SILENT HILL 2 Reviews

Game is disappointingly un-optimized. Ironically, Silent Hill's fog was initially implemented to optimize and reduce the amount of the game world that needed to be rendered at any given moment, that is not the case here. Refunded after 30 minutes of trial & error within the settings.

probably my all time favorite game, i remember searching the internet for whatever i could on the game before it took off after covid. i love the visuals, i love the story, and i love all the little details it has to offer. my life only consists of before i found this game and after i found this game. ❤︎

Refunded :( Runs like garbage compared to other UE games. Unoptimised and crashing. Followed guides and installed mods. It helped, but it doesn't fix the ridiculous amount of stuttering when going through buildings as it loads stuff. I don't want my first experience of this series to be ruined by performance issues. I may have to resort to playing this on the PS5, or in ten years time when my computer can brute force over it.

Psychological horror at its best, congrats to Konami and Bloober team. The Narrative, art direction, performance and the slow paced fighting mechanics yet intense and terrifying all joining hands to make this game experience enjoyable. I really don't want to talk about the plot because I believe it's gonna depend on your interpretation and your perspective. totally recommended.

I really liked the game, but the story was not clear. I played it for around 20 hours, and I still couldn’t fully figure out what was going on. There’s this mysterious feeling to it that I couldn’t quite understand, and some of the characters were complex, too.

How the hell did this game get positive reviews from the pc gaming community? xD Silent Hill 2 is the most unoptimized pc game I've ever played. I've tested this game on two different pc setups; one was running a 3070 rtx card, and the other was running a 7900 xfx 20 gb card, and both played like complete trash. It stutters, it lags, memory leaks, frame generation doesn't work, transversal stuttering, you name it… this game has every pc bug that will make you drop to your knees, and beg for a refund. The game played smoothly in the first two hours, outside walking around in the small foggy town. However, this was all false hope! The moment you get into the apartment buildings, this is where your heart will sink, and utter disappointment will set in, and your refund window goes out the door. How in the hell is it possible to make a Silent Hill game unoptimized? It takes place in a small foggy town, small maps, and claustrophobic rooms. A game like this should be running at a constant 120 fps easily. What the hell were the developers smoking while test-running this game? This game should be called "Unoptimized Hill 2," omfg! What did I just play?! Please don't buy this game on pc! Please, turn around, and don't look back. Forget this game came out on pc. You want to play Silent Hill 2 again on pc? Please do yourself a favor, and install "Silent Hill 2 Enhanced Edition." It looks amazing, and plays like a dream on pc. As a lifelong fan, who played Silent Hill 2 on day 1 of release on the ps2, someone who played this game so many times the disc was covered in scratches... this remake was a massive kick in the balls on pc! X_X 5/10

What a great car vandalization simulator. Jokes aside, what can be said about the masterpiece that launched Silent Hill to fame, adapted with this great remake to modern times, that hasn't already been said? The Bloober team has earned my respect and trust (which is impressive considering how little I liked their work on Blair Witch). You play as James Sunderland, our tormented protagonist, who, like every sad soul who finds itself dragged into Silent Hill, will live a personal hell designed specifically for him, facing his demons, guilt, shame and fears. We'll face these monsters and challenges with the philosophy of every intelligent person watching a horror movie: "grab a stick or something." Because the city may throw creatures born from the worst wet nightmare at us, but Sunderland isn't going to hold back its fists. You'll fight to the last breath, using improvised melee weapons like a board or a pipe, and a small but decent arsenal of firearms, with a good combat system accompanied by dodges that give much more depth to the fights than I expected. But there are obstacles that you'll only solve with your head and a cool mind, as is so typical of this series. Collect key objects to solve puzzles, observe your surroundings to find the clue to a riddle... All of this is so well carried out and linked to the world that it won't break the immersion. Oh, and of course, the in-game world, that town... Silent Hill. Beautiful. Suffocating. Terrifying. Constantly surrounded by fog, darkness, or rust, every environment will trap you in its gruesome yet beautiful aesthetic, and you'll end up having the personal task of exploring every corner and marking every door on the map, to discover its secrets and little treasures. An excellent remake that I intend to return to to squeeze out the rest of the endings and let myself be trapped in the town's clutches once again. And a heartfelt recommendation for everyone, Silent Hill veteran or newbie. P.S. I'm using an Nvidia GPU and it's been fine overall, with some minor stuttering in some areas, but from what several friends have already told me, it's quite difficult to play with an AMD GPU. You've been warned, I hope it gets fixed soon.

Silent Hill 2 is such a unique and immersive experience it's hard for me to believe this story was created over 20 years ago. I had always heard about the Silent Hill franchise and how massive its fanbase is, but I never truly understood why. I never played any of the earlier games since I was too young back then but now that I’ve finished this one, I finally get it. Words can’t fully describe how incredible this game and its story are. I'm officially a big fan now, and I can't wait for the upcoming remakes and new entries in the series! 10/10 Masterpiece!

[h1] Maximum Immersion Guide after 27 trips to Silent Hill [/h1] Silent Hill 2 is in my Top 3 games of all time. I just finished my 27th playtrough including my runs in vanilla on PS2, Directors Cut on PC, the "not so HD" collection on PS3 and the Remake on PS5. I got 100% on all of those platforms, 75% on PC while writing this. The game is excellent on all levels so all I wanna do here is give you my top 5 tips for your ultimate "first-time" experience with the best horror game ever made. Follow these and you'll never forget this trip, promise. 1. Turn off the lights or even better, play alone in an abandoned hospital. Or just at home at night, thats fine as well. [b] Turn up your headphones [/b] (Akira Yamaoka is perfection). 2. Watch and listen. SH2 was made and intended to play slowly. Explore the town when outside. Walk instead of running around, especially indoors. [b] Check your map constantly. [/b] Take your time - read everything, question what you see, listen to the sounds of the city. Soak everything up. There is only one first playtrough, after that its gone, forever. 3. Start on both normal combat / riddle difficulty. Its the balance the devs have intended, imo its the perfect balance. Fighting is not the main focus of the game anyway and soon when you find the gun at the start of the game it gets ridiculously easy thanks to a little melee combo "trick" (a hint: knees). Also, you can easily dodge all attacks, even from bosses. The riddles are very well made and ingenious, so it would be a shame to waste this experience. Again, take your time, think a little, the riddles are not that hard, but fun! On hard, enemy damage doubles. Would not recommend for your first time. 4. For the best experience, turn off "Low health vignette" under Options/Gameplay. You can see how bad James is injured by how much blood is on his jacket, how he moves (when hurt badly) or by the "color" of your inventory. This is the way its meant to be played, the vignette just gives you a constant red corner which is super annoying. 5. Play with a controller. Its a way better and smoother experience! Short notice about performance, the game is demanding, especially in 4K but also 1440p. DLSS Quality with 100% resolution scale and frame generation works well for most people as I heard but the newer your GPU, the better. This concludes my thoughts about a game I spent WAY to much time playing it, but I regret nothing. You'll see why if you give this one a shot by yourself. Enjoy your stay!

[h1] ABSOLUTE CINEMA [/h1] This is a game I've been seeing for a long time. People kept calling it terrifying, and in some cases even the best psychological horror game ever made. Because of that, I was hesitant to start. Naturally, since I’m not into horror games at all, diving into such a highly praised title was intimidating for me. But even though it was hard to begin, I don’t regret a single moment—because this game is a masterpiece. With every detail and its atmosphere, it’s a perfect remake. [h1] Bloober Team [/h1] Some players aren’t too fond of this studio due to the quality of their previous titles. It’s fair to say that they haven’t always delivered consistently strong work. So when people found out that this company was handling the Silent Hill 2 remake, many understandably had doubts. But there’s an often overlooked or forgotten point here: for Bloober Team, Silent Hill 2 wasn’t just another game, it was the peak of horror and psychological tension. They’ve expressed their admiration for the Silent Hill universe time and time again. That’s why they approached the remake project with deep respect, great care, and attention to detail. This is exactly why many players ended up being pleasantly surprised. [h1] Original vs Remake [/h1] The original Silent Hill 2 was released in 2001 and, within the technical limitations of its time, featured fixed camera angles and tank-style controls. These static cameras were intentionally designed to create a sense of tension and unease, while the controls felt heavy and old-school. Still, the visuals were quite impressive for the era; despite the low-resolution textures, the use of fog, lighting, and shadows created a flawless atmosphere. Akira Yamaoka’s sound design and music were among the game’s strongest aspects, adding an unforgettable layer of psychological horror to the experience. https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3523985527 In the Remake version, the story stays mostly true to the original, but some characters' backstories and interactions have been expanded or presented more clearly. Dialogues and plot progression are more direct and explanatory. This adds dramatic weight to the narrative, though some players may feel it slightly dulls the mysterious tone of the original. Additionally, certain side scenes or segments have been expanded or enhanced. These additions are done so seamlessly that they feel like they’ve always been part of the original version. With an over the shoulder camera and controls similar to those in modern action-horror games, the gameplay feels much smoother. Movement is more fluid, making exploration more comfortable and intuitive. Combat has been improved as well, with attacks and dodges feeling more responsive and satisfying. [h1] Story and Background [/h1] The story of Silent Hill 2 revolves around James Sunderland, who arrives in the town of Silent Hill after receiving a mysterious letter from his deceased wife. However, this journey is much more than a simple "search for his wife." As the game progresses, we realize that James is confronting his past, his conscience, and the suppressed truths within himself. [list] [*]Angela Orosco is a young woman traumatized by abuse from her father and brother. Silent Hill reflects her psychological pain rather than a physical place. Her story reveals the lasting impact of trauma and adds a tragic depth to the game. [*]Eddie Dombrowski is a man broken by bullying and rejection. Constantly mocked and isolated, he becomes increasingly aggressive and unstable. His growing paranoia and dangerous behavior reflect the destructive impact of social abuse on the mind. [*]Maria is a mysterious woman who looks exactly like James’s wife but has a different personality. She represents both hope and obsession for James, symbolizing his repressed desires, guilt, and escape from reality. Their complex relationship draws players deeper into James’s troubled mind. [*]Laura is a pure and innocent child who forms a genuine bond with Mary in the hospital. Unlike others, she is largely untouched by Silent Hill’s darkness because she lacks the guilt and trauma that affect the others. Her presence represents innocence and hope in the story. [/list] Silent Hill 2 is more than just a horror game; it has become an unforgettable story about the complex and fragile nature of the human mind. [h1] Sound Design and Music [/h1] Without Akira Yamaoka’s music, Silent Hill simply wouldn’t be the same. Tracks like “Theme of Laura” not only set the emotional tone of the game but also capture its very soul. The haunting hums in the environments, the muffled sounds of enemies, and the sudden silences all build an atmosphere that sends chills down the player’s spine. This incredible sound design forms the foundation of the game’s terrifying mood. Instead of relying on cheap jump scares, the game uses pure psychological tension, making the horror feel deep and immersive. That is why the sound design and music are considered legendary. https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3525773893 One of the most famous tracks, “Theme of Laura,” is not only one of Silent Hill 2’s best-known pieces but also among the most iconic compositions in video game history. [h1] Graphics and Atmosphere [/h1] The graphical quality of Silent Hill 2 was incredible for its time, but what truly makes it unforgettable is not just the technical quality but the atmosphere it creates. Every environment reflects a different fear and psychological tension. Foggy streets, rusty hospitals, damp rooms, and abandoned hotel lobbies all contribute to this haunting mood. The prison section, with its dark corridors, evokes a feeling of both physical and mental suffocation. The labyrinth level perfectly captures the panic and disorientation as enemies chase you, intensifying the sense of helplessness. The hotel area offers a poetic finale where you confront the shadows of the past. Such dense, oppressive, and psychologically aligned environmental design is rarely seen in gaming history. [h1] Gameplay and Mechanics [/h1] https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3525096953 In horror games, mechanics often take a backseat, but Silent Hill 2 delivers a satisfying experience with its simple yet effective systems. Camera angles, movement feel, and enemy interactions have all been carefully reworked. The impact of attacks is surprisingly satisfying. For example, when you shoot a creature’s left leg, it falls onto its knee and stays that way. Small details like this show how much care went into the game. [h1] Tension and Horror [/h1] Silent Hill 2 stays far from sudden “jumpscare” scares. Instead, it builds a constant rising pressure, a heavy atmosphere, and a creeping sense of madness. The tension is present from start to finish, increasing with every new location. The prison and labyrinth sections especially elevate the suffocating fear of loneliness and the unknown. At the hotel, the tension shifts into an emotional breakdown, where the weight of confrontation replaces fear. In this game, horror is not just an emotion; it is an atmosphere, a mindset, and a psychological burden. [h1] Enemy Variety [/h1] The enemies in the game are more than just targets to be defeated. Each one embodies James’s suppressed fears, emotions, and guilt. Their forms, attack patterns, and sounds are all deliberately unsettling. Of course, there is Pyramid Head as well. He is not just an enemy but a symbol of James’s personal punishment. With his silence, menacing presence, and inevitability, Pyramid Head has become one of the most iconic figures in video game history. The enemy designs go beyond being mere horror elements and serve as an integral part of the storytelling. In this way, Silent Hill 2 stands out as a truly unique experience. For me, Silent Hill 2 is a flawless masterpiece. [h1] 100/100 [/h1]