Silent Hill 2: Review
The perennial fan favorite of the series is indeed Silent Hill 2, however it’s not entirely what it’s cracked up to be; allow me to explain. Yes, the graphics are leaps and bounds ahead of Silent Hill 1, the faulty combat controls have been somewhat remedied, the plot is more polished and dare I say more profound. Yet, gone for the most part are the nightmarish visuals and the edginess that its predecessor sported with such macabre bravado. The aggressive, violent scenery has been replaced by drab, gloomy environments, and an introspective focus on a troubled protagonist has been chosen as opposed to a disturbing tale involving a demented cult. Ultimately, we have a game that is more mature, but less compelling than the first entry in the series. However, it is in that maturity that Silent Hill 2 holds its own in the series and remains one of the better entries in the Silent Hill franchise.
The plot involves James Sunderland, an ordinary man who receives a letter from his wife; the catch is that his wife has been dead for three years. In the letter, she writes that she is waiting for him in Silent Hill. And what else can a defeated man like James do but pursue this mysterious lead? Moreover, he feels strangely drawn to the town, as if it is an entity that is calling out to him. Honestly, it’s difficult to deny the perfection of Silent Hill 2’s plot. Layered and rife with symbolism, the plot resonates deeply and is surely unlike anything else you’ll encounter in a video game. Everything is there for a reason, and nothing in the game is without a link back to the central construct. It’s cinematic in that sense, for only in film would a plot so complex and dark even exist. And It is truly the darkest of the dark; the most thoroughly depressing plot you’re bound to find in a video game, or perhaps anywhere. The one thing I can say for the moody environments of the game is that they aide in that feeling of depressiveness, and as such the game’s atmosphere is unwaveringly gloomy.
Yet those very same environments lend to the game’s base fault, and that is the fact that it simply fails to deliver the scares. Especially when compared to both its predecessor and its successor, both of which prominently feature a powerful visual flair, an emphasis on violence, and nightmarish atmospherics: all of which are lacking here. Surely James is trapped in a nightmare world, but this nightmare world is toned down; tame by comparison. Only one location in the otherworld manages to deliver a visceral feeling of unease, and that is the prison. The game makes excellent use of phantom noises in the prison, including one monster that is heard but not seen, stalking the prison corridors with no physical form.
The general pacing of the game is another fault. The game drags on its heels through the first two locations; the apartments and the hospital. The scenes featuring Silent Hill’s poster boy, Pyramid Head, are indeed shocking, but the atmosphere of the apartments is quite limp, with nothing to draw the player in. The hospital steps it up a notch, but only so much; something is still missing. It is in the Silent Hill historical society where the game finally shows its true nature, as James leaps blindly into a series of seemingly bottomless holes. Deeper and deeper he ventures into the otherworld, and that’s when the game grabs you by the throat and refuses to relinquish. It is then that the deeper meanings of the plot begin to surface, as the true natures of most of the characters are revealed in ways both subtle and not so subtle. The town of Silent Hill called to these people for a reason, and they begin to understand why.
I’d now like to discuss the “colorful” cast of characters featured in the game, for the game is driven in the same way that an ensemble film is; the characters are the action, and there are many of them. James Sunderland at first seems like your average everyman protagonist. His personality seems flat, his appearance is decidedly average, his voice reveals no deep wounds. One wonders what sense of purpose his life had after Mary died; probably very little. Surely a man like this could commit no serious crimes? We are made to think the same of Eddie Dombrowski and Angela Orossco. Eddie seems too dim-witted and cowardly to do anyone harm, whereas Angela’s capability of violence seems entirely directed at herself. A little girl named Laura seems strangely un-vexed by the events that occur within the town, but she seems to have known Mary personally at some point. And lastly, the enigmatic Maria, who more than resembles the late Mary. The only apparent difference is her taste in fashion, but everything down to her voice is picture perfect Mary. What is her role in all this?
There are many deeply, deeply saddening scenes in Silent Hill 2; most of which are aided by Akira Yamaoka’s score, which is more emotional this time around. Without giving away the particulars for those who have not yet had the pleasure of experiencing this game, fans of the game will know what I’m referring to when I mention a death in a prison cell, a scene on a flaming staircase, and a flashback in a long hallway. While I have perhaps made the game out to be a relentless festival of depression, there is something endearing about the sense of sadness the game delivers. For those who find beauty in darkness, such as myself, this game will indeed be a unique, beautifully tragic experience.
Gameplay: Nothing has changed much in the gameplay, but an overall lack of edginess makes it difficult to stay interested for a very long period of time throughout most of the game. 7/10
Scares: As one reviewer put it, “The problem with Silent Hill 2 is that it is all atmosphere and no real scares.” I couldn’t agree more, as all the otherworld environments have been toned down heavily. The atmosphere is still intact, but not much else. 6/10
Plot: Plot is where Silent Hill 2 excels. It works as a standalone from the rest of the series (although there are subtle hints to the other games.) This works tremendously in the game’s favor, recreating the town of Silent Hill as an entity that brings the worst inner demons of people to life. 10/10 – perfect!
Screenshots were provided by forum member Samael.
