Silent Hill: Book of Memories Review for PS Vita

System: PS Vita
Dev: WayForward Technologies
Pub: Konami
Release: October 16, 2012
Players: 1-4
Screen Resolution: 544p	Blood and Gore, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence

One of the things that makes this particular version of Silent Hill unique is the fact that it incorporated a cooperative multiplayer mode as well. That might not seem like an entirely unique feature, but when you consider how the previous incarnations of SH have had a particularly introverted psychological focus, the addition of multiplayer seems to fly in the face of their established standards.

Silent Hill: Book of Memories Screenshot

But WayForward somehow manages to make it work. The gameplay stays relatively smooth via network play, and anyone who has ever played an MMO knows that playing with friends is more fun. (Shut up, Skyrim fans).

Obviously, Silent Hill: Book of Memories wasn't created for the core group of diehard Silent Hill fans. It's a new title with a new focus and could very well become a centerpiece of Konami's library. But, we'll only really be able to make that decision after we've seen some of the planned DLC and any potential sequels.

As it stands, Silent Hill: Book of Memories is a rock-solid, dungeon-style RPG that pays a good deal of homage to the Silent Hill universe. It's probably not quite what the diehards would have wanted, but that doesn't mean that it's bad.

Besides, until a Resident Evil title shows up on the Vita, our options are pretty limited. So, we may as well enjoy what we've got. I know that's not exactly a ringing endorsement, but it is the unfortunate truth.

By
Josh Engen
Contributing Writer
Date: October 19, 2012

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

4.0

Graphics
The Vita's graphical hardware doesn't disappoint.

4.0

Control
Finally, a genuinely good usage of the touchscreen interface.

3.0

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
Solid sound design, but nothing to write home about.

3.2

Play Value
Very repetitive, as RPGs tend to be. But this fact somehow feels magnified in BoM.

3.7

Overall Rating - Good
Not an average. See Rating legend below for a final score breakdown.

Review Rating Legend
0.1 - 1.9 = Avoid	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	3.5 - 3.9 = Good	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair	4.0 - 4.4 = Great	5.0 = The Best

Game Features:

The very first Multiplayer Silent Hill - survive horrific nightmare worlds with your friends in a terrifying co-op experience.

Create and customize your own main character.

Features a legion of classic creatures from throughout Silent Hill's history.

Daniel Licht (Dexter, Silent Hill: Downpour) returns to compose an all-new soundtrack.

Exclusive to PlayStation Vita.