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Silent Hill 2 by Konami
Product SummaryBrand: Konami TYO Platform: PlayStation2 Publisher: Konami Product features: - Sony Playstation 2 (PS2) video game
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Video Game Reviews of Silent Hill 2Customer Review: Ironically Enough... I never wanted to leave Summary: 5 Stars A bathroom. A broken shell of a man is peering into a mirror. What is real, what isn't? Why is he here? More importantly, what is "Here" anyways? This single scene sets the tone for the rest of the game, and kickstarts the masterpiece that is known, as Silent Hill 2.
Silent Hill. A place where nobody goes, and very few manage to leave.
Enter James Sunderland, a shell of a man since he lost his wife Mary 3 years ago. Then he recieves a letter, and is requested to meet with Mary in, You guessed it, Silent Hill. What follows is one of the most horrific, nightmaric, and amazing adventures in any video game to date.
Picture Silent Hill as a haunted house. Not the one with jump-scares every 2.6 seconds, but the kind that feeds off of your paranoia and anxiety. Only, you can never truly leave Silent Hill. If you've come into this game expecting scares similar to Resident Evil, then change your mindset. Part of what makes this game great, is that it focuses more on surreal and psychological scares, rather than the typical "Boo!" situations.
With that said, everything means something. Give the director(s) of this game an award, he/she/they are a genius. You start off by walking through a long forest to get to Silent Hill. This takes anywhere from 5-7 minutes, but the reason why they went with this, is truly magnificent. A Developer stated that the Forest helps to convey a sense of isolation, and that the trip is so long, you never really feel like turning back. This type of thought carries over to the creature designs. Alot of the game's creatures are manifestations of James' own psyche, so don't be surpised when you see that monster walking in a strangely familiar pattern, but i'll stop now for fear of spoiling it. Long story short, this is some true art.
The sound is composed by the famous Akira Yamaoka. If you don't know who he is, then you should. He creates some of the greatest melodies ever composed, and adds an astounding contribution with some truly depressing and moody tones. Silence is also used at all the right times, to truly make your imagination run wild.
Trying to hold a gripe on this game is about as easy as holding onto a greased up fish on a roller coaster. You could complain that the combat gets wonky at some times, and that the fixed camera angles add a dynamic, but frustrating blend to the game. However, they are some very minor complaints.
I hold this game as the pinnacle of video game storytelling. It is truly a masterpiece, and this game should belong to anyone with a PS2. Gripe at it for it's flaws, but the unique storyline, horrific creatures (Pyramid Head is still one of the most genius antagonists to date) and insanely creepy atmosphere wont make anyone think twice about visting Silent Hill again and again.
Description of Silent Hill 2Gamers looking for intellectual horror will find it in Silent Hill 2. As the story opens, James Sunderland receives a letter from his wife telling him to meet her in the town of Silent Hill. The only problem is that she's been dead for three years. In hopes of reuniting with her, Sunderland explores the haunted town, where he has many terrifying and unexpected encounters. While the brilliantly designed monsters are indeed scary, it's the complex twists and turns of the plot that really produce the game's terror. The gameplay is largely puzzle based. Much of it involves gathering clues and items to solve each puzzle. A few fights are thrown in, but these are quite easy, and are mostly used to show off the developers' bizarre creations. The level of both puzzles and fighting can be adjusted to match each player's skill level. Although its mechanics are rudimentary, the game's presentation is anything but. A heavy use of fog is the game's hallmark effect, greatly adding to the mood. Sound--both effects and music--alternates between eerie silence and sudden, shocking crescendos. Although the graphics and sound are both topnotch, the real star of this game is the story. It's very rich and intricate--a sharp contrast to the banal scenarios that frame most games. Although the game is short (around 10 hours), players will want to give it another go to discover its multiple endings and secret items. Despite basic gameplay, Silent Hill 2 is an excellent choice for gamers looking for cerebral thrills. Parents should note that in addition to violence and gore, this game deals with such topics as suicide, homicide, and euthanasia. --Raymond M. Padilla Pros: - Scary and stylish graphics
- Excellent cutscenes
- Effective sound effects and music
- Original creature design
Gamers looking for intellectual horror will find it in Silent Hill 2. As the story opens, James Sunderland receives a letter from his wife telling him to meet her in the town of Silent Hill. The only problem is that she's been dead for three years. In hopes of reuniting with her, Sunderland explores the haunted town, where he has many terrifying and unexpected encounters. While the brilliantly designed monsters are indeed scary, it's the complex twists and turns of the plot that really produce the game's terror. The gameplay is largely puzzle based. Much of it involves gathering clues and items to solve each puzzle. A few fights are thrown in, but these are quite easy, and are mostly used to show off the developers' bizarre creations. The level of both puzzles and fighting can be adjusted to match each player's skill level. Although its mechanics are rudimentary, the game's presentation is anything but. A heavy use of fog is the game's hallmark effect, greatly adding to the mood. Sound--both effects and music--alternates between eerie silence and sudden, shocking crescendos. Although the graphics and sound are both topnotch, the real star of this game is the story. It's very rich and intricate--a sharp contrast to the banal scenarios that frame most games. Although the game is short (around 10 hours), players will want to give it another go to discover its multiple endings and secret items. Despite basic gameplay, Silent Hill 2 is an excellent choice for gamers looking for cerebral thrills. Parents should note that in addition to violence and gore, this game deals with such topics as suicide, homicide, and euthanasia. --Raymond M. Padilla Pros: - Scary and stylish graphics
- Excellent cutscenes
- Effective sound effects and music
- Original creature design
Cons: - Unchallenging combat
- Too much item fetching
- Story might be too complicated for some
With its Poe-like atmosphere, dense fog, pitch-black hallways, and a cryptic letter from a dead wife, Silent Hill 2 promises to surpass the paranoia created by its predecessor, Silent Hill. The sequel opens with James Sunderland, the series' average joe protagonist, and a mysterious message that reads, "Silent Hill, our sanctuary of memories. I'll be waiting for you there." More puzzling is that the note is signed by Mary, his deceased wife. James sets out for Silent Hill hopeful that he'll find a trace of Mary. After an aborted attempt by car, James plunges into the dank fog and embarks on his quest by foot. Enter Angela, a woman who bears a striking resemblance to Mary, and who also beckons him with another curious message. It seems James can't go back; strange things are happening in Silent Hill. Silent Hill 2 offers 10 new formidable foes, plenty of puzzles, and bone-chilling gameplay. The sequel's new story and characters promise to thrill and terrify. The visual and sound effects are amazingly detailed and macabre, and, if you're playing on a system with surround sound, you may find yourself keeping the lights on.
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