Silent Hill 4, regarded as the worst entry in the series, did well in establishing a dreadful atmosphere where safe spaces are haunted. It was the last title created by team Silent and no longer directed by Masahiro Ito, instead Akira Yamaoka took the leading role in the development of the project. It was meant to take the franchise in a different direction, while still retaining the horror elements know in previous titles. With mixed receptions as a result. Story: We play as Henry Townshend, a man in his late 20's that moved into room 304 2 years ago. One fateful day, he finds himself in the middle of a tragedy yet unbeknownst to him. As he leaves his bedroom, he suddenly finds his front door covered in chains, preventing him from leaving his apartment. Worse yet, a strange hole appeared inside the bathroom, leading into what many consider the "otherworld". Gameplay: Unlike previous titles, the use of weaponry becomes much more common. Enemies can deal a significant portion of damage to the player. Ghosts for instance cannot be directly killed, instead, they only fall to the ground and will get up again. Healing items are scarce and it is recommended to save them for much later. Gripes: Eileen isn't very useful and serves as a plot device to advance the game. She's slow, does poorly in combat and overall can be a nuisance to deal with. However, she's also somewhat of a sympathetic character, where the player is meant to feel empathy towards her. Positives: The character designs are simple, yet feel like a step-up from previous protagonists. There's almost a cathartic feel to them. Henry being a stoic man unfazed by the horrors he witnesses, while Eileen reacts with anxiety and fear, a much more human and emotional display. I've always felt they're akin to parents concerning the gender dynamic between the two. They're in no conflict, almost complimentary to each other. It gives a soothing feeling, given the circumstances. Overall, I do recommend this game!
