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Silent Hill: Homecoming
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==Gameplay== The player assumes the role of the protagonist, Alex Shepherd, a Special Forces soldier who returns home from an overseas tour of duty to find that his father and younger brother are missing,<ref name="review_teamxbox">{{cite web|title=Silent Hill: Homecoming Review (Xbox 360)|publisher=TeamXbox|url=http://reviews.teamxbox.com/xbox-360/1584/Silent-Hill-Homecoming/p1/=|date=|accessdate=2008-10-01|first=Brent|last=Soboleski}}</ref> and that his mother has gone into catatonia.<ref name="review_xplay">{{cite web|url=http://www.g4tv.com/xplay/reviews/1845/Silent_Hill_Homecoming.html|title=Silent Hill: Homecoming|accessdate=2008-10-09|first=Jason|last=D'Aprile|publisher=X-Play}}</ref> Alex begins to search for his brother, leading him to Silent Hill after searching his hometown of Shepherd's Glen.<ref name="review_xplay" /> Overall gameplay is similar to past entries in the series. The player, as Alex, explores the various environments and locales, searching for clues to advance the plot, such as photographs, drawings and other items which are placed inside Alex's journal, which the player may read at any time.<ref name="review_1up">{{cite web| title=1Up Reviews Silent Hill Homecoming| publisher=1Up | url=http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3170245&p=4&sec=REVIEWS=| date=| accessdate=2008-10-01 |first=Anthony|last=Gallegos}}</ref> To assist the player, Alex will turn his head towards items and clues to inform the player that the object may be picked up;<ref name="review_teamxbox" /> other recurring items include weapons and ammunition, which give off a glow as a visual cue to the player, and health drinks.<ref name="review_teamxbox" /> Puzzle elements also play a part in the game, and Alex's journal may be used to refer back to photographs and other items that can help the player decipher such puzzles as keypad entries.<ref name="review_1up" /> For the first time in the series, the player may select responses when engaging in dialogue with other characters he encounters in the game, which in turn may affect how the player sees the plot unfold.<ref name="review_teamxbox" /> In addition to exploration, combat is another major element to the gameplay, and the player must fight the various monsters that appear. In contrast to the more naïve protagonists of previous games, combat in ''Homecoming'' takes into account Alex's experience as a soldier.<ref name="review_teamxbox" /> The player is able to perform light and heavy attacks, or mix them to perform combinations,<ref name="review_cc">{{cite web|url=http://cheatcc.com/xbox360/rev/silenthillhomecomingreview.html|title=Silent Hill: Homecoming Review|accessdate=2008-10-09|publisher=Cheat Code Central|first=Matthew|last=Walker}}</ref> and may also perform a variety of finishing moves to ensure that the monsters are dead.<ref name="review_cc" /> Attacking enemies also leaves wounds in them that match the motion carried out by Alex in inflicting the attack.<ref name="handson" /> In terms of controlling Alex, the player may also perform new maneuvers such as targeting the enemy before attacking them, dodging enemy attacks, and performing counter-attacks.<ref name="review_xplay" /> As well as melee weapons, pistols, rifles and shotguns are available as firearms, which can be upgraded to stronger versions later in the game.<ref name="review_1up" /> In addition to the changes in combat, and unlike previous entries in the series, the player is also able to fully control and rotate the camera as they choose;<ref name="review_teamxbox" /> one analog stick controls player movement, and the other controls the camera. <!--==Plot== At the start of the game, the player controls Alex through a nightmare concerning his younger brother, Josh, before Alex wakes up in the cab of a truck driven by [[Travis Grady]], the protagonist from ''[[Silent Hill: Origins]]'', who gives him a ride to his hometown of Shepherd's Glen.<ref name="review_teamxbox" /><ref name="plot_travis">'''Travis''': Bad dream? '''Alex''': Yeah. ''They arrive in Shepherd's Glen.'' '''Travis''': Hometown? '''Alex''': You could say that. '''Travis''': Well, good luck soldier. '''Alex''': Thanks. {{cite video game|title=Silent Hill Homecoming|developer=Double Helix|publisher=Konami|date=2008-09-30}}</ref> The town, named for a distant ancestor who helped found it,<ref name="plot_townname">'''Alex''': This is my great, great, great, great, great grandfather, Isaac Shepherd. He was one of the founders, and they named the town after him. {{cite video game|title=Silent Hill Homecoming|developer=Double Helix|publisher=Konami|date=2008-09-30}}</ref> is covered in fog and deserted, with several roads having fallen into disrepair or simply collapsed into nothingness. At home, he finds his mother in a near catatonic state, murmuring about his father leaving to find Josh;<ref name="review_teamxbox" /><ref name="plot_alexmom1">'''Alex's mother''': Alex. What are you doing here? '''Alex''': I just got discharged. I've been in the hospital for a bit, but I'm all right now. '''Alex's mother''': You've been gone too long. '''Alex''': Yeah. Where is everybody? Where's Josh? '''Alex's Mother''': I don't know. Your father went to look for him. But now he's gone. Everyone's gone. {{cite video game|title=Silent Hill Homecoming|developer=Double Helix|publisher=Konami|date=2008-09-30}}</ref> promising to find Josh, Alex leaves.<ref name="plot_alexmom2">'''Alex's mother''': I miss your brother, Alex. '''Alex''': Look, I'll find him. I had this dream... I just have a feeling he's in trouble. Don't worry about it, I'll find Joshua. {{cite video game|title=Silent Hill Homecoming|developer=Double Helix|publisher=Konami|date=2008-09-30}}</ref> He soon discovers that many more people have gone missing in Shepherd's Glen since he left when he finds childhood friend Elle Holloway pinning "missing" signs to a board outside the police department.<ref name="plot_alexelle">''Elle falls off a chair she is using to reach the noticeboard.'' '''Elle''': Dammit! '''Alex''': You always were a klutz. You okay? '''Elle''': Alex? Oh my God, Alex! '''Alex''': Hey Elle. Your mom told me I might find you out here. '''Elle''': Oh my God, it's so good to see you. Feels like it's been forever. [...] '''Alex''' Jesus. What the hell's going on here? '''Elle''': I don't know. Every day there are more flyers to put up, every day more people disappear. { As Alex explores the town, he witnesses the separate deaths of the delusional Mayor Bartlett and Dr. Fitch by horrific monsters in hellish Otherworld versions of the same locales, both of whom have a child who is apparently missing.</ref><ref name="plot_bartlett">'''Alex''': Mayor Bartlett? Mayor Bartlett, I need to talk to you. [...] What about your son? Don't you wanna protect him? '''Mayor Bartlett''': My boy? I didn't do much right with him, but I did buy him some nice things... remember, Joey? Remember that nice present I got you? '''Alex''': I'm looking for my brother Joshua, and I know he used to be friends with your son. Have you seen either of them? '''Mayor Bartlett''': Joey? Er, Joey doesn't want to play with you. {{cite video game|title=Silent Hill Homecoming|developer=Double Helix|publisher=Konami|date=2008-09-30}}</ref><ref name="plot_fitch1">'''Alex''': Doctor, do you need help? You're bleeding bad. '''Dr. Fitch''': Don't you TOUCH me! I bleed out the sin, but it grows back. So I must let it out every day. '''Alex''': I can stop the bleeding. '''Dr. Fitch''': I don't want your help! These wounds cannot heal. '''Alex''': Why did you come to this place? '''Dr. Fitch''': I come here to remind myself. It's the only place I go where she listens to me. '''Alex''': Who listens to you? Scarlet? Is she here? '''Dr. Fitch''': She's here with me, now. My baby... my beautiful child. Daddy forgot to bring you a present today. She loves dollies. {{cite video game|title=Silent Hill Homecoming|developer=Double Helix|publisher=Konami|date=2008-09-30}}</ref><ref name="plot_wheeler1" /> Back in Shepherd's Glen, Alex allies himself with Deputy Wheeler in the police department.<ref name="plot_wheeler1">'''Alex''': Deputy Wheeler? '''Wheeler''': Well, well. Back in the land of the living. [...] '''Alex''': Last I saw him he was passed out drunk on the ground. [...] I'm just trying to find my brother, okay? I thought the mayor might know something. His son is missing too. [...] '''Wheeler''': So you've seen the creatures too...? {{cite video game|title=Silent Hill Homecoming|developer=Double Helix|publisher=Konami|date=2008-09-30}}</ref> Alex eventually learns that his father was involved in the secrets of the town and had left to attempt to resolve the town's problems,<ref name="plot_dadgone">'''Adam's letter''': I have failed, and they know it. They blame me. They should. I swore to protect this town, but I can't. The streets decay before our eyes. The curse we always feared has come upon us. Worse yet, The Order has returned, kidnapping and killing with impunity [...] But they've taken our people. The only thing left is to face the source of this evil, to fight it, and pray that some hope can be restored. {{cite video game|title=Silent Hill Homecoming|developer=Double Helix|publisher=Konami|date=2008-09-30}}</ref> but before he is able to get answers from his mother at home, he is knocked unconscious when The Order—the cult which worships Silent Hill's god, and has been taking people from the town<ref name="plot_dadgone" />—kidnaps his mother.<ref name="plot_kidnap">'''Alex's mother''': You don't know anything about Silent Hill! '''Alex''': I know dad went there. He went to go fight something. Did he go to get Joshua? Is that where Josh is? God damn it, tell me! '''Alex's mother''': Oh Alex, I'm sorry. '''Alex''': Stop pretending you care about me! Start telling me what's going on! Joshua is the only one you ever cared about, and I can help him, if you tell me what's going on! ''The Order members arrive in protective clothing, kidnap his mother, and knock Alex to the floor in the struggle.'' '''Order member''': Forget the Shepherd kid, let's move. {{cite video game|title=Silent Hill Homecoming|developer=Double Helix|publisher=Konami|date=2008-09-30}}</ref> Alex, Elle and Wheeler chase after the soldiers across Toluca Lake, but are intercepted by the Order before they can reach Silent Hill.<ref name="plot_boat">'''Wheeler''': Alex. There's a light up ahead. I think we might be at the pier. '''Alex''': What should we do? '''Wheeler''': Turn off our light. I don't want anyone to know we're coming. '''Elle''': Aaah! '''Alex''': Elle! ''Two Order members are holding onto Elle at the back of the boat''. '''Elle''': Get your hands off me! ''More Order members grab Wheeler''. '''Alex''': Wheeler! ''Another boat crashes into theirs, sending Alex into the water''. {{cite video game|title=Silent Hill Homecoming|developer=Double Helix|publisher=Konami|date=2008-09-30}}</ref> Elle and Wheeler are taken to Silent Hill's [[Prison|penitentiary]], where Alex attempts to rescue them.<ref>'''Wheeler''': Alex, are you there? '''Alex''': Wheeler, is that you? '''Wheeler''': Talk quietly, Alex. Thank God you're okay. Listen, they've taken us to the prison. It's horrible. They took Elle, and they're about to... ''The radio cuts out''. {{cite video game|title=Silent Hill Homecoming|developer=Double Helix|publisher=Konami|date=2008-09-30}}</ref> He finds his mother, Lillian, strapped to a stretching rack by the Order; here, the player must make a decision regarding whether to kill her out of mercy or not, which will affect the outcome of the game.<ref>'''Alex''': (whispers) Mom. Jesus, what did they do? '''Alex's mother''': Alex? Is that you? [...] Your father and I, we loved you so much. But they said we could only choose one. [...] Ahhh! It hurts so much. Please stop. Make it stop. '''Alex''': Mom, I... I can't... I... '''Alex's mother''': Please, Alex. please... ''Alex gets his gun out.'' '''Choice 1''': Ok, I'll do it. '''Choice 2''': I'm sorry, I can't. {{cite video game|title=Silent Hill Homecoming|developer=Double Helix|publisher=Konami|date=2008-09-30}}</ref> After rescuing Judge Holloway from a death similar to those he has already witnessed, and separating from Wheeler once more,<ref>'''Alex''': Judge Holloway... '''Holloway''': Alex!!! '''Wheeler''': Quick, you get her loose before they start pumping the gas, I'll shut off the valves. [...] ''Wheeler is swallowed by a monstrous wall opening''. '''Alex''': Run! Get out! Get out of here! I'll save Wheeler! ''Holloway leaves with a wry smile on her face''. {{cite video game|title=Silent Hill Homecoming|developer=Double Helix|publisher=Konami|date=2008-09-30}}</ref> Alex finds the Order's church, where he listens to a man in the confessional who mistakes him for a priest; whilst his identity is not explicitly revealed, it is heavily implied from his description of his life, and Alex's strong reaction to it, that it is indeed his father, and here the player may choose to forgive him, again affecting the outcome of the game.<ref>'''Alex's father''': Forgive me, father, for I have sinned. It has been four years since my last confession. [...] '''Alex''': What could you have done that was so terrible? '''Alex's father''': I took my role as a father and I turned it into a daily chore. I fed him, I cleaned him, I put him to bed. I treated my dog with more respect. And when I was given a second son, the first might as well have been a stranger sleeping in our house. '''Choice 1''': Sounds like you can change. '''Choice 2''': You don't sound sorry. {{cite video game|title=Silent Hill Homecoming|developer=Double Helix|publisher=Konami|date=2008-09-30}}</ref> Alex soon meets his father face-to-face, and he reveals that Alex was never a soldier, and has been in a mental hospital since "the accident" occurred. He begs forgiveness before he is skewered and cut in half by the monster [[Pyramid Head]].<ref>'''Adam''': I never meant to hurt you, son. I had to make a choice, and now I'm paying for it. We all are. After all I've done, you still wear my old dog tags... that must mean something. '''Alex''': What are you talking about? These are mine... I'm a soldier just like you wanted. '''Adam''': Alex... you've been in the hospital... '''Alex''': I know. I was wounded in battle. '''Adam''': No... a mental hospital. You've been there ever since the accident. [...] Alex, forgive me. '''Alex''': No!!!! ''Adam is skewered and cut in two by the Pyramid Head, who then leaves''. {{cite video game|title=Silent Hill Homecoming|developer=Double Helix|publisher=Konami|date=2008-09-30}}</ref> Continuing on to the Order's underground facility, Alex is captured by Elle's mother, Judge Holloway, who reveals that everything that has happened is due to a broken pact. One hundred fifty years ago, the four founding families broke away from Silent Hill's Order to move to Shepherd's Glen.<ref name="plot_pact">'''Holloway''': The founders, they had good intentions. They left the Order to start a new life in Shepherd's Glen. But they feared the wrath of our God, so they made a pact to keep us safe. All that was required was a small sacrifice... our children. Once every 50 years the founding families must make an offering to appease the god. One of our children, our own flesh and blood, struck down by our own hands. I did what was required. I watched the light fade from Nora's eyes as I took her life... Knowing that her death would protect our family, protect Shepherd's Glen. '''Alex''': My god... Josh... '''Holloway''': No Alex, one of us failed—lacked the strength to fulfill his duty. Your father. '''Alex''': Where's Joshua?! '''Holloway''': Don't you see? Because of him, our sacrifices were in vain! The pact with our God was broken, and your father's lack of conviction cursed us all. Our only hope was to revive the Order which our founders abandoned... The true faith. {{cite video game|title=Silent Hill Homecoming|developer=Double Helix|publisher=Konami|date=2008-09-30}}</ref> They were allowed to do so on the condition that once every 50 years they would sacrifice one of their children in a preordained fashion.<ref name="plot_pact" /> On this occasion, while Joey Bartlett, Scarlett Fitch and Nora Holloway were successfully sacrificed by their parents, the Shepherd sacrifice failed, and as a result, the Order had been reformed to try to appease their God.<ref name="plot_pact" /> Judge Holloway tries to kill Alex, who gains the upper hand and lodges a power drill through her skull.<ref name="plot_drill">''Judge Holloway reaches for the electric drill''. '''Alex''': Don't... look, I can help you with all this. There must be another way. '''Holloway''': No, Alex. It's time I finished what your father couldn't. ''He screams as she rams the drill through his leg''. '''Alex''': Ahhh!!!!! ''Alex breaks through the restraints, and a struggle ensues; gaining the upper hand, he pushes the drill through her chin and into her head''. {{cite video game|title=Silent Hill Homecoming|developer=Double Helix|publisher=Konami|date=2008-09-30}}</ref> Alex rescues Elle from the facility and, after finding Wheeler gravely injured and allowing the player to choose whether to save him—once more affecting the game's ending—continues on alone to find Josh.<ref>'''Alex''': Wheeler... '''Wheeler''': Ahhh! '''Choice 1''': Give him a medkit. '''Choice 2''': No, he's too far gone. '''Alex''': You need to get him out of here. '''Elle''': What about you? '''Alex''': I can't. Not without Joshua. '''Elle''': Be carefuul. I can't lose you too. {{cite video game|title=Silent Hill Homecoming|developer=Double Helix|publisher=Konami|date=2008-09-30}}</ref> He eventually finds the sacrificial chamber with each family's sacrifices inscribed; his name is listed, confirming Alex as the intended sacrifice for the Shepherd family.<ref>'''Alex''': It's the Shepherd sacrificial altar. There are four names written on the plaque. Daniel Shepherd / Thomas Shepherd / Rebecca Shepherd / Alex Shepherd {{cite video game|title=Silent Hill Homecoming|developer=Double Helix|publisher=Konami|date=2008-09-30}}</ref> Realizing he was the intended sacrifice, Alex experiences a flashback showing Josh's true fate. When Alex was younger, he had taken Josh rowing out on the lake, where Josh showed Alex the Shepherd Family Ring, which his father had chosen to give to him instead of Alex. In a jealous rage, Alex struggled with Josh to try and take the ring, and as they struggled Josh slipped, breaking his neck on the side of the boat and falling into the lake.<ref>''Alex rows the boat in the lake, Josh has the flashlight''. '''Josh''': What are we doing here, Alex? Dad'll freak if he finds out. [...] '''Alex''': It's okay. I'm not going to let anything happen to you. '''Josh''': Why are we here Alex? What's going on? '''Alex''': What's the matter... you scared? [...] Dad thinks you're a little baby who can't do anything on his own. '''Josh''': Oh yeah? Then why'd he give me this?! '''Alex''' What is that? '''Josh''': Dad's ring, but he told me not to show you, so I guess that makes me cooler. '''Alex''': Let me see it. '''Josh''': No! '''Alex''': What a piece of crap. '''Josh''': No it's not, he told me it's worth more than a million dollars. That's why dad gave it to me. Give it BACK! It's mine! ''They struggle, and Josh slips, breaking his neck and falling overboard''. {{cite video game|title=Silent Hill Homecoming|developer=Double Helix|publisher=Konami|date=2008-09-30}}</ref> His father retrieved the body, and explained that Alex had "ruined it for all of us", since he had "chosen" Alex, and not Joshua; unable to accept Josh's death, Alex was then sent to the mental hospital, and with Josh instead of Alex sacrificed, the Order's pact was broken.<ref>''Adam holds Josh's lifeless body.'' '''Adam''': This is not the way it's supposed to be. I chose YOU. Now you've ruined it for all of us. '''Alex''': No...no...he's okay...right...? No, I can save him... I can, I can save him. I can save him... he's okay... {{cite video game|title=Silent Hill Homecoming|developer=Double Helix|publisher=Konami|date=2008-09-30}}</ref><ref>''One of four texts for each family in the entrance hall to the altar room describes the Shepherd family's method of sacrifice''. We, the Family Shepherd, in order to ensure our continued protection and prosperity, do enter into this Holy Contract with our God, accept our duties as Master of Arms and willingly consign our child to the water in God's name. {{cite video game|title=Silent Hill Homecoming|developer=Double Helix|publisher=Konami|date=2008-09-30}}</ref> Fighting a final monster, Alex is faced with Josh's corpse, and is given one final chance to face reality and say goodbye to Josh for the last time, before leaving his brother and the facility.<ref>''Josh's corpse emerges from the monster's mouth''. '''Alex''': Josh.... I'm sorry, Josh. I never meant for this to happen. ''He places the family ring around his neck, and the flashlight on his chest''. Here buddy. Take this... I forgot... Josh.... I'm sorry... ''He turns and slowly exits. {{cite video game|title=Silent Hill Homecoming|developer=Double Helix|publisher=Konami|date=2008-09-30}}</ref> There are five endings available, which depend on the player's actions during the game, including whether the player kills Alex's mother, forgives Alex's father, and saves Deputy Wheeler.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://guides.ign.com/guides/777941/page_10.html|title= Items & Weapons - Secret Items|accessdate=2008-10-26 |work= Silent Hill: Homecoming Guide (PS3)|publisher= IGN}}</ref> These range from the single positive ending to the game—the ''Good'' ending, where Alex comes to terms with his past actions and reunites with Elle to leave Shepherd's Glen—to three endings where Alex's fate is negative, including Alex getting drowned by his father, waking up in the hospital, receiving a lobotomy or being turned into a Pyramid Head. In addition, the tradition of a UFO ending also returns, where both Alex and Elle are abducted by a UFO while Wheeler watches on.<ref>''Alex surfaces from the sewer, and there is a noise from behind''. '''Alex''': Elle... ''They are interrupted by a noise, and the camera pans to a UFO above''. '''Alex''': Aww, shit. ''They float upwards together, and an injured Wheeler limps below them''. '''Wheeler''': So THAT'S where they've been taking everybody. I knew it! ''The UFO flies off''. {{cite video game|title=Silent Hill Homecoming|developer=Double Helix|publisher=Konami|date=2008-09-30}}</ref>. In addition to these endings, if the player collects all of Josh's pictures, after the credits finish, a bonus scene is played. It starts off with Alex entering his home. Upon entering, Alex notices pools of water leading up the stair case and to his room. Alex then climbs the stairs and enters his room. Alex then sees Josh sitting on the bottom bunk of the bed. When Alex aproaches Josh, Josh looks up and says "smile" and then takes a picture of Alex with his camera.-->
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