Silent Hill
Silent Hill for many gamers this name calls forth frightening images of dark hallways and horrific monsters. In the past Silent Hill was one of the best of it's genre, but is that true today? We will be finding out today by comparing a past Silent Hill game with a newer Silent Hill game and see how they stack up both by themselves and against each other. We will be comparing and reviewing Silent Hill Homecoming as the newer game.
Lets start with the past Silent Hill 2 what some would consider the height of Silent Hills Gaming glory but is it? Lets find out.
Lets start with the past Silent Hill 2 what some would consider the height of Silent Hills Gaming glory but is it? Lets find out.
Silent hill 2 review
Silent Hill 2 first off lets have a look at Silent Hill 2's graphics keeping in mind that this game is eleven years old. Looking at it today it still looks amazing the character designs still look clean and the world is full of detail the town feels like a real town the fog rolls and shifts as you move swirling realistically, the fog blocks your view and helps to create atmosphere and up tension as you explore and helps to up the fear level. The creature designs and textures are detailed and diverse as well bringing each one to life with realistic animations diverse attacks. All this put together adds up to the overall feel and look of the game. Character animations run smooth and the noise effect on the screen that gives silent hill its "gritty" look softening the sharp details and making the game even more unsettling. The flashlight adds even more amazing effects with shadows playing off objects light gleaming off monsters shiny bodies and windows even casting shadows off nearly any object.
Next is sound the sound effects in the game sound good overall, voice acting is well done. Creature sound effects and noises are sharp and well done adding to the creepy feel, radio noise, footsteps, even sounds of doors opening will have you jumping. The games music is powerful and fits so wonderfully into the game and evokes such a strong emotional reaction from players the music composed in this game is powerful. Every sound effect is crisp sharp and will have you jumping out of your seat, whether it's the sound of the radio growing louder as a monster stalks down a dark hall way, or the swelling creepy music, the echoing sounds of monsters cries in the distance it all sounds great and works in perfect harmony.
Story and gameplay the plot in Silent Hill 2 is deep and complex filled with symbolism everything has meaning from the creature designs right down to the wallpaper in some rooms (I'm not joking.) Silent Hill 2 is a tragic story of James Sunderland and his search for his wife Mary who died three years before of an illness, we follow James through Silent Hill path after he has been led to Silent Hill by a strange note written in his dead wife's hand writing. telling James that shes waiting for him in their "Special Place." Silent Hill 2's plot has almost nothing to do with the first game, in most respects this is a good thing. SH2's story is more then deep enough and rich enough to stand on it's own.
The game play in SH2 is not as action oriented as some games are and is a bit slower paced but there is enough action to keep it fun and a good variety of weapons for you to use throughout the game, as well as a few tools which you will want to use. Those tools being mainly your radio and flashlight. The flashlight is an essential tool but must be used wisely because while it is needed to see and to read your map the Monsters can see it as well and will be drawn to it. Leaving you with a choice of being able to see and be seen, or trying to sneak past monsters without a fight.
The radio on the other hand is an item you will always want on the radio will emit static whenever a monster draws near letting you know there is danger. Besides running around and hitting monsters with a steel pipe you will also be faced with challenging and creepy puzzles throughout the game. As you explore the town of Silent Hill the game does an amazing job at not feeling like you are confined to a game. You will freely walk around the town through the fog and feel as if you are trapped in the town rather then just playing a game. Though not everything is perfect in this game. The controls can be hard to use and get use to, though I like the old 'tank' style controls they could be better. and the storyline is decidedly dark and is very much not recommended for kids.
Overall this game is impressive its graphics hold up even today, multiple endings with very complex ways of getting them depending on how you play and other factors, deep dark storyline will keep you coming back again to catch things you missed the first time through and to get different endings. There are even a few special items to collect after you beat the game. So with all this said and even with a few minor flaws and after around eleven years Silent Hill 2 still holds it's own and is simply a great game. Highly recommended to be played after dark with the lights out.
Next is sound the sound effects in the game sound good overall, voice acting is well done. Creature sound effects and noises are sharp and well done adding to the creepy feel, radio noise, footsteps, even sounds of doors opening will have you jumping. The games music is powerful and fits so wonderfully into the game and evokes such a strong emotional reaction from players the music composed in this game is powerful. Every sound effect is crisp sharp and will have you jumping out of your seat, whether it's the sound of the radio growing louder as a monster stalks down a dark hall way, or the swelling creepy music, the echoing sounds of monsters cries in the distance it all sounds great and works in perfect harmony.
Story and gameplay the plot in Silent Hill 2 is deep and complex filled with symbolism everything has meaning from the creature designs right down to the wallpaper in some rooms (I'm not joking.) Silent Hill 2 is a tragic story of James Sunderland and his search for his wife Mary who died three years before of an illness, we follow James through Silent Hill path after he has been led to Silent Hill by a strange note written in his dead wife's hand writing. telling James that shes waiting for him in their "Special Place." Silent Hill 2's plot has almost nothing to do with the first game, in most respects this is a good thing. SH2's story is more then deep enough and rich enough to stand on it's own.
The game play in SH2 is not as action oriented as some games are and is a bit slower paced but there is enough action to keep it fun and a good variety of weapons for you to use throughout the game, as well as a few tools which you will want to use. Those tools being mainly your radio and flashlight. The flashlight is an essential tool but must be used wisely because while it is needed to see and to read your map the Monsters can see it as well and will be drawn to it. Leaving you with a choice of being able to see and be seen, or trying to sneak past monsters without a fight.
The radio on the other hand is an item you will always want on the radio will emit static whenever a monster draws near letting you know there is danger. Besides running around and hitting monsters with a steel pipe you will also be faced with challenging and creepy puzzles throughout the game. As you explore the town of Silent Hill the game does an amazing job at not feeling like you are confined to a game. You will freely walk around the town through the fog and feel as if you are trapped in the town rather then just playing a game. Though not everything is perfect in this game. The controls can be hard to use and get use to, though I like the old 'tank' style controls they could be better. and the storyline is decidedly dark and is very much not recommended for kids.
Overall this game is impressive its graphics hold up even today, multiple endings with very complex ways of getting them depending on how you play and other factors, deep dark storyline will keep you coming back again to catch things you missed the first time through and to get different endings. There are even a few special items to collect after you beat the game. So with all this said and even with a few minor flaws and after around eleven years Silent Hill 2 still holds it's own and is simply a great game. Highly recommended to be played after dark with the lights out.
Rating
Silent Hill 2
9.5 out of 10.
9.5 out of 10.