PlayStation®Store Games

[Pacman_Ownage]

Site:  http://uk.playstation.com/psn/games/detail/item103388/Siren-Blood-Curse/

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzwfBpqgT0w

Technically this is a PSN game, and frankly it’s the only other creep spooky game I owned from PSN to fit in with Shocktober.

However, it’s certainly one of PSNs, and PlayStation 3s more famous exclusives… let’s dive into the

world of Siren and see why shall we? … *time travel music*

• Released in the homeland of horror and gaming Japan on the store on July 13th 2008, closely followed by Western lands on July 24th 2008… However, it was soon released on one Blu-ray package October 31st for EU… coincidence?
• Developed by the appropriately named “SCE Japan Studio”. Who without a doubt have been the forefront of SONYs games since the start with titles like the Ape Escape, LocoRoco and Patapon franchises. As well as PSN classics like Echocrome, The Last Guy and Trash Panic.
• Siren: Blood Curse (or New Translation as it’s known in the noodle country) was met with positive reaction from critics and gamers alike. Scoring 7.5 and 8.3 respectively.
• Siren: Blood Curse is technically in the Siren series of games, but it more of a re-imagining of the original, with improvements of the second game, and brought up to date on 7th generation consoles.
• On PSN it was released in episodes, 4 different groups all for £7.99 each, and a bundle for £24.99. And on disc, the EU got a special documentary style treat
• The Home space for Siren was the most used space in all regions within it’s first weeks at launch due to it’s avatar interaction in the game and staying true to the stealth gameplay.
• This… kind of features zombies … … but… … they are sexy nurses… so you know…  I’ll cough.

This was the first PS3 game I witnesses that I actually thought, “I need to buy a PS3”. I’m a huge fan of real survival horror games and Japanese culture, so having the two mixed in a gritty and dark video game looked the bees knees.

The story is essentially, some Americans go to visit a town, and certain stuff hits the fan. Along with a story that really brings survival horror games to life is the dark… vary dark atmosphere along with really neat graphics, brilliant sound, and some unique gameplay mechanics, like being able to see in a splitscreen view the vision of the sirens chasing you.

The game truly does get better throughout, the story evolves, new players get introduced, and levels just get spookier and some moments which have some brilliant suspense surrounding them. And,  I for once echo everyone elses main praise, the Shibito, and her scream is definitely a highlight in horror gaming, much like Pyramid Head or one of the many rocking chair moments from Clock Tower.

Lighting is used thoroughly throughout the game, and works to great effect, and so does the setting and environments. Whilst controls, and general movement can feel a bit clunky at times, overall it does rather add to the tension of the game.

Whilst there is no real standout point, it’s another hide and seek style game, for 2008 and getting its feet wet in episodic content it delivers a truly memorable experience that I know I would urge horror fans to browse in… (it’s a lot cheaper on disc nowadays)

There really isn’t much more I can say, each chapter held something new in the plot, and every corner held something unexpected, I won’t get into the cliché of saying “Dead Space was just jumpy all the time, it’s not Amnesia” Because A: A horror game is a horror game, and B: I’m a wuss and can’t complete Dead Space on hard difficulty because I’m scared.

Graphics: 8 Whilst there may be a bit too much shadow on every single pixel, the cutscenes look wonderful and there is no obvious disconnection between them and the game like you generally see.

Sound: 8.5 It’s one of those things you don’t really notice at first, the game sucks you in so much you never really notice the occasional high pitched ting, or a low bass line warning you of something, and along with the  voice acting, it’s truly memorable.  
Multiplayer: N/A  
Fun Factor: 8.5 There is a very good length of playtime with the game, depending on how pathetic you are and generally bad at gaming, like me… it may take you even longer to complete it. Along with the fact it is genuinely a brilliant piece of gaming, it still holds its own nowadays
The Other: 5 No real website… or at least anymore. However, there was a soundtrack released on August 2008, and 2 wallpapers, there is something to adorn yourself with

Final score: 8? *I recommend you to be able to game with this*

So, tell me forum… what’s your opinion on Siren: Blood Curse? Do you have a soft spot for horror games and picked it up straight away? Are you not a fan of the genre and just wanted a hug? Or have you came to complain that it’s not a PSN game?

[InfiniteStates]

I never picked it up because the genre doesn't especially do anything for me, and all in it was about full retail price without the benefit of a disk etc. If it came to PS+ for free I'd give it a try, but other than that, I have too much to play already.

[afccarl1994]

You had me until you said 'Zombies' 

[Pacman_Ownage]

Well... what did you expect? There hasn't been a horror game that attempts a different kind of horror other than the undead in games... for quite some time

[afccarl1994]

I don't know. Witches maybe?

[homerjnick]

Fecking world is zombie and vampire daft at the moment in films, games etc...

[Pacman_Ownage]

Not forgetting them werewolves

... Or Lycans as I've seen them called a lot more recently... this isn't political correctness reaching out to mythical minorites is it?

[InfiniteStates]

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Pacman_Ownage wrote:

Not forgetting them werewolves

... Or Lycans as I've seen them called a lot more recently... this isn't political correctness reaching out to mythical minorites is it?

---

Yep - and vampires prefer to be called "anemicly challenged" if you don't mind.

[kawaiikyuuketuki]

Biohazard 5 technically isn't zombies... They're parasites

Aliens Vs Predator 3 is not Zombies also

I downloaded the Trial edition game of New translation and played it a little I do like how it is.... but dislike the feel and how .... Blocky? They controlling felt

As for the visuals it's hard to see very well even with my glasses on haha I think the film grain adds to the fact they're a film crew... But I dislike it very much

All in all though, I think that your analysis is very fair and good

Despite my thoughts.... 4/5 for gameplay & scarey

[Pacman_Ownage]

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kawaiikyuuketuki wrote:

Biohazard 5 technically isn't zombies... They're parasites

Aliens Vs Predator 3 is not Zombies also

I downloaded the Trial edition game of New translation and played it a little I do like how it is.... but dislike the feel and how .... Blocky? They controlling felt

As for the visuals it's hard to see very well even with my glasses on haha I think the film grain adds to the fact they're a film crew... But I dislike it very much

All in all though, I think that your analysis is very fair and good

Despite my thoughts.... 4/5 for gameplay & scarey

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<3

The thing with 'zombies' though, is it's classed as anything brought back from the dead, so things like Dead Space and so on, whilst adding something different, still go with the undead, or something that has taken over humans.

Slightly deviating from the main game here, but there should be a game with moths in it... moths are clearly freakier than humans with slightly soggy skin.