Origin of fear

Horror arrives on PSP, in the form of Konami's disturbing Silent Hill Origins.

Dealing with adult themes, the horror and storyline of Silent Hill titles are squarely aimed at a mature audience.

Silent Hill Origins, as the name implies, is set prior to the acclaimed games that have already appeared on PlayStation 2. In this PSP debut Travis Grady, a truck driver making a routine delivery, is the unfortunate individual who becomes trapped in this hellish world. Complicating his escape is the awakening of troubling, crippling memories from his past.

Set within the confines of the hospital, the playable demo that was first shown at Leipzig revealed that Silent Hill's transition to PSP has not dulled its ability to disturb...

Entering a room in the deserted hospital, a mirror eerily reflects not only the room itself and the trucker protagonist but a young girl in a blue dress, seemingly trapped on the other side.

Touching the handprint she leaves on the glass brings about a dramatic change; the world of Silent Hill transforms into the demonic dreamscape that so keenly works on your nerves.

Back in the corridors, the walls now rotten and decayed, the sense of dreadful expectation is amplified. Out of the dark, a nurse approaches, taking staccato steps, not faltering but moving as if she is being jerked like a marionette. As the torch clipped to your chest illuminates the scene, the twisted flesh of her featureless face is revealed. Scalpel in hand she advances.

Mirrors aside Silent Hill is obviously no Alice in Wonderland; the young girl is not chasing a rabbit and dealing with invisible cats. Mad he may be, but the Hatter's tea party feels like a breath of sanity compared to the unearthly reality of Silent Hill.

Konami has pulled out all of the stops to create a sensation of isolation and foreboding as you explore the desolate locales of Silent Hill. Composer Akira Yamaoka's haunting and original soundtrack, when combined with the disturbing storyline, well executed visuals and camera positioning, successfully transports you to this stunning new vision of Silent Hill on PSP.

If you dare, Silent Hill Origins arrives exclusively on PSP later this year.