One decade ago, Konami left a neoteric imprint on the survival horror genre with Silent Hill, a video game that would inspire a number of future titles, a movie, and several books and comics. But Harry Mason’s investigation into the fog-covered town and its strange occurrences accomplished more than just a household name among the likes of Resident Evil. The heart-pounding adrenaline rush introduced gamers to a nightmare founded on psychological Japanese horror and an equally unnerving musical score by composer Akira Yamaoka.

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Video game based movies drag around an embarrassing history with a charm akin to a rotting corpse that was left in the sun, and frankly it’s not all that surprising. Some things own too much baggage to survive the transfer from medium to medium without dropping a few key items here and there, and oftentimes what does worm its way through the wreckage resembles a hideous mutant spawn that can barely manage intelligent human speech let alone impress anyone as some lovable lost puppy. Not much else needs to be said: Video game films are practically doomed from the start screen, much to the frustration of hundreds of controller-wielding fans.

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Haunted houses,‭ ‬tales of gruesome deaths and vengeful spirits,‭ ‬terrifying movies,‭ ‬and midnight jaunts are all a part of the Halloween experience.‭ ‬People are simply fascinated with scaring themselves out of their wits,‭ ‬and they’ll take the experience of true fear in any form they can get.‭ ‬This fixation carries over into the gaming industry as well,‭ ‬catering to thrill seekers‭ (‬such as myself‭) ‬by producing titles that seek to elicit blood-curdling screams from their players.‭  ‬But why‭? ‬What prompts an average Joe to actively seek out video games that could cause his heart to beat rapidly,‭ ‬his blood pressure to rise,‭ ‬and the potential of soiled underwear‭?

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Speak. I am the Crimson One.

The Lies and the Mist are not They, but I.

I shall bring down bitter vengeance upon thee and thou shalt suffer my eternal wrath.

Thou shalt ever call upon me and all that is me in the place that is silent.

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Rumors had been circulating for a while about whether Silent Hill was coming to the Wii, and now it’s official (and not an April Fool’s joke).  The May issue of Nintendo Power has a cover story on the new game, titled Silent Hill: Shattered Memories, which will be a “re-imagining” (rather than a direct port) of the original title for the PSX.

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