Basics
Controls
Note: If you're used to playing the original Silent Hill, then it's best you stick with Type B Controls, selected from the Options Screen.
Type A Controls
- D-Pad - Move character/highlight options
- L3 Stick - Move character/highlight options
- R3 Stick - Access Menu Screen (Press)
- X Button - Cancel/Guard
- Square Button - Flashlight Switch
- Circle Button - Cancel/Flashlight Switch
- Triangle Button - Access Map
- R1 + L1 Buttons - Auto-Turn
- R2 Button - Aim
- L2 Button - Manage Camera
- Start Button - Access Menu Screen
- Select Button - Pause
Type B Controls
- D-Pad - Move character/highlight options
- L3 Stick - Move character/highlight options
- R3 Stick - Not used
- X Button - Confirm/Action/Fire
- Square Button - Run
- Circle Button - Cancel/Flashlight Switch
- Triangle Button - Access Map
- R1 + L1 Buttons - Auto-Turn
- R2 Button - Aim
- L2 Button - Manage Camera
- Select Button - Access Menu Screen
- Start Button - Pause
Menu
The menu is broken up into 8 sections:
1. Status
Displays the Heather and a color. These screens demonstrate her health status.
2. Map
Basically another way to reach the map besides the Triangle Button.
3. Options
You can adjust the Button Configuration, Language, Subtitles, Brightness Level, Screen Position, Vibration, Sound, BGM Volume, SE volume Control Type features. Pressing L1 brings you to the Extra Options.
3.1 Extra Options
This lets you adjust Blood Color, Blood Volume, Walk/Run Control, Map, Nose Effect and Display Mode.
4. Memo
Read up on memos and files already viewed in the game.
5. Item
Manage and access quest items (such as keys) in this item pocket.
6. Weapon
Manage and access weapons (both bullet and melee) in this item pocket.
7. Supply
Manage and access health items, Beef Jerky and ammo for weapons in here.
Combat
In Silent Hill 3, combat is simple. You fight monsters by either avoid them by running away from them. Or, you can fight them with melee weapons or guns. Melee weapons are weaker and tougher to use, but also save ammo and are infinite in supply. Melee weapons are obviously used by getting into an attack position (R1) and swinging a weapon at them. Guns obviously require ammo to be obtained from many locations throughout the game. You aim and shoot the monsters. Once you run out of ammo, Heather automatically reloads the gun. Before you run out of ammo, it's effective to reload from the item screen.
Using Items
To use a quest item, usually you have to be right next to an object, or a door to use it. Make sure you're standing very close to the object/door and select the "use" function. If it doesn't work, then you're either at the wrong door/object, or you're not standing in the right position. Quest items are usually keys or key-like items (like the Moon Stone of the Nutcracker).
Item Combining
Often, more than one item is required to complete a puzzle, or open a door. In that case, combine the items in question in the item screen using the "combine" option. You can combine many items together. Items to be combined appear on top of the "Item" section of the menu. When you have all your items, select the "use" function on the final item (or one of the previously combined ones; it doesn't matter).
Health Management
There are three kinds of items that heal wounds inflicted by gas or monsters. They are the Ampoule, First Aid Kit and Health Drinks. Health Drinks are plentiful throughout the game, but only restore very partial amounts. First Aid Kits are uncommon but not rare, and restore just about half the health. Ampoules, while rare, restore all health problems. Conserve health. Only resort to using Ampoules when you're in REAL trouble. If Heather breathes hard, then she's definitely low on health.
Difficulty Modes
Silent Hill 3 has two different kinds of difficulty adjustments. There is Difficulty Mode and Riddle Difficulty Mode. The guide is primarily centered around Normal Difficulty Mode as it is the center of the spectrum. In Easy Mode, there are usually more items while in Hard Mode, there are less items. Monsters obviously require very little hits in Easy and many in Hard. Wherever possible, difficulty mode differences are noted. The walkthrough guides through all of the riddle modes, however.
Easy Mode
A constant supply of ammunition and health items appear. Enemies are also very easy to kill, and take up little ammo. Heather also can never fall over edges into deep pits. Bosses also require very little strategy. Ammo doesn't need to be conserved. Heather also has a lot of health.
Normal Mode
A challenging mode where enemies are all over the place and require a little depth and strategy to beat. Heather can her health lowered easily. Bosses require some strategy. Enemies also take even clips of ammo to no end, so ammo should be conserved.
Hard Mode
An extremely challenging mode. Heather's health can get knocked down by even the weakest enemies. Health and ammo are rare, and enemies take a lot of hits and cause a lot of damage. Bosses require a lot of strategy.
Extreme Action X
These modes (replace X with any number from 1-10, 10 being symbolized by "X"). Difficulty is increased beyond any other mode before it, and is for veterens. It's only earned after beating Hard Mode.
Riddle Difficulty Modes
Easy
Puzzles are either non-existent or extremely easy to solve. Usually, they give themselves away. Sometimes items aren't acquired (like the Screwdriver) and sections requiring those items are just opened up. New Silent Hill players are better off playing in this mode.
Normal
Puzzles require a little thinking but the clues usually are fairly simple to analyze. Some extra items are required to proceed (like the Screwdriver). Silent Hill veterns are good to go with this mode.
Hard
This mode will cause many headaches. Literature professionals, or those with good powers of observation should try this mode. Puzzles are extremely symbolic and require some research, as well. In addition, some extra items are required to proceed (like the Screwdriver).
Combat Tactics
The tactics described here are designed primarily for Normal/Hard Mode since Easy Mode is practically just... too easy.
Save Ammo; Use Melee Weapons
Melee weapons such as the Katana and the Steel Pipe are amazingly effective in all modes. Guns should be saved for tough monsters and bosses, instead of wasting them on easy creatures such as Nomb Body creatures. Avoiding monsters altogether is also a good choice.
Use Health Drinks Carefully; Conserve the Ampoules
Health Drinks are amazingly common in SH3, so always use them rather than using First Aid Kits and especially Ampoules. The final boss battle is definitely a long and tiring fight; all the higher health items are needed.
Wear the Bulletproof Vest; Learn to Run Effectively
The Bulletproof Vest protects from all hits and minimizes damage. However, it causes Heather to run slower, so learn to dodge creatures without getting hit. As for it's protection, the Bulletproof Vest is a definite must for boss fights. If you're in Southvale Silent Hill (outdoors), it's best to remove it to speed the game up a bit, since monsters can easily be dodged in the streets.
Look For a Boss' Weakness; Take Advantage of It
If you don't discover a boss' weakness, you can waste ammo trying to kill them the hard way. Look for a way to get them killed faster, such as aiming for their backside or blindside. If they follow a pattern, learn to exploit it.
Examine "Unusual" Surroundings; Be Very Careful
Silent Hill 3 has many places where Heather can fall, or a monster can jump and kill her, or where she can get run over by a train or a minecart. Make sure you're very careful in these areas, and that you observe them and fullfill a requirement before proceeding; all of these are noted in the walkthrough.
Read Files and Clues Carefully, They'll Come in Handy
Silent Hill 3 is a very note/file-driven game. Ways to proceed in the game are usually hinted in files. Puzzle solutions are also in files. If a file has an occurence or depicts a monster, remember that when applying it to the games! Events in files might happen in-game...
Bring Paper and Pencil; Write Down Clues and Passcodes
Many passcodes and clues are in the game. While you might be able to access them easily in this guide, bring them with you anyway. You might get a unique code I've never acheived myself.
A Silent Hill 2 File is Recommended
It's not a combat tactic but it should be mentioned... A save file from Silent Hill 2 on the PlayStation 2 is highly recommended to discover certain easter eggs in the game's surroundings, most of which are references to events in Silent Hill 2. The save file from Silent Hill 2 should have at least one completed game. Silent Hill 2: Restless Dreams (Japan), Silent Hill 2: Director's Cut (Europe) or Silent Hill 2 (Greatest Hits) (North America) are all also compatible with Silent Hill 3.