Silent Hill 2

"This isn't Survival Horror... this is PURE Horror!!!"

Since I found out that this great game is coming out for the PC, I followed every announcement and reports and previews before this game was finally released so I ran out and bought this game and guess what happened... I'm shaking like I've never before and I'm shedding tears from the beauty of this game... so here's my review after finishing the game:

Graphics:
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Marvelous! just great! the shadow effects are top notch (next to Splinter Cell of course :p) and you're going to love every moment of the graphics in this game. The streets of Silent Hill are always full of fog that you can only see a few feet in front of you. the indoor environments are also top notch and are one of the scariest environments you've ever seen. Mr. James Sunderland and other characters are also so life like that draw you into the game. you'll always be shaking and scared throughout the whole game and never rest until you turn the game off... and let's not forget that the FMV
sequences are some of the best in the business and are so life like that keep you staring and starting to finally realize that they are 3d models not actual people doing these sequences.

Results: 10/10

Sound:
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now let me make this straight for you ... if you turn off your speakers or mute the game, you may think you're playing a normal game with nothing to look at or even pay attention to as if it's a kiddy game ( of course if you don't count the adult sequences and all the blood and gore
and monsters and zombies and bloody knives and the all the actions that happen in the game :)this game is living on it's sound effects and music so if they weren't good enough, then this game wouldn't have taken this score from me that easily. The sound effects and specially the moody
music will draw you into the horror of the world you're playing in and make you realize that this game is certainly not for people who are scared easily....never...the sounds are THE best in this
category of games.

Results: 10/10

Controls:
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The controls are pretty obvious... if you've played any of the Resident Evil series then you already know what to do in the controls area.and it fits the case well I should say. very practical and easy to learn.

Results: 10/10

Gameplay:
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This part of the game is where it shines (after it's sound and music part). the whole game is based in a town called Silent Hill but then it turns out to become a Silent Hell and you are out looking for your presumably dead wife who died a few years ago but you've received a letter from
her telling you to come to this town looking for her and the rest is up to you to find out. I really should say the story is engaging and pretty spectacular specially when it reaches its climate towards the end of the game. I really loved it. You should already know by now that this game is really REALLY scary in some parts if not all and will keep you coming back for more although you're scared as
hell form playing it the last time. it's also got multiple endings which should make you busy for a while. the only problem is that the game may seem short to some people(about the length of Resident Evil 2 or 3). There is also puzzle solving in the game which should take a bit of your
time. The story may seem a bit vague at times but you'll often know what's going on.

Results: 9/10

CONCLUSION:
This game is a must have for any horror game fans. be aware that this game doesn't have the shocks and sudden jumpiness of the Resident Evil series and it's a type that'll always keep you moody and shaking and curious. some of the exploring may also get tiring. the story is really great with some vague parts and the sounds and graphics rock especially if you have a hi-end system
but on normal PCs it'll also do pretty great. Enjoy!

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 02/23/03, Updated 02/23/03