The Romper is a creature appearing in Silent Hill. When Silent Hill, Maine was transfigured by the psychic girl Alessa Gillespie's inner thoughts, the Rompers manifested from her negative emotions and fear of adults. Tourist Harry Mason was confronted by several of these beasts in Central Silent Hill and the Resort Area.
History[]
The town of Silent Hill, Maine is home to a religious cult intent on bringing their god into the material world through a human vessel or "holy woman".[1] A priestess of the order,[2] Dahlia Gillespie, offered her seven-year-old daughter Alessa, who possessed psychic powers, as the vessel and attempted to impregnate her with the deity by ritual. This practice involved a great deal of fire, which subsequently escalated into a conflagration. The attempt to summon the entity was successful, materializing as a fetus within Alessa's body, but she sustained severe burns that required long-term hospitalization.[3]
The Rompers were born from the nightmares of Alessa Gillespie.
During her hospital stay, the fetus amplified and fed on her negative thoughts for nourishment, causing her to experience a perpetual nightmare while unconscious.[3] The town was eventually transfigured by her dream when her psychic abilities suddenly intensified.[4][5] Several creatures were physically manifested from her subconscious thoughts and emotions,[3] including the Rompers, which attacked tourist Harry Mason in the Resort Area and business district as he searched for his missing daughter.[6] The nightmare state that swallowed the town collapsed following Alessa's death and subsequent reincarnation.[7]
Appearance and symbolism[]
The Romper is a manifestation of Alessa's fear of adults.[6] It is a quadrupedal creature with an ape-like body that locomotes by jumping, using body blows to pin its victims to the ground.[6] It appears to have a belt wrapped around its neck, two large metallic wires or staples for eyes, and tendrils protruding from its mouth.
Trivia[]
- According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the verb "romp" means "to play roughly or energetically (esp. of children and animals); to sport or frolic in a lively, light-hearted, or boisterous manner."[8]
Gameplay[]
- Note: The following section was written without citations to external sources and may reflect the personal opinions and observations of its author(s).
Rompers are capable of easily outrunning Harry Mason and trampling him, inflicting much damage, especially if one is to bite at his throat. If necessary, the shotgun and the rifle are the best weapons against them. However, given time and patience, the player can take them out with a handgun. Melee confrontation is strongly advised against as the Romper can simply jump onto Harry before he can get a hit in.
The player can also turn the flashlight off and try to sneak behind the Romper. A successful surprise attack with the hammer can dispatch a Romper in a single hit even on the hard-difficulty level.
If Harry is being pursued by them, running in a zigzag left and right will confuse them and keep them at bay. Running in a straight line will lead to Harry being more likely to be grappled.
If Harry is thrust onto the ground and is being attacked, repeatedly tapping the 
button and wiggling the analog stick will get them off faster and lessen Harry's damage.
Gallery[]
See also[]
References[]
- ↑ Silent Hill 4: The Room "Another Red Diary"
- ↑ https://www.silenthillmemories.net/lost_memories/scans_en/pics/086-087_ii_the_high_priestess.jpg
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Silent Hill Official Guidebook (Complete Edition) "A Q&A on the story's secrets"
- ↑ https://www.silenthillmemories.net/lost_memories/scans_en/pics/008-009_alessa's_history.jpg
- ↑ https://www.silenthillmemories.net/lost_memories/scans_en/pics/110-111_xx_judgement_&_xxi_the_world.jpg
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 https://www.silenthillmemories.net/lost_memories/scans_en/pics/026-027_sh1_creature_commentary.jpg
- ↑ Silent Hill
- ↑ https://www.oed.com/dictionary/romp_v?tl=true