Playthrough was done using the Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition mod pack for the game.

Silent Hill 2 is a touchstone in the survival horror genre, period. A game that in its short time does everything across the board pretty much perfectly, and a master class on how psychological horror, subtle storytelling and symbolism can go so well together to make the most immersively rich experience possible. And is overall a massive jump over its PSX predecessor.

While 1999's Silent Hill has way more focus on classic themes of the occult to tell its horror story, being quite literally the story of how the town of Silent Hill came to be and is showing of the many paranormal qualities of the town, and in that game Silent Hill was pretty much like a random nightmare world taking into account it wasn't the main protagonists' personified guilt and distress... But then came Silent Hill 2, a game that is so much more character-focused, leaving behind the occult topics to shower us with a vision of the town literally adjusted to our main protagonist, James Sunderland, some man who we don't quite know anything about, making you figure out yourself the story of recurrent characters such as Angela, Eddie or the mythical Pyramid Head, and when you realize that the reason this version of the accursed town is so different than the one Harry Mason would experience, it's when you realize why this game is so good at telling you the story of its characters, and it was all made super ahead of its time.

Leaving aside the story, because this is one of those games where you really have to go in blind or else you'll be spoiling yourself of one of the most immersive and suspenseful experiences in all of gaming the game pretty much lives to the standard that is Making The Second Game In Your Franchise Play So Much Better Than The First One™️, Silent Hill 2 offers some new stuff here and there without straying too much from its roots, and it basically plays like a smoother version of the first game. Allowing you to do stuff like running while attacking with any sort of light melee weapons or, exclusive to this version of the game, being able to get rid of those abhorrent tank controls from the get-go.
Nothing too big in that department, but when you look around and see how nice the environments look for a 2001 PS2 game and how the immersive and gloomy soundtrack masterfully crafted by Akira Yamaoka sets the mood for any situation (and is so good even to listen outside of the game), you truly do notice how much they did to capture a timelessly grim aesthetic that will probably never phase out considering the current state of the franchise.

Silent Hill 2 is a game i regret not have played any sooner, and while I can't say every single one of my expectations about this so highly regarded legendary title were met, I can still appreciate a work of art made with so much meaning and spirit behind it, and how it managed to be one of the most famously influential horror video games of all time. It also nearly made me cry, and that's wild considering I could probably count the times in my life where a piece of media was so moving that I could nearly feel myself tearing up in its last moments, a must play for absolutely everyone, even now considering the advancements of the refined, fan-made (and free!) Enhanced Edition mod for the PC version of it.

Man I love that scene where James sais "It's over John Silenthilltm : I understood your symbolism!" and then Pyramid Head kills himself.

(played the Enhanced Edition)
Yeah I can see why everyone is crazy about that one. The atmosphere and ennemy designs is immaculate, the story really good and allows a lot of different interpretations, even if its fans tend to push it really far. Gameplay was pretty enjoyable too, the tank controls being less of an issue that I thought (the only game with similar controls I ever played is Resident Evil on gamecube and maybe MGS Twin Snakes, and I remember having a lot more trouble for these). Silent Hill is a truely fascinating place to explore, wich is easily this game's greatest achievement.

I will say, however, that it's way less scary that I thought it would be. If anything, I'd say it's almost more funny, with ennemis jumping out of bushes like if there was a trampoline hidden inside and the voice cating wich is really something. But then again, people will argue that Jame's deadpan deliveries are a representation of how much he's dead inside or something so what do I know?
This game's surprisingly easy too. I played it on normal difficulty, and if the puzzles were quite challenging, combat was never and issue thanks to the very abuntant ressources and really slow ennemies. Bosses are the only exception : while they aren't the most mechanically interesting, they at least pose a challenge.
I wouldn't mind if it was at least a bit longer too.

Oh and the Maria episode is neat

Got the PAL Director's Cut on PS2 which I've read is just the European 'Restless Dreams' version.

I was looking forward to playing this but at the same time massively dreading it because most highly-rated stuff (no matter the medium) is always overhyped by some sort of mob mentality and didn't want to be crucified for not adding to that. These fears came true in the first hour or two with the clunky movement, "meh" combat and poor voice acting but I quickly got used to it and really got into it.

Is this the greatest game ever made? Fuck off. Is it one very spectacular one that I thoroughly enjoyed? Fuck yes!

This game is clearly very special due to the incredible amount of detail put into it. The sound design is easily the best aspect but every aspect of this game works so well together to truly make you feel horrified.

Lots of people seem to have had a severe emotional reaction (other than "ooh, spooky") to this game and that's fine. I'm not trying to discredit that but this game did not do that for me. I already had my eye-opening therapeutic experience this year so that's all used up for the next five I'd say. But I can see why it could cause such a reaction in some. James' own guilt and trauma could act as a reflection to some, I suppose, even if it's for something different. Which I think was the intention given the save screen of James looking back at you looking at him on your TV -- like a mirror to indicate you're the same person.

Anyway, I'm sure I'm not bringing anything new to the table so I'll stop here:
Silent Hill 2 is a mesmerizing experience carefully crafted by some very passionate people. While I don't think it fully takes advantage of the video game medium, it truly is something special in this medium. There's a reason why people still talk about it today and that's because the story and symbolism are almost perfectly executed from a writing standpoint.
Worth paying £46 for a copy off eBay even 21 years after it came out. And that will stay in my collection until I die.

Also, I got the 'Leave' ending which I was very satisfied with in the moment and even more proud of myself after watching what the other endings are. I think it's the best ending.

I would like to add that I really don't understand the hype for "Born from a Wish", though. Perhaps, it's just cos it kinda fucks with my interpretation of the main scenario.

I played this when I was 10 on ps2. It scarred me for life. I sold it for a dollar to gamestop just to get the evil out of the house. when I was in college I had to buy it and got the xbox version and played on my 360. Since the 360 can't save for the xbox version I had to beat it in one sitting in my dorm. by the end I had 10 friends hanging in my dorm screaming as monsters would show up and attack me. Defeating this game meant a lot to me then. This is the game that made me realize video games can be meta-art.

SILENT HILL 2...The horror masterpiece the greatest game of his time and one of the greatest ever always gonna be with in my thinkings about what make videogame a art this game is a masterpiece



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