:Silent Hill 3

{{Infobox video game

| title = Silent Hill 3

| image = Sh3 boxart.jpg

| caption = European cover art

| developer = Team Silent{{Efn|Team Silent was a group in Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo.|lead=yes}}

| publisher = Konami

| director = Kazuhide Nakazawa

| producer = Akira Yamaoka

| programmer = Yukinori Ojima

| artist = Masahiro Ito

| writer = Hiroyuki Owaku

| composer = Akira Yamaoka

| series = Silent Hill

| platforms = {{Unbulleted list|PlayStation 2|Windows}}

| released = PlayStation 2{{Video game release|EU|May 23, 2003|JP|July 3, 2003|NA|August 5, 2003}}Windows{{Video game release|EU|October 31, 2003|NA|November 21, 2003}}

| genre = Survival horror

| modes = Single-player

}}

{{nihongo foot|Silent Hill 3|サイレントヒル 3|Sairento Hiru Surī|group=lower-alpha|lead=yes}} is a 2003 survival horror video game developed by Team Silent, a group in Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo, and published by Konami for the PlayStation 2. The third installment in the Silent Hill series and a direct sequel to the first Silent Hill game, it follows Heather, a teenager who becomes entangled in the machinations of the town's cult, which seeks to revive a malevolent deity. A port for Windows was released later in November, and a remastered high-definition version was released as part of the Silent Hill HD Collection, for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in 2012.

Originally planned to be a rail shooter, as a result of the initially slow sales of Silent Hill 2 in Japan, Silent Hill 3 was developed almost simultaneously alongside another installment in the series, Silent Hill 4: The Room (2004). Among the influences on Silent Hill 3 are the film Jacob's Ladder and the works of horror novelist Stephen King. Silent Hill 3 sold over 300,000 copies by November 2003 and was well-received by critics, garnering praise for its presentation, including the environments, graphics and audio, as well as the overall horror elements and themes that are continued from past installments; although there was minor criticism of the game's short length, camera, and gameplay mechanics. Its plot was loosely adapted into the 2012 film Silent Hill: Revelation.

Gameplay

File:Silent Hill 3 screenshot.jpg

Silent Hill 3 is a survival horror video game in which the player takes control of Heather, a teenager who awakens from a nightmare in a shopping mall and tries to return home to her father, while navigating environments that oscillate between reality and the Otherworld, a bloodier, supernatural version of it.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/08/05/silent-hill-3-2 |title=IGN: Silent Hill 3 Review (PS2) |publisher=IGN |first=Douglass |last=Perry |date=August 5, 2003 |access-date=August 30, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121217061053/http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/08/05/silent-hill-3-2 |archive-date=December 17, 2012 }} Gameplay in Silent Hill 3 resembles closely that of its two predecessors,{{Cite web | url = http://www.gamerevolution.com/oldsite/games/ps2/adventure/silent_hill_3.htm | title = Game Revolution Playstation 2 Review Page – Silent Hill 3 | publisher = Game Revolution | first = Chris | last = Hudak | date = August 3, 2003 | access-date = August 30, 2008 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120926141627/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/silent-hill-3 | archive-date = September 26, 2012 }} with gameplay set in the third-person view and divided among elements of combat, exploration, and puzzle-solving.{{Cite web|url=http://uk.gamespot.com/ps2/adventure/silenthill3/review.html |title=Silent Hill 3 for PlayStation 2 Review |publisher=GameSpot |first=Tyler |last=Winegarner |date=August 6, 2003 |access-date=August 30, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070717042714/http://uk.gamespot.com/ps2/adventure/silenthill3/review.html |archive-date=July 17, 2007 }} The difficulty of both the combat and puzzle elements of the game can be set separately.{{Cite web|url=http://pc.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r20477.htm |title=Silent Hill 3 Review – PC |publisher=GameZone |first=Tha |last=Wiz |date=December 18, 2003 |access-date=August 30, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080920153359/http://pc.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r20477.htm |archive-date=September 20, 2008 }} In the case of the puzzle difficulties, there is a considerable difference between the "medium" difficulty level and the "hard" difficulty level; one of the puzzles on the "medium" level requires only simple pattern recognition, while the "hard" difficulty level version of the same puzzle requires knowledge of Shakespearean plays to complete.

To aid in exploration, Heather obtains a flashlight and radio early on, the latter of which crackles when monsters are in proximity.{{Cite web|url=http://uk.pc.ign.com/articles/445/445781p1.html |title=IGN: Silent Hill 3 Review (PC) |publisher=IGN |date=December 11, 2003 |access-date=August 30, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080929205744/http://uk.pc.ign.com/articles/445/445781p1.html |archive-date=September 29, 2008 }} She can find "health" restoratives, such as first aid kits and energy drinks; beef jerky, used to lure monsters away from her path; and a range of firearms and melee weapons to fend off the monsters with. She can also block and perform side-step maneuvers to avoid enemies. Heather will also update any relevant maps of the area with notes on locked doors, inaccessible areas, and potential clues to puzzles. While the floor plans of the various environments largely remains consistent between reality and the Otherworld, certain areas may be rendered inaccessible in the Otherworld, with barriers or bottomless gulfs appearing in the street, for example. The game also features unlockable weapons and costumes.{{Cite web|url=http://uk.ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/silent-hill-3/6085p1.html |title=GameSpy.com – Review – Silent Hill 3 (PS2) |publisher=GameSpy.com |first=Bryn |last=Williams |date=August 10, 2003 |access-date=August 30, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711072109/http://uk.ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/silent-hill-3/6085p1.html |archive-date=July 11, 2011 }}

Plot

Silent Hill 3 takes place in the fictional universe of the Silent Hill series, 17 years after the events of the first game. It opens with Heather's (Heather Morris) nightmare of being trapped in a derelict amusement park and killed by the roller coaster. She awakens in a burger restaurant within a shopping mall, but before she can leave the mall and return home to her father Harry Mason, private detective Douglas Cartland (Richard Grosse) confronts her, claiming to have information about her birth. Heather evades him and discovers that the mall is mostly abandoned except for monsters. She then encounters Claudia (Donna Burke), a mysterious woman who hints that Heather will be instrumental in bringing about paradise on earth.{{cite video game|title=Silent Hill 3|developer=Konami (Team Silent)|publisher=Konami|date=May 23, 2003|platform=PlayStation 2|level=Shopping Mall}}

Heather soon finds herself in the Otherworld version of the mall—a monster-filled, bloodstained, and decaying alternate world—and eventually returns to the original shopping mall, where she finds Douglas again. He confesses that Claudia had hired him to find her, though denies prior knowledge of the Otherworld or of any greater agenda of Claudia's. Heather leaves the mall and resolves to go home on the subway.{{cite video game|title=Silent Hill 3|developer=Konami (Team Silent)|publisher=Konami|date=May 23, 2003|platform=PlayStation 2|level=Return from Otherworld Shopping Mall}} When she returns home to her apartment, she discovers that her father was murdered on Claudia's orders. Claudia informs her that Harry's murder was out of revenge and to engender hatred in Heather. Before leaving, Claudia tells her that she will be waiting for her in the town of Silent Hill.{{cite video game|title=Silent Hill 3|developer=Konami (Team Silent)|publisher=Konami|date=May 23, 2003|platform=PlayStation 2|level=Harry's Apartment}}

Intent on killing Claudia, Heather resolves to go to Silent Hill and accepts Douglas' offer to drive her there. On the journey there, Heather learns from a journal left by Harry that she was the baby left to him at the end of the first Silent Hill game. Because she is the reincarnation of Alessa, the girl originally intended to birth the cult's god, Claudia intends for her to bring forth the god.{{cite video game|title=Silent Hill 3|developer=Konami (Team Silent)|publisher=Konami|date=May 23, 2003|platform=PlayStation 2|level=Driving to Silent Hill}} Arriving in the seemingly abandoned and fog-shrouded town, Heather sets out to find a man named Leonard in a local hospital, being told by a member of the cult named Vincent that Leonard was in possession of a powerful magical sigil, the Seal of Metatron.

Revealed to be Claudia's abusive father, Leonard intends to dispose of Claudia as cult leader and attacks Heather after learning that she is not a member of the cult. Heather defeats him, taking the Seal of Metatron.{{cite video game|title=Silent Hill 3|developer=Konami (Team Silent)|publisher=Konami|date=May 23, 2003|platform=PlayStation 2|level=Brookhaven Hospital}} She journeys to the local church of the cult through a local amusement park at Vincent's request, who—despite being a member of the cult—opposes Claudia's goals.{{cite video game|title=Silent Hill 3|developer=Konami (Team Silent)|publisher=Konami|date=May 23, 2003|platform=PlayStation 2|level=Motel}} When Heather arrives at the amusement park, she finds Douglas is wounded, having tried to stop Claudia. He considers killing Heather to stop the god from being born but decides against it.{{cite video game|title=Silent Hill 3|developer=Konami (Team Silent)|publisher=Konami|date=May 23, 2003|platform=PlayStation 2|level=Lakeside Amusement Park}}

Heather reaches the church and learns that Claudia, who was Alessa's childhood friend, intends to bring about the god's birth to remake the world into a paradise. Heather confronts her and vomits out the fetal deity, which was nourished by her hatred, using a supernatural substance given to her by Harry before his death to expel the god. Claudia promptly swallows the fetus to Heather's horror in an attempt to complete the birthing process of the god. Claudia is snatched away by an archangel of the cult to the chapel below, where she is found to have given birth and disappeared (with Heather presuming her dead). Heather then defeats the newly born god, before taking time to mourn her father.{{cite video game|title=Silent Hill 3|developer=Konami (Team Silent)|publisher=Konami|date=May 23, 2003|platform=PlayStation 2|level=Church}}

Three endings appear in the game. The "Normal" ending, which is the only ending available on the first play-through of the game, sees Heather and Douglas survive,{{efn|Heather also reverts back to her birth name Cheryl}} while in the "Possessed" ending, Heather kills Douglas.{{cite video game|title=Silent Hill 3|developer=Konami (Team Silent)|publisher=Konami|date=May 23, 2003|platform=PlayStation 2|level=Normal Ending}}{{cite video game|title=Silent Hill 3|developer=Konami (Team Silent)|publisher=Konami|date=May 23, 2003|platform=PlayStation 2|level=Possessed Ending}} In the "Revenge" ending, which is a joke ending accessible by performing certain in-game actions, Heather reunites with Harry, and Harry orders UFOs to blow up Silent Hill.{{cite video game|title=Silent Hill 3|developer=Konami (Team Silent)|publisher=Konami|date=May 23, 2003|platform=PlayStation 2|level=Revenge ending}}

Development

Silent Hill 3 was created by Team Silent, a production group within Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo.{{Cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041012044127/http://www.konamityo.com/games/lineup/soft_ps2.html |archive-date=October 12, 2004 |title=ゲームソフトプレイステーション2 |publisher=Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo, Inc.|url=http://www.konamityo.com/games/lineup/soft_ps2.html}}{{Cite web|url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/094/094863p1.html |title=E3 2001: Silent Hill 2 Interview |date=May 17, 2001 |work=IGN |publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc. |access-date=December 26, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525030314/http://ps2.ign.com/articles/094/094863p1.html |archive-date=May 25, 2011 }}{{Cite web |url=http://top100.ign.com/2007/ign_top_game_97.html |title=IGN Top 100 Games 2007: 97 Silent Hill 2 |year=2007 |work=IGN |publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc. |access-date=December 26, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100616184955/http://top100.ign.com/2007/ign_top_game_97.html |archive-date=June 16, 2010 }} Development on the PlayStation 2 version began after the release of Silent Hill 2 in September 2001, and was carried out almost simultaneously with development of another Silent Hill title that was intended to explore a different direction for the franchise and not be part of the main, numbered series;{{Cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=56424 |title=Silent Hill 4: Two Guys In A Room Interview |publisher=Eurogamer |date=July 25, 2004 |access-date=September 2, 2008 |first=Kristan |last=Reed |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071010145135/http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=56424 |archive-date=October 10, 2007 }} known as Room 302, this game would eventually become integrated into the main series as Silent Hill 4: The Room.{{Cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?cId=3134705&a=all |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120629093901/http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?cId=3134705&a=all |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 29, 2012 |date=September 17, 2004 |access-date=September 2, 2008 |title=Silent Hill 4: The Room Preview |publisher=1UP }} The development team for this iteration was smaller than that working on Silent Hill 2, with around 40 people working on the game, made up of the core team from the second title and some newcomers. A smaller group of Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo staff later developed a port for Windows.{{Cite video game|title=Silent Hill 3|developer=Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo, Inc. |publisher=Konami of Europe GmbH |date=October 31, 2003|platform=Microsoft Windows|scene=staff credits}}

File:ClaudiaSH3.jpg

Silent Hill 3 was originally planned to be a rail shooter, not a direct sequel to the first Silent Hill game, as a result of the initially slow sales and fan criticism of Silent Hill 2 in Japan. According to Masahiro Ito, this decision wasted considerable development time and part of the game's budget. Eventually, the plan was discarded, with most of the early work produced between September 2001 and September 2002 being almost completely scrapped; although the concept of a Silent Hill rail shooter was later explored with Silent Hill: The Arcade in 2007. Silent Hill 3{{'}}s final version was developed from scratch in less than nine months, between September 2002 and May 2003.{{Cite web|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/video-games/3547958/masahiro-ito-silent-hill-3-originally-planned-rail-shooter/|title=Masahiro Ito: 'Silent Hill 3' Was Originally Planned as a Rail Shooter|author=Wilson, Mike|work=Bloody Disgusting|date=February 19, 2019|access-date=November 17, 2019}}

Like all Silent Hill games, one of Silent Hill 3{{'}}s influences is the film Jacob's Ladder:{{Cite web|url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/362/362071p1.html |title=IGN: Silent Hill 3 Interview |publisher=IGN |access-date=September 2, 2008 |date=June 12, 2002 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071130013751/http://ps2.ign.com/articles/362/362071p1.html |archive-date=November 30, 2007 }} one of the subway platforms is named Bergen Street Station, the station Jacob was inquiring about at the beginning of the film. The developers also cited horror writer Stephen King as another of their influences. Silent Hill 3 incorporates references drawn from real-life actors and actresses. Douglas Cartland's name came from American actor Douglas Fairbanks. The developers stated that his name "just seemed to suit him" and that there was no true connection to his namesake. During the sketching process, his character was modeled after actors Giancarlo Giannini and Ian Holm. It was noted even during the concept designs that Cartland was designed as a middle-aged detective. Richard Grosse, the actor that played Douglas, died on April 12, 2003, a month before the game's release.https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0343549/ Claudia Wolf's character was considered the most difficult to design. Early sketches revealed that the creators wanted to dress her like a holy woman, and at one point she had a shaved head, with her body covered with tattoos, however, the creators thought that this way of showing her malevolent side was too obvious. Eventually, the creators decided to model her on Julianne Moore, and then remove her eyebrows, so that the appearance was slightly skewed. She was first named "Christie", but it was deemed too "cute" and the character was eventually named after Italian actress Claudia Cardinale. Vincent's name originated from actor Vincent Gallo in connection with his unshaven look. Early designs were based on actor Ethan Hawke and focused on capturing a look of "derangement and moodiness."{{cite book|title=Book of Lost Memories|publisher=Konami|year=2003|pages=66–67|chapter=Silent Hill 3 Character Commentary}}

A remastered high-definition version was released as part of the Silent Hill HD Collection, for the PlayStation 3{{Cite web|url=http://au.ps3.ign.com/articles/117/1172284p1.html |title=Silent Hill Collection, NGP Title Announced |author=Eykemans, Peter |work=IGN |date=June 3, 2011 |publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc |access-date=July 5, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607033912/http://au.ps3.ign.com/articles/117/1172284p1.html |archive-date=June 7, 2011 }} and the Xbox 360{{Cite web|url=http://uk.xbox360.ign.com/articles/118/1188438p1.html?RSSwhen2011-08-17_100200&RSSid=1188438 |title=Gamescom: Silent Hill HD Collection Hitting Xbox 360 |date=August 17, 2011 |author=Reilly, Jim |work=IGN |publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc |access-date=August 21, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120327034608/http://uk.xbox360.ign.com/articles/118/1188438p1.html?RSSwhen2011-08-17_100200&RSSid=1188438 |archive-date=March 27, 2012 }} on March 20, 2012.{{Cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/silent-hill-hd-collection-delayed-further-report-6362858 |title=Silent Hill HD Collection delayed further – Report |date=February 29, 2012 |author=Makuch, Eddie |work=GameSpot |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=March 1, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120301074544/http://www.gamespot.com/news/silent-hill-hd-collection-delayed-further-report-6362858 |archive-date=March 1, 2012 }}

=Music=

The soundtrack for Silent Hill 3 was composed by Akira Yamaoka. It was released in Europe on March 25, 2003{{Cite web|url=http://vgmdb.net/album/8016 |series=KOE-CDS-300 |title=SILENT HILL 3 original soundtrack |publisher=VGMdb.net |access-date=June 4, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150711100554/http://vgmdb.net/album/8016 |archive-date=July 11, 2015 }} and in Japan on July 16, 2003.{{Cite web|url=http://vgmdb.net/album/1079 |series=KOLA-038 |title=SILENT HILL 3 ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACKS |publisher=VGMdb.net |access-date=June 4, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150711095216/http://vgmdb.net/album/1079 |archive-date=July 11, 2015 }} The song "You're Not Here" was included in the PS2 port of Dance Dance Revolution Extreme,{{Cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/puzzle/ddrextreme/hints.html |title=Dance Dance Revolution Extreme Hints & Cheats |access-date=September 21, 2008 |publisher=GameSpot |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227114145/http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/puzzle/ddrextreme/hints.html |archive-date=February 27, 2009 }} and is also included in the Silent Hill Experience UMD media pack.{{Cite web|url=http://psp.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r28636.htm |title=Silent Hill Experience Review – PSP |first=Louis |last=Bedigian |date=April 11, 2006 |access-date=August 30, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071130043321/http://psp.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r28636.htm |archive-date=November 30, 2007 }} The game's soundtrack is the first using vocals prominently. Most of the vocalized tracks are performed by Mary Elizabeth McGlynn (credited as Melissa Williamson); with Joe Romersa providing the chant on the track "Prayer" as well as the vocals on the ending theme, "Hometown".{{Cite web|first=Michael |last=Johnson |url=http://games.monstersatplay.com/review/soundtrack/silent_hill_3_ost.php |title=Silent Hill 3 Original Soundtracks |access-date=September 21, 2008 |publisher=Monsters at Play |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080703170310/http://games.monstersatplay.com/review/soundtrack/silent_hill_3_ost.php |archive-date=July 3, 2008 }} {{Clear}}

Reception

{{Video game reviews

| MC = 85/100 (PS2)
72/100 (PC)

| GI = 8.25/10 (PS2){{cite magazine|magazine=Game Informer|title=Silent Hill 3|date=August 2003|page=88}}

| Allgame = {{Rating|2.5|5}} (PS2)

| GameZone = 8.5/10 (PS2)
8.0/10 (PC)

| GSpot = 8.4/10 (PS2)
7.6/10 (PC)

| GSpy = 8.7/10 (PS2)
6.8/10 (PC)

| IGN = 8.8/10 (PS2)
9.0/10 (PC)

}}

Silent Hill 3 received positive reviews, garnering an 85/100 rating at Metacritic for the PlayStation 2 version,{{Cite web |title=Silent Hill 3 (ps2: 2003): Reviews |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/silent-hill-3/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090626190508/http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/ps2/silenthill3 |archive-date=June 26, 2009 |access-date=August 30, 2008 |publisher=Metacritic}} and a 72/100 rating for the PC version.{{Cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/pc/silenthill3 |title=Silent Hill 3 (pc: 2003): Reviews |access-date=August 30, 2008 |publisher=Metacritic |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090626182840/http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/pc/silenthill3 |archive-date=June 26, 2009 }} The PC version fared less well, with some reviewers drawing unfavourable comparisons to other combat-based games found on the PC platform,{{Cite web|url=http://uk.gamespot.com/pc/adventure/silenthill3/review.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130110215218/http://uk.gamespot.com/pc/adventure/silenthill3/review.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 10, 2013 |title=Silent Hill 3 for PC Review |publisher=GameSpot |first=Scott |last=Osborne |date=December 9, 2003 |access-date=August 30, 2008 }} while others highlighted some technical issues, such as poor gamepad controller support.{{Cite web|url=http://uk.pc.gamespy.com/pc/silent-hill-3/494461p1.html |title=GameSpy: Silent Hill 3 Review |publisher=GameSpy.com |first=Allen |last=Rausch |date=January 16, 2004 |access-date=August 30, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081001100553/http://uk.pc.gamespy.com/pc/silent-hill-3/494461p1.html |archive-date=October 1, 2008 }}

Positive reactions were given to the general horror and atmosphere of the game, including "truly horrifying sections",{{Cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=52114 |title=Silent Hill 3 – Page 1 |publisher=Eurogamer |first=Kristan |last=Reed |date=May 22, 2003 |access-date=August 30, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050415091118/http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=52114 |archive-date=April 15, 2005 }} it "packs some genuine scares" and "the feeling of eeriness and doom is almost overwhelming". The story told as part of the atmosphere was also received positively, making for a "satisfying, coherent sequel",{{Cite web | url = http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/30592/silent-hill-3/ | title = Review: Silent Hill 3 (PS2) – from GamePro.com | publisher = GamePro | first = Star | last = Dingo | date = August 4, 2003 | access-date = August 30, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090627003050/http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/30592/silent-hill-3/|archive-date=June 27, 2009}} although its status as such meant that "it may be a little tough to follow for people who haven't played the first game", despite "a laudable effort to help people catch up". In addition, the graphics, audio and production values were all credited with adding positively to the atmosphere.

Negative criticism largely stemmed from the lack of any innovations in gameplay; the game "doesn't do anything major that the series hasn't done before",{{Cite web|url=http://ps2.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r20477.htm |title=Silent Hill 3 Review – PlayStation 2 |publisher=GameZone |first=Louis |last=Bedigian |date=August 11, 2003 |access-date=August 30, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081005232412/http://ps2.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r20477.htm |archive-date=October 5, 2008 }} "does little in term of innovation" and "doesn't offer much beyond the other titles in the series". Also criticised was the game's camera and control system which, despite having been improved from previous games, was described as "awkward, disorienting, and motion sickness-inducing". Some criticism stemmed from the length of the game, as it "can be easily beaten in a handful of hours". AllGame found the story less compelling compared to the first two entries.{{Cite web|last= Marriott |first=Scott Alan|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=39512&tab=review|title=Silent Hill 3 - Review|work=AllGame|publisher=All Media Network|date=2003|access-date=2021-09-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115153818/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=39512&tab=review|archive-date=2014-11-15|url-status=dead}}

Silent Hill 3 sold over 300,000 copies by November 2003.{{Cite web|url=http://www.konami.co.jp/zaimu/0309/e/english.pdf |title=Consolidated Financial Results for the Six Months Ended September 30, 2003 |access-date=October 5, 2008 |publisher=Konami |date=November 13, 2003 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090205123623/http://www.konami.co.jp/zaimu/0309/e/english.pdf |archive-date=February 5, 2009 }} The game also topped sales charts in Japan upon its release, with 58,000 copies sold in the first three days.{{cite news|first=Rob |last=Fahey |title=Japan Charts: Silent Hill 3 brings terror to the top of the charts |url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/japan-charts-silent-hill-3-brings-terror-to-the-top-of-the-charts |publisher=Gamesindustry.biz |date=July 14, 2003 |access-date=October 5, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090628162049/http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/japan-charts-silent-hill-3-brings-terror-to-the-top-of-the-charts |archive-date=June 28, 2009 }}

Film adaptation

A film adaptation of Silent Hill 3, titled Silent Hill: Revelation 3D, was released on October 26, 2012, by Open Road Films.{{Cite web|url=http://bloody-disgusting.com/news/227687/open-road-to-distribute-silent-hill-revelation-3d-this-halloween/ |title=Open Road To Distribute 'Silent Hill: Revelation 3D' This Halloween!!!! |last=Miska |first=Brad |date=April 18, 2012 |work=Bloody Disgusting |access-date=April 22, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120420232235/http://bloody-disgusting.com/news/227687/open-road-to-distribute-silent-hill-revelation-3d-this-halloween/ |archive-date=April 20, 2012 }} The film is a sequel to the film adaptation of the first installment in the Silent Hill series.{{Cite web |url=http://uk.movies.ign.com/articles/116/1160092p1.html |title=Matrix's Moss Joins Silent Hill 2 |author=IGN staff |date=April 6, 2011 |publisher=IGN |access-date=June 27, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110410015653/http://uk.movies.ign.com/articles/116/1160092p1.html |archive-date=April 10, 2011 }} Directed by M. J. Bassett,{{Cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2010/11/08/silent-hill-2-filming-this-winter |title=Silent Hill 2 Filming This Winter |author=Staff |date=November 8, 2010 |work=IGN |publisher=IGN Entertainment |access-date=May 4, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508062634/http://www.ign.com/articles/2010/11/08/silent-hill-2-filming-this-winter |archive-date=May 8, 2014 }} it starred Adelaide Clemens as Heather, Kit Harington as Vincent Cooper, Sean Bean as Harry Mason, Carrie-Anne Moss as Claudia Wolf, and Malcolm McDowell as Leonard Wolf.{{Cite web |title=Silent Hill: Revelation |url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/silent_hill_revelation/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140806122934/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/silent_hill_revelation/ |archive-date=August 6, 2014 |access-date=May 4, 2014 |work=Rotten Tomatoes}}