Status:
- Complete in Box
- Play Tested
Silent Hill HD Collection (PS3) Review
Silent Hill HD Collection was released in 2012 for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, featuring remastered versions of Silent Hill 2 and Silent Hill 3. While the idea of bringing these survival horror classics to a modern audience sounded great, the execution was deeply flawed, leading to one of the most disappointing HD remasters of its time.
What Works
Silent Hill 2 & 3s Core Gameplay is Intact
The core mechanics and psychological horror elements of both games remain mostly unchanged. The storytelling, unsettling atmosphere, and exploration still provide an eerie, memorable experience.
Updated Voice Acting (Optional in SH2)
Silent Hill 2 offers the option to switch between the original and new voice acting. While the new performances are divisive, having a choice is a plus.
Higher-Resolution Textures & Widescreen Support
The HD resolution makes some elements look sharper, and the widescreen support helps with immersion.
What Doesnt Work
Broken Atmosphere & Visual Downgrades
Konami used incomplete source code for this remaster, leading to major graphical issues:
- The iconic Silent Hill fog is significantly reduced, ruining immersion and revealing unfinished-looking backgrounds.
- Water textures and lighting effects are downgraded compared to the PS2 versions.
Performance Issues (Especially on PS3)
- Frame rate drops and stuttering occur frequently, particularly in Silent Hill 3.
- Audio synchronization issues make cutscenes feel awkward.
Buggy AI & Gameplay Problems
- Enemy AI behaves strangely compared to the original games.
- Certain scripted events dont trigger properly, breaking immersion.
No Original Voice Acting for SH3
Unlike Silent Hill 2, Silent Hill 3 forces players to use the new voice acting, which some fans disliked.
Final Verdict
🔴 Final Score: 4/10
The Silent Hill HD Collection is a prime example of a remaster gone wrong. While the original games are masterpieces, this collection is riddled with technical flaws that ruin their atmosphere and performance. If you want to experience Silent Hill 2 and Silent Hill 3 properly, stick with the original PS2 versions or play them via backward compatibility on older hardware.
Pros:
Classic gameplay and horror elements remain intact
Silent Hill 2 has an option for original voice acting
Higher resolution textures in some areas
Cons:
Reduced fog and graphical issues break immersion
Frequent frame rate drops and bugs (especially on PS3)
Forced new voice acting in SH3
AI and audio issues that werent in the originals
Recommendation: Skip this version and find the originals if possible.
