Being a fan of the Tales series, the announcement of the English translation of Vita-exclusive Tales of Hearts R in 2014 led me to buy a Vita and discover other exclusive games. This journey introduced me to franchises like Persona, Uncharted, and Killzone, all of which showcased console-level gaming on a handheld platform.
Among these games was the Vita-exclusive Silent Hill: Book of Memories, released in 2012 with mixed reviews. Despite criticisms, I, a newcomer to the Silent Hill series, decided to explore it. Coming off the success of Silent Hill 2’s remake, I found myself intrigued by the unique gameplay that Book of Memories offered.
Reading time
Starting the game, I expected a horror experience typical of Silent Hill, but was surprised by its lack of scare factor. Following a tutorial on combat mechanics and the game’s unique plot involving rewriting memories, I found myself immersed in a different style of storytelling compared to traditional Japanese RPGs.
The gameplay, presented from a top-down view, combined dungeon-crawling elements with RPG mechanics, providing an engaging experience despite its flaws in storytelling and graphics. The multiplayer mode, while innovative, had its limitations in execution but added replay value to the overall game.
Sharing the pain
The multiplayer aspect of Book of Memories allowed for cooperative gameplay, adding a new dimension to the Silent Hill experience. With multiple endings based on player choices, the game provided a dynamic narrative that kept players engaged.
Despite mixed feelings post-completion, Book of Memories offered a unique gameplay experience that inspired further exploration of the Silent Hill franchise. The game’s imperfect execution was overshadowed by its potential, leading me to delve deeper into the series through subsequent titles.
