Alchemilla hospital, like Dahlia and Dr. Kaufmann, isn't just fan service (for new-comers to the series, the hospital and characters are classic elements). Instead, the game is a real effort to answer some of the questions about Silent Hill that have come up over the years. Once Grady makes it into Alchemilla, unaware of the place's history (future?), he bumps into Dr. Kaufmann. Unfazed by the deserted hospital or its strange corridors, Grady demands to know if a young female burn victim was brought in. The good Doctor tells Grady to try talking to reception and heads off, leaving Grady to wander the spooky hospital. Finding a room full of examination equipment, Grady looks into the wall-covering mirror and notes, "Something wrong with the reflection." Of course, the reflection shows the "other" side of the town, a nightmare of corruption and blood and fortuitously opened doors. Without giving away the moment, Grady finds himself in the "other" Silent Hill, tasked with getting back to the "real" Silent Hill.

Something Old, Something New

Beyond the puzzles that suddenly begin appearing, the "other" Silent Hill also introduces combat. A horrific mannequin-cum-nurse is Grady's first opponent, and he wails on her somewhat ineffectually. With some scouting, he rounds up a target pistol and a katana, emptying a clip to drop one of the nurses and shattering the katana fighting the other one that's joined the fight. All weapons in Origins will eventually break with use, and there's no repair system, essentially giving every weapon an ammo count. The combat was familiar to watch, but it seemed a bit stiff. Not just because the "finishing move" against the nurse-demons consisted of stabbing them in the butt, but because it seemed like there was a bit of disconnect between the person demoing the game for us and their character.


As the game begins, it advises that you play with the lights out and headphones on for the full experience. Konami demoed the game for me in the office's darkened demo room, with the PSP outputting to the theater-esque sound system. As soon as the opening music started I had chills. This may not change the gaming landscape, but it looks like a great title for fans of Silent Hill and horror.