Sam Barlow's stock has risen sharply in recent years thanks to the award-winning FMV titles Her Story and Telling Lies, but back in 2009, he was employed at Climax UK as the lead writer and designer on Silent Hill: Shattered Memories, a horror title which has since gone down as one of the most unique games for Nintendo's million-selling Wii console.
Barlow kicked things off with a rather cryptic tweet regarding a potential successor to the original game, which broke new ground by removing the player's ability to engage in combat:
Spotting that his tweet had gained traction, Barlow clarified that the project, while being considered a successor to Shattered Memories, was not going to be part of the wider Silent Hill series and wasn't being pitched to Konami:
It sounds like whatever this ends up being, it won't be in the Silent Hill family but will instead borrow concepts from Shattered Memories – which suits us just fine, as that game always felt like a bit of an outlier in the wider franchise.
[source dualshockers.com, via gonintendo.com]
Comments 40
Maybe remaster the wii game first. I never did play it
Was a huge fan of this game. Short and sweet and the story was fantastic. It was just what the Wii needed back then. It was truly an original vision by its developer.
I really wish they could rerelease this Silent Hill on switch, I loved playing it over and over on PSP.
But we’ll, here’s hoping that his pitch goes through and it’s a good game.
This was a really really good game, although I’d still recommend to play both the original and this as they provide different variations on the same story. I’m perfectly happy with a follow up not being Silent Hill related as the series is pretty much dead and I’d prefer if this project actually went somewhere.
Silent Hill: Shattered Memories had PSP and PS2 versions. Loved this game.
Shattered Memories is one of the most memorable Wii games I've ever played. It was scary, forgiving, had a great story and just worked. That scene when the bridge ices over still wows me to this day. If this developer can nail that ambiance again, I'm in.
@Averagewriter I love the series so much. If you have a PC, check out the Silent Hill 2 fan remaster because it’s incredible!
@nessisonett @Averagewriter I like to think about it as a sequel to the original game, continuing from the bad ending where it was all a dying dream.
I'd love to play Shattered Memories today. I never got round to it on Wii.
Great game. One of my favorite on Wii.
I loved Shattered Memories it deserves a remaster along with Silent Hill 2-4. I'd love to see more games in its style
Have got my Wii set up. Something about the Wii controller and Nunchuk which feels better in my hands at the mo. Anyway been caning resi 4, Metroid corruption is my now and weekend game. Silent hill is coming soon, it’s a great atmospheric game and I love the snow setting. I can’t wait to play again xxx
Atmosphere was excellent and the use of the Wiimote speaker was brilliant. Too bad the chase scenes existed. Wouldve worked better as just a creepy atmospheric walking sim.
I loved Shattered Memories--until I got lost and discovered during the chase sequences so often that all horror was lost and replaced by tedium. It sort of became Shattered Atmosphere after that.
One of the only Silent Hill games I could actually play without pissing myself. Really liked the gameplay and loved the story.
One of the greatest Wii games, so I'm obviously game for more.
Just put it in VR--it makes total sense giving the motion-based interaction of the first game that was done brilliantly within the unique capabilities and indeed limitations of the Wii. Seriously, I think a similar game on console/PC would just get lost in the mix of all the survival horror games out there, but in VR a spiritual sequel to Shattered Memories could be genuinely amazing.
This game was fantastic. You'd think taking away your ability to fight enemies would be a detriment, but the route they went where you have to just run and hide from the creatures really ups the tension. I'd love a successor to this entry in some form.
Just do a spiritual sequel and cut the toxic konami ties.
One of the top games on the Wii. Wouldn't mind a remaster or a sequel or both!
I was a huge fan of Shattered Memories! I would love to play a follow up like game. Until Dawn one of my favorite games of all time seemed like a follow up in its own way so I'd love to get a new game in the same genre.
Amazing story, repetitive gameplay. Considering how restricting the Wii was as a hardware it would be very interesting to see what they're capable of doing on a more powerful hardware.
The worse Silent Hill..I want someone from Japanese team Silent to do a new entry.
Shattered Memories is one of my favorite horror games ever, just so good. Her Story and Telling Lies were trash, though, I'd hope he can reign in the cringe and keep things... I dunno, more "normal." SH:SM was just too good, though.
@Richnj I think that's what he means. A new IP, just inspired by shattered memories. And nothing Konami in sight. At least that's what I took from it.
I adore shattered memories, yes it had a few issues but the atmosphere, world and overall vibe (not to mention music) was incredible. I would love a follow up (and a HD reissue while we are at it!)
@Averagewriter This game has aged like a fine wine! Tomm Hulett, Sam Barlow and Climax Studios really knocked it out of the park! Their era as a producer for Silent Hill is a mixed bag of good ideas which not as much polish as one would hope. But, this was one of the few that they just aced!
Shame he still gets death threats over this game from Silent Hill fanboys who really don't understand what his job at Konami was...
I recently got hold of a copy of the game, will be playing through it this month. So I hope it's as good as people say it is.
I REALLY LIKED SHATTERED MEMORIES. The first and second SH games and Shattered Memories are the best IMHO. Shattered Memories was a cool remix of the first game if it had been tackled in the same psychological manner as the second game. It also really utilized the Wii tech in a way that worked mostly great. The flash light pointer, the phone messages via the controller, etc. One of the better Wii game imho. I would totally check out what this guy is working on.
That was a really stupid tweet. I loved Shattered Memories, though. Konami holds so many great I.P.'s hostage. 😔
Good news for me! If it was a “re-imagining” of Silent Hill 2, I’d be LIVID. That game is perfection and shouldn’t be touched. Except to release on Switch (please.)
I had the original on the Wii and enjoyed it. I kind of regret selling it because it’s something I wouldn’t mind going back to now.
I still remember how accurately the game described me in the end because of the decisions I had made.
Every time I read "But There's A Catch" I expect a crappy mobile version.
@JimmySpades On the chase sequences you follow the star in the sky as it leads you straight to the exit. I hated the game as well until I realised this.
I remember painting my house a stupid colour Pink I think and when I reached my house It was Pink😁
In the meantime, maybe we can look forward to Konami re-releasing Shattered Memories soon as a pachinko machine.
as this game was already a departure from the series, it may as well have had different character names.... I think they just kept certain aspects of the original to help play with people's nostalgia or such that would make them think "whoa, that's new." Either way, I'm totally on board for a new horror game, Silent Hill related or not, that uses the same or similar aspects of this game!!
Silent Hill Shattered Memories is one of the most memorable games that I have played. Story, visuals and whole climax were awesome. Will definietly buy a new game from the same author* (as long as initial reviews will be positive).
@sandman89 I hope for a remastered version of this game for switch to happen
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