Silent Hill 2

 PlayStation 2
User Score
8.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1661 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,417 out of 1661
  2. Mixed: 40 out of 1661
  3. Negative: 204 out of 1661
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  1. VaeL_XJB
    Apr 10, 2023
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Una historia llena de misterio pero que cuando la entiendes es perfecta el terror sicólogico en esta entrega está al otro nivel… Expand
  2. natan9
    Apr 1, 2023
    10
    Melhor game de terror já feito uma obra prima uma história bem construída e complexa personagens interessantes e marcantes terror psicológico bem aplicado protagonista bem desenvolvido chefes bem feitos nota 10
  3. miguellopez99
    Jun 7, 2023
    10
    98/100 .
  4. Ramin2005
    Jun 8, 2023
    10
    This game is one of the best psycological horror that I have ever played ❤
  5. Lyu_
    Jun 28, 2023
    10
    A beautiful and sad psychological horror, one of the best PS2 games with one of the best scenarios.

    The realistic theme weighs heavily on the player, and the city, enemies, and direction are all intertwined with the main storyline, adding depth to the story through their synergy, which is what makes Silent Hill 2 a masterpiece. Although it is called "Silent Hill 2," the story is    A beautiful and sad psychological horror, one of the best PS2 games with one of the best scenarios.

    The realistic theme weighs heavily on the player, and the city, enemies, and direction are all intertwined with the main storyline, adding depth to the story through their synergy, which is what makes Silent Hill 2 a masterpiece.

    Although it is called "Silent Hill 2," the story is independent except for the setting related to the town of Silent Hill, which is not a problem at all.

    The story is similar to Final Fantasy 10, although the gameplay and genre are completely different.

    The truth about Mary is revealed as you follow a letter from her dead wife, Mary, with the clear objective of searching Silent Hill for her. This is James' story of redemption.

    Those of you who make it to the end will surely be moved to tears.    … Expand
  6. VLG
    Aug 22, 2023
    10
    One of my favorites of all time, I keep going back to it (watching someone play it, watching videos about new discoveries, listening to it's OST) from time to time, non-stop for the last 20 years.
  7. FAMS1208
    Sep 7, 2023
    10
    Una experiencia de terror interesante dónde se mes clan elementos narrativos de amor, abuso, depresión,temas suicidas, etc.Una historia que le da un significado a casi todo lo que te encuentras, los enemigos, acertijos,la música y los personajes que una se encuentra, la música es otro aspecto que es perfecto en el juego Akira yamaoka sabe que piensa musical usar el un punto adecuado. LosUna experiencia de terror interesante dónde se mes clan elementos narrativos de amor, abuso, depresión,temas suicidas, etc.Una historia que le da un significado a casi todo lo que te encuentras, los enemigos, acertijos,la música y los personajes que una se encuentra, la música es otro aspecto que es perfecto en el juego Akira yamaoka sabe que piensa musical usar el un punto adecuado. Los finales que tiene son interesantes pues tres de estos reflejan como el mismo jugador elijo jugar, no por medio de decisiones si no por como te empezaste en la aventura y los otros 3 son más por querer saber más de su universo. El aspecto del terror también se mantiene con momentos oscuros o de persecución que tenemos o los sonidos que nos hacen creer que a veces hay algo con nosotros. Simplemente este juego me enamoro de inició a fin y esperemos que su remake le haga justicia a esta obra maestra, si te interesa probar la versión del PS2 haslo talvez sientas lo mismo que muchos o no.… Expand
  8. Luisvi
    Sep 9, 2023
    10
    Para mi uno de los más grandes juegos de la historia, buena trama y exploración, más un elenco de personajes difíciles de olvidar.
  9. Sammasati
    Sep 10, 2023
    10
    El mejor survival horror de la historia, ojala el remake este a la altura..
  10. Specific_skull
    Sep 12, 2023
    10
    Great game the story is amazing and some people going to say the gameplay just but it 2D style
  11. WilliamG.
    Feb 6, 2007
    9
    I loved this game when it was initially released, and I still do. James is, by far, one of the best video game characters ever created. It's not often you get to play a title featuring a haggard, depressed shell of a human so far lost in despair that he couldn't hope to claw his way out even in the best possible outcome. With all subsequent titles hinting at James' true I loved this game when it was initially released, and I still do. James is, by far, one of the best video game characters ever created. It's not often you get to play a title featuring a haggard, depressed shell of a human so far lost in despair that he couldn't hope to claw his way out even in the best possible outcome. With all subsequent titles hinting at James' true ending resulting in his suicide after learning the truth behind his wife's death, it makes this experience even more unique. No happy endings, no light at the end of the tunnel. It's everything Silent Hill should be; hopeless, desperate and lost, in a good way, of course. Unlike the other titles in the series, James plays no significant part in the events surrounding Silent Hill's creation and existence. He's simply another hopeless soul lost in the chaos. No sacrifices, no ceremonies or resurrections, he's utterly and completely irrelevant in regards to the "big picture." He's a pebble in a whirlwind, and it's so fantastically ironic that the character with the least significance in the series also provides the most psychological and enthrawling experience to the player. Kudos to the Konami team for their effort and to Akira Yamaoka for the best "survival-horror" soundtrack ever recorded.… Expand
  12. JamesS.
    Feb 2, 2002
    9
    Silent Hill 2 is the most scariest, gruesome, mind-bending game I've ever played. There's just a few little problems which keeps it from being perfect.
  13. BenN.
    Apr 4, 2003
    9
    Brilliant, really scary and i brought the directors cut version, just play this game in the dark and you are gonna s**t urself.
  14. ThisPerson
    Jun 27, 2009
    9
    Silent Hill 2. The cult-hit, the game you hear mentioned over and over again when talking about horror games or deep stories in games. Considered often the best game in the series with the very first one. And for a good reason. Forget Resident Evil's "Monster-through-the-window"-scares, gore enough to fill a pool and hi-tech weaponry, Silent Hills focus on so called "Psychological Silent Hill 2. The cult-hit, the game you hear mentioned over and over again when talking about horror games or deep stories in games. Considered often the best game in the series with the very first one. And for a good reason. Forget Resident Evil's "Monster-through-the-window"-scares, gore enough to fill a pool and hi-tech weaponry, Silent Hills focus on so called "Psychological horror", where the very disturbing images, settings and audio make you feel uneasy and disgusted. Most of the time it's the what you can't see but you hear that scares you the most, and that's what Team Silent knows. The game's nearly totally covered in either thick fog or darkness where the only light source you often have is your flashlight. Add creepy, disgusting and most importantly very... original sound effects and music track, and you'll find yourself being spooked by even complete emptiness. What about the story? Well, where SH1 mostly focused on "demonic-forces" pouring from the "possessed", suffering mind of certain victim of horrible past, SH2 offers a bit different kind of, "more gentle" story where it's not always clear what is "real", while still implying every thing's not just a dream, the "forces" of the town apparently just working in the background. All the characters have some sort of tragic past and are experiencing the town in their very own way, making the line between "reality", "delusion" and the "otherworld" blur even further, leading to some serious mind-screwing at best. Judging by some review here, not everybody has payed enough attention during the game, they either played it just once by rushing it or they have not researched about all the symbolism and gentle hints of the game that it offers. Add 6 different endings depending on HOW you play the game and what you have done while playing it, unlockable bonuses and a beautiful but sad and disgusting story, SH2 offers a great mature horror experience that does not just throw blood and guts at you. I also do recommend the other games in the series, especially the first and third ones, both of which present a quite a bit more "aggressive" experiences, still having some psychological-teasing and symbolisms.… Expand
  15. JayL.
    Sep 28, 2001
    9
    This is a great game. After playing Silent Hill 2, what was that other series... Resident something... haha.. it doesn't matter anyways. The Silent Hill series is here to stay.
  16. Rachael
    Jan 12, 2002
    9
    It's brilliant....fantastic graphics, great story line but its too short! Thats the only thing which is bad about it. Its way better than the first one ( because of graphics and story line!) oh yeah complete it 3 times and you get the '...' ending its hilarious!
  17. ApocalypseBrown
    Oct 23, 2005
    9
    Never since the likes of Resident Evil 2 and Metal Gear Solid has a game gripped me and filled me with such joy, pain and scary memories. Yes the controls are flawed, yes the camera is awful but all of these add to the sense of fear and inpending doom. The story is the best on the ps2, but it's losing a ten due to some really pointless bits in the game (walking in the dark for an Never since the likes of Resident Evil 2 and Metal Gear Solid has a game gripped me and filled me with such joy, pain and scary memories. Yes the controls are flawed, yes the camera is awful but all of these add to the sense of fear and inpending doom. The story is the best on the ps2, but it's losing a ten due to some really pointless bits in the game (walking in the dark for an hour to find a key). Overall a must for all horror fans, until project zero 2 comes round.… Expand
  18. GrantZ
    Aug 22, 2009
    9
    Silent Hill 2, is quite possibly one of the best horror's to grace the Playstation, creepy, tense and has good sound. However it's not as good as the original mainly because, the main protagonist is hateful. I cared about Harry Mason, he couldn't run right FGS, then James comes along, killing his own wife, and wondering why a massive man with a pyramid for a head and a huge Silent Hill 2, is quite possibly one of the best horror's to grace the Playstation, creepy, tense and has good sound. However it's not as good as the original mainly because, the main protagonist is hateful. I cared about Harry Mason, he couldn't run right FGS, then James comes along, killing his own wife, and wondering why a massive man with a pyramid for a head and a huge sword is coming after him. Still it's a pretty epic game, let-down by some graphical glitches, it was my entry into the series, and i love it still. Story is just tacky. BUT WOOOO, it introduced us to the infamous Pyramid Head. "Hello Nice To Meet You" I LOVE HIM. "MARRY ME PYRAMID HEAD!!!!".… Expand
  19. JohnL.
    Feb 11, 2002
    9
    If you like reading H.P. Lovecraft and get a kick from pondering the way human conscience works then this is the game for you. The story of James wandering around in Silent Hill in search of his wife will compel you onwards. The graphics and camera angles are eerie. The feelings that come to you as you bludgeon the nth monster that gets in your way are best unsaid. The only problem I If you like reading H.P. Lovecraft and get a kick from pondering the way human conscience works then this is the game for you. The story of James wandering around in Silent Hill in search of his wife will compel you onwards. The graphics and camera angles are eerie. The feelings that come to you as you bludgeon the nth monster that gets in your way are best unsaid. The only problem I found with this game was the combat. Depending on how much pressure you place on the attack key, James will do different attacks. This can let you down at the worst of times. Overall though a fantastic and disturbing game.… Expand
  20. MikeyC.
    Jun 18, 2002
    9
    I loved every second. it scared the hell out of me. its got to be one of the top five games for ps2. the graphics are so good. i cant wait for the next one. the only thing i have to complain about is the story line. i stopped and scratched my head a few times, but after the 4th time i beat it i think i got it down.
  21. NinjaMafia
    Nov 28, 2003
    9
    Wow. Thats what I said when I finished Silent Hill 2. Not only is it a good sequel to an already superior game, but it manages to deliver one of the best stories I have ever heard. Okay, you are James Sunderland, your wife died years ago. Suddenly, you get a letter from Mary, youre wife, telling you to meet her at the town of Silent Hill. You are a bit confused but go anyway. When you get Wow. Thats what I said when I finished Silent Hill 2. Not only is it a good sequel to an already superior game, but it manages to deliver one of the best stories I have ever heard. Okay, you are James Sunderland, your wife died years ago. Suddenly, you get a letter from Mary, youre wife, telling you to meet her at the town of Silent Hill. You are a bit confused but go anyway. When you get there, it is desserted. You eventually find a few living people, one of them looks exactly like youre wife. I haven't even scratched teh surface yet. This game has a disturbing mature story that video games don't often have. The story deals with murder, sexual abuse, the fragile emotions of a human being and other stuff. Yeah, it might take you a while to get the story, even after you have beaten the game, but it is a very good one. No thats and understatement, a Ultra extreme good one. Now on to the gameplay. The gameplay is actually very good. You will get scared plenty of times. But don't expect the Resident Evil scare. Think of I'm going to make you creeped out by the atmosphere scary. The graphics were also superb. The grainy look gave it a spooky touch. The only reason I'm not giving this game a ten is because I didn't feel like replaying it over and over again. Every game should do that, even suvival horros. Yeah and now I'm off to explain to Mike some things about silent hill. What created the monsters? It was actually James taht created the monsters. Listen to the story once in a while, you might pick up on something. Oh and no comparision to MGS2 eh? Only your entire review was comparing the two games. I don't remember much but I'm POSITIVELY sure that MGS2 and SH2 are COMPLETELY different games. Silent Hill is a Horro, MGs is a stealth. and also, how much of the game did you play? You didn't just see yellow lines throughout the whole game. There were walls and buildings. Oh and excuse me for not being able to not make the pipe strike the wall. Did it really matter that much? Same with moving the chair, really. MGS2 was incredibly unrealistic, this game even tries to be more onrealistsic but you bash it for that. I couldn't shoot through the little holes in the lockers in MGS2 could I? No but that didn't make me hate that game anymore. All in all, if you are looking for a disturbing storyline, pick Silent Hill 2 up NOW!… Expand
  22. MattP.
    Apr 14, 2003
    9
    Silent Hill 2 is one of my top games, the sound and look are like nothing else on PS2 and it's scary as hell. Plus you get a bonus disc (PAL version).
  23. Gaxbook
    Nov 16, 2013
    9
    An absolute masterpiece about a man coming to terms with his past, and a great self-contained story that doesn't dwell on the at times opaque mythology or history of how Henry got there or why all this is happening in Silent Hill. It also contains beautiful/grotesque graphics (depending on your viewpoint) that really being across the worst of the human mind, as well as one of theAn absolute masterpiece about a man coming to terms with his past, and a great self-contained story that doesn't dwell on the at times opaque mythology or history of how Henry got there or why all this is happening in Silent Hill. It also contains beautiful/grotesque graphics (depending on your viewpoint) that really being across the worst of the human mind, as well as one of the greatest/most appropriate/unnerving soundtracks of all time, being one of the few experiences where the occasional use of silence brings across even more tension than any horror soundtrack.… Expand
  24. Keoki
    Mar 29, 2012
    9
    This game is just a masterpiece in all aspect, sound, acting, story, characters, script, graphics, design, you should play it if you haven't already.
  25. MattMintage
    Jul 26, 2011
    9
    Silent Hill 2, with it's fogged atmosphere, terrifying creaks and sounds, the inner-workings of James' mind manifesting teach him a graphic and unforgettable lesson that literally shivers your spine as each minute passes by playing this horror-king of a game.
  26. Jouna92
    Jun 23, 2013
    9
    In my restless dreams.... I mean in my opinion, this is THE BEST horror game of all time. SH2 is frighting, scary, pressing, sad and overall amazing horror game. This is psychological horror at it's best. The story becomes climatic, symbolisms are scattered throughout the game, the characterizations and atmosphere create an overwhelming sense of isolation. I could go on, but in short, aIn my restless dreams.... I mean in my opinion, this is THE BEST horror game of all time. SH2 is frighting, scary, pressing, sad and overall amazing horror game. This is psychological horror at it's best. The story becomes climatic, symbolisms are scattered throughout the game, the characterizations and atmosphere create an overwhelming sense of isolation. I could go on, but in short, a classic psychological experience meant to be played by all.… Expand
  27. Xposure
    Aug 14, 2012
    9
    This game is nothing short of amazing. First off, it's mind-numbingly scary, due to its thick atmosphere and eerie soundtrack. Slowly making your way through tight corridors and fog-ridden streets, becomes both a pain and a pleasure. Secondly, the story is superb, both to people who only plow through the game once and don't give it much afterthought, and to those who look to decipher itThis game is nothing short of amazing. First off, it's mind-numbingly scary, due to its thick atmosphere and eerie soundtrack. Slowly making your way through tight corridors and fog-ridden streets, becomes both a pain and a pleasure. Secondly, the story is superb, both to people who only plow through the game once and don't give it much afterthought, and to those who look to decipher it even further. The only noteworthy drawbacks are the slightly tedious and repetitive boss fights, and the fact that there is too much ammunition available to you. Though, in the long haul, Silent Hill 2 is definitely worthy of a playthrough or two.… Expand
  28. HCTristesse
    Oct 4, 2012
    9
    Those who reviewed this game negatively didn't understand what it is about. Saying the story Silent Hill 2 was bad because it was confusing and hard to understand or because it's psychological rather than "real" monsters or because it lacks action is like saying Pac-Man is stupid because you wanted to play Tetris. Sure, the controls are not the best and fighting is a pain in the assThose who reviewed this game negatively didn't understand what it is about. Saying the story Silent Hill 2 was bad because it was confusing and hard to understand or because it's psychological rather than "real" monsters or because it lacks action is like saying Pac-Man is stupid because you wanted to play Tetris. Sure, the controls are not the best and fighting is a pain in the ass (that's why I give it a 9 rather than 10). But Silent Hill is not about fighting, it's about inflicting fear, and if you know fighting will be hard, you don't want to meet monsters. It has one of the deepest stories ever in games and so much effort was put in the details. Each monster, every place represents an aspect of the protagonist's psyche. Even now, when the game is pretty old, I still get scared when playing it. And that's what it's about.… Expand
  29. alex007
    Oct 18, 2012
    9
    Hypnotic and haunting, "Silent Hill 2" represents the series at its very best. Players are cast in the role of James Sunderland, a widower who receives a cryptic letter from his late spouse, Mary. The letter instructs for him to go to their "special place" in Silent Hill. After he arrives, James meets a scared woman named Maria who physically resembles Mary. Together, they try to find theHypnotic and haunting, "Silent Hill 2" represents the series at its very best. Players are cast in the role of James Sunderland, a widower who receives a cryptic letter from his late spouse, Mary. The letter instructs for him to go to their "special place" in Silent Hill. After he arrives, James meets a scared woman named Maria who physically resembles Mary. Together, they try to find the person who sent the letter. Meanwhile, the town of Silent Hill sinks into a literal darkness, while its inhabitants increasingly act in all sorts of bizarre manners.

    "Silent Hill 2" is not a direct sequel to the original game. It contains a new cast of characters and a completely different story. And thanks to the graphical capabilities of the PS2, it is a visual powerhouse. The stark lighting effects and photo-realistic textures will often startle you. Gameplay-wise, "Silent Hill 2" resembles the first game but it also includes a few obscure puzzles that will rattle your brain. As a whole, SH 2 is a mind-bender. This is a psychological horror game that is every bit as trippy as the 1990 genre film "Jacob's Ladder".

    While it might be too slow for some, "Silent Hill 2" rewards dedicated players with killer moments of mystery and suspense. And once again, Akira Yamaoka's stirring score compliments the unique asthetic of the game. "Silent Hill 2" is an artistic, one-of-a-kind horror game that is a must play for fans of the genre.    … Expand
  30. SilentINU
    Jul 19, 2013
    9
    The first time i made a review in this game a gave it a 8 but that was totally unfair and not right. This is one of my favorite survival horror games ever on the ps2, ps3 and even pc. So emotional and creepy in every aspect. Pyramid Head is the monster i most fear.
    Nothing more needs to be said, if you're an hardcore survival horror player that loves good plots your love this masterpiece    The first time i made a review in this game a gave it a 8 but that was totally unfair and not right. This is one of my favorite survival horror games ever on the ps2, ps3 and even pc. So emotional and creepy in every aspect. Pyramid Head is the monster i most fear.
    Nothing more needs to be said, if you're an hardcore survival horror player that loves good plots your love this masterpiece of horror!    … Expand
  31. Rox22
    Sep 15, 2013
    9
    Absolutely fantastic. This has to be my favorite survival horror game so far.

    Graphics are great. Voice acting is improved on the original. Writing is just mind blowing. Silent Hill 2 takes everything it did in the first game and made it better in every regard, aside from combat (it still sucks, but is slightly better.) Overall: I really wish I could give this game more praise, but    Absolutely fantastic. This has to be my favorite survival horror game so far.

    Graphics are great. Voice acting is improved on the original. Writing is just mind blowing. Silent Hill 2 takes everything it did in the first game and made it better in every regard, aside from combat (it still sucks, but is slightly better.)

    Overall:
    I really wish I could give this game more praise, but I can't. I enjoyed every minute of this game and found myself replaying it over and over just to see and discover everything. This is a fantastic game that belongs in everyones collection.

    Side note:
    BTW The original is better than the HD remake (hence, why I won't review it.)    … Expand
  32. PastVSPresent
    Mar 1, 2013
    9
    You know that feeling when you always look at the cover of one game that you want to try but for some reason never buy? Well that's what happened to me for years and after craving for an psychological horror/mystery experience i decided to give this old game a chance in this age.

    Lets start with the graphics. Il be honest that the the first cutscene was mind blowing and very nice. You    You know that feeling when you always look at the cover of one game that you want to try but for some reason never buy? Well that's what happened to me for years and after craving for an psychological horror/mystery experience i decided to give this old game a chance in this age.

    Lets start with the graphics.
    Il be honest that the the first cutscene was mind blowing and very nice. You see and feel that dark vibe immediately. It isn't that bad, really. Of course it shows his age but it will definitely not stop you from seeing what is going on in the game.

    Gameplay:
    Silent Hill has that reputation of bad camera angles and awkward controls. Let me tell you that i got used to it after 5 minutes. Its just like playing a new game with great graphics. You just get used to the eye candy after an hour or so. So don't let the story's scare you off.

    Atmosphere and Story:
    The atmosphere is the reason why fans of the genre wanna play this game. I immediately get sucked in the game and couldn't stop playing it. The mist and area's gave me some claustrophobic feel and in the first hotel i had the feeling i didn't want to go to the next hallway or floor. The music really had a great effect in this and i got easily addicted to it. The composer did a great job. The story was pretty predictable but setting it up the way Team Silent did was out of this world.
    I don't give much info here because i hate to spoil the fun. Last verdict: Its really a solid 9 for me and i am not someone who just gives 10's at randoms. I guess the 1's and 4's people give on this game don't really appreciate psychological games like this. They speak about monsters that are to weak but they don't see the point that the monsters in this game are here to make a more psychological effect on the gamer and not just creatures to defeat.

    If you want to play a heavy atmospheric game that works on your nerves don't look further and get this gem.    … Expand
  33. celebi734
    Oct 13, 2014
    9
    Silent Hill 2 is more then just a game. it is one of the last (and best) survival horror games. With a great storyline, legitimate scare, and of course Pyramid Head. How could you not get scared?
  34. Brunn0121
    Jan 24, 2017
    9
    Amazing soundtrack, amazing story, amazing characters, this game just proves it doesn't need to tell the story of a cult to get a silent hill game right.
  35. Ramiro1992
    Mar 13, 2015
    9
    One of the best horror games ever made, the music is a masterpiece! The graphics are very well done, i never heard such a beautiful music in a survival horror game.
    The controls are fluid and well designed, Of course the ps2 is a cheap version with inferior graphics, the xbox and the pc version are awesome. I don't have many words to say how good this game is, much better than sh 3 or sh4    One of the best horror games ever made, the music is a masterpiece! The graphics are very well done, i never heard such a beautiful music in a survival horror game.
    The controls are fluid and well designed, Of course the ps2 is a cheap version with inferior graphics, the xbox and the pc version are awesome. I don't have many words to say how good this game is, much better than sh 3 or sh4 of course, the horror elements are the best addition, you can enjoy a excellent storyline while progressing in the game, the characters have a great personality, each one with a personal story waiting to be revealed, This game is fun and creepy at the same time, unlike the **** we are seeing today.    … Expand
  36. Kai82
    Jul 28, 2021
    9
    It is a really good game with a fascinating story but I did not see the „Best videogame of all time“ or „Deepest story of all time” many associate with the game. To clarify: I do not say that it is a bad game (not even close) or the story is garbage (it is really good). I say it is not the best ever and it uses the old trick to tell the story in a more indirect way for you to fill theIt is a really good game with a fascinating story but I did not see the „Best videogame of all time“ or „Deepest story of all time” many associate with the game. To clarify: I do not say that it is a bad game (not even close) or the story is garbage (it is really good). I say it is not the best ever and it uses the old trick to tell the story in a more indirect way for you to fill the gaps. For many this created the feeling of depth in a story (Like the TV show Lost or Neo Genesis Evangelion for example where you see at the ending that they had no road-map for the story / conclusion). However the story is still really good with some layers that added depth. Back to the review. The prequel was a remarkable game that impressed many gamers and critics alike. This put the bars higher for any sequel. Luckily it delivers and it is also a classic of survival horror genre. In contrast to the Resident Evil games it is focused more on psychological horror and deep atmosphere. It succeeds as it has the same haunting atmosphere as the prequel and feeling of dread while the gameplay is also really good. The story starts when protagonist James Sunderland went to Silent Hill after he mysteriously received a letter from his already deceased wife Mary from there. When he enters the city he experienced a nightmare and is confronted with his past. The story is magnificent and will surprise you as it is unique. It is immersive and entertaining but like I said some things are a bit indirectly told which can be a negative for others. Of cause there are multiple endings depending on you including a crazy funny one (The prequel started this). The haunting atmosphere returns and of cause they added the radio too. The static noise warns you when enemies are near which increases the dread and fear of what is lurking in the darkness, fog or unseen areas. I say the atmosphere is the bread and butter of the franchise and was for me the unique selling point. The characters were great with James Sunderland who has more facets than it seems. I make the same decision as for the prequel here to not spoil the other characters. I say I like them and especially the ambiguity. Gameplay wise it is good solid survival horror. You have to manage scare ammunition and healing items on your way through the story. Also there are puzzles and obstacles to overcome. It was really enjoyable and kept me going as I want to see all endings (without YouTube;-). Presentation wise like the prequel the graphic was really good back then and aged well. Of cause it is nowhere near modern standards but this would not be a fair critique. The soundtrack is excellent and I will praise it. The art style is again disturbingly good and many monsters of the franchise are well know even outside the player base. Overall this was a really good experience. It barely misses the 10/10 mark for me and I can clearly see why others like it more. I would fully recommend the first 3 games in the franchise as these are the peak performance. The later games are not that good and sadly the franchise is dormant since P.T. was canceled.… Expand
  37. Darko84
    Feb 3, 2015
    9
    Silent hill 2 is the best game on the SH Franchise so far (I am waiting for silent hills).
    The atmosphere, the characters and the music are just amazing (Soundtrack is wonderful).
    Story wise is also very creepy and will keep you going forward to uncover the truth.
    The only flaw in this game is the poor graphics.
  38. Topfpflanze
    Mar 15, 2022
    9
    SH2 is one of the few games that I completely underestimated on the first try. In fact, I had to read through fan reviews to realize what this game was all about. The awkward controls and the seemingly endless back-and-forth tarnish the enjoyment of the game in my opinion, but it's still mind-blowing.
  39. Termin8ter
    Feb 1, 2016
    9
    Silent Hill 2 is just as good, if not better than the original. The gameplay is exactly the same as Silent Hill 1, but the graphics are massively improved, almost in the same way that MGS2 improved its graphics from MGS1. There are no pixelated character models, fully relying on detailed facial structures and weapons, same as in MGS2. The story changes protagonists from Harry Mason toSilent Hill 2 is just as good, if not better than the original. The gameplay is exactly the same as Silent Hill 1, but the graphics are massively improved, almost in the same way that MGS2 improved its graphics from MGS1. There are no pixelated character models, fully relying on detailed facial structures and weapons, same as in MGS2. The story changes protagonists from Harry Mason to James Sunderland, who receives a cryptic message from his dead wife, which leads him to Silent Hill. The majority of the game, you will be collecting weapons and ammo, and killing strange monsters, while searching for James' wife. Just like in Silent Hill 1, there are lots of scares and moments of insanity. Buy this game if you have not already.… Expand
  40. sonofelysium
    May 6, 2015
    9
    A staple in the genre. What makes it so frightening has nothing to do with tricks or scare tactics (though they are definitely in there), but rather the disturbing and brutal portrayal of the darker aspects of the human condition.
  41. JurgenRamnball
    Mar 9, 2016
    9
    I never resource to subjectivity when I give an opinion, but this is the right time to do so. You are free to think I'm an idiot and moron because I am saying something considering what I felt, not critic facts that would indeed build an opinion. Silent Hill 2 made me feel very depressed and guilty, I want to play it again, but I'm afraid my experience can be even worse (in the better wayI never resource to subjectivity when I give an opinion, but this is the right time to do so. You are free to think I'm an idiot and moron because I am saying something considering what I felt, not critic facts that would indeed build an opinion. Silent Hill 2 made me feel very depressed and guilty, I want to play it again, but I'm afraid my experience can be even worse (in the better way possible). If you are dating a girl and you are getting bored of her, play Silent Hill 2 and it will completely revitalize your relationship.… Expand
  42. Barnes1987
    Mar 29, 2017
    9
    I remember getting this for christmas 2001. It was a quality game then and it still holds up pretty decent today. Well worth a purchase for anyone that owns the system.
  43. iamevilhomer
    Oct 28, 2017
    9
    Basically the best horror game ever made or at least in the top 5... I never give perfect 10s... No game is perfect since perfection doesn't exist... That being said... This game is close to what perfect would be if it was real...
  44. frederik1478
    Oct 3, 2022
    9
    Just finished the game and loved it the last part of it made me cry. It was so amazing the story the music, I hate the puzzle, but I enjoyed all the other parts.
    palace of the game where I got stuck in so I had to use a walkthrough mostly because I get stuck because of the puzzles.
    But when you get hit by that sed characters and the voice acting that is still amazing that is old comes    Just finished the game and loved it the last part of it made me cry. It was so amazing the story the music, I hate the puzzle, but I enjoyed all the other parts.
    palace of the game where I got stuck in so I had to use a walkthrough mostly because I get stuck because of the puzzles.
    But when you get hit by that sed characters and the voice acting that is still amazing that is old comes together in a way where I can only sit with my jaw on the floor. I loved it. This is amazing this game make me feel things. I'm not used to by a video games.
    I have bought this game 5 times and sold it 4 this is my 5 attend to completed and I finally did it and I finally understand I finally understand what people's se in this game    … Expand
  45. Captain_Faramir
    Apr 9, 2020
    9
    9.2 - Whether it be its attention to detail or brilliant story, Silent Hill 2 will always be the best in the series for me. I would say the only issue with it is the camera and combat controls/gameplay at times, as it can be a bit tedious/clunky, but it was never a huge problem at all. The puzzles are intelligent and achieving to solve, the music is very memorable, and the multiple endings9.2 - Whether it be its attention to detail or brilliant story, Silent Hill 2 will always be the best in the series for me. I would say the only issue with it is the camera and combat controls/gameplay at times, as it can be a bit tedious/clunky, but it was never a huge problem at all. The puzzles are intelligent and achieving to solve, the music is very memorable, and the multiple endings are worth the wait. A tip when you do play this: do not put this game on hold/stop playing halfway/when you get confused. You have to keep pushing forward because it is only way to get a full experience from this game and to stay immersed in the environment and atmosphere.… Expand
  46. ByYuxiSs
    Mar 9, 2017
    9
    A pretty good game, full of classic terror, a gloomy and dark environment, good gameplay and for my opinion one of the best survival horror games ever created.

    Although the alternative ending is somewhat funny and disappointing this game stays in the heart of many as the best survival horror 9/10
  47. Eder123
    Apr 8, 2017
    9
    Uno de los mejores juegos de la sexta generación y de la saga Silent Hill, verdadero terror psicológico que ya no se ve en estos días en un juego de 2001.
    Excelente
  48. Alex_Pilgrim008
    Apr 2, 2023
    9
    Silent Hill 2 is the pinnacle of the series. It's a bizarre and haunting horror masterpiece. And yes, it's even better than the first game. Graphically, it ranks up with Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty and Xbox's Splinter Cell. This is a must play for fans of the spooky stuff. I would rate it with a 9.1 out of 10.
  49. Ryuail
    Feb 1, 2020
    9
    There is a reason the latter day Silent Hill games keep attempting to ape SH2. This game is brilliant. From the opening trek into the town, to the enormously vast lake that separates James from his goal this game has pacing, theming, and atmosphere nailed down perfectly.

    The camera is a pinch unwieldy which can lead so some dizziness if you're not used to how it operates, and strafe    There is a reason the latter day Silent Hill games keep attempting to ape SH2. This game is brilliant. From the opening trek into the town, to the enormously vast lake that separates James from his goal this game has pacing, theming, and atmosphere nailed down perfectly.

    The camera is a pinch unwieldy which can lead so some dizziness if you're not used to how it operates, and strafe stepping is bizarrely fast. But these are the tiniest knit picks in a game that is as beautiful as it is horrific.    … Expand
  50. donkolps
    May 12, 2018
    9
    This is indeed a masterpiece.

    The Combat isn't super but ok, like every SH. The Story is re-playable! The first time you Play it, it's just... so interesting to watch every Cut-scene and experience the Story. The 2nd,3rd..... time you can get different Endings, and that's quite Interesting. Before I played it, I just heard good things about it(Who don't{If you informed yourself    This is indeed a masterpiece.

    The Combat isn't super but ok, like every SH.

    The Story is re-playable! The first time you Play it, it's just... so interesting to watch every Cut-scene and experience the Story. The 2nd,3rd..... time you can get different Endings, and that's quite Interesting.

    Before I played it, I just heard good things about it(Who don't{If you informed yourself about it})
    Then I just tried it and it was very good. I enjoyed it all the time.

    PS: I recommend to play it on the PS2, because of the Original Voice Actors and the good Fog ):p

    PPS: First Rev. Sry if it's not informative :p    … Expand
  51. XV_
    Jun 2, 2020
    9
    [NOTE: This is a review for the SH2 HD in the "infamous" collection, since is not listed as an individual game this will do it for now, it has some technical issues that will not affect my score but I will talk about them a little, so I will try to be as objectively possible]

    Silent Hill 2 is one of those games that have a lot of fame almost legendary and mythic, is easily to see why,    [NOTE: This is a review for the SH2 HD in the "infamous" collection, since is not listed as an individual game this will do it for now, it has some technical issues that will not affect my score but I will talk about them a little, so I will try to be as objectively possible]

    Silent Hill 2 is one of those games that have a lot of fame almost legendary and mythic, is easily to see why, from the very moment you start the game and you're on your own wandering a fogy woods with a creepy and unsettling music and ambiance you know you're for such a ride.

    Let me start with my favorite thing so far from this game, the narrative, I love how SH2 doesn't shy away for being cryptic and almost "non-sensical" at times, you start with a simple premise of looking for your dead wife, but things are more complex than that, instead of giving you heavy exposition scenes (which maybe you sometimes get) you have blurry character development and some notes of paper, or diaries here and there which adds tons to the dreamy and oppressing atmosphere. You have a superb balance of cutscenes and gameplay, and for the most part you're on your own on the somewhat scripted openness of the map, which I like it quite a lot.

    The combat is serviceable, its clunkiness adds to the theme of feeling underpowered by these unknown monsters, although at my first hours I was so stressed with my bullets and health management, once you understand the mechanics it will be hard to get a game over screen onwards, that's not to say that you feel safe whatsoever, the game manages to never truly let go your throat till the credits roll.

    The primary horror aspect from a superficial point of view may be its enemy and environment design, the enemies if few are quite creative and gruesome, the locations are super creepy, they may look generic at first but certain details like lighting, enemy position, etc. make to stand out from the rest, although for me, the one that truly took me to the uncanny valley was the sound design and its music, there's a lot of noise and apparent empty music but you never feel like: "here's the normal enemy music" "now the boss music is playing", is deliciously stylish, even the more conventional music which plays to fit some dramatic scenes is beautiful, Akira Yamaoka is truly a genius.

    The script, although is not a masterpiece, it fits perfectly with the tone of the game, at one moment you have a character acting cool and the next moment they're acting super crazy, but it fits, it has aged too good and better than other games of that era. At times the game can turn a little cartoony but again, being a horror game and as a lot of great movies of the genre it knows when to give you a break and be a little silly.

    As for the negative aspects, I think that once you grasp all the mechanics the game can turn a little in the easy side, at least combat wise, at the start of the game you will find a couple of puzzles that may feel somewhat cheap, for example, you'll find a 6 pack of juice that to me looked like a health item so I saved it and didn't pretend to use till I really need it, turns out it was a key item that had to be used in an unnatural way to obtain other item, there are like a couple of instances of similar matter that didn't broke my experience that much but they were more annoying than challenging. Lastly, every time you open and close the map, everything around you i.e the monsters, will be moving but the screen will be black for at least 1 solid second, this is pretty annoying since it gives you a tremendous disadvantage in some corridors, and more often than not you'll be rewarded by an enemy hit, maybe this is an issue of the HD collection so I don't counting it to the score.

    Speaking of the issues with the HD collection, overall the game looks OK, the fog effect is bad and some characters look a little soulless but is not that bad, the game has the option to play with the new or original voices, I played with both and as someone that is not tainted by nostalgia and is trying to be the more objectively possible I find that both are somewhat bad, although the new ones sound a little better and with more depth (not by that much mind you), definitely would prefer that this was in Japanese tho.

    In general I loved my time with SH2 it was stress-full and filled with emotions to the very end, which by the way I didn't expect the ending to be this good, at least the one that I get, definitely recommended for every horror fan, it doesn't have cheap scares and its themes will have you thinking a lot.    … Expand
  52. tunahan43
    May 21, 2021
    9
    Süper bir oyundu.3den daha çok sevdim.Başlarında sıkıldım ama çokta önemli değil.Oyunu istediğim sonla bitiremedim.Maria best karakterdi benim için.Keşke maria sonu ile bitirseydim
  53. ThePSButton
    May 27, 2020
    9
    Una de las mejores experiencias que puedes tener con un control en la mano.
  54. INU4SH4
    Jun 23, 2020
    9
    Silent Hill 2 might perhaps be the greatest psychological horror video game of all time. Or at least, according to me as of now. My 2nd favorite video game of all time currently.

    Silent Hill was already a great game but this sequel takes the series to new highs and creates one of the best PS2 games of all time. Everything about the atmosphere, fog, and story is spectacular and makes    Silent Hill 2 might perhaps be the greatest psychological horror video game of all time. Or at least, according to me as of now. My 2nd favorite video game of all time currently.

    Silent Hill was already a great game but this sequel takes the series to new highs and creates one of the best PS2 games of all time. Everything about the atmosphere, fog, and story is spectacular and makes this one of the most thrilling narratives of all time. It does not relly on jumps scares but instead scares you psychologically with the very sinister Pyramid Head and a cruel protagonist as you find out throughout the course of the story. Up to this date, I have never found a protagonist as thought-provoking as this one and an antagonist more symbolic than Pyramid Head. The rest of the cast also played their roles in the plot to perfection. Another thing that is praise-worthy is the puzzles. They really made you use your brain to the limit.

    I was really close to giving this a perfect rating, but there is one element holding it down. The combat is not deep. You just hit and shot stuff in a sluggish way. I think it fits the character as he is just a desperate guy in a nightmarish city trying to fight for his life with no training or experience whatsoever. But still, a video game is not just about the atmosphere, immersion, story, and music. The gameplay is always a very important factor. The puzzles and exploration were very polished but the combat was not. Making this a 9.5/10 and not the perfect 10/10.    … Expand
  55. JamesDrawsThngs
    Aug 21, 2020
    9
    One of the biggest contributors to the success of the PS2 was its stellar line-up of high quality games. That level of quality began very early on in the PS2's life, many of which were hotly anticipated sequels to games released back on the PS1. Games like Ace Combat 4, Metal Gear Solid 2, Gran Turismo 3 and, of course, Silent Hill 2. SH2 is often regarded as one the greatest games on theOne of the biggest contributors to the success of the PS2 was its stellar line-up of high quality games. That level of quality began very early on in the PS2's life, many of which were hotly anticipated sequels to games released back on the PS1. Games like Ace Combat 4, Metal Gear Solid 2, Gran Turismo 3 and, of course, Silent Hill 2. SH2 is often regarded as one the greatest games on the system, one of the best horror games of all time and is considered the fan favorite in the Silent Hill series, and I certainly second that emotion. SH2 does what all good sequels mean to accomplish: keep what made the original great while also expanding upon it and even fixing issues that the original may have.

    Silent Hill 2 was the first in the series to introduce the concept of Silent Hill as not just a town, but a mood. To have characters get drawn into this world based upon the personal demons of the people that enter it, and each one who does has a different experience. The story centers around James Sunderland, an everyday guy who travels to the desolate resort town in search of his wife. The problem, though, is that his wife has been dead for some time, but only just now was James given a letter written by her. So, James decides to go and get some answers. The game's story is incredibly dark, dealing with plenty of disturbing and mature themes, meeting characters that have their own issues and demons. Each of the monsters in the game is even specifically designed in a symbolic way that you wouldn't immediately get on a first playthrough. What makes the story particularly effective is the general uncanniness of the performances. Objectively, a lot of the voice acting would be considered bad, but in context of the surreal environment it helps add to the tone and atmosphere. Speaking of which, this game has a positively stellar presentation. The lighting and griminess of the game is pitch perfect, and it still stands as one of the best looking games on the system. On top of it all is its great sound design and stellar soundtrack.

    Like the first game, SH2 is a survival-horror game where you explore different environments, collecting key items, solving puzzles and fending off different creatures. It's structured like a Resident Evil game, but with much less emphasis on combat and more on puzzle solving. The combat was certainly never the series' strong suit. It's incredibly clunky and there's not much reward in defeating them besides getting them out of the way. Of course, James isn't a trained operative so he's not gonna have much combat prowess. Luckily, it's pretty easy to avoid most encounters, and if you are pretty explorative you'll find more than enough ammo and health pick ups. One of the best features of this game is that it has separate difficulty levels for both puzzles and combat, so the game can be as straight forward or obtuse as you'd like it to be. There are also multiple endings that you can obtain by meeting certain requirements on subsequent playthroughs that range from depressing to hilarious.

    SH2 is perhaps the definitive horror experience for the PS2. It's regarded as a classic for good reason. If you want to get into the series, you start here. A must have for horror buffs.    … Expand
  56. vint-old-school
    Jul 26, 2020
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. потрясающий Survival Horror!!!! лучший на все времена … Expand
  57. storygamer
    Aug 28, 2020
    9
    Silent Hill 2 is one hell of a game! The story is interesting and thrilling, the enemies are nightmarish, the gameplay is simple and decent and the graphics are beautiful. The overall atmosphere is foggy and threatening. This survival horror game is a highlight!
  58. LeonardoClavoM
    Aug 8, 2020
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. En mi opinión el segundo mejor Silent Hill, la historia es muy buena, llena de simbolismos, los recuerdos que me traen de aquellos días de invierno cuando lo jugué en mi PlayStation 2 son muy nostálgicos, los soundtracks a manos de este increíble compositor llamad Akira Yamaoka nos trajo temas tan buenos como Theme Of Laura, Promise, Love Pslam, y ni qué decir del increíble trabajo que se hizo en la atmósfera tanto gráfica como musicalmente, adicional a ello la interpretación en las voces es realmente buena, en lo personal estuve a punto de llorar cuando leía y escuchaba la carta. Sin duda quisiera volver a ver un nuevo Silent Hill tan bueno como este y más en años donde aveces es muy difícil encontrar un juego realmente bueno.… Expand
  59. AzathothWakesUp
    Sep 4, 2020
    9
    Almost a perfect plot, with plenty of unexpected twists and turns. Holds up well, even to today's high standards. Not overly difficult or unbeatable. Probably won't trigger game rage, unlike other titles in the series.
  60. BigManJ
    Feb 8, 2021
    9
    Game is good. Graphics tasty. The game is very relatable. The game is a good metaphor for the sexual frustration we face every day. The game has a superb spook factor and the one with the baker guy is sooooo much better. There are so many memorable quotes. Like "How can you lay there and eat pizza." Or "Place the gun to your temple and >kapow< " Marie's note is so heart wrenching I bustedGame is good. Graphics tasty. The game is very relatable. The game is a good metaphor for the sexual frustration we face every day. The game has a superb spook factor and the one with the baker guy is sooooo much better. There are so many memorable quotes. Like "How can you lay there and eat pizza." Or "Place the gun to your temple and >kapow< " Marie's note is so heart wrenching I busted into tears. I am still crying as I write this review. The keyboard is wet... I wish they made a sequel. Well this review has been going on long enough. John is very hot. And Lauren sucks. She squished my foot. One question? Why does the triangle man want to touch me? And why do the woman people have masks? And Also why does someone have 2 pairs of arms? This has been my review of the brand new Silent Hill 2. P.s. Tom Hulett made Silent Hill. Mike Lindell approved.… Expand
  61. L0st_
    Nov 20, 2022
    9
    The already iconic fog used in this game, intended to hide the rendering distance, is the best move the developers have made. Thanks to this trick, the atmosphere we find while playing turns everything 180 degrees. I think Silent Hill 2 is an example of the best horror game, because we don't encounter short pulse jumps in the form of jumpscares, but a long growing tension / fear of theThe already iconic fog used in this game, intended to hide the rendering distance, is the best move the developers have made. Thanks to this trick, the atmosphere we find while playing turns everything 180 degrees. I think Silent Hill 2 is an example of the best horror game, because we don't encounter short pulse jumps in the form of jumpscares, but a long growing tension / fear of the unknown, hidden beyond our sight.

    What proves that Silent Hill 2 is one of the best items in its genre? That 20 years later, it's still being talked about.    … Expand
  62. gotterpotter56
    Jun 28, 2023
    9
    Игра ужасающе прекрасна. История западает в душу. Не без минусов, но мне понравилось.
  63. Distorshin
    Nov 10, 2021
    9
    The silent hill series has truly beautiful yet disturbing games while some other ones in the saga needed more work put in, however this one (silent hill 2 ) stood out as the most hauntingly beautiful story and well made survival horror game the world has seen. Upon playing you'll immediately feel compelled to the story and want to find out what' this game is about. Along the way you'llThe silent hill series has truly beautiful yet disturbing games while some other ones in the saga needed more work put in, however this one (silent hill 2 ) stood out as the most hauntingly beautiful story and well made survival horror game the world has seen. Upon playing you'll immediately feel compelled to the story and want to find out what' this game is about. Along the way you'll come across deformed monsters, disturbing environments and bones chilling music and sounds made by stellar music artist akira yamaoka.There's also engaging and weird puzzles with some interesting yet bizarre characters you'll meet along the way . This is a deep and complex game that dives into the maddening world of emotionaly broken humans minds and will make you feel for these characters… Expand
  64. BlackDarkFOX
    Apr 30, 2023
    9
    One of the best games in the genre of psychological horror. One of the best games in my personal rating in principle. It is not boring to play even in 2023. I look forward to the remake, I hope its creators will not let down the expectations of fans of this wonderful series of games.
  65. tillas
    Aug 30, 2023
    9
    Idk who really likes this game. I heard that is a good horror game, A game with gameplay like: Find a **** in giant location and this not marked on map. After that go back to your first location and on your way a millions of cockroach will enrage you. I dropped the game after i find a girl with knife because i didn't want to seek a 5 items for finishing a puzzle. I can't imagine enjoy thisIdk who really likes this game. I heard that is a good horror game, A game with gameplay like: Find a **** in giant location and this not marked on map. After that go back to your first location and on your way a millions of cockroach will enrage you. I dropped the game after i find a girl with knife because i didn't want to seek a 5 items for finishing a puzzle. I can't imagine enjoy this even a ten years ago. Graphics not bad but gameplay is just unreal **** And the last. I'm never get scared at this game. A whole game is just raging me with his gameplay.
    P.S. I tried to play it again and now im at boat location. Actually after first location this game is not so bad! First location is piece of sh it but after that this game become more interesting and fun! ( But fighting mechanics is still bad /: ) Story becomes more interesting every minute.
    Fun story: In hospital location after pyramid head hitted me on the roof i lost Maria. I thought someone kidnapped her. But actually i was entering wrong door whole time XD. After i finish the game i'll gonna edit this review. Also i have some sort of problem with items. Some of them is invisible. Maybe this is a issue of emulator but this is really makes game hard. This forcing me to press X button at every empty desk. (Music is really nice)

    P.S.S Finished the game... This is **** story masterpiece. I never maded so big mistake... I never played game like this... I'd liked to set 10/10 but gameplay and fighting is pretty bad.

    **** i watched again a intro in menu and this is contains more meaning and hints. And you understanding this only after completing a game... Hiroyuki Owaku you genious,    … Expand
  66. Maxyq1
    Oct 9, 2022
    9
    Perfect....................................................................
  67. Mag_lebee
    Jul 15, 2023
    9
    In my restless dreams I see that town. Silent Hill. You promised you'd take me there again someday, but you never did. Well, I'm alone there now, in our special place, waiting for you
  68. FinesM.
    Jan 5, 2002
    8
    It's a great game, but it needs better controller manuverability, but all in all its a great game.
  69. Nemesis
    Feb 18, 2002
    8
    I'm not done with it yet but I too am "coming off" of MGS2 and Silent Hill isn't supposed to compare to it, they're two completely different genres. Anyways, the graphics in this game I admit could be better but the lighting in the game is excellent as is the very spooky music that matches the enviroments exactly, the voice acting is fine, some sound effects could be I'm not done with it yet but I too am "coming off" of MGS2 and Silent Hill isn't supposed to compare to it, they're two completely different genres. Anyways, the graphics in this game I admit could be better but the lighting in the game is excellent as is the very spooky music that matches the enviroments exactly, the voice acting is fine, some sound effects could be refined more though. And yes, as everyone says, this game is very scary and disturbing (so far that i've played). The outdoor enviroments do suck i think though, filled with buttloads of fog it makes it hard to navigate. … Expand
  70. phulos
    Oct 31, 2010
    8
    Horribly good! But mature? Really??
    According to me, this game is just a little bit overrated. Especially its script. Just like in the first Silent Hill, the dialogues are still too poor to fit with the excellent quality of the production and the macabre fineness of the facial animations.
    Despite this point, Maria's face still haunts me after all these years...
  71. Dylanmc12
    Mar 8, 2011
    8
    Gameplay has never been SH's strongpoint.
    The combat is dodgy.
    And movement is whoozy. Yet ... The portagonist's are everyday people, do you expect them to be able to weild Mancini Shotgun's and go crazy? Sh's strongpoint is entirely thorugh story. James' is a complex tradgic soul. The first game realized the only worthwhile character from the first game was SH itself. The town gives of    Gameplay has never been SH's strongpoint.
    The combat is dodgy.
    And movement is whoozy.

    Yet ... The portagonist's are everyday people, do you expect them to be able to weild Mancini Shotgun's and go crazy?

    Sh's strongpoint is entirely thorugh story.
    James' is a complex tradgic soul.
    The first game realized the only worthwhile character from the first game was SH itself.
    The town gives of the dread of being completley : ALONE.
    Even the monsters seem more like mechanics or clockworks than actual "Beings".

    If you wanted a game, you get to eat ****
    If you expected some of the best graphics on the system, you get to eat a feast.
    If you expected a brilliant atmosphere, brilliant characters, and a true horror experience, you get to eat a Big lovely footlong.    … Expand
  72. whitespider999
    Feb 16, 2012
    8
    Silent hill has always had aging mechanics and obscure and downright plodding controls and action. What keeps me fixated is the story and atmosphere. Silent hill 2 is the pinnicle of the series. Although it's also a little too frustrating in it's world design, with too many corridors leading to corridors and large areas that loop into themselves. What makes this game mostly come past theseSilent hill has always had aging mechanics and obscure and downright plodding controls and action. What keeps me fixated is the story and atmosphere. Silent hill 2 is the pinnicle of the series. Although it's also a little too frustrating in it's world design, with too many corridors leading to corridors and large areas that loop into themselves. What makes this game mostly come past these aging obscure design traits is it's incredible mystery. When it was first released - this was a 10/10. Playing it today leads to a incredible sense of frustration however. Still - it IS the best silent hill game. Even if it has more gameplay warts than it's later cousins.… Expand
  73. Kaioh
    Aug 4, 2016
    8
    Best SH game and one of the best in this genre overall.
    + intriguing plot
    + awesome level & game design
    + characters and their development is what making this game even great
    + outstanding music
    + decent puzzles

    - clunky controls
    - laughable boss fights
  74. Rahsmoove
    Nov 25, 2014
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This was very great for it's time. I couldn't believe it was mad in 2001. It felt like it was made in 2004. The cut sences, the movement, and battles really made it stand out. The overall plot does feel very weird though, and the graphics changing is very annoying.… Expand
  75. tsakiym
    May 21, 2015
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I do not have to say anything. But i need to write one hundred and fifty characters. i think my score can describe it.................................… Expand
  76. GinasLoveJohnny
    Jan 1, 2016
    8
    This is a very well made game very scary and thrilling. What sort of ruins this game for me is the constant walking around getting lost and the very confusing puzzles to figure out. All throughout the game you are trying to figure out puzzles and after a while the game becomes unpleasant and frustrating. The game loses it's excitement when you are constantly having to figure things outThis is a very well made game very scary and thrilling. What sort of ruins this game for me is the constant walking around getting lost and the very confusing puzzles to figure out. All throughout the game you are trying to figure out puzzles and after a while the game becomes unpleasant and frustrating. The game loses it's excitement when you are constantly having to figure things out that are pretty hard. I had to play this game looking up each time i passed a level how to figure out these very confusing puzzles. Overall great game for its time but the challenging puzzles and concepts sort of takeaway from the experience. This game would have gotten a 10 if it weren't so hard to figure out the things in the game. I give this game an 8 for how well it was done.… Expand
  77. Amorph0us
    Jan 12, 2022
    8
    The best part of this excellent game was its soundtrack. And certainly I could say that the soundtrack is enough for upgrading the gaming experience by far.
  78. Voin_Donbassa
    Mar 2, 2021
    8
    Игра с великолепным саундтреком, графикой (для 2002г), глубоким сюжетом, застовляющим погрузиться в раздумия, а может даже и в депрессию. Главная проблема игры -- это её возраст, устаревшие механики, корявая боевая система, утомляющие, ужасные боссфайты, а также главный герой, которого не раскрыли. Но всё же это классика хоррор игр, да и хорроров в частности, так, что если не играли, тоИгра с великолепным саундтреком, графикой (для 2002г), глубоким сюжетом, застовляющим погрузиться в раздумия, а может даже и в депрессию. Главная проблема игры -- это её возраст, устаревшие механики, корявая боевая система, утомляющие, ужасные боссфайты, а также главный герой, которого не раскрыли. Но всё же это классика хоррор игр, да и хорроров в частности, так, что если не играли, то настоятельно рекомендую! 8/20… Expand
  79. Ron-Plata
    May 23, 2021
    8
    I don't think this game is for everybody, some may find it boring, some may find it mediocre at best and you know what, technically it is a mediocre game, the gameplay is very bad, the player movement is very stiff, combat is the worst you're going to encounter and a lot people, hmm how can we put it, ''silent hill apologists'' will argue that it adds to the experience of ''horror.'' No,I don't think this game is for everybody, some may find it boring, some may find it mediocre at best and you know what, technically it is a mediocre game, the gameplay is very bad, the player movement is very stiff, combat is the worst you're going to encounter and a lot people, hmm how can we put it, ''silent hill apologists'' will argue that it adds to the experience of ''horror.'' No, it does not.

    This is not the type of game you play for being a ''game.'' This is the type of game you play for what it has to offer narratively, purely for storytelling purposes. Im going to go as far as to compare it to the dark souls games not because of the difficulty (even though one can make an argument about the riddles in the hardest difficulty LOL) but because of how you have to piece together the story for yourself, the game is very subtle at telling you what you need to know until the very end where you know what really happened but even then you still have TONS of questions so you start replaying over and over but if youre lazy youll just go to twitch and watch one of NubZombie's in depth story playthroughs to learn whats up with this game's story. Anyway...

    The music is simply excellent so if youre like me and love to listen to games OST youll find some good stuff here. Voice acting tho, not so much, bruh do you even voice act? no, im just a random dude that wasnt even applying for the job but i got it because i was the live incarnation of the main character of the game according to the devs so they gave me the part. But youre so believable because you dont sound fake like a professional voice actor, in fact the professional got mad at you when you were making the game, wow. Got into a tangent there but this game will throw you for a pretzel loop you wont get out of easily.

    Go play it.    … Expand
  80. GabePhoenix
    Mar 27, 2022
    8
    No doubt this is a remarkable experience; although I don't find it to be as scary as people say it is, it's still very haunting, depressive and has an insanely well-built atmosphere surrounding its rather interesting characters; Eddie, Maria, Angela, and of course, our main guy, James.

    Speaking of James, this story is mostly about him, as he meet other people, and searches for his late    No doubt this is a remarkable experience; although I don't find it to be as scary as people say it is, it's still very haunting, depressive and has an insanely well-built atmosphere surrounding its rather interesting characters; Eddie, Maria, Angela, and of course, our main guy, James.

    Speaking of James, this story is mostly about him, as he meet other people, and searches for his late wife, who's been dead for three years, yet somehow sent him a letter in her handwriting, asking if he could come visit her on their favorite spot, located in Silent Hill.

    This game is honestly, a slow-paced walk into the abyss, as places become more twisted and people sink into their own guilt.

    Just like Silent Hill explored Alessa's terrible past and tried to represent her feelings through monsters and environment, Silent Hill 2 dives into James' anguish, and sins.
    Almost everything is somehow connected to James' past, and how he feels about things he did.

    Gameplay-wise, I honestly liked it, except for the extremely messy camera angles and controls; but overall, the exploration and item search of Silent Hill always satisfied me enough to keep me from lashing out on other very annoying points of its gameplay.

    As we're getting a little more into technical aspects, I'd like to congratulate this game's graphics; it's still so beautiful to look at, somehow to this day, and there were basically no bugs or glitches. It plays very well.

    And all of this, of course, is backed by master artist Akira Yamaoka, and his incredibly amazing series of original soundtracks; this has got to be one of the most amazing things about this franchise.

    Silent Hill 2 proudly waves its horror banner, and has the power to scare without jump-scaring, which is honestly, a hard feat to accomplish. Its story will try its best to haunt you.

    Between the two, I prefer the first one, but the second entry deserves its recognition for its incredibly mature story and rather bold take on some themes. It probably stands side by side with the greatest horror experiences.

    A VERY GOOD game.

    The special edition comes with "Born From a Wish", which focuses on Maria just a little before she meets up with James. She explores a really creepy haunted house, as she tries to help a Silent Hill resident, whose family was taken from him.

    I liked this extra content, but it honestly left me with more questions than answers, on both the main plot and it's own little plot. It was good while it lasted, though; around two hours max.    … Expand
  81. AngryGeek
    Jun 6, 2022
    8
    It's one of those games that has aged very well. It is a quality work. They used sound and music in a highly artistic way. in my restless dreams i see that town silent hill
  82. M1sfiT
    Sep 3, 2023
    8
    Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaameeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees! sh
  83. JustinW.
    Jan 4, 2002
    7
    Very good, but I was expecting a lot more from this game. I have a feeling they rushed a map and series together to make this game. If this game had been SH part one and SH 1 had been part 2 this series would have been spectacular.
  84. MarcL.
    Sep 30, 2001
    7
    This is a good game. The graphics, sound and atmosphere are great. But I feel the first Silent Hill did a better job of conveying the feeling of fear. The characters and story were far more interesting in the first one. Still if you?re a fan of these types of games, then this is a must have.
  85. AndrewJ.
    Aug 1, 2003
    7
    This game has great improvement with graphics, but sems to lack the atmosphere that the first "Silent Hill" had.
  86. LamL
    Mar 8, 2009
    7
    The date is 2009. I have heard so many awesome things about this game. XPLAY and others have called it the #1 scary game of all time. I still try and go in with an open mind and self awareness. Months earlier I played SH: Homecoming and liked it enough callin it good but not really a next gen experience. Of course my 1st exposeure to SH was the 2006 film, which I think is brilliant. The The date is 2009. I have heard so many awesome things about this game. XPLAY and others have called it the #1 scary game of all time. I still try and go in with an open mind and self awareness. Months earlier I played SH: Homecoming and liked it enough callin it good but not really a next gen experience. Of course my 1st exposeure to SH was the 2006 film, which I think is brilliant. The fact is I was a little disappointed in this last gen game. It played exactly like SH: H except the controls were more clunky. I thought the fog was better, and the town seemed more believable than in SH:H. Really, this makes SH:H look worse in my eyes. But the experience never raised itself to something sublime. I'm aware if I played it in 2001 when it was released I probably would have given it at least a full point higher. But still, to a new gamer coming it to it for the first time today it kinda delivers underwhelmingly. Next Gen horror games I like are "F.E.A.R.," "The Darkness" (my favorite, and a review here on metacritic actually described it as a next gen 1st person SH- I agree), "Condemned 2," "Dead Space." I realized there is a lot of shooting in my favorites. Somebody, please make a horror game that's really really good but the emphasis is not on shooting. I'd be the 1st in line.… Expand
  87. wesker2012
    May 28, 2012
    7
    One of the scariest psychological thrillers of all time. This game was a masterpiece except for the control.
  88. Speed4Runs
    Nov 24, 2012
    7
    Mind-blowing story and almost excellent graphics. The only bad point is the longevity, which is a problem of many other games.
    Overall, this is an optimal game.
  89. Joellemm
    Jul 18, 2020
    7
    The horror in Silent Hill 2 still, sort of, holds up. The brooding atmosphere, brilliant enemy design and labyrinthine level design come together, alongside the off-kilter cut-scenes, to create a quality horror game. The story is especially unnerving and is the biggest reason why i'd recommend the game to any horror fan even now.

    Much about Silent Hill 2 doesn't hold up however. The    The horror in Silent Hill 2 still, sort of, holds up. The brooding atmosphere, brilliant enemy design and labyrinthine level design come together, alongside the off-kilter cut-scenes, to create a quality horror game. The story is especially unnerving and is the biggest reason why i'd recommend the game to any horror fan even now.

    Much about Silent Hill 2 doesn't hold up however. The gameplay, excluding the puzzles (which are actually pretty good), is awful - combat, navigation, boss fights. Although i'd praise the atmosphere, this is mostly due to the visuals and setting, the sound design appears to just be a series of random uncoordinated sounds, that are so out of place, its not scary, but often confusing. The writing and voice acting is maybe worse - laughably bad most of the time. This is a big shame that distracts from could have been a far more compelling narrative.

    I enjoyed playing Silent Hill 2 for the first time, nearly 20 years after release, because of how different it feels to games today, but honestly, the game's quality (beyond the obvious for a game so old at this point) is far below what i'd expected for a game still so revered. Its a horror game though, and in fairness, it still does horror very well.    … Expand
  90. Sacatuki
    Feb 7, 2017
    7
    I enjoyed my time with this game but it's definitely overrated as the best horror game. It's not a sequel to the original but rather a spin off with a new character named James Sutherland who is in a grieving state due to the loss of his wife named Mary. But, for some odd and unknown reason, he receives a note from his deceased wife reading to come to Silent Hill. You basically have toI enjoyed my time with this game but it's definitely overrated as the best horror game. It's not a sequel to the original but rather a spin off with a new character named James Sutherland who is in a grieving state due to the loss of his wife named Mary. But, for some odd and unknown reason, he receives a note from his deceased wife reading to come to Silent Hill. You basically have to look for her and to unravel your past little by little throughout the game to help better understand why you're even in Silent Hill in the first place. The controls are like the first one, meaning you control like a tank. That, to me, is the biggest downside to the game. A game should feel fluid. To me that blows but the story is superb. Too bad it isn't complimented with smoother controls.… Expand
  91. Razzee
    Jun 1, 2019
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I didn't like Silent Hill 2 as much as the first game, mostly due to its depiction of the city. One of the possible interpretations of Silent Hill is that it manifests the inner desire of everyone summoned there to be punished for their sins. It goes against what the previous game established, since Harry and Cybil, who had nothing to repent for, were still able to see the monsters, unlike Laura. Maria's presence makes no sense either. In order to cause confusion and impact on the viewer, the game allowed several inconsistencies to exist. It's common to forget all the flaws of a game once you find yourself appalled by its final moments but, sorry, that does not work on me. It reminded me of Rule of Rose, although RoR is fairly superior in executing a convoluted storytelling that is up to interpretation while leaving no room for inconsistencies. As far as OST goes, the first game sounded a thousand times scarier to me... despite the same person working as composer on both. Overrated.… Expand
  92. toto07
    Jan 9, 2022
    7
    !!! Real french review here !!! Please stay away from me.

    J'en attendais peut-être trop d'un jeu Silent Hill, c'était dans mon esprit une licence vraiment horrifique, je n'ai connu que grâce à P.T qui lui été horrifique. Mais finalement ca a très peu avoir avec P.T. Certains le considère comme le meilleurs survival horror de sa generation, pas moi. Pour faire un bon survival horror, il    !!! Real french review here !!! Please stay away from me.

    J'en attendais peut-être trop d'un jeu Silent Hill, c'était dans mon esprit une licence vraiment horrifique, je n'ai connu que grâce à P.T qui lui été horrifique. Mais finalement ca a très peu avoir avec P.T. Certains le considère comme le meilleurs survival horror de sa generation, pas moi. Pour faire un bon survival horror, il faut un gameplay qui fait mouche, des éléments horrifique et une ambiance opressante, avec en chantillly une histoire intéressante. SH2 a certains de ces éléments : L'ambiance est opressante, les musiques d'embiances sont réussies (l'ost de "under water" est chelou). Les éléments horrifiques sont présents aussi, avec zéro jumpscares, ce sont juste les enemis qui roam, qui m'ont fait parfois bien flipper. Leur gueule est quasi indescriptible, c'est tellement chelou mais j'adhère. Quand à la narration, c'est bien et pas bien, le perso se croit à Disneyland Parc, il est naïf et presque sans émotion. L'histoire des persos à côté sont ok. Fin je veux dire, Billy il a buté quelqu'un, il se fait torturer par la ville parce qu'il se croit innocent. C'est la même chose pour l'histoire principal. Le perso bute sa meuf, il se fait torturer par la ville parce qu'il ne veut pas se l'avouer. C'est juste ok pour moi. Le gameplay ne vaut pas grand chose, c'est ma première impression, et c'est resté jusqu'à la fin, je contrôle un gars de 30 ans ou un handicapé ? L'aspect survie est très limitée, c'est pour ça que j'ai dû mal à le qualifier de survival horror. Ensuite les puzzles consiste en fait à aller chercher dans toute la map un objet, puis l'activer, il y a eu trois puzzles de réflexions. Les lieux sont tous construits de la même manière, mais les dernières zones de jeux sont sympas. 13.5/20    … Expand
  93. zach_grech
    May 3, 2022
    7
    This games story is remarkable. A deep and amazingly well constructed story. Great environments and puzzles. However, the enemy design is lacking which ruins some of the game for me. The controls are also a major flaw.
  94. Crimson9
    Dec 24, 2022
    7
    I get that its the first game to do true psychological horror, so I'll give it credit for that. But it has to lose points for the twilight zone dialogue, mediocre level design and horrific controls. Even the story, I have to say, was rather predictable. The enemy design and how it ties into your guilt is definitely a really good concept, and revolutionary for the genre.
  95. HerrT
    Mar 15, 2008
    6
    Most reviews of this game totally ignore the fact that the story is so obnoxiously poor that you lose interest in completing it. The first game took place in an actual town overrun by sinister forces; this game takes place in a guy's psyche, as he deals with his guilt for euthanizing his wife. You watch your sidekick in this adventure die a few times, each time she returns acting as Most reviews of this game totally ignore the fact that the story is so obnoxiously poor that you lose interest in completing it. The first game took place in an actual town overrun by sinister forces; this game takes place in a guy's psyche, as he deals with his guilt for euthanizing his wife. You watch your sidekick in this adventure die a few times, each time she returns acting as if nothing's wrong, and the game goes on, because it adds to the "dreamlike" setting. From this point on, the games don't really correlate to each other. I don't want to play some guy's dream. I don't want to make it to the end to find out it wasn't real, that it was all a dream, or that the protagonist is schizophrenic or whatever. It's stupid storytelling and Team Silent basically screwed up their chance of making the series remarkable starting with this entry.… Expand
  96. Inlikeflynn
    Feb 1, 2014
    6
    Silent Hill 2 is overrated; I'm not saying is bad but I don't think is the best survival horror ever or the best Silent Hill game to that matter. The story of James Sunderland's quest for the truth about his wife has heart, but is not has touching has Harry's search for his daughter, not the mention the passing is unfocused and characters that, while interesting, play no importance to ourSilent Hill 2 is overrated; I'm not saying is bad but I don't think is the best survival horror ever or the best Silent Hill game to that matter. The story of James Sunderland's quest for the truth about his wife has heart, but is not has touching has Harry's search for his daughter, not the mention the passing is unfocused and characters that, while interesting, play no importance to our protagonist's journey, is very distracting. Art direction is phenomenal, music is excellent and gameplay is well incorporated for a survival horror. Silent Hill 2 is a good fallow up and I'm glad I played it but is not the best game in the series and the praise it gets makes me call it one of the most overrated titles of all time...… Expand
  97. Maneinarr
    Oct 26, 2015
    6
    I've enjoyed all Silent Hills to a degree. This is the one I enjoyed the less.

    As usual, because this is an old era game I will not discuss graphics. Gameplay is as good as any silent hill out there, except it is too easy... I never got scared of dying... yeap, not once (I always set games to maximum difficulty from the start to get the full experience) Story is good, but not    I've enjoyed all Silent Hills to a degree. This is the one I enjoyed the less.

    As usual, because this is an old era game I will not discuss graphics.

    Gameplay is as good as any silent hill out there, except it is too easy... I never got scared of dying... yeap, not once (I always set games to maximum difficulty from the start to get the full experience)

    Story is good, but not amazing. Also, it unfolds too late so you get the feeling of an "outstretched story".
    Also the game does little effort to inmerse you in silent hill... a thing that, done properly, it really gets your "what da **** is happening... I need more" mojo going, you know? After all Silent Hill is what horror games should be more about: atmosphere, fear factor, twisted psyques, suspense, mysteries. SH2 fails at creating suspense, the atmosphere is strong at first but loses intensity fast, there are no jump scares to trigger fear, but given there is no suspense you wouldn't jump even if there were some. The "crazyness" is well described of course... it's silent hill... even by mistake they would do it right anyway.

    Characters are bland as fu**, it's hard to relate with anyone there... from the bad guys to the good guys to anyone... I mean, to know what actually happens in James head is interesting, but the character himself is not... the secondary characters are totally whimsical and also seem to wander around silent hill almost unscathed, which, in my case, increases my disbilief and makes SH just a lonely town insted of hell's gate.

    Oh, and monster design. Most monsters were ugly, yes, but not scary ugly, but "weird" ugly, the only exception being of course Pyramid Head... Without pyramid head the game would go as down as 4 maybe...

    A mediocre SH in my opinion, but still a good horror game. You can never fail with SH    … Expand
  98. actinium
    Jul 19, 2021
    6
    / /
  99. Joeshadowman
    Jul 22, 2015
    5
    Silent Hill 2 has the best story a game has ever offered. I can honestly say that I have never cared as much about a games story as I have for Silent Hill 2's story. And I'm not much of a survivor horror fan, but this game knows how to make use the gameplay to perfection. Though, at times, I feel that the gameplay is the reason for why you will die, and that is my biggest problem with theSilent Hill 2 has the best story a game has ever offered. I can honestly say that I have never cared as much about a games story as I have for Silent Hill 2's story. And I'm not much of a survivor horror fan, but this game knows how to make use the gameplay to perfection. Though, at times, I feel that the gameplay is the reason for why you will die, and that is my biggest problem with the game. Look, the game is worth playing though once for it's story. But I can't go back to it. It is the right way to do a survival horror game, but the gameplay will keep me from playing it ever again. 5/10… Expand
  100. draemato
    Nov 13, 2022
    5
    Disappointment. Original Silent Hill is arguably better and much scarier. I never felt really nor interested not scared. Boring.
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Awards & Rankings

17
#17 Best PS2 Game of 2001
3
#3 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2001
6
#6 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2001

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
89

Generally favorable reviews - based on 34 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 31 out of 34
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 34
  3. Negative: 0 out of 34
  1. Core Magazine
    100
    While Silent Hill 2 retains the same basic format of the original, the story is decidedly more coherent and the graphics have been upgraded immeasurably.
    Read full review
  2. Playboy
    85
    Quite simply, mature PS2 owners craving a creepy game that's perfect for playing with the lights out and speakers cranked, pick up a copy of Silent Hill 2 and you will not be disappointed. Clean underwear not included.
    Read full review
  3. GamerWeb Sony
    90
    The game is one of the longer offerings Konami has offered on PS2 to date...[but] you'll still be left wanting more when the game is over.
    Read full review
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