Raw Shock

"You have to run, Daddy. You can't fight them. Run!"

- Cheryl Mason to Harry


 * For the song, see Raw Shock (song).

The Raw Shock is the only hostile monster encountered in Silent Hill: Shattered Memories. They pursue Harry Mason during each nightmare sequence and only appear during Ice World transitions. They are fairly intelligent, and can work together in packs to hunt down Harry.

They are also featured in the Expansion Pack of Silent Hill: Book of Memories, in which they can mimic human beings.

Appearance
The Raw Shocks are hairless, pale-skinned, humanoid creatures without facial features or distinguishing traits, save for their twitching, grotesque body language and emaciated frame. Their sex is initially impossible to ascertain, as they bear no identifiable sexual features or genitalia; however, they tend to shriek in high-pitched, feminine voices. They can also be heard murmuring in deep undecipherable voices, such as when Harry is in hiding.

As the game progresses, the Raw Shocks begin to adopt different traits according to the player's Psych Profile. There are four possible traits that the Raw Shocks may adopt. By the end of the game, it is possible to have two or three traits mixed together. Even if the Raw Shocks that appear in a game are associated with a certain ending, it does not guarantee that the player will earn that ending.

These monsters are invulnerable to all damage. While Harry does not have any weapons to defend himself with, fall damage or any other types of damage has no effect on the Raw Shock. While not the first immortal enemy (Ghosts being an example of invulnerable precursors), this immortality is still rare in the franchise.

Feminine
The Raw Shocks have exaggerated female traits, with prominent breasts and buttocks. The only feature on their faces are big, wide lips. On their backs are patterned zipper-like rips in their flesh, similar to a corset's threads. Their limbs appear to be stitched to resemble stockings, and their feet are molded into the shapes of high heels. Eventually, they become more explicitly perverted, with organs, bones and what seem to be nipples exposed. When they embrace Harry, they do so in very sensual and sexually compromising ways.

This trait is associated with the Sleaze and Sirens ending, which can be obtained by focusing perversely on women and sex.

Diseased
Their skin is bloated; bubbles and a fungi-like flesh cover their skin. Overall, they appear sickly and cancerous.

This trait is associated with the Drunk Dad ending, which can be obtained by focusing on alcohol and drugs, but mostly anything that involves drinking.

Abstract
Their limbs are turned into discs, with pieces of their body hovering in the air, giving them a sliced-like appearance. Their heads are shaped into crosses with a circular hole in the center. Eventually, they'll become more and more stone-like with heads resembling bricks or mountains, with rectangular protuberances coming out of their knees and shoulders.

This trait is associated with the Love Lost ending, which can be obtained by being what would normally be understood as a good and caring person and focusing on finding Cheryl Mason without any distractions.

Atrophied
The Raw Shocks have holes all over their body, with joints and bones poking out in random places, giving them a mutilated, disfigured look. Their feet appear to be stubs and their legs are very thin.

This trait is associated with the Wicked and Weak ending, which can be obtained by being distracted by trivial things and focusing on being what one would typically see as uncaring and rude.

Character
The Raw Shocks cause Harry's phone to release static when near, and if Harry's flashlight is directed towards one, the phone will also emit a high-pitched whine. They are invulnerable to any direct damage; however, they can be hurt when Harry lights a flare due to its heat, and they will be stunned when shaken off by Harry when attacking him, and will be stunned slightly longer if they are flung at a wall or off a ledge. They are also mildly annoyed by Harry's flashlight and occasionally stumble when it passes their sensitive "eyes".



Lighting the flare is the only way to keep the Raw Shocks at bay effectively; any other interaction merely slows them down slightly. They also possess more than purely animal intelligence, as they are able to write messages to Harry on frozen windows. Even so, they typically act in very primal ways, such as running on all fours. If a Raw Shock grabs onto Harry, his body temperature will begin to lower and he must throw the grappling Raw Shock(s) off. When Harry collapses, the nearby Raw Shocks will begin to caress and stroke Harry.



Raw Shocks own no offensive or defensive abilities save for their ability to "absorb" Harry's body heat, chilling him to dangerous levels. However, they are also adept at pursuing their targets over long distances and through various obstacles. They hold high stamina and are often able to keep up with Harry while he's at full sprint, getting progressively faster as he nears his goal. They can climb over walls and under hindrances with relative ease, sometimes even scaling entire walls and ambushing Harry through vents and open holes in buildings.

As Harry gets closer and closer to Cheryl, his methods of dealing with the Raw Shocks become less effective, as they seem to be more resistant. They become harder to shake off his person as they become stronger, faster, and harder to outrun. Also, their perceptive abilities improve and they are able to find Harry in his hiding places much quicker in later stages.

Symbolism
The Raw Shocks are agents of repression (censors) created by Cheryl Mason's mind. They are trying to stop Harry Mason from finding Cheryl, and are Cheryl's attempts to keep the fantasy in her mind alive for as long as possible instead of accepting the truth of who her dad really was, as well as his death. They "attack" Harry by clinging and hugging him, unwilling to let go and they never actually hurt him; instead, they coo and stroke his head when he passes out and brings him back to the start of each Ice World nightmare sequence.

Eventually, towards the end of the game, the Raw Shocks overwhelm Harry and pile on top of him. However, they immediately freeze and shatter. This could be because Cheryl is beginning to accept the truth.

Their petite appearance (barring the one overweight variation) can also reflect the association that children usually draw to being responsible for their parents' divorce; in turn, seeing any child-like beings in her memories as monsters that will ruin lives.

Trivia

 * Their name is a pun on the Rorschach test, which is a psychological test involving inkblots. Both share a similar idea: a person's perception. In the Rorschach test, what one sees in the inkblots is based on a person's perception while in the game; the Raw Shocks appear differently based on the players' perception of the game.
 * The Raw Shock associated with the "Love Lost" ending have a head that bears a resemblance to the cross design of "punk" Dahlia Mason's necklace, as well as the Brethren Symbol from the Silent Hill film.

Silent Hill: Book of Memories
Raw Shock Raw Shock Raw Shock