Silent Hill 3
Tags: fantasy, cult, violence, good versus evil, insanity, revenge

Plot synopsis:
=== Setting and characters ===
Silent Hill 3 is set in the fictional universe of the Silent Hill series. Seventeen years before the start of Silent Hill 3, in the year 1983, Harry Mason defeated a god brought forth by the resident cult of Silent Hill and at the ending, was given a baby girl to care for. The protagonist and player character of Silent Hill 3 is Heather, the teenaged adopted daughter of Harry. Claudia Wolf, the cult's priestess who plans to bring about a paradise on Earth, serves as the game's antagonist. As Heather attempts to unravel the reasons why the cult of Silent Hill is pursuing her, she encounters a private investigator named Douglas Cartland; Vincent, a member of the cult who detests Claudia; and Leonard Wolf, Claudia's abusive father.
=== Story ===
At the beginning of the game, Heather awakens at a shopping mall, having fallen asleep while dining at a burger joint; she had been dreaming of being trapped in a demented amusement park, forced to follow roller coaster tracks in her flight from monstrous creatures and subsequently being run down by the roller coaster. Before she can leave the mall, a private detective called Douglas Cartland confronts her, claiming to have information about her birth. Heather evades him and discovers that the mall is mostly abandoned except for monsters. She encounters Claudia, who hints about Heather's fate. Heather finds herself in the Otherworld version of the mall — monster-filled and decaying — and is eventually restored back to the original shopping mall where she encounters Douglas, who confesses that Claudia had hired him to find her. Heather leaves the mall and resolves to take the subway home. Having arrived at her residence, Heather discovers that her father has been killed by a monster under the orders of Claudia, who tells her that she will be waiting for her in Silent Hill and leaves.
Heather resolves to go to Silent Hill, intent on killing Claudia. She meets with Douglas in her apartment and accepts his offer to drive her there. On the journey there, Douglas explains that Vincent left him a message, telling them to look for a man named Leonard, while Heather reads a memo left by her father before his death, which reveals that she is the baby girl that was left to her adoptive father, Harry Mason, at the conclusion of the first game, after he defeated the god birthed by Alessa Gillespie. Claudia seeks Heather to birth the cult's god, since Heather is Alessa's reincarnation.
Upon arriving in Silent Hill, which is abandoned and fog-shrouded, Heather checks Brookhaven Hospital for Leonard. After discovering that Leonard is Claudia's father, Heather meets a transfigured Leonard, who attacks her after discovering that she is not a cult member; Heather defeats him. She eventually meets Vincent, who directs her to a church via a local amusement park, purportedly at Douglas' request. Heather arrives at the amusement park, where she finds Douglas wounded. She reaches the church and confronts Claudia, who kills Vincent. After swallowing a substance within a pendant that her father had given her, Heather vomits out the deity in fetus form. Claudia swallows the fetus and dies after birthing the deity; Heather then fights and defeats the god.
Three endings appear in the game. The "Normal" ending, which is the only ending available on the first play-through of the game, sees Heather and Douglas survive. The "Possessed" ending sees Douglas having been killed by Heather. The "Revenge" ending, which is a joke ending accessible by performing certain in-game actions, sees Heather talking with Harry, and UFOs blow up Silent Hill. According to Silent Hill: Homecoming, the "Normal" ending is the canon one as one of Douglas' files can be found in the game.
=== Tarot Card Puzzle ===
The player is supposed to find five Tarot cards in the game in order to solve a crucial puzzle. Each card triggers a cut-scene. When collected, they are arranged in a nine-pane grid to solve the puzzle. The difficulty level determines what clues are given and what order the cards need to be laid out.
The cards are Marseilles Tarot-style depictions of O. The Fool, II. The High Priestess, XII. The Hanged Man, XVIII. The Moon, and XXII. The Eye of Night. The latter card is fictional, as there are only twenty-two cards in the Major Arcana of the Tarot Deck (including The Fool, the "zero card").

Review: SH3 is certainly different from the 1st two games, but it still delivers when I want to feel the creepiness around me!
Included with the game was the original CD music soundtrack and it makes your mind wander when you listen to it!
The bizarre enemy characters, though not as creepy as the ones from parts 1 & 2 still provide a thought provoking "Where the **** did they come from?!" If a movie's made about Silent Hill, it'd better be something more than Resident Evil was.
Good movie, but the characters should've remained as in the games.
A journey through madness (I a good silent hill way).
A great game but in comparison to Silent Hill, its a game for great old grandma.
Silent Hill 3 is the latest in the serie and the best imo.
We who have played the earlier Silent Hill games know to well.
This world is far more scary then what you see in the Resident evil games, mostly because of the darkness.The other world, makes the first world look like a paradise with little cute rabbits jumping around, peacefully eating flowers and stuff.
However the creatures living there exists.Its been 2 days since i played it last time.
If Silent Hill 2 had a Sado-machocistic theme with grotesque monsters like the pyramid head the 3´rd have a more blasphemous theme from a religous view.
Monsters are well done and the graphics supreme everything seen in Silent Hill 2.
You can also add more blood to the game, witc i did!Graphics: 10 (Cant really be better on a Ps2) Sound: 9 (Would have given 10 if it wasnt for the pathetic walk sounds) Gameplay: 9 Value: 8 (Rather short but you can replay it with extras)I´ll give it a 10!
A true classic and the best Silent Hill yet!.
Maybe because it was so dark that the game seemed extra freaky, but when you enter the small rooms and it is so dark, and so silent...I am just on the edge of my seat, waiting for something to just pop out.The graphics, while not being as good as "Final Fantasy X's", were very realistic, especially the shadows of the creatures and the girl.
This game is truly one of the best horror adventures I have seen in a long time.
Maybe the scariest game I've ever seen..
Quite possibly the most frightening experience one will have playing a video game.
One brilliant thing about the Silent Hill series is It's unpredictability.
Although Silent Hill 3 isn't the best in the franchise, it is far from the worst.
I would rank it as the 3rd best in the series after the 1st two games (In my opinion) being my favourites.
Silent Hill 3 executes both these qualities, and even more so in terms of fear factor.
Any Silent Hill fan who hasn't yet played the third installment to the series, is missing out on a great game.
Highly recommended for any Silent Hill fan..
including in a way that I'd have preferred it didn't, but I understand that others did want that; you should definitely try to play the original one before this, you will appreciate it on another level), but the well-done puzzles seem simpler(that, or I'm getting better...
This has amazing music, if there may be more lyrics than earlier in the series; then again, they are fantastic, and like the second, this does, as it needs to, distinguish itself(without deviating so much that we get alienated), they can't all be carbon-copies, they have to do something new.
The story-telling is well-done(I swear to you, I was literally touched a handful of times during this, not only scared) with you finding details as you go along, and then the scripted, in-engine cut-scenes(there are no CGI ones in this one, and they are not missed), with a free cinematography(with that said, were there an excess of shots from below the protagonist, or was that just me?), a wide range of animations and rather articulated faces and the like(I do not personally find the introductory movie as compelling as the other two, perhaps that is only me...
You now play as Heather, a teenage girl not afraid to speak her mind.
I wasn't bothered by the gender in the least, and her personality isn't irritating(I've yet to come across a single obnoxious person in this franchise up to this point); however, her vocabulary, well, fits her age, and it does take away from the mood when something is called/described using words like "boring", "gross" or "yuck".
Return to Silent Hill...
The best Silent Hill game yet.....
Welcome back to Silent Hill - the third 'game' in the series, and second on the Playstation 2.All those familiar with either of the other two epics will immediately be familiar with this offering.
It's rather difficult to discuss the game without spoiling the story, so i'll just briefly other aspects of the game.Silent Hill - the original on PS1, was a classic, it had everything; the story, the music, the atmosphere, tension, and the sickening creatures.
Silent Hill 2, seemed somewhat rushed, beautiful lifelike FMV's (for a 1st generation PS2 game) , a truly twisted story, but long loading times and poor level design with pathetic monsters.With Silent Hill 3, the dirctor seems to have learned his lesson and got it right in all aspects.
GONE are the hideous loading times between rooms and an updated interface now makes inventory interaction so much easier.The graphics are incredible, as good as you're ever going to see on a PS2, they are almost of XBox quality.There is now a massive variation in the types of creature that inhabit the World too, somewhere between 10 and 20 different types.The music is hauntingly familiar, and the atmosphere created by the sound FX makes the hairs on your arms stand on end sometimes - especially when the static from the radio comes on when a creature is close (brrrrrr)I'm not really into all this use of FMV for telling a story, so I am glad you can skip through it with the START button, although one nice feature is that if you have a SH2 save game on your memory card then you can interact with some of the FMV's which is a nice feature.This game definately is not for young children !
Well you will in SH3)Silent Hill 3 is probably overall, the greatest Survival Horror game on the PS2 - therefore on all consoles.
While it lacks the depth and emotion of Silent Hill 2 and is less captivating, it is still a great game nonetheless and doesn't fail to hold your attention.The game is a direct sequel to the first game.
If you haven't played it, that game revolved around Harry Mason searching for his daughter in Silent Hill.
Well, now that little girl has grown up and is a young teenage girl, who serves as the character you play as in the game.
Like all young teenage girls she has quite a temper on her, but her heart is in the right place and she is determined to find out what is happening to her.
Soon, her whole world has been shattered, and the only thing she can do now is survive.The graphics are superb, and are much better than any of the other games (including 4) the plot is brilliant, and the characters are all extremely interesting, to the point that you really care about them, and that even goes for the bad guys as well.
All in all, Silent Hill 3 is one fantastic game.
However, like all games, it has it's pros and it's cons.Pros: -The graphics.
They are fantastic, and are the best of the entire series.-The monsters are more challenging than any of the previous games, and are often much harder to defeat.
Also you can unlock certain weapons which is really fun.-The characters are probably some of the best in the entire series, especially Heather, who is my favourite character of the series.Cons: -The fact that you don't spend a lot of time in Silent Hill irked me slightly.
Also, you don't get to run around exploring the town like you did in the previous games.
However, you can pay a visit to Heaven's Night, the club from Silent Hill 2 just in case any fans of that game are interested.-The camera angles can get quite annoying at times.
I'm not sure that it's better than Silent Hill's 1&2, but it is definitely worth playing if you're a fan of this series, or even if you're not, you should still give it a go, but I'd advise playing the first game before you do.
"Silent Hill 3" is the scariest game in history.
If you ever play this game.
so if you wanna to scare the crap out of yourself get this game but if silent hill 2 scared you.
Oh wow and here thought sh2 was scary, this game is seriously messed up it's unbelievable how creepy it is, start to finish is a horrifying nightmare.the main character heather mason is one of the most likable down to earth protagonist in the series and you are going to feel sorry for her throughout the game.it's the darkest and also one of the most colorful game in the series the way that it's mostly red compare to the gray empty feel of sh2.in terms of story, 2 is slightly better but this is a damn good sequel and in my opinion the second best game in the series..
"Silent Hill 3"- A phenomenal exercise in pure horror..
Since the release of the original game all those years ago, the "Silent Hill" franchise has become something of a phenomena in the world of survival-horror gaming, quickly transforming into one of the most widely beloved and highly recognized examples of the genre.
But there's just something about that initial trilogy that rings true in the hearts of gamers as being pure.The third entry in the series, "Silent Hill 3" is one of the two fan favorites that constantly vies for the title of the best.
And while I do think it may never quite reach the exceptional quality of its immediate predecessor "Silent Hill 2", the fact still remains: this third chapter in the series is an immense achievement and continues to this day to be one of the most frightening and harrowing exercises in pure horror ever crafted for a home gaming console.
In every way exceptional, "Silent Hill 3" is a game that begs to be played and replayed over and over again, and I'm more than happy to indulge in it.We follow Heather, a feisty teenage girl who is haunted by disturbing nightmares of a treacherous and dark alternate reality to our own.
And eventually, it will lead her to the freakish and haunting domain we know as "Silent Hill."Differentiating itself from the previous entry, "Silent Hill 3" is far more focused on story than character this time around, and it helps lend to some nice contrast that sets this entry apart and allows us to absorb it without the burden of comparison.
It is established early on in the game that this is a definite continuation of the tale first began in the original entry (though to what end remains a bit of a mystery that I will not spoil), and when viewing it as a direct sequel, it's a refreshing return to familiar grounds with just enough different to set it apart.
It features an extremely intricate and intriguing plot that relies greatly on the player's ability to interpret symbolic imagery and subtle storytelling, which gives it an infinite replay value in order for the player to pick up on new details.This is very much in my opinion the most disturbing and frightening entry of the series, thanks to it's absolutely mind-shattering use of atmosphere and design.
Team Silent outdoes themselves yet again when it comes to the fear department, with perhaps the best-realized version of the iconic "Otherworld" in the entire series.
With a predominately red-based color scheme and a new focus on creating environments that appear to be living and breathing in their own way, you'll be left on the edge of your seat on a near-constant basis, feeling yourself being pulled into the world alongside Heather.
If you thought Pyramid Head was the scariest monster of the series, wait till you get a load of what the team has in store for you here!Characters are a bit more archetypal here, but still never anything less than compelling and thoroughly likable in every respect.
It's fascinating to suddenly shift to controlling a young girl for the first time in the series.
Just a great cast of characters all around.All of this builds towards creating an absolutely stunning and deeply intense gaming experience unlike any other you have ever played.
While I do think it might lack the emotional resonance of "Silent Hill 2", this in no way invalidates the game in any way.
It's still a perfect entry in the series, and to this day is still well worth your time.
you're gonna need it!"Silent Hill 3" is another perfect 10 out of 10 for the franchise..
Very good story and atmosphere...just what you expect in Silent Hill..
However, my favorite of the series now has to be Silent Hill Origins thanks to a vastly improved combat and movement system.
This one has a good story of a girl who while at the mall starts to see weird things, then of course monsters show up and our gal named Heather must navigate the demented mall, which gets even more demented after a ride in an elevator.
She also has to navigate the subways, sewers, and office buildings...all this before she even gets to Silent Hill!
And once you get to Silent Hill you will be amazed at how foggy it is!
The story is great as it seems to be a sequel to the first one, and of course Origins fits nicely in there too.
The problems come in the combat...a weakness for all Silent Hill games, you often get damaged and killed less because of your skill and more for the camera angles.
Still all in all this was a great survival horror game..
Silent Hill 3 patches the problems of the first and second games and provides a satisfying experience..
Silent Hill-3 May not be the best in the series in my opinion *That would go to The Room* but it comes closer than either of the first two- which were already amazing games.
Silent Hill 3 is were the series gains momentum, begins to define it's place, and truly begins to fix problems.
Silent Hill 3 opens in a dream sequence, a bloody and ruined theme park.
You just walked into the portal between your quiet town and silent hill.
Silent Hill 3's story progresses slower, and so does the game.
The music is the best of the series, and has the first uses of lyrics in Akira Yamaoka's music.
Silent Hill 3's story is just as bizarre as the first 2, however it's best to be familiar with the first one too fully understand SH3.
I would recommend highly recommend Silent Hill 3 to any survival horror fan..
((States that is may 'contain spoilers' for safety reasons.)) Recently, I have just gotten into the Silent Hill games, I was determined to play it for years now, but, I never got around to it, just because, I truly never understood what it was about, and even though I have a love for all things horror, I didn't want to get myself into something I didn't enjoy.
So eventually, I purchased the original Silent Hill off of Playstation Network, and devoured it in two days, I laughed, I cried, I screamed, I jumped, it was an amazing game.
Three months later, Easter was coming, and I asked for Silent Hill 2 and 3, upon realizing the HD collection was cheaper, my grandmother purchased that instead.
Though, I wasn't pleased, I didn't fuss over it, because it was still Silent Hill, regardless of new voice overs.
After completing Silent Hill 3 to six stars, I have to say, I like this game more than the first, and the second.
Like the second and first, I too, devoured this game in almost one sitting.
It features everything I loved from the first game, as well as little easter eggs to the second.
Heather, to me, is one of the most appealing Silent Hill protagonists so far, just because she has one of the most appealing back stories, I won't spoil it for anyone who hasn't played, but trust me, if you enjoyed the others, you'll enjoy this one.
Buy this game, play it, and love it, just like I did, treat it with kindness and respect, and it will do the same to you..
Silent Hill 3 carries the precedent set by the last two games in stride; a creepy must have for both fans of the series and those just looking for a cerebral scare.
The graphics are similar to Silent Hill 2's yet containing a level of polish that helps it hold up even to this day.
The plot actually succeeds in being the first of the series to attempt to somewhat explain the nature of the town seen in the original game, creating a good mix of the cult plot of the original,and the sexual imagery of the second.
Heather grows on you; she is one of the toughest, most unique female video game characters I have yet to see, and her performance picks up as the game continues, however sidekick and second-most seen character Douglas unfortunately sounds like he is in some kind of bizarre trance.
All in all, this game is one of the last good bastions of the classic ps-ps2 survival horror era, one that should be picked up by anyone who is a fan of the series or the genre.