Silent Hill 2: Restless Dreams

 Xbox
User Score
8.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 69 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 57 out of 69
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 69
  3. Negative: 9 out of 69
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. NicholasB.
    Mar 1, 2002
    10
    Great Graphics, great story, little disgusting but still great, though not as good as Halo.
  2. doodlerman
    Jun 12, 2011
    10
    Just as good as Silent Hill 2 on the PS2, but has a different scenario that is almost imperative to play. "Born from a Wish" is a must play and is considerably creepy seeing you have no flashlight or radio (two key tools used to survive in the normal story mode). Makes things interesting.
  3. raVen9
    May 12, 2020
    10
    When video games meet art...
    This ''game'' is not just a ''game'' actually. You must try this for the story. Game mechanics is too old for today but the story is top level.
  4. anywhere_is
    Jul 20, 2014
    7
    The PS2 version was superior in graphics and performance. Silent Hill 2 is the second best game in the series, behind 3. It has a decent story, great atmosphere, and amazing soundtrack. A must play for survival horror fans, but I would recommend the PC version.
  5. KevinM.
    Feb 17, 2002
    4
    This was a good game, but the monster bashing took away from what could have been a good puzzle game, Silent Hill definitely wins in that respect, the puzzles were much better.
  6. AlexK.
    Jan 23, 2002
    3
    The additional episode actually serves to degrade the value of the game's main story in my mind. By putting players in Maria's shoes, she becomes a sympathetic protagonist who exists on her own merits, which eliminates the interpretation that she is a part of James' personal experience in the town. Surprisingly I would recommend that PS2 version over this one. (P.S. The The additional episode actually serves to degrade the value of the game's main story in my mind. By putting players in Maria's shoes, she becomes a sympathetic protagonist who exists on her own merits, which eliminates the interpretation that she is a part of James' personal experience in the town. Surprisingly I would recommend that PS2 version over this one. (P.S. The central game is completely intact here and just as good as the PS2 version, which is really good.)… Expand
  7. LopsterPopster
    Mar 27, 2012
    8
    This was the first Silent Hill game I had access to, so I snatched up the opportunity. I'm so glad I did. I instantly fell in love with this game and the franchise after this. The storyline is great and has quite a twist at the end, the monsters were disturbing and unsettling (especially Pyramid Head for some reason), and I just had a blast playing this game. The part that probably scaredThis was the first Silent Hill game I had access to, so I snatched up the opportunity. I'm so glad I did. I instantly fell in love with this game and the franchise after this. The storyline is great and has quite a twist at the end, the monsters were disturbing and unsettling (especially Pyramid Head for some reason), and I just had a blast playing this game. The part that probably scared me the most? Running down the hall with Maria out of the hospital, and Pyramid Head emerges from around the corner. I threw my controller at the screen. I ended up killing Maria accidentally after that... oops. Great game, the atmosphere was even creepier than the first one. Still keeps me up at night sometimes... I feel like Pyramid Head lurks in my closet.… Expand
  8. CosmoG.
    Feb 9, 2002
    9
    Hot Title! Creepy Mood, Check it out!
  9. GraceS.
    Jan 20, 2004
    9
    It's high on scares, surprises and detail but it is also high in monotany. You'll quickly get annoyed at the dodgy camera angles and all you do with run through rooms finding keys and other random items. Not so tough if only the places weren't so dark and complex. Anyway Silent Hill 2 isn't just a horror game, it has excellent drama in it too. It's quite long but It's high on scares, surprises and detail but it is also high in monotany. You'll quickly get annoyed at the dodgy camera angles and all you do with run through rooms finding keys and other random items. Not so tough if only the places weren't so dark and complex. Anyway Silent Hill 2 isn't just a horror game, it has excellent drama in it too. It's quite long but not that long. You can also play as supporting character Maria in her own frightening scenario. The graphics are very realistic, especially the Baldwin Mansion. I loved staring at the lake at the beginning. The trek into town was made long on purpose to make you feel isolated. Silent Hill 2 is better than any horror movie I've seen. Buy this if you love a good scare! 10/10.… Expand
  10. RalphG.
    Dec 28, 2001
    10
    I just bought it. It's hellatight!!
  11. RandyM.
    Sep 16, 2006
    9
    Silent Hill 2: Restless Dreams has the power to utterly terrify you in ways you couldn't even imagine. With superb visuals, insanely creepy and subtle music and sound effects, and a good control scheme, Silent Hill 2: Restless Dreams will give you nightmares for months to come.
  12. GrahamM.
    Dec 29, 2002
    9
    This game is great but not as great as the original.
  13. GamerHorrorSpec
    Mar 25, 2017
    10
    USER REVIEW:
    The soundtrack is simply perfect, the gameplay conveys a sense of agony and the relationship of the enemies with the plot is incredible!
    Silent Hill 2 is a survival horror masterpiece, probably the best horror game ever! About Silent Hill 2: Restless Dreams, the first version of Xbox, the game is still perfect! In Restless Dreams, the game contains a secondary scenario,    USER REVIEW:
    The soundtrack is simply perfect, the gameplay conveys a sense of agony and the relationship of the enemies with the plot is incredible!
    Silent Hill 2 is a survival horror masterpiece, probably the best horror game ever!
    About Silent Hill 2: Restless Dreams, the first version of Xbox, the game is still perfect!
    In Restless Dreams, the game contains a secondary scenario, BORN FROM A WISH.
    It is only recommended to play it after the main campaign is finished.
    Nothing more to say... 10/10!    … Expand
  14. breadcrumbs97
    Aug 21, 2021
    10
    I have to admit, i've only ever played the first silent hill many years ago. Found this at a game store. I usually can't do horror games. As terrifying as this was, i was hooked. And ended up beating it. Great story, atmosphere and soundtrack. And i know that everyone says the ps2 version is superior, but nothing could take away from enjoying this masterpiece. And looks so damn good for aI have to admit, i've only ever played the first silent hill many years ago. Found this at a game store. I usually can't do horror games. As terrifying as this was, i was hooked. And ended up beating it. Great story, atmosphere and soundtrack. And i know that everyone says the ps2 version is superior, but nothing could take away from enjoying this masterpiece. And looks so damn good for a game that came out in 2001!… Expand
  15. Robertjohnsonss
    Feb 2, 2021
    10
    A representação dos medos de James e seus inimigos, sendo o próprio Pyyramid Head a representação dos desejos sexuais do personagem. A jogabilidade, puzzles, música... Uma obra prima, com a carta final de Mary tão emocionante ao ponto de fazer a dubladora da personagem chorar... Eu chorei, eu amei.... Perfeito

Awards & Rankings

8
#8 Best Xbox Game of 2001
6
#6 Most Discussed Xbox Game of 2001
3
#3 Most Shared Xbox Game of 2001

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
84

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
  1. Xbox Nation Magazine
    80
    Everything – even the most innocuous thing in SH2 is scary. Want to read a note on the wall? It’s written in scratchy, scary letters. Even the doors are scary looking. [Jan 2002, p.92]
  2. Electric Playground
    100
    In a game already so dark and visually menacing, the Xbox gives the phrase "jumping at your own shadow" a whole new shade of meaning.
    Read full review
  3. GameZone
    91
    The people who will enjoy Restless Dreams the most are the ones who already own the game for PlayStation 2 (myself included). Gamers who never played SH2 before will not be able to appreciate all of the subtle differences, but they will be able to appreciate the graphics and the gameplay just as much as everyone else.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »