianfinrir8724]

Well, you know, besides that.

[@thegamingmuse]

We don't know what called the DJ then, all we know is that he interpreted it as a threat. I think there's a difference between the people in the town interpreting it to be 'conscious' and doing things to them, and there actually be a consciousness.

[@ianfinrir8724]

@@thegamingmuse Ricks refused to play by the rules and the town punished him.

[@thegamingmuse]

That's one interpretation. There's countless others. If what these people believe about the world influences the world, then if Ricks believes he's not supposed to talk about it, then he would also believe that it would be dangerous to do so - leading to actual danger occurring, created by Ricks' own fears. If you consider this a place influenced by the mind, the possibilities for interpretations become limitless.

[@patrickpeyton7433]

I love this game. Thank you for supporting it, I'm sick of people putting it down.

[@AFoxInFlames]

I really enjoyed downpours story, the fighting mechanics were shit but the ability to do side quests and all that was really cool and different.

[@dvdbox360]

Silent Hill never really had good combat mechanic

[@sasaki999pro]

Which is kind of the point, its not Resident Evil, your character isn't some tactically trained special forces prodigy. Just your average Joe Schmoe picking up anything heavy enough to swing with in a wild panic. They _tried_ to make combat "Good" in Homecoming.... but we all saw how that worked out.

[@AFoxInFlames]

@@sasaki999pro no I just meant I found the combat system buggy not that he's not a skilled fighter, like all SH people are just people, the entire game is buggy however it's amazing game besides that.

[@IkariMetalSlugger]

@@sasaki999pro Heck, I'd argue combat wasn't even the focal point of Resident Evil initially. It only became that way with the advent of Resident Evil 4.

[@serasvictoria9666]

You are not suppose to be a killing machine in SH.

[@snakesolid4425]

This game better than homecoming

[@neilok17847]

Great video, gave me chills! Very excited for the next month. :)

[@jorgecaimanque6951]

Downpour will always get extra points for wanting to do something different instead of playing it so safe people find it boring (Like what happens with Origins) I think Downpour does well as a reboot of the franchise, just needed more polish in gameplay and technical aspects

[@pzgeyo1995]

Deserves an hd remake. It’s good when u unpack it

[@marcoaureliofernandezreyes1413]

Amazing análisis, Muse, as always. I would play the game if my interest for playing videogames were the same as before, but, now, I hace other commitments. It's always refreshing and interesting watch these aspects in games made by fans and reviewers alike that I omitted fue to being todo focused on gameplay and graphics (I also play attention to the story, though). Thanks, Muse.

[@schnozz5662]

All western takes on silent hill lack the subtle dream like beauty of the og Japanese trilogy. The horror was unique, terrifying and stayed with you long after the games were completed. The voice acting with its purposely dream like quality was enchanting and the sad moments such as the letter james’s wife reads to him at the end of sh2 was so much more beautiful then anything that came after.. I could spend all night listing how every aspect of what team Silent created in those games were so much better and more impactful than the inferior western games but it’s late and I’ve got work tomorrow. So I’ll leave it at that.

[@Scottymation]

Pretty much this ⬆.

[@coolshah1662]

SH 2 is far from original. It's a poor copy-paste of many of Velvet Blue's finer points, down to an all-out copy of its closet scene. A lot of fans grossly oversell this game's value.

[@schnozz5662]

@@coolshah1662 lol it’s blue velvet, friend, did you just try and find negative reviews of sh2 online and hastily quote them? I mean how else would you type velvet blue?? Also I don’t remember pyramid head finger banging any leg monsters while crying “mommy!” I guess it could be considered a tasteful homage of the scene you read about but trust me nobody who knows anything about horror, silent hill or David lynch would call that a rip off.

[@coolshah1662]

@@schnozz5662 I mean, a little typing issue aside, the argument still stands. You didn't exactly, uh, say anything credible to disprove it, especially since the scene just replaces the characters with game-y things, but okay.

[@schnozz5662]

@@coolshah1662 also blue velvet is nothing like silent hill?! 😂 what are you??! Dude the only comparison between the two is that both protagonists have repressed sexual hang ups.. what else is there? If any of lynch’s works could be considered similar to silent hill 2 it’s twin peaks.. and even then it is nothing more than just a tasteful homage

[@SilentHillFetishist]

I always have to walk or stop, because running for too long freezes the character and puts it into its default pose only able to rotate.

[@silenthill2ps2]

this is an amazing video, downpour is one of my favorites and i feel that it doesn't get enough credit and its portrayal of silent hill is one of the most interesting yet, so excited for more downpour videos!

[@Thatitchyguy]

Downpour was frustrating to me. I loved the idea of exploring SH more and doing little side quests/finding hidden areas. But I just thought the story was awful, especially with choices retroactively changing Murphy's actions. I honestly think it was the best one since 4 and was surprised when I saw the critical/fan reaction and how negative it was.

[@godzillazfriction]

so you were surprised of the negative feedback yet you yourself said the story was awful especially with the choices... genius

[@Thatitchyguy]

​@@godzillazfriction Eh, story isn't everything, even in a SH game. I like 4's story but find the gameplay borderline unplayably bad. I'd probably rather play DP than 4 given the choice. Despite loving 4's story.

[@danielmeredith4222]

This was great muse I really enjoyed it :) im gonna be playing this amazing silent hill game very soon. I have it on ps3 so im gonna dive into the darkness once again. With muses voice to guide me and the power to find the truth. Cheers and thankyou so much muse xo your the best xo :) your fan always Daniel Meredith

[@dawnofthewalkers4915]

I personally hate this game the most out of all the silent hill games. Its boring and not at all scary. It was just a giant disappointment of an entry for silent hill. My rank 1. Silent Hill 2 2. Silent Hill 4: the room 3. Silent Hill 4. Silent Hill 3 5. Silent Hill origins 6. Silent Hill homecoming 7. Silent Hill shattered memories 8. Silent Hill book of memories 9. Silent Hill downpour

[@lollabunny1728]

i never played it on ps3 days because i was focusing on college but now i got it on emulation on pc and will try to play it i remember the most funny thing is murphy's screams 😂🙈

[@WhitneyPlays]

Looking forward to the series :) I really loved Downpour too!

[@Wickedblackjuggalo19]

I have to say when playing Downpour on my Xbox 360 at the time I never had experienced any glitches or issues I think it’s an awesome game mostly with its lore side quests to me I kinda get a influence of Stephen King mixed with Jacobs Ladder and Silent Hill 2 within trying not let whatever this void is get you honestly wouldn’t mind a proper classic remaster for Silent Hill Downpour

[@ianfinrir8724]

"Jacob's Ladder" is a big influence on the series as a whole, along with Stephen King.

[@davidhursh2582]

I disagree, the story was a mess, I played it once and didn't look back. I hated the fact that the story tells you some fact and then when you do something else, it walks back on its own words and does something else, just for the sake of an open ended story otlr whatever, and it ends up making no sense.

[@josepacheco3995]

that's why there's no more silent hill games for players like you.

[@davidhursh2582]

It's not because of the players... Konami is a terrible company and has dragged it's ips through the mud. I liked downpour for what it was, but I didn't really like it's story. To call it a masterpiece, to me, is a bit of a stretch.

[@josepacheco3995]

@@davidhursh2582 it's not masterpiece but they were on the road ... then get cancelled and no more sh games. Great 👍

[@Scottymation]

@@josepacheco3995 There's no more good Silent Hill games past SH3 because the original team died forever ago, and every developer who tried to revive the series doesn't care to know what Silent Hill was actually about. Downpour was garbage.

[@josepacheco3995]

@@Scottymation no u

[@bryansoto542]

just Discovery this channel , as a silent hill mega fan makes me happy

[@andrewdowell6474]

I gave up on the series before Downpour and didn't play it till last year finally. I have to say, I was quite impressed by how good it was. Not the same caliber as the first three games but Downpour brought a lot of great things to the table. I wish I did give it a chance in 2012.

[@Vinicius_Berger]

Downpour is one of the worst SH games ever made. I think the only games worse than it are Shattered Memories and Book of Memories.

[@pzgeyo1995]

Shattered memories was good

[@TheBoneHeadClan]

Incredible analysis. Can't want to see your bext Downpour video.

[@JCRS92]

Never played it, but would love to

[@junethea8283]

Yes! I love this game so much. I am here for this

[@Scottymation]

This was a good analysis, not gonna lie. That said, Downpour was garbage. It pales in comparison to the original trilogy. With the developers saying they don't care about the cult and creating their wannabe Pyramid Head, I just couldn't like this game. It felt like it was developed by people who wanted Silent Hill to be about something else, while simultaneously trying to emulate the feeling of SH2. IMO It was a wasted effort. Any game after 4 wasn't Silent Hill. Also, the monsters were really uninspired.

[@ianfinrir8724]

Pyramid Head and the Boogeyman have different symbolism, however. Pyramid Head is there to remind James of his crime and eventually punish him for it. Boogeyman is how we view the person who wronged us as a monster, no longer human and how that in turn makes us the monster.

[@Scottymation]

​@@ianfinrir8724 They may have tried to disconnect Pyramid Head and the Bogeyman, but it's still uninspired and lazy. In Pyramid Head's case, James subconsciously wanted to be punished for what he did, and the design had a very specific reason it existed. The Bogeyman is only there because it's meant to represent how Murphy and Anne saw those who wronged them as monsters, thus dehumanizing them. It's far less compelling because it's still a boss-type monster who goes after the character for thoughts they don't want to acknowledge, but without any visual symbolism to tie it together. The fact that Bogeyman's design looks virtually the same between Murphy and Anne shows how little these developers knew how the town actually works. It's like you can tell the developers were trying to copy SH2, without copying SH2. Though Downpour isn't the first to try doing SH2 again.

[@ianfinrir8724]

@@Scottymation I'm fine with monsters looking the same to different people as it's been confirmed that the town itself has input on the design and it isn't just dependant on one person's psyche.

[@Scottymation]

@@ianfinrir8724 That's really not true. The only reason James was able to witnessed Angela's monster was because their nightmares were merging together. Aside from that, monsters are unique to the individual. Masahiro Ito, the creature designer even said once, "I wonder what Eddie's "Pyramid Head" looked like, hinting that monsters aren't the same. There's even a memo confirming that some people won't witness your monsters at all. It's literally toward the beginning of SH2. The only reason James even sees Pyramid Head the way he does is because of the painting in the Historical Society. James saw it years ago when he went there with Mary. In fact all of the monsters James fights represent him and Mary in some way. There's no reason they'd exist for Eddie and Angela. It's absolutely dependent on a person's psyche.

[@ianfinrir8724]

@@Scottymation Ito also said that the reason the Mandarin (SH2) and the Closer (SH3) look so similar is because, A: he felt the Mandarin was overlooked by a lot of players, and B: to convey the sense that the power of Silent Hill can create monsters independent of any particular person's mindset.

[@Scixxy]

Glad to see Downpour getting some love!

[@GazettiSF]

I want to say that i'm not leaving a dislike on the video or trying to throw shade or anything here. The video is well put together and i respect what you do. However, i cant help but disagree with basically every point you bring up in this video. I struggle to find anything in this game smart, let alone genius. The issues this game had were much more than technical issues. The gameplay, story, and big empty world with boring, uncreative monster designs that respawned were the biggest issues. I'm not trying to gatekeep (although i'm basically about to) but even though i know you've played the other games, this video gives me the impression that you havent really played the other games or at least didnt pay attention to them. Maybe its just me, but i really cant consider naming something in reference to something else that connects them is genius. Clever, maybe, but genius? I dont think so. I hate this game and i put it right next to homecoming as the lowest points of the franchise. There is a reason it was rated the way it was. Im a fan of these kinds of discussion though, and would love to jibber jabber about it here or wherever. I'm not telling anyone that they cant like this game or any other one, i just wanted to share my thoughts on your analysis.

[@thegamingmuse]

"...this video gives me the impression that you havent really played the other games or at least didnt pay attention to them." *stares into the camera like this is the office*

[@GazettiSF]

I get that from “there’s nothing else like it in the series” and silent hill just being a “place that punishes” the other games will show you that it’s definitely more than that.

[@Scottymation]

@@thegamingmuse The fact that you responded like this confirms you haven't played much of the originals. It's ok to like the later games, but if they were genuinely your "introduction" to the series, I'm sorry, but you don't know anything about Silent Hill at all, and this video, along with any other video supporting these later games, demonstrates this.

[@Scottymation]

@@GazettiSF Unfortunately, the generation that was introduced to the series through the later games have little to no hope of understanding why the originals eclipse the quality of their predecessors, and why the later games come from a fundamental misunderstanding of what the source material was going for.

[@GazettiSF]

@@Scottymation i dont think its hopeless, but if your favorite is any of the later ones you arent going to have an easy time looking back. sh2 is a great game but it unfortunately set the blueprint for what every game after 4 would be and its a shame. but more importantly, the older games were very smart and well thought out. these games however, are not. there isnt anything nearly as smart and just making something symbolic for the sake of it doesnt mean you are a a great story teller.

[@evanmichaelpearce1367]

This is literally in my top 3 favorite games in the SH series, Im glad to see a positive video about it for once lol

[@rockybalboa4593]

Same. My top 3 in the series are Silent Hill 2, Silent Hill Downpour, and Silent Hill Homecoming,

[@kyo2975]

Finally, somebody appreciating this game for once for the great game this is, even if it is a bit broken with the frame rate and vertical sync not turned on. I feel like the developers didn't really know what they were doing as far as stretching the system as far as it could go. But the game itself, if it was actually released for the PC, I think would have been so much better. They should have re-released this and stuck in more monsters for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One.

[@BaeconPuncakes]

Technically, Silent Hill 3 was my first silent hill game and I remember being so scared to it that I play it and never saved a file so whenever I turn it on, I get to experience the horror again and again to be used to it, but alas, when the “knock” on the comfort room in the Mall other world scare came, gave me the chill and scare of my life that I didnt play it for a lloooooonng time. Silent Hill 4 was the first one I finished and only then did I get the courage to face Silent Hill 3 again.

[@Faraklin]

This will be a great month

[@lukasvolsan3933]

I love Downpour. I have played every game in the series on release and it remains my third favorite entry in the series.

[@ghostofwar5430]

The only sh I didn't play. Finished entire serries multiple times but simply never had a chance to play this one. Watched entire walkthrough on KZbin tho

[@ChristopherSadlowski]

I'm so glad you've made all these videos on Silent Hill. It's a series I find fascinating but as a big chicken I can't play there games because they scare me too much. So I get to hear all the stories, and all the theories, without having a heart attack or lingering PTSD.

[@lolasaysyes]

I never knew Downpour was your first Silent Hill game! I guess we are different gaming generations… my first Silent Hill was watching my friend’s dad play the original, shortly after it was released, while I was in middle school. It struck me as way too scary but made a very strong impression. He also played the RE series with his kids, but we were way too chicken to try Silent HiLl 😂

[@thegamingmuse]

It wasn't my first game, actually! Folks seem to have misunderstood as I wasn't clear enough I suppose; it was the game that got me back into the series. I played the PS2 games growing up and then drifted away from the series.

[@RUIN-ingYourFavoriteSongs]

My brother passed away last year but some of my favorite memories together here attempting to play this game high on acid every other weekend for five or six months when I would come to visit from college. We would be so terrified between bursts of laughter and crawling out of your skin excitement. It had and still has a lasting impact on me on a fan near daily basis. Remember damn near fighting for whoever got to play through the next scene or part of the game. But not because one of us wanted to play… Haters be damned. This game will forever be the scariest and some of the most fond memories of my life.

[@LittleLuckyLink]

Thank you so much for making this video. Initially, Downpour sat comfortably in my top 3 SH games. That list has changed slightly, but Downpour is still up there! I wish they didn’t have to rush the development and could have spent a few more months polishing it up.

[@krauser57]

Amazing Narration, I Got The Game on My old Xbox360, dynamic Weather i Have to SEE that , love The Phrase " I don't remember the Bugs and The Gliches"

[@rickc-137___]

The first silent hill game that I ever played absolutely loved it. Haven't played any other since.

[@charzakwinn1398]

Amazing analysis of a severely underrated game!

[@arielrodriguez7257]

My first interaction with the saga was Silent Hill 4 and it deeply disturbed me (I was still a kid back then). My second interaction with the saga was Downpour and I loved it. After that I played all the games of the main line and I really liked them as well. I'm a huge fan of this saga and the game that I most replayed was Downpour. Every now and then I replay it on my 360. It has such a creepy atmosphere. Honestly the only flaw I can find on the game is the poor variety of enemies (especially bosses) and maybe some of the puzzles. As I said, I love all the games of the saga but The Room and Downpour are just next level in my humble opinion. I'm so happy that we'll be getting Downpour content this month. Keep up the great work!

[@sekilhos4176]

Now that's a controversial title. I'll be sure to watch it later

[@pyxl666]

I love Downpour. The ONLY TWO things I would have to complain about are: 1.) The enemies. Most of them are dull and boring. The best ones are the Dolls and Wheelman...the latter being a boss. 2.) The fact that Murphy's backstory is inconsistent based on decisions made during the game. Especially when one of those backstories makes little to no sense.

[@gerardwolf8507]

which boss? the bogeyman?

[@pyxl666]

@@gerardwolf8507 no, the Bogeyman is thankfully its own entity unlike the Homecoming design but unfortunately falls short. The Wheelman is a boss that you don't physically fight and is more like a puzzle.

[@dmer-zy3rb]

i didnt watch the video, but believe me: there is no secret genius to this game. its a generic 2012 third person game and a technical nightmare to boot.

[@Aramintha]

nice to see you ignored all the good points the video made and decided to search up this just to hate on it what a clown you are seriously you must be one of those snobby elitists that everyone hates

[@ByAzuraByAzuraByAzura]

@@Aramintha Ironic how she mentioned ignorance in this video then we got ignorant mfers who can't even hear the points being made before commenting 😂

[@kenrobinson5941]

great video and just when i thought there was no more that could be said about downpour

[@eskapegoat86]

Shoutout to Murphy. Dude was a beast. Literally

[@eskapegoat86]

I remember being a tattoo apprentice anticipating this game coming out. And when it did.. it didn't disappoint me.

[@RobertLeBlancPhoto]

I started playing SH with 1, 2, 3, then nothing for years, then Homecoming, which I didn't like, then Downpour, which I liked, although most didn't. I've been eagerly awaiting another SH game.

[@jadehill2001]

Downpour is my penultimate favourite of the series. Like you, I never focussed on the technical issues at all and focussed on the excellent story instead.

[@shinbakihanma2749]

You have shit tastes in games. This is one of the worst games of the past decade, and arguably the worst game to hold the Silent Hill name.🤣

[@Dukefazon]

I'm playing Downpour right now. I started it a couple of years ago but fell off of it somewhere after I freed the second blue bird. But I thought of returning to the game a lot and for some odd reason I decided to do it now. Through all the technical and design issues I can see some brilliance. If there was a stronger hand in charge of the project, this game could have been a great success. There are all sorts of cool ideas with poor execution all around the game it hurts me. As I'm playing, I get caught in the corners of geometry, the framerate is choppy but then once in a while I see some cool idea and I just feel that there's something special in this game, the next second they force in old tracks from previous games almost as if it's turning towards the player "see, I'm a Silent Hill game, no other game could play this old track from the series". It's weird. But I think I'm going to see this game to the end.

[@torenvarela9340]

I've played many SH games. SH2 and Downpour are by far my favorites.

[@OthoDaFe]

OMG this is such a good analysis. Great job

[@RuminInLove]

Solid vid, there should be more positive think pieces about the more controversial Silent Hill games on youtube. Water out the negativity with positivity. Notice how almost all the negative comments have almost the exact same amount of likes lol.

[@nillynush4899]

My biggest problem with Downpour and something like Homecoming (besides what Twin Perfect already covered) are their completely under-utilized protagonist damage. Murphy had potential as a SH protag, being a former prisoner and all. They could have tackled lots of depressing issues, but depending on your ending Murphy may not even be a murderer... making the entire game almost pointless. Next comes Alex, a horror protag with HUGE potential considering his advertised past as a soldier. There is so much you could explore within the shellshocked mind of a soldier, lots of opportunities for scares... Yet by the time you get to the ending, it turns out that Alex was literally just PRETENDING to be a soldier, making the entire game (along with its "updated combat") almost pointless as well...

[@CPHorrorCP]

Awesome video, minimal spoilers yet so insightful! My copy of Downpour arrived today completeing my mainline collection, so excited! Keep up your good work!!!

[@TheCrippledEgg]

The gameplay is subpar, but the story is great. It really gets to the core of the series in the same way Silent Hill 2 did. There's no focus on cults or Alessa or birthing gods. Just somebody stumbling into town being forced to face their demons.

[@TheCrippledEgg]

@Richard Miller except the cult trying to birth God from Alessa isn't the reason why Silent Hill is the way it is. It's the reason for how it is for Harry, Travis and Heather, but it didn't give rise to the supernatural properties of the town. That's never really explained and rightly so.

[@ianfinrir8724]

@@TheCrippledEgg The town has always had some sort of power to it, the Native Americans that lived there used it as a place to commune with the spirits (literally). When Alessa was burned, her psychic energy mixed with the already supernatural power of the town and warped it.

[@ianfinrir8724]

@Richard Miller After the first game, the guys and gals at Konami wanted the Silent Hill series to go along the same lines as two, a person with darkness in their heart being called to the town to answer for their sins. But fans bitched and complained about the cult and what happened to Harry and all that so they made Silent Hill 3 instead. SH3 is a great game, but it's pretty much a retelling of the first game (which a lot of sequels tend to be)

[@AvoCamilo]

Fair analysis, tho this game and Homecoming are just weak americanized rehashes of 2. Red colored light and beings following you, changing perspective (turning cube with faces), big guy with weapon (Pyramid head), symbolism about guilt and facing the truth about yourself at the end

[@BallJoinedWing]

Another triumph, muse! Tyty

[@nifftbatuff676]

Slent Hill 2 was my entry in the series. Imagine my depression in the following years.

[@SemekiIzuio]

Yeah I love the occult stuff of it along with the psychological of self

[@B3nny56]

I consistently disagree with most of these videos; & I still do with this one - but I still enjoy watching watching these videos 'cause you do clearly put effort into, & I fi want to try to see another p.o.v on SH topics, but it just ain't happening lol Like I guess downpour is kinda neat as a "choose your own adventure"-ish kinda thing where have some input on the story - too bad each "choice" that gives you an input & changes the story make no sense. They don't even change the immediate outcome, on top of having no relevance to the reason Murphy was in jail or feeling guilt - but those get changed anyways too because (??????) To the point where suddenly, timeloop,, or actually - it's just a dream from the lady character & Murphy is the cop. At that point it's like, ok so what's the story, what happened? Idk, pick one? Choose your own story? They all happened, none of them happened, doesn't matter I guess; &, if the story doesn't matter why should I care about the story at all lol

[@VVallago]

This game is awesome

[@DzikiWaclaw]

I really liked Downpour but it hss 2 major problems. It's not very scary, especially the enemy design is laughably lacking in comparison to earlier games. And the technical side is completely messed up. Fix those 2 problems and suddenly Downpour is probably best post Team Silent entry in the series.

[@naytny5819]

Most Silent Hill games aren't that scary though lol, the one that comes close is SH1.

[@Ært3m1y]

Please make English subtitles.

[@jmarra07]

You poor, poor fool. This game, and Tom Hullett, really, really are just the worst things.

[@thegamingmuse]

You have a very weird sense of what the 'worst' is.

[@madeofmeats]

Glad to see someone giving Downpour the props it deserves, I don't stand for Downpour slander in my house 😮‍💨

[@Jacob-ml5bp]

ive seen gameplay of that game and it looks atrocious. Idk ill try to play it is it a ps3 game? i could emulate it if so

[@orlandofurioso7329]

@@Jacob-ml5bp It is a ps3 game, quick tip, don't close the diary on the map screen, you will avoid some texture flickering on rpcs3

[@mr.pyramidhead2510]

Downpour was Alright.

[@ranzudezuLRTC]

Oh Konami...this game was really intriguing and I thought it was hella creepy and it's sad that a lot of fans hated it 😶🤧

[@jamoohughes8455]

I am so HYPED for more downpour stuff! I LOVED downpour when it first came out and after getting back into the SH fandom I've been replaying this game and I'm still in love. True there are bugs and issues but, let's be honest, fighting was never SH's forte. Murphy is such an interesting character and you can't help but feel bad for him, after all who wouldn't do the same if their kid was taken in such a way? The rain aspect always gets to me as well. And that boss ending? That was an unforgettable, traumatizing, boss that I will never forget and still hate to put down for many reasons. I will always love this game, and replaying it as been fun. I can't wait to see what you have to say about this, Muse.

[@LadyBern]

Coming back because I finally figured out how I want to phrase this. I like the SH franchise, I can appreciate even the weaker games for what they are. But to me Downpour felt like the series getting back to what made SH great with 1, 2, and 3. No cult stuff, no Alessa, no PH(excluding joke ending which included other characters not featured in the game), it felt like 2 with the town becoming that psychological mirror or moral hurdle they must overcome. The town didn't feel like a simple gimmick, it felt like a silent antagonist that had rules and a will. Downpour feels like this is what Angela's game would've been like had they focused a SH game on her. Only with fire and different monsters, but I mean the extremely difficult task she'd have of forgiving herself for and starting to work on managing the trauma she experienced this wanting to live vs die. But that poor thing, death was the only way she'd have peace.

[@Scottymation]

Two of the first three games you mentioned were centered completely around the cult. What are you even talking about... Downpour was a bad rehash of SH2, just like Homecoming and Origins.

[@mondoprime]

It's a VERY corny game

[@midnightshade32]

Loved this game back in the day I returned it as the monsters were tough and it turned me off. Regretted that over a decade later and just bought the game again on a different system. Damn the price went up. Its about the same price used as it was on Release due to digital delisting (probably due to Korn).

[@Hugo_Tate]

This game was boring

[@Theottselmaster]

Really liked this game, shame it runs so very poorly on console.