*****Review*****
Silent Hill 2 is not a sequel to the original story of Silent Hill. Think of it as more of a side quest… and a damn good one at that.
Where back in Silent Hill, the most disturbing town in the world that fans couldn't wait to play through another nightmare again.
Silent Hill 2 features a new different story in the world of Silent Hill with a new playable character along with other new characters. The story that revolves around Silent Hill 2 has nothing to do with the true main story of Silent Hill, no Harry Mason, no Cheryl, no Dahlia Gillespie and no Alessa. In the original Silent Hill, the town "Silent Hill" was just as a main character as Harry was. The story was all about, Silent Hill. In Silent Hill 2, the town "Silent Hill" is just a town and the story focuses more on its main character rather than the town itself. But it that good or bad? Well take it from someone who is a big Silent Hill fan, Silent Hill 2 is damn good.
The story revolves around the main protagonist, James Sunderland. Three years ago, James's wife Mary became seriously ill and passed away. James tried to pull himself together and resume his life after the loss but struggled to get back on his feet. The emotional pain and emptiness left James in a constant state of mourning. Then one day, a cryptic letter arrives signed by Marry, the same name as his late wife. In the letter it said…
"Silent Hill, our sanctuary of memories. I'm alone there now. In our special place, waiting for you James… waiting for you there.?"
James is confused and disturbed by the letter. He questions if Mary is somehow really alive or if someone is playing a terrible hoax on him. Shrouded in mystery and driven by the desire to uncover the truth, James sets off into the world of Silent Hill… As the fog grows thicker, James realizes that the town is nearby.
"I still don't believe it. The dead can't write or send a letter, yet I came here to see my Mary… Mary, could you really be in this town?"
From the start of the game you'll realize how emotional the story is and Silent Hill 2 is all about emotions. As you play through the game you'll meet new characters, that don't really have anything to do with the history of Silent Hill like the original did, but they're still pretty interesting in their own way. The most interesting out of all the character is Maria. James meets Maria quite easily in the game but it's her physical appearance that caught James's eyes, which makes her the most interesting character in Silent Hill 2. Maria holds a strong resemblance to James's late wife Mary, with the exception of having different cloths and hairstyle. Her voice and likeness is remarkable the same as Mary. Of course (on your first play through) we have no idea what Mary is like, so we have to take James's word for it, which makes the story more mysterious because instead of you feeling for Mary more (as you should), you'll feel for Maria instead. At first meet Jame's thinks it really is his late wife and even crys out Mary.
The facial expressions in Silent Hill 2 really capture the emotion very will especially with this scene and other scene as you get further in the game. One scene inparticularly in the cell scene with James and Maria. Although Maria is not a playable character, she is also the main character in Silent Hill 2 along side James. Angela Orosco, Eddie Dombrowski and Laura are another characters you'll meet throughout the game. You see these character for a few brief moments in the game but they all hold their own back story, which make them all interesting in their own way.
Angela Orosco is a very disturbed and paranoid person. You first meeting is at a cemetery and at that first meeting you'll notice something really odd with Angela. From the first meeting there is very little known about her, but Angela hold a very dark and sad secret that turned her into what she is now. All you know is that she's in Silent Hill looking for her… "Mama." At each meeting after that, Angela becomes more lifeless and as you learn more about her back-story, you'll find something very unpleasant indeed.
Eddie Dombrowski holds a strange secret indeed. You first meet Eddie throwing up in a toilet in one of the apartment rooms in Woodside Apartment. At first meeting you'll notice how pathetic and almost panic-stricken Eddie is. Like Angela, you'll see Eddie for short moment throughout Silent Hill.
Laura is a little eight-year-old girl alone in Silent Hill that James will repeatedly meet throughout the game. Laura is a very stubborn brat and self-willed. Even though Laura is eight years old, she acts and talks older that she appears. She has no fear as she moves throughout Silent Hill and her relaxed air of calm seem worryingly out of place as if she does not fit in with everything else in Silent Hill. As first meeting you get the impression that Laura dislikes James for whatever reason. She clams to know Mary and accuses James of never really loving his Wife.
In addition to the characters, some of the disturbing creatures play a massive role in the story of Silent Hill 2. One creature especially is the Pyramid Head. This bizarre creatures true identity is hiding by a giant pyramid shaped cone on it's head. Or maybe the pyramid is the real head for the creature, never the less, the Pyramid Head holds a key role in the story and has quickly grow to becoming one of the most memorable characters in the Silent Hill world. The Pyramid Head, whilest wielding a giant blade, repeatedly confronts James as he searches for his late wife making "IT" James's rival in the game. The build up to the Pyramid Head is by far one of the most memorable moments in the Silent Hill universe.
The boss fights are great. Not just great because of gameplay no. What makes the boss fights in Silent Hill 2 so great is that each boss fight holds a meaning. Not like other game where boss fights are thrown in just because they're has to be a boss fight. Silent Hill 2 is more than that. I'm not going to say much because I don't want to spoil anything for thoughs who have not played Silent Hill 2 (GO PLAY IT NOW!!!) but for thoughs of you who have, you'll know what I'm talking about. One boss fight especially is the Abstract Daddy. The meaning behind this creature is probably the most sickening meaning in Silent Hill 2.
All the good things from the gameplay in the original Silent Hill is in Silent Hill 2. Good controls, great uneasy camera view that capture the feeling of being watched and not knowing whats round the corner very well. Much like the original, Silent Hill is a survival horror game so you'll need to focus more on using hand-to-hand melee weapons. There are guns in the games i.e. a handgun, shotgun and a rifle but again, ammunition is something quite rare in Silent Hill, and again there are great puzzle to solve.
There are several ending to achieve depending on what you do as you play through. There are a few questionable ending and a few funny Easter eggs one. Nevertheless Silent Hill 2 will keep you entertained for several hours… maybe even days.
The music and sound-effect where once again done by the great, Akira Yamaoko and just by knowing Akira was involved with the sound design tell you how awesome it is.
Overall Silent Hill 2 may not be a true Silent Hill story and is not a sequel to the original, nevertheless Silent Hill 2 is a pretty damn awesome game. Seriously, forget what the critics say! If you like survival horror games, a great mysterious storyline, and love the original Silent Hill. Silent Hill 2 is a must play.
*****FINAL OVERALL SCORE*****
- Story – 10/10
- Life Value – 7/10
- My Thought Score – 10/10
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- Presentation – 9/10
- Graphics – 10/10
- Game-Play – 9/10
- Sound Design – 10/10
- Originality – 8/10
*****EDITOR'S OVERALL THOUGHT SCORE – 9/10 *****
Silent Hill 2 Review by Simon a.k.a. [TheDevilDweller]