The Silent Hill series hardly needs an introduction, for the gaming series has become a byword for mastery within the survival horror style. The long line of games has spanned varied consoles over the years, and never fails to bring revolutionary and genuinely sinister gameplay to our screens. This trend continues with the most recent release for the PSP and PSP Go!- Silent Hill: Shattered Memories.

This title is really a port of the Wii counterpart released last year, and the transaction to the little screen has been surprisingly popular. The formula for Silent Hill: Shattered Memories is recognisable but welcome; you play Harry Mason, who wakes up after acar crash to find his daughter lost within Silent Hill. This derelict area ranges from forboding creepiness to outright terror as its horrific inhabitants begin to reveal themselves, and the PSP’s graphical edge does not fail us here.

Some fascinating and innovative gaming features are utilized in Silent Hill: Shattered Memories. First of all, the well discussed ‘running’ sequences from the Wii counterpart are passed through. These find Harry defenceless and so only able to run from his attackers, and so you engage in an exceedingly terrifying interactive scene as you attempt to escape from those clawing at your back.

Secondly, as gamers move forward through the story, the gameplay is interspersed with sections involving Harry talking about life with a psychologist. This individual will raise general questions regarding life, his attitude to women etc. The answers you choose will really impact on the varied places you visit and also the characters/enemies you meet. This obviously opens Silent Hill: Shattered Memories up for multiple playthroughs to work out everything.

This title certainly upholds the long line of impressive offerings from the Silent Hill series; combining the tried and tested formula with fresh and innovative gameplay elements. If you are a devotee of the notoriously creepy survival horror, then Silent Hill: Shattered Memories should be a clear option!