Now THAT'S what I call scary! (Silent Hill 2 (PS2))

Member Name: MR.COATES

Product:	Silent Hill 2 (PS2)
Date:	10/12/01 (317 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Stunning graphics, superb story, Seriously disturbing soundtrack

Disadvantages: Repetitive for some (but not me!)

It’s not very often that you open a games magazine or catch a game advertisement that it makes you think ‘ooh’. Luckily history has proven to us that the run-up to Christmas tends to provide us with the cream of the year’s releases. Just take a look at the shelves of your local games store to confirm these latest releases: SSX Tricky, Jak and Daxter, Pro Evo, GTA 3, Tony Hawks 3 and this little beauty – Silent Hill 2.
Having very little experience/interest in these survival/horror types of games I wasn’t all that enthralled by the announcement of this title but as screens and information about it started to emerge I was beginning to become curious.

As James Sunderland you find yourself standing in a public convenience in Silent Hill. Which has a serious fog problem. Following the death of your wife you’re quite disturbed to receive a letter from her asking you to meet her in the rather spooky town. Letters from the beyond? Horrendously misty and creepy town? It really doesn’t look good so far for James……

Flippin’ fog:
Within minutes of starting you’ll find that you’re playing something very special indeed. The introductory cut scene blends brilliantly into the action and for a brief moment you’re not even sure that the game has begun. All of the characters (including those nasty critters that you’ll encounter) are incredibly lifelike with amazing facial appearance and movement. Some of the cut-scenes have that extra spit and polish appearance but Konami have been careful not to make the difference between FMV and game engine look to harsh.
‘That’ fog in SH2 is very impressive too. You could argue that it’s overused but it’s key to adding a ‘what’s around the next corner?’ feel to the proceedings. Mist swirls around you and at times you’ll even imagine that you’re seeing things when there’
s nothing there.

Inside buildings things don’t get any more warm and comforting – on comes the torch (again to superb effect) and even though the fog has gone the feeling of fear is probably worse than outside. As you venture into the apartment complex you’ll start to realise just how atmospheric this game can be – you really won’t believe just how eerie it all feels.

Did you hear that?
The sound within SH2 is the biggest factor in creating that horrible feeling of suspense and terror. Character voices are excellent with plenty of dialogue, the music is incredibly intense and at times makes you feel like the worst thing imaginable is about to happen (and then it doesn’t!).
Additionally there are the atmospheric sounds that are so subtle and yet so noticeable. At the very start of the game you are heading along a path and suddenly you hear something behind you – you quickly turn around and the noise stops. You start walking again – there it is, you DEFINITELY heard something that time.
What a bunch of downright evil swines must be working at Konami.

Lets walk:
You can select the Resident Evil Style 3D control method or opt for the 2D approach (which I found easier to use). As you walk around, especially within buildings, it can be crucial that you’re facing the right way and that you can move quickly. Running, walking and even looking are all on the agenda and precise movement is a must if you’re going to pick up certain objects – facing just slightly in the wrong direction will result in missing items and doors/holes.
On the whole the controlling method is spot on and the dual shock 2 pad’s vibration will really get your pulse going at the most evil of times.

Features:
Essentially Silent Hill 2 involves puzzle solving, exploration and a dash of monster killing thrown in for good measure. Despite that sounding like it could become dull
over time it really isn’t the case. If you’re on the easy difficulty levels then you’ll probably find it too easy but bear in mind that you can choose a difficulty level for the game (for medical packs, ammo etc) AND for the Puzzles. So you may wish to tweak those to your preference – the puzzle clues do vary quite well between the settings.

You've got several weapons to play with, maps, health packs and at times you'll need to use your brain to combine items in your posession to get what you want (you'll see!).

Guilty:
Despite only having a 15 certificate I can honestly say that I haven’t been this scared since playing Aliens V Predator on the PC and that is one seriously nerve-wracking experience. Just five minutes into the game and your heart will be pounding even if there’s nothing there to hurt you. The puzzles are rewarding, the story genuinely captivating (if a little warped) and despite those times when you want to turn it off, due to being scared!, you just can’t stop playing.

Resident Evil CVX was good but Silent Hill 2 wipes the floor with that as far as I’m concerned. It’s creepier, it’s just as gory and sounds a million times better.

This is easily in my top ten of PS2 games so far and with a beautiful two-disc DVD set this is an essential purchase for just about any gamesplayer.

9/10 (but five stars)

MR.COATES

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