There have been some incredible video game franchises that have been developed over the years, but there’s still frequent discussion that surrounds the Silent Hill series. There was a time where the survival horror video game genre was a niche subset of the industry, but thanks to series like Silent Hill and Resident Evil it’s grown into one of the most reliable and challenging varieties of games.
The Silent Hill series takes some stylistic leaps through its many entries, but the franchise’s first sequel, Silent Hill 2, is frequently viewed as a benchmark, not just for Silent Hill, but the survival horror genre as a whole. Silent Hill 2 is now 20 years old, but it’s still as effective as ever, and there are many reasons why it remains the apex of the genre.
10 Its Unflinching Approach To Depression & Psychological Horror
Silent Hill 2 excels above every other survival horror game because it’s just as interested in saddening the player as it is in scaring them. Silent Hill 2 is full of frightening visuals, but at its core, it’s a story about depression, grief, and loss. Silent Hill 2 puts suicide front and center and isn’t afraid to portray its protagonist, James Sunderland, in a damaging and honest light. Every Silent Hill game becomes a metaphor for reckoning with the past, but Silent Hill 2 bombards Harry with grim messages that underscore the futility of all of this.
9 It Introduces The World To Pyramid Head
There are a lot of reasons as to why a survival horror series connects with its audience, but often a creative bestiary of monsters is a solid way to impress players. The Resident Evil games have done well with horrifying beasts like Lickers, Hunters, and Nemesis, but the standout monstrosity from Silent Hill 2 trumps them all. Silent Hill 2’s Pyramid Head remains one of the most disturbing creations to come out of a video game. Other monsters, like Bubble Head Nurses, Lying Figures, and Abstract Daddies are also all nightmare fuel.
8 It Creates Real, Empathetic, Flawed Characters
Protagonists have come a long way in video games, but there’s still a tendency for main characters to be bastions of courage and honor. Silent Hill 2 is such a breath of fresh air because not only is James Sunderland completely normal, but he’s also flawed and unconventional.
The player wrestles with James’ decisions, and they hit harder because it’s so difficult to get a read on his mental state. This only becomes more palpable through his relationship with Mary and Maria, where he’s left on the defensive and often doesn’t feel like a hero.
7 The Conditions To Trigger Different Endings
Other survival horror games focus on benign elements like how often the player dies, saves, or how long they take. Silent Hill 2 features radically different endings that are based on James’ mental state. For instance, the "In Water" ending is achieved if James acts suicidal throughout the game by neglecting his health and examining the inventory item of Angela's knife. The "Maria" ending occurs if James increases his time spent with Maria, and the "Leave" conclusion is if James acts "stable" through the adventure. The requirements for the non-canonical endings are even more nebulous in nature.
6 It's A Sequel That Features An Original Story
The majority of sequels pick up from the ending of their predecessor, sometimes with the same characters, or new additions to the team. Resident Evil’s series has grown increasingly complex because of the many characters and their relationships that it mixes together. It might not seem like a groundbreaking choice now, but Silent Hill 2 finds freedom in moving past Harry Mason’s story and instead telling a new haunting tale in Silent Hill. There are subtle nods to the original game, but Silent Hill 2 benefits from being able to forge its own path.
5 The Haunting Soundtrack & Sound Design
Music and sound design are essential elements of video games, especially in a genre that’s as atmospheric as survival horror. Silent Hill 2’s score is put together by Akira Yamaoka, with his music finding the perfect balance that emphasizes the eerie attitude of the community.
The sound design knows exactly when to strike and how the sounds of enemies in the distance can be even more frightening than something that’s up close and personal. All of this improves upon the game’s aesthetic, but there are even different end credits songs that are used for the respective alternate endings.
4 It Doesn't Force An Unnecessary Combat System
Survival horror has steadily been invaded by action elements, but that wouldn’t be possible if there wasn’t a basic combat system to build upon. Some survival horror series like Resident Evil, Dead Space, and Alone in the Dark make combat a fundamental aspect of the experience, but it’s always been a bit more of an afterthought in Silent Hill. Combat and weapons exist in Silent Hill 2, but they’re not the priority, and it’s left up to the player to determine how much they engage with it. There’s even a toggle setting to reduce the game’s “action” elements.
3 Its Approach To Different Difficulty Settings
Survival horror games can be immersive, frightening experiences, which also means that they can alienate certain gamers who are too timid. Alternatively, some gamers love a good scare but don’t have a strong capacity for puzzles or action. Silent Hill 2 involves a nuanced difficulty system that’s broken up into Action (Beginner, Easy, Normal, Hard) and Riddle (Easy, Normal, Hard, and Extra Riddle) where the players can cater the game to their strengths or make it extra challenging for themselves. It allows more flexibility than a generalized Normal and Hard mode.
2 It Creates Genuine Tension & Fear
There are plenty of survival horror games that think hordes of enemies are the best way to be scary, but a lot of the time, less is more. Silent Hill 2 is more about atmosphere and getting under the audience’s skin. Every time a new location is encountered or a character begins to speak, there’s a sense of dread that’s palpable. The game’s final act at the Lakeview Hotel especially messes with the audience’s head and makes it unclear what should be trusted. James’ deteriorating grasp on what’s going on is genuinely unnerving.
1 The Wild, Different Endings That Don't Take Themselves Too Seriously
Silent Hill 2 can be a grueling experience, but the game finds a way to insert some unexpected levity that speaks to how the horror genre can often be ridiculous and absurd just as much as it’s frightening. Silent Hill 2 involves two non-canonical comical endings, one that involves a dog as the mastermind behind the entire experience and another that involves an alien abduction. These bizarre left turn conclusions have become staples in the Silent Hill series, but they hit especially hard after the gauntlet of Silent Hill 2. It knows how to poke fun at itself.