Siren: Blood Curse - Chapters 1-3 Review

By Rob Fahey Published 8 July, 2008

Horribly good value.

Version tested: PlayStation 3

Americanised remakes of Japanese horror. Depending on your perspective, that phrase may or may not induce absolute revulsion - but even those who insist on the originals would have to acknowledge that Americanised remakes tend to work best when the Japanese creative team is deeply involved (The Grudge), and worst when the films are so heavily Americanised that their origins are entirely erased (the execrable Pulse).

So when I tell you that Siren: Blood Curse is, in essence, an Americanised remake of the original Siren, bear with me for a moment more - because it needs to be emphasised that this is a remake by the original creative team, working out of Japan. They have chosen for their own reasons to replace several key characters with Americans and record much of the dialogue in English - a decision that's initially jarring for fans of the first game, but whose impact on the quality of what's on offer is actually negligible.

Besides, Blood Curse is far from being a straight, frame-for-frame remake of its progenitor. Few game series have ever evolved quite as quickly as Siren has - from the launch of the first game, intriguing but desperately flawed, to the arrival of the second, vastly more playable, more enjoyable and more interesting, and now finally to Blood Curse. Here we find the Siren team matured, experienced, and returning to their first game to show that they've become a world-class developer.

As in the original game, the premise is that a group of characters find themselves at the site of a village which was lost exactly 30 years ago - only to discover that it has mysteriously un-lost itself, and is now inhabited by its former residents in hideous, undead form, together with a host of other less frequently glimpsed but far more unpleasant nasties. There's an ancient religious cult at work, and some of the characters know more than they should about what's happening. It's standard Japanese horror fare, but superbly crafted, and almost unique among survival-horror titles for offering an ensemble cast of playable characters whose stories intertwine as the game progresses.

'Siren: Blood Curse - Chapters 1-3' Screenshot 1

Japanese grannies frighten us anyway, let alone cackling ones with blood running from their empty, staring eye-sockets.

In the process of recreating the game, the team has transformed much more about Siren than its line-up of characters. The controls have been reworked, still resembling Siren 2's but with a great deal of thought given to allowing players to feel scared rather than frustrated. Sightjacking, the strange power that allows you to see through the eyes of allies and enemies alike, has been refined - unlike previous games, you can move around while you sightjack someone, a development that has been carefully designed to ensure that you're still vulnerable (your own peripheral vision is massively cut down), without actually being helpless.

Movement itself is significantly simplified. Characters jump and climb much more intelligently than before when you push them against the edges of roofs or ledges, character motions feel crisp and precise - and a really well-designed, informative map screen makes sure that you don't get lost, and have a solid overview of your objectives and routes. The result is a game in which the threat comes from the foes you face and the tension of working out the best way around them - not from the fear that the controls will let you down at a crucial moment.

'Siren: Blood Curse - Chapters 1-3' Screenshot 2

This seems unlikely to end well.

Even combat is more fun. Siren 2 showed that the developers had learned that players don't always want to run and hide from the evil creatures that stalk them - sometimes, you really want to fight back. That won't always be the best option in Blood Curse, but with some characters, picking up a blunt object or firearm gives you a chance to rid yourself of your undead foes, at least for a while.

Sometimes, however, combat won't be an option at all. In the first mission of the game, you need to run and hide from an armed police officer with a gun and an unfortunate case of zombie eyes. The fact that you don't get a useful weapon until the very end of the mission makes the tension all the better. The game returns to that theme in the last mission of the three-chapter chunk we're reviewing today, where you play a defenceless young girl who can't risk being spotted by any of the undead nurses who infest the ruined hospital in which she finds herself. Even knocking over something in the dark and making a noise can have them screeching and converging on you, resulting in heart palpitations as you hunt for somewhere to hide. It's superb, creepy, unbearably tense stuff.

Graphically, the game is nothing short of stunning. Eschewing the clean, crisp look that many other HD games - including present PS3 poster boy MGS4 - have opted for, Blood Curse demonstrates ably how to achieve the gritty, murky look that works so well for survival-horror. The ruined village and its forested surrounds are full of dark, moving shadows, every texture is corroded and rough, and the air is full of swirling mists which add flavour to the environment, rather than obscuring your vision. Indoors, the use of light and shadow is brilliant - on occasion, your first heart-stopping indicator of an impending threat will be a shadow in the light from a doorway.

The characters themselves look great, nowhere close to the incredible detail of MGS4's faces but still nicely crafted and all brought to life with a unique visual style. It's the monsters who really stand out - in the first three-chapter chunk, you'll only meet standard undead humans, but these are brimming with malevolent personality as they go about their sinister business, each still attired and acting according to their role when they were alive. Best of all, their sound samples are magnificent - burbling, shrieking phrases in rural Japanese, the men harsh and guttural, the women like nails being drawn down a blackboard, and all punctuated by high, cackling laughter.

'Siren: Blood Curse - Chapters 1-3' Screenshot 4

Playing as the little girl gives the game some of its most tense, nerve-wracking moments.

As to the American characters, you'll quickly get used to them - although fans of the original will probably pine for the reintroduction of Kyoya and pals all the same. The bulk of the American cast is introduced by a film crew who turn up to make a special about the "lost village". Several other characters are still Japanese, although there are a few other Americans floating around for no readily explained reason - some chap called Howard who appears to be an American schoolboy and just happens to be in the area (great explanation, guys), and a mysterious woman in a red cloak who lives among the villagers.

The storyline thus far has stuck relatively closely to the tale of the original game, although it threatens to diverge in a few key areas. This is no bad thing. Siren's story was fantastic, and won't have been experienced by many players since the game itself was so utterly impenetrable - while the changes in Blood Curse give fans of the original plenty of reason to play through this vastly improved version of the game.

Of course, the real question is whether Blood Curse is actually worth spending your money on. When we originally received these chapters for review, we were expecting them to be charged at a few pounds per chapter - and we were particularly wide-eyed about the first chapter, which is really just the prologue and doesn't boast more than about 15 minutes of actual gameplay. Later chapters improve this significantly, and you'll get easily 40 minutes apiece out of them - and much, much more if you subsequently replay on the game's very challenging harder modes.

'Siren: Blood Curse - Chapters 1-3' Screenshot 6

We, uh... We haven't got to this bit. It's probably in a later chapter, but there's a big part of our brains that hopes it isn't in any chapter at all, ever.

However, with the chapters being bundled in threes for a fiver each, the value is undeniable - even taking into account the brevity of the first instalment. The Siren team is, arguably, the most talented team working on this style of survival-horror at the moment, and Siren: Blood Curse is the best thing to appear in the genre in a very long time.

So even if Americanised remakes leave you screaming and running for the hills (for all the wrong reasons), Blood Curse comes with a strong recommendation. For a fiver, we're struggling to think of any reason why you shouldn't try out the first three chapters of what will, at this rate, turn out to be a superb game overall. Look out for our full review of the 20-quid whole closer to its 24th July release.

9 / 10

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Picture of Rob.

About Rob Fahey

Rob Fahey is a former editor of GamesIndustry.biz who spent several years living in Japan and probably still has a mint condition Dreamcast Samba de Amigo set.

Read more articles from Rob by visiting the Rob Fahey archive page.

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Comments (62) Latest comment 4 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Widge #1 4 years ago

    *elevated to want status*

    EDIT:

    Nevermind, full release on the 24th!

    Reckon I'll get the chapters as and when, no price saving on the bundle.
    Edited by 2 at 08/07/08 @ 11:10

  • Darren #2 4 years ago

    Wow... sounds really great. A must buy then for me! :D

  • Darren #3 4 years ago

    And will this game be released on a BD? If it's as good as EG claim it is then I'd rather buy it on disc really.

  • CannonAnBall #4 4 years ago

    I'd heard a few things about this but a 9? I think i'll be getting this at that price!

  • viper_h #5 4 years ago

    Highest scoring PS3 game yet?

    Edit: Maybe not, couple of other games got 9s... aw.
    Edited by 1 at 08/07/08 @ 11:17

  • bad09 #6 4 years ago

    Nice, role on 24th!

  • menage #7 4 years ago

    Nice. Didn't see this coming.

    Played the Japnese demo. Wasn't too impressed by it though. Will try again.

  • SuperBas #8 4 years ago

    Sweet, it's getting more interesting to own a PS3 now!

  • ChrisS #9 4 years ago

    God, the next couple of weeks is going to drag. Loved Siren 2, loved the Japanese demo, cannot wait for this.

    I'm a bit miffed too - Sony told me code wouldn't be available before the 24th, yet the EG review is apparently going to be up before then. Grr.

  • Widge #10 4 years ago

    I like the price, I've got a "To Buy" list at the moment, but having something instantly weigh in at £20 is a major contributing factor to impulse buy. Plus I do like having some games just sitting on the old HDD ready to go whenever you want to give it a blast, like good old Mr Warhawk. Next up Wipeout for download then!

  • chanderzz #11 4 years ago

    Wow gonna boot up the ol ps3 tonight, finally update it the ps3 and get Siren! Heres to some more games worth owning in the pipeline!

  • Prodigy_BE #12 4 years ago

    As an online way to buy games, PSN does a pretty good job.

    Super Stardust HD, Warhawk, Gran Turismo 5 Prologue, Riff: Everyday Shooter,...
    I had some serious fun with all those, and will be adding Siren to my collection on launch.

    Good work Sony.

  • Red930 #13 4 years ago

    Gonna snap this one up on the 24th looks awesome

  • Widge #14 4 years ago

    Don't forget Pixeljunk Monsters Prodigy!
    Do like the little quirk of PSP remote play for that one, actually comes in useful for me if the main TV is in usage. Not tried using it over the net though, but once I hit a good wifispot, I will!

  • CannonAnBall #15 4 years ago

    ps3lol...oh

  • stampax #16 4 years ago

    Can someone explain what the deal is then - you can buy this game in chapters or the full game? Which works out cheaper?

  • ligurmatic #17 4 years ago

    @stampax:

    Buying it separately saves you 3 of the queen's pennies. Bargain.

    Despite losing focus with the first one (though parts of it were rather good) and never getting around to the second, I think this is a must buy for me, especially the first chunk.

  • AaronTurner #18 4 years ago

    This sounds interesting, will it be coming to xbox?

  • GlassMoon #19 4 years ago

    So are the chapters out now, or does it all come out together on the 24th?

  • TotalBB #20 4 years ago

    @AaronTurner: as the game is published by Sony, I wouldn't hold my breath...

  • space_ace #21 4 years ago

    again, no actual screenshots? :-/

  • Machetazo #22 4 years ago

    This game is one I'm really keen to get the full set of. Very much looking forward to the 24th.
    Edited by 2 at 08/07/08 @ 12:16

  • miiiguel #23 4 years ago

    360 bias and shit! oh... sorry...

  • Chufty #24 4 years ago

    Damn it, there goes £300

  • moskiitto #25 4 years ago

    As far as I remember, this game is made by Sony so no, it will never come to other consoles.
    I'm too big chicken to play horror games ;_;

  • chris_ace #26 4 years ago

    Post deleted at 11:55:13 13-12-2011

  • Widge #27 4 years ago

    Me too usually, I think I dashed through the 2nd half of Silent Hill in fear to achieve the BAD+ ending, but don't like to miss out on quality game-age!

  • Gaol #28 4 years ago

    That sure is cheap :)

  • Laika #29 4 years ago

    Solded.

  • Krelle #30 4 years ago

    Would like to be able to play this. I usually need 2 friends or my mom in the same room to even think about it.

    Tbh, optimal way for me to play horror-games is if a friend holds the actual controller, and I just camp by his side, watching and drinking coffee.

  • UncleLou #31 4 years ago

    That sounds good.

    Though I find the lack of "bownest game ever" comments disturbing.

  • ChrisS #32 4 years ago

    So are the chapters out now, or does it all come out together on the 24th?

    There are four chunks of three chapters, each available for £4.99 each on the 24th, and you can buy the whole lot for £19.99, curiously three pence more expensive.

    Not sure why it's been done that way, but there you go.

  • Artemus #33 4 years ago

    Better than MGS4 then ;-)

  • #34 4 years ago

    damn if only I could play horror games without getting real nightmares :(

    Nice review but I think Ill pass.

  • J.C #35 4 years ago

    Your turn tecmo come on! were all waiting.

  • timberwolf #36 4 years ago

    lost all its cult japanese status... pick up the original games for a fiver, like i did. now that's value for money... plus no mention of the time lock features of the original...

  • ghearoid #37 4 years ago

    Um, I like this idea of buying a game in chapters. I enjoy these survival horror games but I'm a bit rubbish at them so rarely progress too far. Being able to buy just the first part sounds perfect for a lamer like me. ;o)

  • spookyzombie #38 4 years ago

    So will it be available on disk in a similar way GT5 was?

  • DonnieDarko333 #39 4 years ago

    Can't wait for this...the PS3 is slowly coming into it's own...

  • Execta #40 4 years ago

    A must buy! Thank you, Eurogamer. Really nice review. Didn't know anything about this game but you really did lighten me, thanks. Gonna buy all the episodes. :)

  • Max_Powers #41 4 years ago

    PS3 in good original IP game shocker

  • grantc7 #42 4 years ago

    Never played the other games but this one looks scary as hell from the screenshots alone.

  • penhalion #43 4 years ago

    Played the Japanese version. Are you sure this is the same game? The first chapter may be short but, it had me dying alarmingly regularly for even looking in the wrong direction. Nothing scary about that, just frustrating. Similarly the third chapter has you hiding and dying for running just past a hiding hole and not having time to turn back to get in!

    I think it's probably worth 20 quid but, I would be very reluctant to pay more than that for the full game!

  • Darren #44 4 years ago

    I found the Japanese demo waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too dark and even with the brightness turned up it was difficult to see what was happening. I hope the full game isn't like that all the way through. The screenshots in the review suggest it isn't.

  • ToAks #45 4 years ago

    i have always been a huge Siren fan, both of the earlier games where really good and scary, theyre dark as hell , just like this new one but keep in mind that you get equipmnt to light up the enviroment and also its supposed to be dark ,people who fail to see that should just play ratchet and clank or something else that is bright and shiny. You will be frustrated , you will get angry and thats when you hear the "siren". The Demo on the HNK/JAP psn is just a demo, its not the full chapter or even a episode, its just a teaser although that was my impression anyway if you compare videos towards how you played the same level (riding mine cart, guy in the locked room etc) . Also, does anyone know if the driving sections of the SIREN series has been removed in this remake?

  • systems #46 4 years ago

    Yes, it really is meant to be that dark - it's not a problem with your setup Darren.

    The point is that the enemies are all attracted to light, so it's up to you to quickly look where you're going and then turn the light off and creep forward to avoid the baddies.

  • IronGiant #47 4 years ago

    Sold! looks fantastic, this will do nicely while we await Res5. Here's hoping the Siren team are working on the next game already!

  • mkreku #48 4 years ago

    This is one of those games I would loved to have read Ellie's take on.

  • Apostle #49 4 years ago

    As good as Halo 3 then? ;)

  • Kenshin001 #50 4 years ago

    I played the Jp demo and wasn't overly impressed with the controls/camera so I'm a tad hesitant about this review. Still, for the price I guess it can't hurt. Good to see the PS3 getting a decent horror game as it seems AiTD is a bit crap.

  • ToAks #51 4 years ago

    @kenshin: yes the camera has always been love or hate in the siren games although once you get the hang of it thats when everything gets really spooky , also if the older games are anything to go by, the camera acts diffrent to whom or what you play as. I'd say that everyone should try the first episode no matter what since the games are actually really good although not very casual, theyre more for the hardcore players.

  • creepylizard #52 4 years ago

    is there a hope in hell that this will come out on the 360?
    seeing as how I don't hold out much hope for the new silent hill and all....

  • drumbaby #53 4 years ago

    Can't wait!

  • chris_ace #54 4 years ago

    Post deleted at 11:55:13 13-12-2011

  • GamesConnoisseur #55 4 years ago

    Yippee! Delighted that this game rated so well and being a proper PSN downloadable must buy purchase to boot! Happy if this is the sign of what is to come from PSN but suspect would not take off that fast, as publishers would need to be convinced that its selling well and worth the investments.

  • EmiliasHorse #56 4 years ago

    Looks excellent. First game on PS3 that I am genuinely envious of. (I quite fancy a few, but nothing that will tip the £300 outlay balance for what is an identical quality games machine as the 360.)

  • wingzerosys #57 4 years ago

    I'll wait for the disc version.

  • spookyzombie #58 4 years ago

    Just played the demo. I know it's sort of the point, but it is stupidly dark.

  • Steroyd #59 4 years ago

    I'm too much of a wuss when it comes to horror, although the chapter thing sounds like an attractive prospect, because I know for a fact that I will reach a point I think is too scary and not play it for weeks till my balls grow back.

  • 3william56 #60 4 years ago

    Never been a survival horror type myself, but for a couple of bucks this one looks very worth a whirl.

  • creepylizard #61 4 years ago

    I am a 360 owner. and I am sad

  • DonLimey #62 4 years ago

    Want to pick this up but gonna import the Jap version (I prefer to have a disc) :-)

    Edited by 1 at 13/07/08 @ 20:52