Siren

A survival horror stealth game developed by SCE Japan Studio, (Forbidden)Siren might or might not scary you considerably.

You play a group of interconnected characters with the unique ability called Sight Jacking, to see and hear what nearby characters are doing. This opens up not only for the gameplay, but also in the way as a horror element which will be used throughout.

Exploring and walking around will be happening a lot, but hiding and surviving the undead enemies called Shibito will be prominent as well. Using this Sight Jacking will make your character more vulnerable, but it will be key towards getting further.

Unfortunately, maybe I arrived too late towards this party, but I was not really impressed by Siren, as it could become repetitive and unfairly challenging. Perhaps it's highlight other than it's gameplay feature is the story itself.

Rating: 6.6

The formula improves here, making some gameplay and quality of life improvements, with a more expanded story to tell and a somewhat better experience.

Like its predecessor, Forbidden Siren 2 is divided into numerous scenarios, organized chronologically in a table called the "Link Navigator". In order to complete a scenario, the player must accomplish a primary mission objective that usually involves reaching an exit point, subduing certain enemies (called shibito (屍人, shibito, lit. "corpse people") and the yamibito (闇人, yamibito, lit. "darkness people")), or finding an item. Objectives in different scenarios are interconnected via a butterfly effect, and a character's actions in one scenario can trigger a secondary objective in another.

The Yamibito are more aggressive and thus scarier than the Shibito, but they have a different weakness. (Forbidden)Siren 2 also introduced a first person mode, the ability to crouch-walk, an overhauled melee system, and more weapons to obtain.

Despite being a better game, and having more effective creepy moments, the more I played it, the more I became empowered, which I guess is true for any video game you play more and more of, but it happened here sooner than expected.

Rating: 6.9

A "reimagining" of the original game, with an American and Japanese cast, this feels like a bad American remake, but it actually turned out to be my favorite of the trilogy.

An American television crew visits the remote mountain village of Hanuda, Japan, and wants to document the paranormal occurrences happening there. Once again, the undead Shibito will go after the interconnected cast of characters, while a god is brewing.

The P.O.V. monster moments return of course as well in the form of Sight Jacking with more movement available this time, and the graphics and performance are obviously much better on the PlayStation 3. Emphasis for using stealth remains core.

The Link Navigator system from the previous two games has been replaced by a series of twelve chronological episodes, where you switch between the characters and see how the story goes. And arguably, Siren Blood Curse is the scariest and the most worthy to play.

It's also a PS3 exclusive, and of the essential horror games on that console.

Rating: 7.3