The first part of episode 9 seemed to offer a couple of different ways to progress, and I somehow managed to circumvent an entire set of goals. I wish there was more of this in Siren. The gameplay is starting to feel a bit worn out. This episode consisted almost entirely of escort missions, including one where the escortee keeps running off without you, into areas you can't reach.

At least the story is keeping everything moving forward. Most games can't build the player character's death into the story arc for obvious reasons. This is why the exceptions are so memorable. Take, for instance, Call of Duty 4. But because Siren moves you around among different characters, there are no such restrictions. You know you have to reach the next cutscene, so dying during gameplay involves restarting until you get the end, of course. But once you reach the cutscene, your character's fate is never assured. Just ask poor Howard Wright, pictured above in one of his many instances as shibito whipping boy.

This makes for some awfully memorable moments in Siren. But with a disclaimer that involves spoilers. Saved for after the jump, of course.

Siren sort of cheats because of its mysterious eternal recurrence. But these second chances are a great approach to character development. So when Melissa Gale goes from cast-iron bitch to self-immolating savior, it's a great moment. A character we previously hated subjects herself to a gruesome painful death to save her daughter. As Westerners without values based on reincarnation and karma, the theological dimension of this is lost on us. But it still makes for good storytelling. And remember that the characters don't know about the recurrence. Even Seigo in his watchtower, who is somehow a prime mover in the events of Siren, has only a vague sense of déjà vu.

I notice that Bella's diary is updating as the story progresses. Is she prophesying? Is she somehow "the girl with the hair of the sun" associated with the chosen one who can wield the holy artifact, as written in the book Seigo finds at the end of the episode? And I can't help but wonder, given that the village is lost in time, if somehow Bella is Amana? There seem to be a few foundlings with mysterious pasts floating around in this game.

And I just realized that the titular siren isn't simply a shameless Silent Hill rip-off. It's the siren that sounds to warn the village of an avalanche.

Finally, the screaming face in the closet was totally uncalled for. Just when I thought I knew what to expect, now I have to steel myself every time I open a door.

(Click here for the previous Siren game diary.)
(Click here for the next Siren game diary.)