The Failed Comeback of Silent Hill
Hey gamers, did you also have high expectations for Silent Hill: Ascension? Then you probably share the disappointment of many fans. Instead of heralding the long-awaited revival of the cult series, the game faced massive criticism. But what went wrong with Ascension?
Since the abrupt end of Silent Hills, the series had been in an uncertain state. However, several announcements of new games and a remake of Silent Hill 2 raised hopes for a revival. Unfortunately, various shortcomings prevented Silent Hill: Ascension from fully realizing its potential.
An Unusual Game Concept
Silent Hill: Ascension is a blend of a TV series and a choose-your-own-adventure style game. All viewers are allowed to vote simultaneously and decide which path the story takes. An exciting concept, but unfortunately, it didn't convince everyone.
Where Does Silent Hill: Ascension Fit into the Series?
Ascension follows six main characters living in two locations that are connected by a series of deaths and mysteries. With the eerie town, cult elements, and the presence of monsters, Ascension hits many of the expected features of the Silent Hill games. However, these references were not enough to make the game the revival kickoff it was hoped to be.
Lack of Depth Compared to Classic Silent Hill
Despite many references to the classic Silent Hill titles, Ascension lacked subtlety. Unlike previous games, psychological elements and monster symbolism were openly stated instead of being left for the player to interpret.
Interactivity as a Stumbling Block for Ascension
The interactive element was a central part of the game - an idea with a lot of potential. However, unfortunately, the implementation of these interactions quickly became a major criticism of Ascension.
The Significance of Silent Hill: Ascension for the Series
Ascension was supposed to be the starting point for the series' revival. However, instead of capturing the charm of the early games, it disappointed with a mediocre story, clunky animations, and a questionable in-game economy. Nevertheless, the upcoming remake of Silent Hill 2 could have the chance to make up for Ascension's shortcomings.
