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I don't know what it is about me, but I love scaring myself half to death. The Silent Hill game series is exactly the kind of thing I can plug into after a long day. Turn the lights out, the PlayStation on and let the game work its magic. The team behind Silent Hill 2 have done an amazing job at bringing the survival horror game to the PS2. Part of what made the original Silent Hill on the 32-bit PSX scary was its low graphics and small draw distance. It helped obscure this nightmarish world and lead you into dark pits of the unknown. With the PS2's graphic engine, Silent Hill 2 has to work harder to make the universe horrific...but pulls it off excellently. Don't attempt to adjust your television--that IS camera noise interfering with your vision. The fog effects and camera noise go a long way to making the game look gritty and realistic. Not to mention the frightening sounds, unspeakable monsters and engaging puzzles you will find throughout your experience in the deserted resort town. The levels practically blend into one another as you continue your journey and search for your wife, who is sending you messages from beyond the grave. The only problem I have with this game is the low calibur of the voice talent. Most of the characters, including the player's character James, have very wooden performances that make them sound not really "normal," but "stupid." All in all, just a small complaint to anotherwise perfect game. Any horror fan should check out this one-of-a-kind experience. In a horror market that's geared toward shock value, Silent Hill 2 uses stealthy, sublime techniques to hint at a horror that can only be imagined...because the only thing scarier than what you see on screen is what you imagine is waiting for you in the looming darkness.Read full review
I've been a fan of the series, this entry in particular, for quite some time now. Silent Hill 2 is widely considered the best title in the long running series of games, and I share this opinion. The atmosphere, symbolism, and the drama are all top notch here, creating a game that will force you to play with lights on and keep the covers pulled up to your neck if you play before bed. The game centers around James Sunderland who has returned to the town of Silent Hill after receiving a letter from his wife, Mary. The only problem is, his wife passed away from illness three years ago. While James knows this is impossible, his unfathomable grief over the circumstances of her death drives him for a search for the truth. Along the way, he is assaulted by the very demons that haunt his psyche. The storytelling here is as good as it gets in the PS2 era of games. While the graphics are just so-so today, the monsters and music will still have you turning off the game after particularly unsettling parts. The voice acting is a little awkward, but in a way it works because you can tell the characters aren't very good at connecting with people (for one reason or another...). But I think the performance of the actress who plays the voice of the memory of James' wife is shockingly good for an imported videogame this old. Seriously, if you don't well up a little during the ending sequence, you are made of stone. Unfortunately, the combat is very clunky, and moving is extremely awkward. It's going to take you a sec to get accustomed to it. If you are looking to buy this as an action game, or something similar to classic "Resident Evil" titles, you WILL be disappointed. You will be more inclined to avoid enemies than anything else. If this had a spiritual predecessor I'd cite something more akin to "D" for the PS1. But the story, the creepy environments, and trying to figure out what secrets James is trying to discover will keep you playing. The game has about three endings, with some secret joke endings for replaying the game as well, so it'll keep you busy for some time. Even though I will always have a soft spot for this one, I'd have to honestly give it something like a 7.5/10 for the rigid controls and the more obscure puzzles it will throw at you if you put the puzzle difficulty setting up. This is one of those that is best enjoyed by fans of the genre.Read full review
Pros: Silent Hill 2 has extremely scary environments and themes. From the paint-pealed hallways of abandoned apartment buildings to the rusted bars of an underground prison; the game's atmosphere remains grim throughout. Silent Hill 2 will freak you out and make you be afraid of the dark. The game overlays a semi-transparent static effect on all its textures giving you a feeling of playing a movie. The graphics and sound of this title are excellent, and they really bring the town of Silent Hill to life. The soiled wheel chairs and hospital beds will make you wash your hands after you see them in the hospital. This game is a disturbing ride through the town of nightmares that is Silent Hill. Cons: The game has poor combat controls. Firearms work best at close range, if you are too far away James (the protagonist) has a high chance of missing the target. Also, the player isn't given the ability to aim. The fog is ever-persistent in outside areas, the effect seems over used. The puzzles elements in the game don't seem as polished as the graphics.Read full review
This is a great psychological horror game for anyone new to the genre or not. The story is heartbreaking, the levels are twisted, and the music is fantastic. Overall Silent Hill 2 portrays a different kind of horror, something that extends a lot deeper than the scary moments is games like Resident Evil. This game is quite literally a more introspective journey.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
This game has pretty good graphics for being made around 9 years ago. It gave me chills, what with the disturbing monsters, the fog and the music. The plot is very simple, this guy gets a letter from his dead wife which implies that she is in Silent Hill waiting for him. So that's where ths story starts. Not recomended for people who easily scare, the monsters are strange and creepy. Even their movements are freaky, like the nurse things twitch like crazy and run after you screaming. Also its very easy to get lost, so good thing they have maps. The puzzles are easy to figure out, although I had my moments where I had an item and just couldn't figure out what to do with it. I reccomend this for any fans of horror games or fans of the series.
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