Silent Hill 2

I'm constantly frustrated by the ignorance of those who dismiss video games as childish and worthless. I suppose it's not surprised that non-players have unfavorable views about them- many are unoriginal, pointlessly graphic, incompetently written, and poorly designed. I might point out that an extreme variation in quality is also present in cinema, though I doubt that many will disagree that cinema is a legitimate art form. The video game is a fledgling medium that has yet to solidify a position of respect (and let me say, not without reason considering the quality of most titles). I don't know if that will happen within my lifetime, but games like Silent Hill 2 make me confident that it WILL happen.

As a fan of the Resident Evil series, I was ready to rip this "pathetic copycat" title (the original SH) to shreds. That changed swiftly after I played it. I love the RE games, but they take a definite back seat--in every category--to Konami's survival/horror masterpiece. And when the time came, I was doubtful that Konami could pull off a sequel of equal or remote quality to the first game, but I was proved wrong.

Everything about Silent Hill 2 is excellent--the graphics, the voice acting (I'd like to hear these newcomers in other roles), a musical score which rivals--and shames--many film soundtracks, the writing (considering it's been translated by the industry that gave us "the master of unlocking", it's very well done), the design--the list continues. Others may tell you that the SH games have poor story lines, but this is likely because they expected mindless fun. To enjoy the series the player must be willing to participate, in thought as well as action.

Many people--especially parents, I'm sure--will be turned off by the edgy content in Silent Hill 2 and will subsequently dismiss it as valueless. Yes, there's blood is spilled; yes, there are disturbing images; yes, (in Silent Hill 2) there are strong sexual overtones; and yes, this would be a poor choice for the less mature or easily frightened; but ALL of it is essential in the creation of atmosphere, emotion, and storyline- in short, the entire experience. This is a cerebral, mature series--I doubt that younger children would get anything out of the game, save confusion and nightmares. But it's important to point out that this is NOT about blood and gore--it's about character. This is by far the most character-driven (non-RPG) series I've experienced.

Not too long ago I was discussing video games with a professor of mine, an intelligent person whose opinion I respect and value. I was surprised that she was somewhat familiar with the Resident Evil titles and even more surprised that she knew anything of the Silent Hill series. I had to agree that with her statement that the RE story lines are derivative--the concept is nothing original and the dialog has always been a weak point for the series--but I was shocked when she dismissed SH just as readily. I'm convinced she either knows nothing at all about the Silent Hill games (has likely never played them, not to mention completed them--is it not incredibly presumptuous to judge a book after reading only a few chapters?) or that she looks down upon video games in general. She wouldn't be the first person.

My frustration with such people is outweighed only by regret, that the artists behind these creations are not receiving the respect they deserve.

On the off chance that you're reading this, professor, you were wrong.

A masterpiece in storytelling and atmospheric environment, this game is every bit as great as everyone says it is and team silent really did something special here.

The characters look and feel real, the game goes deep into the human emotions and depression the way that no game at the time had ever done before, literally each and every corner of this game has a creepy story behind it, specially the incredible music of the game.

It's a heartbreaking experience, a very sad tale about grief, loss, loneliness, bullying, sexual ebuse and many more messed up things that you will never forget and it's one of the greatest psychological horror games ever made.

Although Silent Hill 2 is set in the same location as the first game it is not a direct sequel, so gamers should be able to play this without having to worry about not having played the previous one.Everything in this game is just excellent. The plot, the characters, the soundtrack. Not to mention the graphics and the way they manage to keep us craving for more tidbits on the story or the fact that it is scary as hell. If you are a survival horror fan, you will definitely enjoy it. After i played it , it just sticked in my mind,it has a very cinematographic orientation.Many movie directors should be learning to make decent horror movies playing this. It is more than a video game, it is a work of art, it is an experience. The best game I ever played. Period

This game is a sequel to Silent Hill, the surprise hit videogame that came out in 1999 and scared the crap out of almost everyone who played it. Silent Hill 2 is quite different from the first one. It is completely independent, and it does that just right. This game, while nowhere near as scary as the first one, is more psychologically disturbing. The story has a theme of dealing with the ghosts of your past, which plays in very well with the psychologically deranged characters. The characters are more developed than in SH1, and the story is much better done. This game gains something that was missing from the first game, but loses something that the first game had. James Sunderland is my favorite character of all the games. It also has a twist near the end that I really didn't expect. A great game. Pick it up. I command you!

I seriously cannot get enough of this game, I've played it four times now and I still get stuck and confused in parts. The storyline still never ceases to amaze me and I still can't get enough of it. There can't be another game series like Silent Hill, it is unique in it's own special way. Sure, the first one always prevails as the scariest of the latter, being the original game, but there's something about Silent Hill 2. It's just the most amazing game I've ever played. I knew I was going to be in for some scares, but nothing could have prepared me for what I actually felt while playing it. It's not just a scary game, it's literally terrifying, and like I said I can't get enough of it. It has such a complex storyline that always leaves you wondering. The cut-scenes are just 'WOW' now there's some great graphic design. The first game might have been the scariest, but THIS is the more stylish of the two. The graphics are great and wonderful to look at, the darkness that always surrounds you makes it hard to keep playing but once you're eventually used to it, there's no going back. I can't think how Resident Evil is the overall more popular game series of the two. Don't get me wrong, I love Resident Evil, but Silent Hill is something special. There are a thousand games out there like RE, but are there a thousand games out there like Silent Hill? No, sir! There certainly aren't. I've played many games and I can't think of any game that even compares to Silent Hill. These games are just godly. I will continue to play them, I'll try to get my hands on Silent Hill 3 next, and I have to say I can't wait. I've never been so excited to play a video game before. But with Silent Hill, whether you're into playing video games or not, you'll love every friggin' second of it.