Silent Hill fans can now take their favorite horror based gaming franchise on the go with Book of Memories. The Vita is in need of sales and a popular title to get them there and this one will fit the bill for many gamers. It is an all-new game in series that contains a unique premise and storyline. Book of Memories also has a much more adventure focused style of gameplay. It’s a new approach that is surely different from the standard formula. A change of pace is welcome though. When a new direction is implemented right, it can invigorate a franchise and breath fresh air back into it. It’s safe to say WayForward Technologies has pulled this off. Gamers familiar with the Silent Hill Franchise will notice another significant change in Book of Memories that is new for the series. This includes a much larger focus on co-operative multiplayer action. Through the new co-op option, gamers can now work together as they explore several worlds. A welcome addition indeed.

The story begins with a strange book that is received. Inside this book is your entire life story to this point including everything that’s ever happened to you; all of your memories good and bad alike. You discover that by altering what’s written, you can actually change the past. You can write your own ideal history in this version of Silent Hill. Whether you play solo or with friend, expect to be solving puzzles and fighting ghoulish creatures to advance through the nightmares of demon filled dungeons. Doing so will eventually uncover the truth behind the mysterious Book of Memories.

The game plays with a top down view to showcase the action. Gamers will fight through 6 hellish Otherworlds which will vary in landcape and design. Within these Otherworlds are special areas called Forsaken Rooms. In these rooms is a child in distress. It’s up to the player to decide to help or not which alters the game’s campaign based on your decisions. So in other words choose wisely. Gamers will engage in combat through melee based actions. Players might use two weapons (one in each hand) or utilize one that is heavy enough to require dual wielding. Holding down the attack button will boost its strength delivering much more damage to your enemies. To be more precise, gamers can lock onto targets as well.

As with all Silent Hill games you will be wise to advance through each area with a specific strategy in mind. If you come in guns hot your character will not last long and it doesn’t help that the health packs are few and far between. Worth noting as well is that all weapons degrade over time dependent on how often they are used. Gamers need to keep an eye on this and repair them when needed through the use of toolkits. Stores are also located throughout the game where weapons, artifacts and many more items can be acquired. One of the key upgrades is the larger backpack. This upgrade allows players to carry more items which is very helpful.

Look forward to scare rooms, limited resources, and an overall creepy atmosphere throughout your venture within this entry. Get ready to go to war against 50 different demonic enemies including many of most memorable creatures found from over a decade of Silent Hill games. Rest assured you’ll come across Nurses, Needlers and Air Screamers to name just a few fan favorites. Every time you slay one of these demons they will leave behind one of two types of Karma which is blood or light. Again, choosing one or the other alters the story’s direction.

Key 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

Final Thoughts

Book of Memories is a new experience for the Silent Hill series. It encompasses much more action than its predecessors and encourages co-op gameplay where up to 4 players can join in. Fans who are strictly looking for survival horror based gameplay may be put off but I encourage all fans and newcomers of the franchise to try it out. It’s an excellent adventure title that can most importantly be played on the go alongside four friends. The combat is solid and the story in intriguing and unique. It is without a doubt one the best Vita games to date and a worthy entry to the popular Silent Hill series.

Review Rating: 8/10