So I just finished Silent Hill 2...

[Flailing Escapist]

...And chocolatey Jesus Christ what a rush.

I know, I know "You're just now finishing Silent Hill 2?" Well, yes.

Last weekend I went to a local game store and picked up a few last gen games I never got around too. I only had an Xbox and Gamecube last generation so I missed out on a lot of games.
I've been meaning to get into more Horror games recently. I was told that most of the more recent games like Dead Space and Alan Wake didn't do the Horror genre any justice. Now I've played through most of the Resident Evil games and Resident Evil 4 was the scariest game I played... until I started Silent Hill 2.

I actually didn't mean to buy Silent Hill 2 and 3 last weekend. I was looking for Call Of Cthulu and Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Reqium but I couldn't find either of them. I was however able to get both Silent 2 and 3 for less than $20 and I've recently heard some pretty good things about them. I didn't see SH1 but (I think) its only on the PS1, which I don't have.

But anyway, Jesus bloody Christ I don't think I've ever played a game thats as frightening and heart-wretching as Silent Hill 2. Not to mention it kept me on my toes every second I played it. I think Pyramid Head is the most frightening baddy in video game history. It used to be the Regenerator from Dead Space but that scene

Spoiler: you know

that scene on the Hospital Rooftop where Pyramid Head materialized behind you and knocks you off
and that part in the maze *shudders*

really did it for me.

The musical score is also just amazing. Akira Yamaoka is a musical genius. The music in every scene was fitting and in some cases the cause for most of the fear. If I ever play a game in the future because of a single person whose involved it'll be Akira Yamaoka.

The story in the game always kept me interested. I played for hours at a time because I was curious of what would happen to James and the other characters in this game. And I never felt like I had gone too long without an explaination; it didn't feel like it had been padded out.
The last half hour pretty much blew my mind. They explained everything that needed to be explained and the climax of the game I think was one of the best, most satisfying; at least in recent years.

In short, Silent Hill 2 is the scariest, most frightening and one of the most immersive game I've played to date and I can't believe I was missing out on it for this long.

Now I've off to play Silent Hill 3!

 

[LookingGlass]

It's definitely my favourite survival horror game, and I'd generally put it in my top 3 overall too.

I recently bought Silent Hill 1 from the PSN store and played through it for the first time. The amazing thing I found is that Silent Hill 2 is largely the exact same game as Silent Hill 1, only with just about every single aspect of it improved. Bearing in mind that I think SH1 is a great game itself, I think SH2 is pretty much a perfect sequel. It has better combat (still not a strong point, but its awkward nature fits the series), more interesting characters that are explored further, a story that's easier to follow, a great ending (OK, it has several, but the "water" ending and the build-up that you always get is what I'm referring to), Pyramid Head, and all of the technology-based improvements (animation and graphics quality that don't burn your eyes).

I liked Silent Hill 3 a lot too. I don't think it's as well done as SH2, but it definitely has its moments. Parts of the subway and mall have you terrified to move, or stay where you are. And it has my favourite moment in the series that made me go "oh shit!" with wide eyes and mouth wide open:

Spoiler: Silent Hill 3 spoiler

"They look like monsters to you?"

 

[Nalbis]

Welcome to Silent Hill.

 

[JesterRaiin]

Welcome to Silent Hill.

...enjoy your stay.
Mwahahahahahaa.

Now I've off to play Silent Hill 3!

Unfortunately, the 3rd part is some sort of apex. Next installments are (arguably) becoming dull, and rather boring than scary.

BTW, there are additional works of fiction depicting your favorite small town - for example comic novels, movies. The former are "meh", but the movie is actually pretty good.

 

[Bekn]

I picked it up a couple of months back but haven't had the time/nerve to play much of it but from what I've experienced it's incredible. The sheer atmosphere throughout the game just has you on edge all the time. It's the best game at building tension and immersion that I've ever played. It has you on the edge of performing some unwanted bowel movements at all times, even when nothing's happening.

I really need to get back into that game. I can't complain about not having time when I've found the time to sit here posting on The Escapist, haha.