LogFAQs > #950361502

#35. Silent Hill 2 (PS2, 2001)



This was my introduction to the Silent Hill series, and really horror games as well. I think Zombies Ate My Neighbors was the closest to a horror game before this, and that's more parody. Or maybe Metroid Fusion? Whatever, moving on.

Silent Hill games tap into the style of horror I like best. There is a lot of unknown tension. The scenes and sounds are a little unsettling, a little different from the expected norm, a little weird, and a little unclear. Sometimes something jumps out, but it really doesn't lean into jump scares. Sometimes nothing at all happens, and that lack of payoff just makes me doubt myself and helps build the next actual scary event. Pyramid Head is also one of the best villains of all time and really a terror to run into. And Akira Yamaoka's music is perfect for setting all the scenes.

SH2 also has a really great story to it, and the game has a lot of symbolism to go with it. I've definitely realized new things every time I replay it. Compared to other Silent Hill games, the story in this game gets a little less into what is the town of Silent Hill? and more into how it affects people in it. The characters are all very interesting and have flaws and help bring so much to the plot, more than it may seem at first glance. Angela's final line of dialogue in the game has always stuck with me in particular, that's such a strong scene.



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