Siren: New Translation

[Umon Daisuke]

The demo hit the Japanese PSN and the game is out in July there. The 550MB demo isn't bad, and while I didn't like the first game in the series much (never got the try the 2nd), this one seems to be fast paced. The graphics are nothing stellar but the sound and overall atmosphere is chilling as always.

[Darkmoon]

A new siren game? Could you pass along some details please? I do so love me some Forbidden Siren.

[randomwab]

It's a remake of the first Siren game. As far as I know, other than graphics, they've attempted to update the controls and combat, and they've attempted to make the game more western, replacing many of the original characters with an American film crew.

I'm looking forward to trying the demo, but I have to say, I didn't like the original. I got the vibe, I was freaked out by it, and I wanted to play more, but everything else about it was horrible. It played like ass, which in the end, simply made me turn it off. I'm hoping they've sorted it out for this one.

[Darkmoon]

I didn't find it any worse to play than the older Resident Evil games, and I liked the story. But then I like Japanese stuff. Honestly, though, it was stupidly hard. Between the difficulty and how badly some parts freaked me out I never managed to play it for more than an hour a day. Took me months.

Which system is it comming out for? Since it's on the PSN I'm guessing the PS3, but is it heading for the 360 as well? Or is it a PS2 version?

[delage]

Its for PS3, the release date in Japan is 24th of July

[Umon Daisuke]

I don't get a "remake" vibe to be honest, and yes, you do play as Americans. Maybe the village is the same, but the demo is fresh enough. You can actually walk in first person mode and even use a gun as a melee weapon (don't know if any of this is new though). The demo is only two missions, but they were intense enough. It's not completely trial and error but you can die easily if you're sloppy.

All in all, I'd say I enjoyed the demo and looking forward to more of the game. Of course it's a SCEI game so it's PS3 only.

[Gradon]

I saw Forbidden Siren 2 in GAME ages ago, shame I never bought it.
Played the demo of the first agggeeeeessss ago when I was like 8 or something, can't remember.
You started in a classroom as a woman.
This sounds interesting. Might get this.

[Sonicboy 101]

Awesome, the original game really scared me so I look forward to this one.
Will it be available to the Europe or American PSN store anytime soon (If it already isn't)?

[Darkmoon]

IGN says the games gonna be Japan only. No idea if they're right. If they aren't...well, I guess I finally have a really good reason to grab the cheapest PS3 I can find. This looks good. Normally I dislike redoing a story completely like this, but it looks even creepier than the first.

And no, you couldn't use guns as a melee weapon or walk in first person.

[Umon Daisuke]

Fresh screens:

http://kotaku.com/384187/siren-new-translation-is-pretty-horrifying

Now you gotta wonder why a seemingly lower budget title looks leaps better than SHV.. uh, "Homecoming". Then again, the nearly 5 years SH3 looks better than that one in still shots.

[Umon Daisuke]

Okay, so having played the short demo to death, they definitely took a lot of time making the controls as good as they can be for a true horror game.

The first person view isn't limited to walking while holding R2. Once you're equipped with a weapon, you can actually walk around or run in that mode by clicking on R3 (and clicking ita again to go back to third person). Thankfully, motion controls are limited to reloading a weapon. Third person shooting action is similar to Uncharted (so you can walk while aiming).

One cool thing I found out accidentally is a point blank mode. If you haven't killed a shibito completely and they happen to stand up while you're close enough to them, you get a free shot to the head. The camera angle changes with an appropriate sample.

I hope this comes to the west sometime this year, otherwise I'll bear with the JPN text and import it. The VA is English for the protagonists after all.

[Darkmoon]

Do the damned Shibtio still get up again after being knocked down? That was one of the most enjoyable bits, knowing that even if you had to fight it would, eventually, end up being pointless because you couldn't win.

[Umon Daisuke]

Not immediately, but some minutes apart. I bashed the hell out of one twice, and she followed me towards the end of the demo before I shot her. Not sure if bullets do the trick but I somehow doubt it.

[James]

I always wanted to play the Siren games, they seemed to have an intriguing narrative but I never got around to finishing them mainly due to the same complaints that Wayne cited. Something that I am not so happy about is the removal of the style of the original games, in which real life faces were projected onto the models of the characters - that was something that I thought was really unnerving. I've yet to finish the demo either, always getting distracted by something else (including Haze demo =P)

I'm really confused as to what's going on with this title though. Are Siren: New Translation and Siren: Blood Curse the same game? From what I've heard, Blood Curse has only been announced as episodic downloads on the PSN for Europe, while New Translation is essentially a re-imagining of the original with a more western twist, released on a disc.

I'm so confused U_U

I also have SIren 2 sitting here right now, yet to even try it out though.

[Darkmoon]

Well, from what little I found it sounds like Blood Curse is some kind of add on to New Translation. Or, possibly, they're releasing New Translation as Blood Curse here. They both centre around an American TV crew in Hanunda, so I don't think they're seperate games.

[Gradon]

Downloading JP demo...

[Greko]

URGH the voice acting is what really killed it for me.

The graphics weren't overly bad back when I played it round a friends, and the idea was good behind it as well. The atmosphere was pretty damn freaky as well if i recall, making me and my friend wary about just strutting around each corner with whatever weapon our character of the moment had. But blimey did it play badly.

It was hard as nails if i remember, especially when it came to controlling two characters, and the controls weren't as responsive as I'd have liked if i recall... A decent remake could be interesting if thats what this is - i skippd the topic a little :D - but they'd have to make it a little easier for players like me and my friend Simon haha

[Umon Daisuke]

The game's been confirmed for PSN in the west. 12 episodes released separately sometime this summer.

I'm guessing they'll be selling them at $5 each totaling the JPN version's MSRP.

[Gradon]

Interesting, after playing that demo, I have never been so scared to venture into a mine before! >_<

I have a question, maybe a spoiler.
You play as that LITTLE GIRL?!

Oh well, can't WAIT for the game.

[biohazard_star]

You can play as her in the PS2 version, it'll probably be the same with this one.

[Gradon]

Game come out on JP store, and Demo on US store.
Anyone bought the game?
Is the US demo different?

[Umon Daisuke]

I'm waiting for the Asian version that's reportedly English, and on a BD too. I think it was Eurogamer that mentioned a full 7GB+ for the network download (all chapters).

I have the space to spare, but I'd rather have a tangible version whenever possible. It's not that expensive either at $55 at PA.

[DXP]

I still need to complete the first one thing is like I did with cold fear I couldn't get into it >_< it was crazy with the whole time slot thing having to do things over the course of three days but I felt I was repeating the same thing over and over...just need time to get back into it.

[James]

I'm waiting for the Asian version that's reportedly English, and on a BD too. I think it was Eurogamer that mentioned a full 7GB+ for the network download (all chapters).

I have the space to spare, but I'd rather have a tangible version whenever possible. It's not that expensive either at $55 at PA.
This. I absolutely hate having games like this merely as digital information stored on my hard drive. I'd much rather a disc based release. Do we know when this Asian version will arrive?

[Umon Daisuke]

24th.

[Gradon]

Looking at PSN download = 9gb.
Yeah, I do agree with you guys though, I'd much rather get it when it comes out in Europe, or import it.

[Umon Daisuke]

You'll have to import. The game is network only in the west.

Anyone amused by the irony that SCEI pushed network download of 5-9GB, while still touting BD's viability of storage? If GT5 ended up on the PSN too, I'll be laughing my ass off.

[Darkmoon]

Alright, I'm horribly confused. Is this game download only or on disc? And in which countries is it which? Sorry if this is answered...but I'm drugged to my eyeballs and therefore a touch groggy.

[Umon Daisuke]

Network and disc in Asia (HK and Japan), but it's network only in the west. Episodic downloads too, at IIRC, $5 a chapter totaling $60.

[JcFFx]

I never played the old Siren games (watched a somethingawful LetsPlay of it, but that was it :P).

Tried the demo. died. though I'm interested to know how it plays out... >_>

[Gradon]

Thanks for clearing that up, Umon.
Importing it is.

[TheOrganization]

I might give this remake a go, i finished the original but i didnt really enjoy it, there where good characters and some good story points but it was the most confusing and annoying game ever really.
Having to go back to play the same levels again just because i hadnt picked a crowbar up or smashed a padlock off something.
With the timeline being all over the place, in the way the levels where played, the game didnt make sense all that much.

[biohazard_star]

http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-bp-49-en-15-siren-70-2q0u.html

Play-Asia's going to be having it in stock next week. Oh, and not to hijack this thread but P-A's having a sale so if you want those 200 USD RE statues then better get em now. :lol:

[Gradon]

No Europe shipping!?
...
I'll wait when it appears on eBay.

[randomwab]

God, I can't wait to download all 9 gig tomorrow.

To be honest though, I'm really looking forward to this. Played the demo again today and, again, it's friggin' excellent. It feels like they've fixed everything that pushed me away from the original Forbidden Siren. Hope all 4 parts go up tomorrow though.

[Umon Daisuke]

I don't know about you guys, but I'll be getting the digital version instead. I stand to save some money between insured shipping, and higher price for the BD version (tax too). SCEA is pricing the game at mere $40 on PSN (comes up to $44.18 with tax for me), VS. $55 + $22 for BD.

I'm just wondering how long it'll take me to download the thing -_-

[randomwab]

The game is, altogether, 9.8GB. It's split into 12 packs though, so if you didn't want to install the entire 9.8GB, you could download episode 1-3, then when you're done, delete them and download 4-6 and so on. You do need to keep episode 1 installed though, I assume because it has the engine and general workings of the game, but 2-12 can be deleted and reinstalled with no real hassle.

[Umon Daisuke]

Disc space isn't an issue at all (I've got about 110GB to spare). It's the fact that I'm stuck with NAT3 on both the PS3 and 360 for a week now, and I haven't been able to change it. Even a mere 1GB is a bit of a pain to download.

[Darkmoon]

I'm sorta unhappy that you have to go online to grab this in English. I despise going online for gaming stuff, so my 360 isn't hooked up and when I grab it my PS3 likely won't either. Is there anyway to download this using a PC and transfering it over to a PS3, by burning it to a disc or something?

[Umon Daisuke]

No, though it can be done with the PS1 game downloads. Even then, it's basically a transfer from a storage medium (external HDD etc.) to the PS3's internal HDD. The Hong Kong version is in English, and the only reason I'm getting the digital one instead is because of cost as I mentioned.

I would recommend having both hooked up online, even if you don't get PSN or XBLA games since some games do get patches from a time to time.

[Darkmoon]

The HK one has all the stuff in English, not just the speaking? Excellent.

Yeah, I probably should put both online...I just never got around to connecting this beastie to a wireless router. Partially cost and partially the number of people I know who steal broadband that way.

[Stu]

Am currently downloading this. Bit of a pisstake that it consists of TWELVE different downloads, and TWELVE different installations!

I bought the game, clicking ONE option. Why could i not just have ONE package to download and ONE installation?

Why would the FOUR individual download choices consist of THREE downloads? Why not just ONE? Why must i, who selected ONE option for the whole game, have to put up with TWELVE different downloads?

Updates and installations already take the piss on PS3, this is quite a lame spectacle indeed!

[randomwab]

So you don't have to wait for the entire 9.8GB to download at once, at least this way you can play while you download. Plus, it also means that you can delete and episode you want (except the first one) to free up some room. So instead of 9.8GB on your hard disc, you could delete 2-12 and free up a good 8 or so gig.

I mean, I bought this at about 3.00PM today, and as of writing this at 11:30PM, only 6 packs are done, but at least I've been able to play those packs instead of waiting until tomorrow.

[Umon Daisuke]

I think it has more to do with their original plan of selling each scenario/episode for $4.99. Upon deciding on the full game's MSRP, bundling was the only logical way to go

A bit of a surprise that 7.1 audio is supported, but samples are definitely more compressed.

[Stu]

So you don't have to wait for the entire 9.8GB to download at once, at least this way you can play while you download. Plus, it also means that you can delete and episode you want (except the first one) to free up some room. So instead of 9.8GB on your hard disc, you could delete 2-12 and free up a good 8 or so gig.
Once it's all installed though, there's only one item on the dashboard, so how do you go about deleting episodes then?

[randomwab]

Once it's all installed though, there's only one item on the dashboard, so how do you go about deleting episodes then?

You can do it from the Episode Selection screen in-game.

[Gradon]

Hong Kong BR version is ALL English...
A (maybe)stupid but confused question...
Why!?
Oh well, to eBay to get the HK version. ^^
It's my birthday soon so I can order anything I want. >_>

[Umon Daisuke]

The average HK resident knows more English than Japanese.

[Gradon]

As I said in bought thread, just purchased this from eBay, HK version too, waiting for it to arrive.
&#163;26/$52. Good price if you ask me, considering the 12 episode download on the shop is &#163;20.

[James]

My BDR is waiting in customs! So close now to play it. I've got high hopes, a lot of people have said that the game is quite scary and to make sure I get the most of that I'm only going to play it at night =P

[JcFFx]

I just ended up watching someone else play it on youtube, since I don't have the guts to actually play it >_>
(Hey, I save about 40+ bucks...)

...

I like the story, but what the hell happened to Siren 1, then?

[Stu]

I can't speak highly enough of Siren right now, it's most probably my favourite game of this year up until this point.

I played the hospital chapter last night. Quite honestly the most scared i've been by a video game in years! Was a great chapter for me because it showed me that the sight jacking IS a decent feature and that it's not too hard to get to grips with!

But yeah, Bella's mission was brilliant. I loved the reality that you couldn't just lunge at fully grown adults like most games would let you. Her vulnerability was a masterstroke in gaming design as far as i'm concerned!

Tonight i've up until the end of chapter 4 i think, escaping through a house having looked for a key? That point, anyway.

And the Shiboto, let it be said, are far more terrifying than Resident Evil's zombies have EVER been! The game's incredible graphics just show so much detail in their faces. The level of horror in this game is just brilliant.

Best horror title in years, without a doubt. Possibly the scariest of all time i think, the scares are that good! Still taking one tiny step at a time though! haha

PS Let the campaign for a Siren 2: New Translation begin now!

[Umon Daisuke]

Agreed. I'm in Episode 5... and let's just say that a bit of a twist on Shibito behavior disturbed the hell out of me. It confused me at first when I was sight jacking, but... anyway, this is indeed the best horror game I've played in years.

[Stu]

Only thing that annoys me is that it just NEEDS to be played in the dark! It's such a dark game anyway that if you played it during the day i think you wouldn't be able to see the game well enough.

I wish i could just dive into it right now.

[Umon Daisuke]

I take it you have a CRT then. Turning up the brightness at the in-game menu does help, and it doesn't clip whites or lower black levels so give it a try.

Here's a bit of a kick in the nuts for PAL regions:

http://kotaku.com/5032720/siren-blood-curse-coming-to-blu+ray#c7035441

No word on the NA release, but I'm wondering what those BD specific extras are and whether they'll release them for the network version.

[Stu]

Nah man i'm on a HD set, i've messed with the brightness in-game but it's still way too dark haha!

And a bluray version of the game was inevitable, i'll probably still pick it up again regardless of whether it has extras or not.

[Umon Daisuke]

Interesting. The BD version has a mandatory 5GB install, and the episodes can't be selected like the network version.

I wonder if the audio is better. Damn it, this is the last time I'm buying a full fledged PSN game. Though a NA release on BD is out of the question at this point, since the 2nd game wasn't even released here. In fact, I can still find new copies of the original for $10.

[Stu]

It'll be out in NA on bluray eventualy, there's no doubt about that.

It does make a mockery of the PSN as a credible vehicle for putting games out there though if Sony are happen to revert to plan b and release the AAA stuff on bluray eventually, very similar to what they do with porting PSP games to the PS2.

[Skunky]

Here's a bit of a kick in the nuts for PAL regions:
I don't understand :uhh: why? ps3 games are region free so it dosn't really matter where it's released. Just import.

It's been available on BR for a little while now. I don't think it's a bad thing. It's what they did with GT-Prologue. You have a 'choice' of getting it as a download or on a BR...
I've been interested in this game but wasn't sure. I thought the demo was just okay. But after reading some of your views, I think I'll have to get it for sure. It sounds awesome!
I was always gonna get the BR.
1) I like having the disk, cover and booklet with my games.
2) My 60gig HDD has been full for months now. Before I download a new demo, I have to delete an older one. I'll put in a bigger HDD at some stage but I havn't got around to it yet.
3) It would take me several days to download a file that big :lol:

I'm assuming the HK BR has these goodies or extras mentioned? or are they saying the Euro version is going to be different?

[Umon Daisuke]

If I had imported the HK BD version, I would've spent an extra $30 between the extra cost and shipping. So I went the PSN route, but if I had a choice between two versions locally, BD would've been it.

Yeah, they're saying that the Euro version will be a bit different since the JPN and HK versions are identical to the PSN release.

[Vogue_Dirge]

Hopefully in the New Translation that annoying static shit will be done away with!

XD

I hated that! Soooooooooooo annoying.

[Darkmoon]

You mean sight jacking? Where you look through shibito's eyes? Well, I admit I haven't played this one, but in the first two that was pretty much your best weapon and defence so I assume it'll stay.

[Stu]

Sight jacking's one of the game's biggest elements, so yes, it's in.

[Vogue_Dirge]

This may sound absolutely idiotic, but I had no problem with sightjacking, it was the static noise!

XD

[Darkmoon]

Well, I can understand that. It never bothered me but I can see how it might.

[James]

I think removing the sightjacking is stupid. I mean, that's one of the main features of the game. In addition, the system has been reworked so you can just tap R1 to move through available shibito, and if you wish press Square to lock the view and play in splitscreen so you can keep an eye on the Shibito.

As for me, I just escaped the hospital during Chapter 3. Really scary and tense stuff.

[Stu]

Controlling Bella in the hospital? It's horrible isn't it! haha

[Gradon]

Game came today, just watching the first opening movie, that's so fucking freaky...

[Stu]

Played another Bella mission last night, it's so horrific haha

Two chapters left, i'm gutted :(

[Gradon]

Either the games short, or I have no life.
I'm at Episode 7 already, wow this game has had me screaming alot. :lol:
Anyone know if theres unlockables? I want more costumes or choose-your-character. :P
Either way, this game is awesomeness, I love it. ^_^

[abbatoo]

Just finished it. An excellent horror game on it's own but I preferred the original Siren 1 despite it's punishing difficulty (that actually made it more scary for me).

I hated most of the new characters. Howard, Sam, Sol, Melissa and Bella to be more precise; they made the game feel -as my sister so perfectly put it- "whitewashed". Just like those remakes of Asian horror movies they keep churning out every few years. (Not a small feat considering this game was made by Japanese.)

Of course, this is strictly my personal opinion as a die-hard PS2 Siren fan. If you want a good horror game on the PS3 and/or hated the original because of it's frustrating difficulty, chances are you'll enjoy this one. Most of the originals' problems/glitches/etc. have been fixed, the difficulty has been considerably toned down (perhaps a bit too much) and the storyline has been 'streamlined' a bit to make it more accessible to a less masochistic audience.

However, if you're like me and loved the original to bits, you might be better off being cautious and downloading only the first episode pack before investing into the whole game. It's not expensive and it'll give you a lot better impression of the game than the demo did.

[Umon Daisuke]

The original wasn't hard, it just wasn't fun to play and the VA was atrocious. For a story-driven game, it hurt the atmosphere. The gameplay changes made the difference in this one for me, and it's quite enjoyable. You're right about the toned down difficulty, and I'm not sure I like the fact that you're practically walked through the game.

All of us here didn't like the original, so I think we're the right audience to this overhaul. It's still weird that I can still find new copies of the original in bargain bins to this day around here, so I think SCEA made a good decision to distribute this digitally in NA.

[Gradon]

I completed it 3 days after I got it, quite possibly one of the best horror games I ever played.
Just the replay value is lacked, then again, there really isn't any.
On par to the original, I only ever played a demo of the first and died almost instantaniassly.
And the second, I saw in GameStation pre-owned for 8 months, then when I get into the series its gone, just fucking luck right?

[Darkmoon]

Well, I own the first two and I've managed to play this for a few minutes at a friend's house. I gotta admit, so far I prefer the first. The second is too easy and this one wasn't as much fun, from my brief play.

The first one was so hard it was like gravel diorhea, but that didn't detract from it for me. The levels were short enough that getting snuffed out wasn't too big an issue and the replay value of the game is massive, but akward.

[Stu]

I love this game. I'm praying for another remake.

So why is it i can't figure out why i haven't gone back to the game to finish the very last chapter i have left?!