Current Events > Silent Hill 2 > 3 = Downpour > 1 > SM >5 > Origins > PT > 4

(+) Yeah! (+)

5 Is Homecoming BTW.
Topic title limitations.

I don't really count Book of Memories or the Arcade of the mobile games but they're still better than 4.

I don't really count PT either since it wasn't a game and was just a proof of concept Beta but I feel like I have to include it due to it's popularity. Which is unfair to compare to full complete finished games but you made me do it.

Also Silent Hill 2 is better than any Resident Evil Game.
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sh4 was good why do people hate that it had a different formula
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Downpour was trash, IMO.

it has shitty gameplay and performance, and its story tries to do SH2's thing of the lead having to address past sins

the side-quests were great, though.

anyway, IMO - Silent Hill 2 > Silent Hill 3 > Silent Hill 4 > Homecoming > Downpour

I've never been able to complete SH1 due to the tank controls, so I left it out of my ranking, despite it being amazing otherwise
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DeathDeathSong posted...

sh4 was good why do people hate that it had a different formula

People don't hate it "Because it followed a different formula" they hate it because it's kinda shit.

It's the only Silent Hill game (of the real 8) I'd classify as a bad game. It's game design was worse than the game design of free indy games on Newgrounds

boxington posted...

Downpour was trash, IMO.

I know.

That's the popular opinion. I think it got the worst quantifable critical score of any game in the series.

However 80% of that was due to bugs and glitches which were quickly fixed in a patch.

I can't defend Downpour for that. It was critically reviewed 100% fairly considering it shipped in an unfinished state. But if you play it NOW, those bugs are all gone and it's a fantastic game,
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yea, tbf, I only played it when the game first came out.
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Replaying SH2 right now, it's still such a great game.
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1 > 2 > 3 > Origins > 4 > Homecoming >>> SM

4 had the best character in the series (Walter Sullivan), but the gameplay fucking sucked

2 > 3 > 1 > PT > Origins > Shattered Memories > Downpour > 4 > Homecoming

Only one I never played was Book of whatevers. Origins is pretty trash, but it's not THAT bad with it at least playing similar to the original trilogy. Story is hot garbage. Shattered Memories is pretty good, but I really soured on it with all the chase scenes and a few of the puzzles where the motion controls (played on Wii) just failed on me. Maybe it'd be over Origins on another system honestly. The therapy sessions are fun and I like all the changes that can happen to the cutscenes.

Everything below that is bad.

Downpour's bad with a meh story, lame ending and terrible enemy design. 4 is fucking awful with a lot of good things about it. The story, characters and tone are all well done. I really like the concept of the Room itself, but the gameplay is ATROCIOUS. The inventory system, the hauntings, the ghost enemies and the fucking escort mission that lasts half the game where you backtrack through previous areas. One of the worst games I've ever played. Even still, Homecoming has no redeeming qualities, so that goes last. I actually hate 4 WAY MORE because of wasted potential, but it's not a worse game than Homecoming.
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GameGodOfAll posted...

Only one I never played was Book of whatevers.

Watch the joke ending

Best thing about that game
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UnfairRepresent posted...

GameGodOfAll posted...

Only one I never played was Book of whatevers.

Watch the joke ending

Best thing about that game

Yeah seen it. At least it's got that. I almost bought it because I'm fine with the change up in genre, but then I played the demo and looked at reviews on youtube. I feel like my life is better off without it.
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GameGodOfAll posted...

UnfairRepresent posted...

GameGodOfAll posted...

Only one I never played was Book of whatevers.

Watch the joke ending

Best thing about that game

Yeah seen it. At least it's got that. I almost bought it because I'm fine with the change up in genre, but then I played the demo and looked at reviews on youtube. I feel like my life is better off without it.

Yeah I don't really count it, PT or the Arcade/Mobile games as "real" Silent Hills like the other 8
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Nice. Downpour is underrated. The exploration of the open area was amazing except in performance.
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1 2 and 3 are all fantastic. I loved the formula for 4, but the game was kind of meh outside of that.

All others that came after that are ... ehhhh
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Downpour>3>2>Shattered Memories>Origins>1>4>Book of Memories>Homecoming

So many people talk shit about Downpour, but the atmosphere and detail in that game is astounding. Every side mission is deep and makes you think about the lives involved. And each one seems to take place in a different time period, to further add to the intrigue. The combat was better than previous entries (IMO) because it added more depth than circle strafing and enemy with a pipe until it died, and the love or hate weapon breaking mechanic. Maybe im just crazy, but i loved every minute of it.
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SH_expert44 posted...

Downpour>3>2>Shattered Memories>Origins>1>4>Book of Memories>Homecoming

So many people talk shit about Downpour, but the atmosphere and detail in that game is astounding. Every side mission is deep and makes you think about the lives involved. And each one seems to take place in a different time period, to further add to the intrigue. The combat was better than previous entries (IMO) because it added more depth than circle strafing and enemy with a pipe until it died, and the love or hate weapon breaking mechanic. Maybe im just crazy, but i loved every minute of it.

It's funny when people talk about the newer games fight mechanics like they were amazing in the old titles. They worked for the games but come on now
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Lost_All_Senses posted...

SH_expert44 posted...

Downpour>3>2>Shattered Memories>Origins>1>4>Book of Memories>Homecoming

So many people talk shit about Downpour, but the atmosphere and detail in that game is astounding. Every side mission is deep and makes you think about the lives involved. And each one seems to take place in a different time period, to further add to the intrigue. The combat was better than previous entries (IMO) because it added more depth than circle strafing and enemy with a pipe until it died, and the love or hate weapon breaking mechanic. Maybe im just crazy, but i loved every minute of it.

It's funny when people talk about the newer games fight mechanics like they were amazing in the old titles. They worked for the games but come on now

Eh

I will defend both those stances. The Fight Mechanics were great in Downpour with weapons breaking fast but being everywhere.

However I think the "Crappy" fight Mechanics of 1-3 were great. Fighting was supposed to be awkward, unpleasant and something you wanted to avoid. With the game encouraging you to run not feel a sense of victory for killing things.

I can take both.

Only one I didn't really like was Homecoming, with it's huge weapon vareity and locking you into rooms with generic enemies
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UnfairRepresent posted...

However I think the "Crappy" fight Mechanics of 1-3 were great. Fighting was supposed to be awkward, unpleasant and something you wanted to avoid. With the game encouraging you to run not feel a sense of victory for killing things.

I can take both.

Lostallsenses posted...

They worked for the games but come on now

We're not disagreeing. You're not shitting on Downpours mechanics.
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Bump. I'm actually curious of other opinions.
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Downpour had an OK story, and a good Silent Hill.
But the enemy designs were atrocious and boring.

Homecoming was boring, but did have cool bosses and enemy designs, which for me is like 90% of Silent Hill
Also I enjoy Alex's theme as well as One More Soul.

I enjoyed 4''s atmosphere and monster design, as well as story. Walter was cool. Ghosts were a bit annoying though.

Love 3. 2 and 1 are ok...

I played Arcade, but unfortunately it was glitched, and froze randomly.
Still enjoyed it with a friend.
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Tsuyoi3 posted...

But the enemy designs were atrocious and boring.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jq5ovHak0FE" data-time="
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SH1 was better than SH2 outside of the technical aspects, bud. It and SH3 make a great cohesive piece.
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Rad_Chad posted...

SH1 was better than SH2 outside of the technical aspects, bud. It and SH3 make a great cohesive piece.

I wish they would have done an actual remake of SH1 instead of that Shattered Memories bullshit. More people might have appreciated it if it wasn't still the only game in the series with the terrible PS1 graphics.

All I remember about Downpours monsters were constant generic humans.

Screaming woman
Prisoner
Bigger Longer Uncut Prisoner
Doll
Wheelman
Bogeyman
Batman
Wall Corpse
Monocle Man
Pyramid Head?
Nurse

They couldn't even put a dog?
It's baffling honestly. I don't even remember Pyramid Head, but the wiki said so.

I will say the dolls were creative, Monocle dude was cool, Wheelman looked perfect, Bogeyman is ok, if possibly ripped off from a movie (or is that opposite?), and Wall Corpse is passable.

But to each their own. I'm weird and like Homecomings combat!
Also I loved Origins. Like, everything.
Punched the final boss to death. I love punching things in games, and throwing things was hilarious.
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Tsuyoi3 posted...

They couldn't even put a dog?
It's baffling honestly. I don't even remember Pyramid Head, but the wiki said so.

He's only in the comedy ending.

And the monster design is thematic. Same as in SH1-3

Giant gasbag monsters and fleshy zombie dogs and giant titted nurses don't link to Downpour's running themes inprisonment, water and willingness to kill.

The monster design was perfect for the plot, gameplay and atmosphere.

That's what Homecoming and Origins lacked. They went "LOOK AT DIS CRAZY SHIT AND HERE A LOAD OF WEAPONS!" and that's Resident Evil, not Silent Hill. There's no nuance.

Hell the last boss of Origins is almost embarrasing.
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UnfairRepresent posted...

Tsuyoi3 posted...

They couldn't even put a dog?
It's baffling honestly. I don't even remember Pyramid Head, but the wiki said so.

He's only in the comedy ending.

And the monster design is thematic. Same as in SH1-3

Giant gasbag monsters and fleshy zombie dogs and giant titted nurses don't link to Downpour's running themes inprisonment, water and willingness to kill.

The monster design was perfect for the plot, gameplay and atmosphere.

That's what Homecoming and Origins lacked. They went "LOOK AT DIS CRAZY SHIT AND HERE A LOAD OF WEAPONS!" and that's Resident Evil, not Silent Hill. There's no nuance.

Hell the last boss of Origins is almost embarrasing.

Admittedly, they do fit the theme well in terms of what they represent.
But they lack creativity and variety of appearance.
They had a great opportunity for police/guard enemies that could be pig-like or show how corrupt the protag views law enforcement.

There is almost nothing Silent Hill looking about the prisoners iirc, and the screaming woman just has sharp teeth and claws.
Hell, there's little in the way of conceptual enemies, like feeling trapped, helplessness, rage.
Just enemies that resemble people that he had to deal with.
Actually, what enemy dealt with water or drowning?
Homecoming had the Lurker and Final Boss for that.

All the boss designs in Homecoming were less "OOH HOW CRAZY" and had a lot to do with the children who were sacrificed.
Many others deal with Alex''s feelings towards his brother, with themes around birth/mental issues/etc.
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The prisoners all had contorted faces, held back by wires or metal cages. They were all shirtless and buff with tattoos all over they cut up bodies. They didnt look too bad for a silent hill enemy.

As for the trapped and helpless enemies there were the wall men and the bodies trapped in those metal cages that you feed to the void.

The screamer was the representation of drowning i would say. If you look close it looks like a waterlogged woman wrapped in a tattered cloth or garbage bag with those dead eyes like a drowning victim. They are also constantly spewing liquid from the mouth.
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4 the worst?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQM4L85zWyk" data-time="
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DeathDeathSong posted...

sh4 was good why do people hate that it had a different formula

because that formula involved a second half made up entirely of an escort mission through the same levels you'd already been through

had some neat ideas but they were all wasted
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I've never played downpour, where's the pc release. And for that matter why aren't they on steam
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bevan306 posted...

I've never played downpour, where's the pc release. And for that matter why aren't they on steam

Silent Hill has never had a good PC relationship
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DeathDeathSong posted...

sh4 was good why do people hate that it had a different formula

seriously. that game is legit disturbing. maybe it's people that care more about gameplay than horror
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catboy0_0 posted...

DeathDeathSong posted...

sh4 was good why do people hate that it had a different formula

seriously. that game is legit disturbing. maybe it's people that care more about gameplay than horror

In a video game yeah.

You're arguing that a shit horror movie is fantastic if it has good music because "WHAT you don't care about Music?"

Walter is a good character but the game design is so shit it doesn't matter.

i also disagree. SH4 isn't scary at all

It's literally a better experience to watch the cutscenes on Youtube than actually play the game. That's inexcusable.
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Vertania posted...

1 > 2 > 3 > Origins > 4 > Homecoming >>> SM

4 had the best character in the series (Walter Sullivan), but the gameplay fucking sucked

Agreed, but I'd put the games as

2>3>1>>4>Origins>>>>>>>>>>>>everything else.

UnfairRepresent posted...

Eh

I will defend both those stances. The Fight Mechanics were great in Downpour with weapons breaking fast but being everywhere.

However I think the "Crappy" fight Mechanics of 1-3 were great. Fighting was supposed to be awkward, unpleasant and something you wanted to avoid. With the game encouraging you to run not feel a sense of victory for killing things.

I can take both.

I'm not a fan of the purposely shitty combat as a means to add tension idea. Counterpoint: Fatal Frame. Arguably scarier than Silent Hill, and much better gameplay.

But I prefer Silent Hill more overall. But one reason I don't care for 2 as much as others is because it has awful enemy variety, and they're all brain-dead and easy to wack over the head with the plank until they die.

My favourite is 3. Scariest imo, and some the best enemies and environments. Soundtrack is the best too.

The weakest is Origins. Not really bad, but it's just a been-there-done that copycat of the old games with a weak story. I did like the traversing between otherworld/non-otherworld mechanic, however.

Shattered Memories is also one of my favs, I'd just for the story.

Downpur does deserve more credit. Technically a mess performance wise (the patch only helped so much), but as a horror game it's great, sans some shoddy enemy design.
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UnfairRepresent posted...

It's literally a better experience to watch the cutscenes on Youtube than actually play the game. That's inexcusable.

actually that's what I did lol
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Kickflip posted...

I'm not a fan of the purposely shitty combat as a means to add tension idea.

Then you're missing out since a lot of great games use their combat mechanics in such a way.

Making you either helpless or a super-soldier is just dull and lazy. Making you a random dude fumbling through is relatable.

Kickflip posted...

But one reason I don't care for 2 as much as others is because it has awful enemy variety, and they're all brain-dead and easy to wack over the head with the plank until they die.

Silent Hill 2 is easy for sure, I'll give you that. But I think you're missing out hugely if you're not soaking in the atmsophere. The enemies are fantastic.

Kickflip posted...

. I did like the traversing between otherworld/non-otherworld mechanic, however.

Ugh I hated that

It totally ruined the "Town is Fucking with you." vibe and the esclation of going to the otherworld. Giving control to the player gave the player too much power for a horror game.

"Oh this is spooky, so I'll just leave" guts everything
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UnfairRepresent posted...

Then you're missing out since a lot of great games use their combat mechanics in such a way.

Survival horror is my favourite genre, and Silent Hill one of my favourite series, so I'm used to it. I'm not saying it's bad, I just don't buy the excuse that intentionally making shoddy gameplay is a plus. Like I mentioned with Fatal Frame; you can be vulnerable little girls, but still have engaging gameplay elements.

UnfairRepresent posted...

Silent Hill 2 is easy for sure, I'll give you that. But I think you're missing out hugely if you're not soaking in the atmsophere. The enemies are fantastic.

The story is great. I don't think the atmosphere is really any better than 1 or 3, though. On top of being the easiest, I also think it's the least scary, right there with Shattered Memories. Not a bad game whatsoever; probably my 2nd or third fav SH game because that first play through is so memorable. But imo it's not the best Silent Hill.

UnfairRepresent posted...

"Oh this is spooky, so I'll just leave" guts everything

I was referring more to how the two worlds interact and the necessity of traversing between worlds to progress. It's not a exceptionally implemented (clearly), but it's not simply a means to escape the horror either.
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Kickflip posted...

I was referring more to how the two worlds interact and the necessity of traversing between worlds to progress. It's not a exceptionally implemented (clearly), but it's not simply a means to escape the horror either.

This is what I was going to comment on. You couldn't "just leave". it was required to traverse back and forth to actually move things forward.
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