Silent Hill 2 is a god damn masterpiece & I can't believe I didn't play it until now.

[Deleted member 2317]

So glad you liked it! What did you think of 3, if I understood what you've played so far?

My favorite soundtrack of any game ever.

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It's certainly up there! But I think I've actually listened to FEZ more, haha.

 

[Muppet of a Man]

One of the best games ever made. First time a game trapped me in a psychological prison of dread. Spooked the shit out of me and made me feel unsettled for days afterwards.

 

[Jawmuncher]

So glad you liked it! What did you think of 3, if I understood what you've played so far?


It's certainly up there! But I think I've actually listened to FEZ more, haha.

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haven't even played it yet lol. I'll be doing the room first so I can end the team silent games on 3 and go out strong.

 

[MJKadhim]

When i see something like this thread ahh <3, dude this is one of the most lovely games that i wont forget
the soundtrack and everything in this game is <3
when i ever hear the music of SH2 all the nostalgia and great time come back to me

 

[Phantom]

Yea this game is something else. Haven't done a playthrough in like 15+ years though, might get back to it but the lack of a modern version (not the HD ports) really blows

 

[Deleted member 48434]

I'd play it if I had a way of obtaining it.
I tried playing SH1 on my Vita but eventually the horrid controls caused me to drop it. That and learning I had entirely missed the rifle, putting me at a huge disadvantage.
You can only ever miss at point blank so many times before wanting to throw your console out the window.

 

[Betty]

It's astonishing and I wish we had a good HD collection.

I can still hear the ambient sounds walking through the forest and into Silent Hill even now.

 

[Deleted member 2317]

haven't even played it yet lol. I'll be doing the room first so I can end the team silent games on 3 and go out strong.

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And go out strong you will!

 

[CrazyHal]

The first time that i experienced Sillent Hill 2 was with the HD collection.

Thanks Konami

 

[Terra Torment]

The game was a masterpiece, if only there were more legit options for playing it on modern consoles. Konami is not interested however, they've got gambling machines now.

 

[dmr87]

The first time that i experienced Sillent Hill 2 was with the HD collection.

Thanks Konami

Click to shrink...

 

[imapioneer]

I'd say it's my favorite game of all time, right next to Metroid prime

 

[taahahmed]

Where do I buy it?

 

[BBboy20]

It wasn't until the final monlogue that made me realize why people debate this being the greatest game ever made.

 

[Deleted member 8861]

I was spoiled on the ending, and I still think that even though it's not my *favorite* game, it's the closest-to-perfect game that I have ever played. I only played it last summer.

 

[coldsagging]

I didn't play it until years after either and it walked easily into my top 5 ever. As has been said already, it's the pinnacle of games as an art form and storytelling medium.

God Konami are such fucking idiots.

 

[Foxnull]

Would love to play it, but can't seem to find a legal way to obtain a PC copy.

 

[Wrexis]

What age are you @op?

Just curious to know how accessible it was if you're younger.

 

[FinalBossw/theMostPower]

This ninja spittin.

 

[Deleted member 27315]

Imagine playing it in 2001.

 

[ActWan]

One of the best games of all time, and probably my fav OST in tie with Nier.

 

[Trieu]

Amazing post. Silent Hill 2 is truly the first game that comes to my mind when I think about a gaming masterpiece. I get goosebumps just thinking about how smart, unique, deep, manipulative, uncomfortable, chilling and way ahead it is compared to so many other forms of entertainment.
Nearly everything makes sense in this game if you take the deep dive of analyzing it and it all fits together extremely well. Whether it is the sound/monster/level design, the multiple endings based on the choices you make in the game without even being aware of having choices at all or descending ever deeper into your own mind through holes. Even saving the game makes sense in this game !

One of my all time favorites and I hope more people play this game, take the time to take it all in and there is zero shame in not understanding everything that is going on and going through it afterwards. When I first played it (and I was much younger) I knew I played something special even though I didn't fully understand it. Years later I invested the time and my mind was blown how many little details I missed and still to this day I sometimes watch analyzing Silent Hill 2 videos and learn something new that I haven't paid attention to before.

I still do have a Paper Copy of Silent Hill 2 and I will probably never sell it. Sadly they butchered the SH2+SH3 PS3/Xbox360 versions of the game.

Everyone. Read this post. Buy the game and play it. Watch some videos. Play the game again and break out in tears of joy knowing you experienced peak masterclass.

 

[Deleted member 11008]

SH2 with headphones is quite scary. I remember this was one of my first PS2 games when I was a child, but I don't truly grasp his true depth until I was in late teen years. If this got remastered I would be very happy.

 

[Y2Kev]

The storytelling and writing are peerless. Isn't it absolutely mind blowing that this was written by nonnative speakers and voice acted by amateurs, basically? It's the finest the medium has to offer full stop.

 

[Gradon]

It did win the ERA Top Essential Horror Games for a reason 👀👀👀

I'm glad you loved it man, unfortunately I first played it through the scope of like a 12-13 year old, years and years ago so I would've loved to experience it as an adult today.

The game is honestly iconic and I'm always fighting myself of whether I like 2 or 3 the most, it's so hard because they both achieve different things and both so godamn well.

I'm also glad you experienced a competent version, shed a tear for the HD version :')

 

[Deleted member 1102]

"In my restless dreams, I see that town...Silent Hill."

Such an amazing game, truly one of the greatest of all time. I kicked myself for not playing it earlier when I beat it last year.

 

[BebopCola]

Silent HIll 2 is a piece of art that, due to its legacy, should be automatically ported in every successive console generation.

Like some kind of Criterion Collection for video games.

 

[Asbsand]

When would you say the game hit the point where you could no longer avoid playing the rest? I played a good 3-4 hours of the game and I didn't hate it, but the oldness coupled with the eerieness and my aversion to stressfull stuff made me put it down for a while and then for a really long while.

I've been wondering if this game has a moment that really gets to you where you just keep playing once you're across that.

 

[Chackan]

Both Silent Hill 2 and Panzer Dragoon Saga rest on my shoulders as THE masterpieces of gaming.

I don't think I will ever feel the same with any videogame, that i felt while playing SH2.

 

[The Shape]

The first time that i experienced Sillent Hill 2 was with the HD collection.

Thanks Konami

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I was just playing it yesterday for the first time on PS3, since I'm on a survival horror craze. I couldn't stand it and had to play The Evil Within instead. I'm gonna try to get a hold of the PC version to play with the enhancements.

The HD version is abysmal. I can't believe Konami released that after the amazing Metal Gear Solid HD collection.

 

[Mantrox]

I'll likely play the HD version of 2 to compare at some point.

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Dont do this to yourself, please.
As complex and amazing as this game is, playing that version will show you one of the worst, most careless treatments it ever had.

 

[OniBaka]

Glad you enjoy it, I'm very curious on how you would react to shattered memories since it is more story focused like SH2 and not as good game play I guess.

 

[BebopCola]

When would you say the game hit the point where you could no longer avoid playing the rest? I played a good 3-4 hours of the game and I didn't hate it, but the oldness coupled with the eerieness and my aversion to stressfull stuff made me put it down for a while and then for a really long while.

I've been wondering if this game has a moment that really gets to you where you just keep playing once you're across that.

Click to shrink...

I was completely hooked from the atmosphere alone, but I'd say once

Spoiler

Maria

shows up the story itself really starts to get going.

 

[Mantorok]

Never had a PS2, played the first but not the second.

What's the best way to play it these days?

 

[Deleted member 1102]

Never had a PS2, played the first but not the second.

What's the best way to play it these days?

Click to shrink...

Original PS2 copy, PC copy or emulation. Basically any option that isn't the PS3 'HD" Collection version. Same goes for SH3.

 

[TheJollyCorner]

I'm convinced there will never be another game like it- especially for me on a personal level. Time and place had a big impact. I had lost someone very close to me the spring prior to release and I was still in a pretty dark place. The game resonated with me on that level... and obviously from an audio/visual entertainment level. Just incredible.

Hey Konami- fuckin' hire the people that worked on the Enhanced PC mod. Pay them. Re-release this game properly, damnit!

 

[Mantrox]

When would you say the game hit the point where you could no longer avoid playing the rest? I played a good 3-4 hours of the game and I didn't hate it, but the oldness coupled with the eerieness and my aversion to stressfull stuff made me put it down for a while and then for a really long while.

I've been wondering if this game has a moment that really gets to you where you just keep playing once you're across that.

Click to shrink...

I dont think Silent Hill 2 is a game that relies much on big set pieces or action beats, since its gameplay is quite archaic.

The story slowly revealing itself to you, piece by foggy piece; the sound design enveloping you in confused darkness. Being surrounded by the surreal and getting bombarded by subtle metaphors for the characters tragic stories on several levels is what makes It so brilliant.

If this doesnt sound like your cup of tea, don't bother.

 

[Have a Nice Day]

Never had a PS2, played the first but not the second.

What's the best way to play it these days?

Click to shrink...

I heard that if you don't have a PS2, the enhanced edition is the way to go.

 

[Caspar]

It's the high point of story telling in the video game medium, not necessarily because it's story is the best, but because it uses the medium's unique strengths to best tell it.

Now OP you can look forwards to many hours of YouTube deep analysis videos to increase your appreciation even further.

 

[Reizzz]

in an era of Konami where they were making statements, miss those days, great game!

 

[Temascos]

I was never able to play SH2 myself, I had to get my older brother to play it while I watched because I got too scared. An absolutely legendary game.

It makes me wonder if/when teams look at what Silent Hill at it's peak did right in terms of gameplay and atmosphere and essentially copy what works. It's slow paced enough that non-gamers can get used to it, has great puzzle elements (Plus the option of harder/easier puzzles), combat is simple enough to understand and doesn't have all that much bloat and of course, the story is fantastic.

 

[hipsterpants]

YMMV but emulation is an option for playing. It's got a rep for having problems (you HAVE to use the settings in the wiki) but I didn't have any noticeable problems once I properly set things up.

...maybe I'll start playing it again tonight.

 

[Hzsn724]

What ending did u get?

It's one of the best horror games ever made, but I put the original, Fatal Frame Crimson Butterfly, and Haunting Ground above it as scarier games.

 

[Pilgrimzero]

Isn't the Water Ending considered canon?

Also:

Spoiler

Mary was in the trunk the whole time!

 

[SnazzyNaz]

haven't even played it yet lol. I'll be doing the room first so I can end the team silent games on 3 and go out strong.

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Maybe I misunderstood your statement but Silent Hill 4 is the last Team Silent game, not 3. 4 is also really damn solid. I don't think it'd be such a bad thing to end your journey on it but I digress.

 

[CannonFodder52]

Yeah, SH4 is really good. Don't let people poison your well on it.

 

[Sephzilla]

Silent Hill 2 has a pretty legit claim to being one of the 10 best video games ever made. It's nearly perfect.

 

[TradedHats]

It wasn't until the final monlogue that made me realize why people debate this being the greatest game ever made.

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Yeah, that read is phenomenal. Not sure why it gets lumped in with some other games when it comes to bad voice acting, as I actually think it's extremely fitting for the game and really great at times. This is especially true when you compare it to the HD collection:

 

[leder]

How important is it to play SH1 first?

 

[BBboy20]

Yeah, that read is phenomenal. Not sure why it gets lumped in with some other games when it comes to bad voice acting, as I actually think it's extremely fitting for the game and really great at times. This is especially true when you compare it to the HD collection:

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You want to know something funny? I thought redoing the VO in a SH1 remake would be a good idea. But I rewatched the final Lisa scene and realized that...something was raw and real about it that made me wonder if all the bad/weird acting was worth it since it was those same amateur actors who pulled off that monumental moment.

So, SH2 comes along and am like "ok, I can see why they redid it" and then the last scene happens and, my god, the exact same scenario occurs with some of the realist shit I have ever heard from the performance arts.