NO, I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THE REMAKE! Hope you enjoyed the video. Lock worked very hard to get this one out on time for the event while everyone is thinking/talking about Silent Hill 2 :)
If you want to dive deeper into the ideas and concepts of the game check out th-cam.com/users/ReinstallPaul and th-cam.com/channels/j8orMezFWVcoN-4S545Wtw.html
The scene with Angela on the stairs of fire is one of the most powerful scenes in any game period. Especially when she turn to James and says "For me its always like this".
I personally agree. Outside of the tail end, this is the part I think about a lot. Angela’s whole arc is just extremely dark and I arguably feel worse for her compared to James since that’s the last time you see her.
Silent Hill Is a version of hell in another realm. I didn't understand it at the time when I played it I was in my 20's back then. Everyone comes there to face judgement. Seems like all the characters you meet there are stuck in a continuous loop.
Now in 4k. Burn us through the screen.. I don't know if gamers of today will get it. But It deals with real life problems. So I hope they will be frightened and love it. Boober gets the chance at a easy home run. Medium wad test run I'm afraid 😆
“Even momma said it…I deserved what happened to me” That line, and it’s delivery, really gets me. Amazing and misunderstood voice acting this game has!
I think they chose 2 because that’s where the games started to get popular, I heard the first silent hill for the ps1 isn’t as popular, but that’s just what I heard
When recording Mary's letter at the end of the game, her actress actually started to break into tears. Her mother died of an illness and the letter was a little too real to her. They recorded more takes after that one, but the first one was the most genuine, so that's the one they ended up using.
James'actor was also going through a tough divorce at the time, so he poured that suffering into his voice, sometimes even unintentionally. It's like all the planets aligned to make this game as good as possible.
@@trippyskullz6669 yeah no I didn’t discredit that or shit on it I just think it’s stupid when all these people are like”woah it’s crazy you decided to upload when the topic of the video is trending”
@@-my4skinwastakeninasickjew426 or a guy making TH-cam videos had a list of topics to choose from and saw the silent hill announcement and decided to go with a silent hill video because it would perform better in terms of views due to the silent hill buzz
When I first played SH2 it was during a time I was in a really dark place, depressed, suicidal and I just wasn’t doing great, but playing this game it really got to me in a way no other game really has before, it really is a special game, and even with how dark and depressing the overall story really is, I think that’s what really resonated with me, I love the story, characters, the music, the atmosphere, it’s my favourite horror title ever, I love all the details, how the enemies are tied to James and his emotions, it’s all very psychological and it’s really interesting. I hope the remake lives up to the original and they do it justice.
Same thing man. Silent Hill is better than therapy in my opinion. It helps you feel a little more sane in your head. Or at least comforts you so you don’t feel alone. It also made me rethink my life a lot and I did a lot of self reflections and it made me a better person I think.
@@tycobeyurness7823 right? I think that’s what I’ve always loved about all the Silent Hill games, for the most part they almost make the dark, depressing side of life into a world that can be lived in and also I guess kind of fixed? As with the ending of SH2 and how James comes out of it. At the time it really made me look at my depression in a different way which ultimately I think helped me in one way or another. Truly a masterpiece series.
I don't think we have had a game as thought provoking in the horror genre since this. The closest is probably SOMA. It nails the human psyche so well. James is such a complicated yet likable character.
I feel like Spec Ops: The Line would fall into that category. Even tho it's an action game, it still plays a lot into psychological horror, similar to Silent Hill 2.
@@HustlerOne01 spec ops the line shook me honestly, i was expecting a basic game to play while chilling on discord w some friends but damn, that game was amazing
15:07 SPOILERS: I think the save method (red squares) has to do with James having to piece himself together one by one through the game. Remember the save location right before the Double Pyramid head boss fight? It's the only time that a bunch of those red squares are together which form a big square, symbolizing James' final realization
I'm not sure if anyone else has mentioned it but fun fact: If you try to read Mary's letter after the Eddie boss fight you'll see it's just a blank page now
Hey man, I noticed that despite you having the PS2 edition of the game, the gameplay shown is from the HD collection, one which contains A LOT of visual and audio bugs and graphical DOWNGRADES. If you bought the ps2 version but played the HD edition this also might explain why you think the fog worked as a wall. You can find more information on the HD collection online and you'll see just how bad they messed up
I literally shed tears during the premiere of the remake trailer. Those around me didn't understand why, but as a 30-year-old man living with deep regret, guilt and mental illness, SH2's story of a quietly self-condemned person, drowning in grief and denial, heading to a place in his life where confronting his reality means life-or-death, means the world to me. The remake looks to stay true to that vision.
I unfortunately have no faith in Konami and expect them to screw it up some way. I hope I'm pleasantly surprised because SH2 is one of my all time favourites.
The voice acting is phenomenal. I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but the creators made the acting intentional to convey the story better. It’s especially well done for Maria and Mary as their the same person however the actress was able to flip the switch in an instant. Maria’s cell scene is the best example.
It's amazing to hear someone talking about getting used to tank controles, I'm so used to them I don't even think about it! I was 5 when I played Resident Evil 2 in 1998, my first Survival Horror game. Please, keep on playing those gems, you'll not be disappointed!!
I’ve suffered from depression and anxiety disorder for most of my life, and this game spoke to me profoundly - in particular, the visual and auditory representation of mental illness. I can’t relate to the killing of my wife. But the visual imagery of James fumbling through the darkness, not being able to see clearly, twisted demons representing inner demons trying to kill you - the grime, the filth, the isolation - I found it all so relatable to my mental struggles. And don’t event get me started on the music. Basically the quintessential soundtrack depicting depression, anxiety, isolation, and terror. No piece of art has quite captured and portrayed my struggle with mental illness quite like silent hill 2. I found it oddly comforting, in a macabre sort of way.
The reason why Silent Hill 2 it became a classic is because eventually people began to see how unique, eerie, melancholic and authentic the game's atmosphere it really is, and took the time to enjoy its deeply thoughtful narrative and symbolism. To this day it’s by far one of, if not the most mature examination of grief, sexual trauma, suicide, and morality all combined. It’s an intelligent game that does not hold anyone’s hand and comes at the player with utmost confidence in itself. It’s fantastic stuff. The rest of the original 4 are great in their own right and have their own well written stories, but they don’t hold the same emotional weight to them. I think SH2’s maturity by comparison is something that a lot of people are drawn to. ☯️
By the way. The tank controls practically disappear if you go to the options and change the control to 3D to 2D, i played the game in that way and was very much comfortable and i recommend to play it that way
To be honest my first playtime was...average 🙂 Silent Hill 1 was the best for me (at the time). Silent Hill 2 was not even scary for me. I don't know why. Maybe because PC port was not so good. I've discovered full potencial of Silent Hill 2 over time. It's a great game!
@@DaltonGoesSlow Yeah. I love SH1 and SH2 but SH1 was definitely more scarier and has more of a 'pure horror' sense to it compared to SH2 which was less scary but had a more abandoned / lonely feel to it. Combat also plays a role and I definitely found SH2 combat to be way easier and you could pretty much mow down enemies with a wooden plank any day unless its one of the tough enemies like abstract daddy for example
@@rlfpotatoking9253 sh2 on normal/normal was the first game my friend ever beat, the story kept her interested. The gameplay in 2 is really easy, don't think she could have beaten 1 or 3. Do like those games better but I knew it was better to recommend 2 first
The story and atmosphere have aged amazingly. My only issue is the abstract daddy becoming a common enemy which takes away from its initial fight. I pray the remake does it justice. The game's story is timeless imo.
@@stephenthedude4383 I guess you could say that but it definitely lessens the impact of the creature. We never see enemies themed around Eddie when he is close though.
@@golemofwill4728 Yeah, what I wish the remake would do is expand Angela's and Eddie's segments, and perhaps give Eddie his own monster. I think it would do the remake good to introduce a few new monsters. Silent Hill 2, while featuring some of the staple monsters of the franchise, had a pretty bare bestiary compared to its siblings. If the remake can't replicate the mystique and charm of the original, I at least hope they can give it better gameplay.
After finally playing Silent Hill 2 and beating it two years ago, the experience was just amazing and left me thinking about the game months after finishing it. It's a game worth playing or replaying indeed & now with a remake literally just announced, We SH fans get to finally get something tangible gaming wise and not no damn 🎰 slot machines lol..
It’s one of the few games that make you feel a certain type of way and can’t stop thinking about the overall experience. Very rare to have that kind of experience.
@@Chico18124 Yeah definitely, I beat it for the first time about three weeks back and I still find myself thinking about it. At first I wasn't that into it, but the gameplay was surprisingly solid for a 2001 survival horror game and I was intrigued by the mystery enough to stick with it. By the end I was gripped.
Slight correction, James and Laura aren't visiting Mary's grave, it was actually confirmed by the devs that her body was in the back of James car the whole time.
The little girl Laura tells James she received a letter from Mary wishing her happy birthday. Her birthday was a week prior to the game. Laura was with Mary till her final days.
Great video! Silent Hill 2 was one of those games I had heard great things about for ages. I finally got around to playing it for the first time a few years ago. I was floored by how well it holds up. So damn creepy and thought provoking. It feels like everything has a purpose.
Honestly the tank controls are fine, after a few minutes it becomes normal. Also people NEVER EVER mention you can press L2 for the search camera to negate fixed camera angles lol. Like it makes it basically over the shoulder and tracks the player and allowed you to look around with the right analog stick too.
There's also literally an option to turn off tank controls and just have the directions correspond to the screen instead of the character. But it's on the "secret" option screen you have to press one of the shoulder buttons to get to.
Tank controls aren't bad. What's bad is the melee combat, till u get the pipe at least. I kept getting cheap damage due to James being unable ho hit the enemy properly.
Yeah, it makes me wonder if people who say the game is fixed camera have actually played it recently? Probably not considering how hard it is to attain a copy, but still.
It always makes me happy to see someone else feel the same heartache I felt when I first played this masterpiece as a kid. I feel you man. Lets cry it out
The reason why Silent Hill 2 it became a classic is because eventually people began to see how unique, eerie, melancholic and authentic the game's atmosphere it really is, and took the time to enjoy its deeply thoughtful narrative and symbolism. To this day it’s by far one of, if not the most mature examination of grief, sexual trauma, suicide, and morality all combined. It’s an intelligent game that does not hold anyone’s hand and comes at the player with utmost confidence in itself. It’s fantastic stuff. The rest of the original 4 are great in their own right and have their own well written stories, but they don’t hold the same emotional weight to them. I think SH2’s maturity by comparison is something that a lot of people are drawn to. ☯️
45:25 There is a hint on Laura's letter suggesting it happened just a week previously the scene and not all those years ago. I love those subtle hints. Every time a play this game I catch some new nuances and that is why I love this game so much.
A beautiful declaration of love for this important classic! everyone who played through the game back on the PS2 listens to you and smiles in agreement.
The legend goes the actor who played James brought his daughter in to play Laura and they like his nervousness.. it was his first time acting ..which his stilted and disconnected acting add to the vibe of the game
Wow dude, you were barely six back in 2001?? I was 18 years old and got to personally enjoy this game, the very first Devil May Cry game and then Metal Gear Solid 2 Sons of Liberty. Playing this game back when I was a teenager for the very first time really made me think about life and possibly having to struggle someday with the loss of loved ones that were very important to us. MGS 2 made me think about time, and how fast we were racing into the future and things like the internet were close to becoming way more advanced like it is now where we use it for everything, phones were also advancing too. I have nieces and a nephew that were close to your age when this game first came out and when I would be playing Silent Hill 2 and Metal Gear Solid 2, they would sit still and not jump up and down going nuts as they were totally invested in me playing those masterpieces. They still bring up those memories from time to time and tell me that it’s some of their greatest happiest memories ☺️.
I’m so worried for the remake. In the original he was apathetic, not caring of ‘if it’s dangerous or not’ and being generally void of emotion or feeling. It was SO IMPORTANT to his mental state and made the character so good. In the remake trailer he’s screaming, crying, breaking down. I hope they don’t humanise him too much, because in the original he was pretty dead inside A little emotion is fine, but please for the love of god don’t hollywood-ise James 😂
Had the same feeling. In the original game he is really going through some form of derealization, like he's losing contact with reality. If he starts to act desperate, showing emotions like fear, it shows that he's still pretty much sane. You can't deal with Silent Hill if you're sane at all, losing part of your mind to deal with the monsters and the logic of the world is important. The sane, that are in denial and fighting to survive, perish. You have to be insane and fight for redemption.
@@SrThanatos010 absolutely. He is detached from reality, which is obvious considering he murdered his wife only days before coming to silent hill and he thinks it’s been years. That and the fact the devs confirmed she was actually in his backseat the whole time!
SH2 has a good number of really uncanny, weird, unnatural moments that are either very deliberate and genius, or beautiful accidents (I put some of the VO delivery in this category) and they are GREAT at putting the player on edge - never sure if the narrative is reliable. If the remake can capture that, it will be golden, imo.
I DO miss manuals inside the package. I have no idea how much money is saved by not having them, but just like vinyl albums covers and sleeves, game manuals add so much to the experience. Being able to read about the game while it installs (like the original Fallout) or just having it as a resource, game manuals bring back great memories for me. Especially for NES games and PS1/PS2 games. It's the little things that people always remember. I wish all entertainment companies would understand that. Stepping over dollars to get pennies.
@@retrorebound8887 Just for clarification, I meant the Devs and Publishers save a bunch of money by not printing manuals. I appreciate a collector who searches for complete copies. And ur right, it's crazy how's much it costs to get those manuals for a collection! Thanks for the videos Matty!
Glad to hear how much you appreciated this game. Definitely one of my all time favs and had a huge impact on me when it came out. The whole story felt very adult and it really stays with you. Great job covering it so in depth with your thoughts.
I got the black label one recently in a local find and love it. Wouldn't have expected the additional content to be in the greatest hits version since it's cheaper but it makes sense due to additions after initial release
I remember getting this game from Fred Meyer in 9th grade and playing it during the fall/winter of that year. I can vividly remember so much about this game, despite having last played it 20 years ago. Glad you enjoyed it.
Loved seeing someone analyzing the game and being so enthusiastic about it after playing it for the first time. I'm a long time fan of this entry and the series, and I thoroughly enjoyed hearing your thoughts.
The reason why Silent Hill 2 it became a classic is because eventually people began to see how unique, eerie, melancholic and authentic the game's atmosphere it really is, and took the time to enjoy its deeply thoughtful narrative and symbolism. To this day it’s by far one of, if not the most mature examination of grief, sexual trauma, suicide, and morality all combined. It’s an intelligent game that does not hold anyone’s hand and comes at the player with utmost confidence in itself. It’s fantastic stuff. The rest of the original 4 are great in their own right and have their own well written stories, but they don’t hold the same emotional weight to them. I think SH2’s maturity by comparison is something that a lot of people are drawn to. ☯️
Back in the 2000s I was always on this silent hill forum. The amount of talk about the story and symbolism in this game was tremendous. I actually prefer SH3 but I can't deny the story telling is fantastic here.
I made the mistake(?) of playing Silent Hill 2 before 1 and 3 so the latter two just couldn't compare by the time I got to them. With 1 it's more understandable because it was the series' first entry on PS1, but the writing in 3 (both dialogue and story) is just such a huge step back from 2 imo. I haven't played 4 yet. I don't like that they made the guns a lot weaker in 3 either. In 1 and 2 you could kill most weak enemies with 3-5 handgun shots on normal, whereas in 3 the weaker enemies often take double that, forcing you to use melee more often. That wouldn't be a problem on it's own, if not for the other thing I don't like about 3 (and 1) - the enemies are all much faster than they are in 2. I found melee a lot easier to use in 2 just because the three most common enemies (no-arms-thing, mannequin and nurse) all moved so slowly, giving you a lot more breathing room to time your swing.
@@yewtewbstew547 SH3 wasn't supposed to have the story we know, the devs wrote another one, but it was so dark that Konami didn't accept it and they had to come up with a new one quickly.
@@yewtewbstew547 - Silent Hill 3 is the best one! I love Valtiel and the lore. Heather is awesome! Most fans love 3 the most! Get and play 4! The ROOM is an amazing experience too!
Silent Hill 2 has my favorite detail in it in any game I’ve ever played. After James plays the videotape where you find out what happened to Mary, the letter from Mary in your inventory disappears because it never actually existed…
Great review man! Yeah James’s corpse shows up in a bunch of places in the game, like in front of the tv with the static when the corpse has a plaid shirt it’s also him. I highly recommend aesiraesthetics and thegamingmuse videos on the series if you want to go further down the rabbit hole :)
Great game, interesting to hear a first timers perspective. I'm curious as to why the footage is from the HD collection? was it easier to capture from a hd console? I know its never mentioned in the video but I can tell the differences between the xb/ps2 version and the hd port. obvious giveaway is the streets are too clean.
You can change the controls to 2D, which makes controlling James a lot easier. Just finished this for the first time. I was quite confused but it made me think a lot, and after reading up on some explanations and stuff, it makes a lot more sense and I’m quite impressed at how well thought out the narrative of this game is.
Coming from someone that day-one'd SH1 shortly after turning 19 it's kind of mind blowing to hear you were 6 when SH2 came out LOL That said, the stories are absolutely amazing, and like all great art, transcend time. Lastly, speaking as someone that has battled with anxiety since before you were born, I wish you strength.
Exactly! I beat SH1 in 1999 when I was 17. Then got SH2 in college and beat it in my dorm room. It's weird to hear people say they NEVER played a tank control game. I don't feel old...
I played silent hill 1 for the first time in 20 years a few weeks ago. The flashlight glow was fantastic and there was a section where rain was falling on a sandy street. The rain drops wet the sand. It was such a good effect for the time. Honestly these games just need a touch up and to be readily available on new generations
I barely ever comment on a video, but Matty this video deserves all my respect. I adore SH2 and seen many-a retrospective/video-essay on this game. Your take was fresh and interesting and reminded me why I love this game and that you have a good "voice" in the whole videogame-youtube-discours. I might not watch every single video you put out, but when I do, it's always a cozy time with my morning brew. Cheers!
This is actually an excellent breakdown. You appreciate the symbolism, the themes, and the subtlety of the presentation. I got flamed for pointing out how the remake trailer seems to abandon some of those things, but I think you would agree with me that James’s heavy handing emoting in the remake trailer damages what made the original so powerful. You get a sub for this.
Matty, I've also struggled with hypochondria. It started in my early-mid 20s and was so bad that I was getting all these tests I didn't need. It was a really rough number of years. It has since eased a lot but I still have my triggers. Certain health subjects I try to stay away from altogether. Great review, Matty. This game is a classic.
I saw the black label box and I was screaming internally until you showed the red label disc. For anyone that doesn’t know: the Greatest Hit version is basically version 1.2, it fixed a bunch of bugs, added new game plus content, a new ending and a new scenario.
Wow, crazy timing! Silent hill 2 is my favorite silent hill game, but, 1 and 3 are high on my list as well. I really enjoy the cult lore of 1 and 3. Imo, I feel like the silent hill franchise does some of the best, if not the best Cult horror/lore. Thanks for the upload. This popped up in my feed today. 💜🤝
The tank controlls make you feel helpless, and it definitely adds to the gameplay. The damage you take is never so insane that you can't make a mistake but you always feel like you're going to die at any moment.
Tank controls are much easier to work with if you use the D-pad. If it's not a control scheme you're used to or have played for years it would definitely take some getting used to. I think some versions of SH2 have 2-D stick controls, but it can be disorienting when trying to move forward during a camera switch. SH3 has the option of 2-D controls as well. Anyway, overall great takes and it makes me happy to see that people who didn't get to experience it when it was new can still enjoy SH2 and appreciate just how amazing it is even in modern times.
You do not have to play the game with tank controls. In the options menu you can change the controls from 3D to 2D and it makes it so it isn't tank controls for movement. You lose strafing, but gain full movement of James.
I find it amazingly coincidental that I became a fan only 4-5 months ago through the deep dives of TheGamingBritShow’s TH-cam channel. Downloaded and beat SH2 three weeks ago and now unlike the fans waiting 10 years I only have to wait most likely 2, for the most amazing sequel remake of all time. For some reason I have faith in Konami even tho his latest track record hasn’t been the best. I’m just so hyped!!!!
Silent Hill 2 is amazing, and always love it when new players discover it for themselves and gain a love and appreciation for what is essentially a one of a kind experience. It's not the most intricate in terms of combat, its puzzles run on "Poing'n'Click Adventure Game" logic, and it's linear as hell, but the way it utilizes its gameplay elements expertly (intentional or not) to tell the story and make you FEEL like you are James struggling through town is just masterful. While I no longer get proper scared while playing this game due to how much I've played it (maybe nervous or a little unsettled, but never full on scared), I find it calming now while entrenching myself in its melancholic, atmospheric realm of loss, decay, and mental anguish. For me it'll always be this beautifully tragic story about a very complicated man trying to find answers that I, and many other players, will have the privilege to explore and get lost in, both literally and metaphorically. It's a proud piece in my collection, in my personal top 45 favorite games of all time, and the GH version of the game is the only "purest" version that matters... well, unless the remake of SH2 ends up actually being better in every way, but that's very uncertain at the moment.
Good timing hahaha. SH 2 was one of my favorite games ever, I played it for the first time last year, and it really has left an impression that I think about more often than most video games. Glad to see others enjoying it just as much today as it was 20 years ago.
I stayed up and beat this with my best friend right before she died. So once a year I will play through it just…for memories. Oddly my mom and I finished part 3.
i miss the old days when games would come w that manual booklet in the game and had all that art and you would glance thru it before you started the game
The GameCube remake of Resident Evil 1 is incredible, anyone would recommend that version over ps1. But with both RE2 and especially RE3, the remakes are their own games that mix things up and aren't concerned with being faithful. They're great games but they're both quite different from the games they're based on, and I'd highly recommend both the PS1 Resident Evil 2 and (if you can get your hands on it) Dreamcast RE3.
This is my favorite game of all time... Played through it dam near a hundred times game is a speed runners dream to. Only thing I worry about the most is the atmosphere getting affected by being modernized... I'm still hopeful but those graphics back then most definitely made the experience more daunting, in my opinion anyways.
Go to the Options Menu and then press L2 or R2 to open the "secret" options menu. It will take you to a bunch of extra options like how many bullets in each box, how much health, film grain on/off, etc. I thought one of those options is the 3d/non-tank controls. Maybe I'm mistaken, but it's worth checking.
System limitations at the time was the reason the fog was implemented.Very smart and wise idea during that period.👌 Perfect game and I hope that the remake will be even more perfect.
In these games, you're always just a regular person. It would be weird if you weren't bumbling around with the controls and combat. It adds to the horror when you're trying to figure out how to go around the corner whilst being chased, or quickly trying to smash a pair of legs with a plank while you know other things are nearby P.S. The dead guy in the chair is James' character model as well. And yes, it was very intentional lol
Great analysis! I played this game as a teenager, just a newbie to horror games with RE 2 as my intro to the genre. I never imagined this game to be so impactful as well. I obliviously played SH2 as just any other game at the time, and it wasn't until a while after I found out it's deeper meaning. I am certainly anticipating its remake!
2001 was just a banner year for games in general. In addition to Silent Hill 2 and MGS2, Final Fantasy X, GTA3, Sonic Adventure 2, and Super Smash Bros. Melee all came out that year as well. Probably more I'm forgetting too. Easily one of the greatest years in gaming -- probably the only one that surpasses it in sheer number of killer-apps was 1998 (RE2, Pokemon Yellow, MGS1, Ocarina of Time, Sonic Adventure, Spyro 1, etc.). Also, fun fact, this game came out on my 11th birthday. And it was the same day that Ico came out too. Two of my all-time favorite games.
Ran into this by mistake because I’ve been consuming so much sh content since the transmission. I played sh2 on release ages ago and it’s etched into my mind, but loved your commentary. Cracked me up at times, I’m glad you got to enjoy this :). I can promise you SH 1 through 4 are phenomenal and well worth playing. I mean the gameplay is gonna be rough, sh3 is probably the smoothest. But if you want real horror, those four games are unmatched. There was good stuff after, definitely dead space was a high point for video game horror that came out of nowhere at the time. But I don’t know if anything captured horror like those first 4 SH games.
Go to the Options Menu and then press L2 or R2 and it will take you to a bunch of extra options like how many bullets in each box, how much health, film grain on/off, etc. I thought one of those options is the 3d/non-tank controls. Maybe I'm mistaken, but it's worth checking.
37:58 Man, you Scared the crap out of me with that sudden audio shift. I'm sitting alone in my room in the dark with earbuds in. Just listening to your voice and low volume effects. Then all the sudden This happens, Very loud in my right ear and it scared the crap out of me
Great video! I'm guessing this has been pointed out already, but you can turn the tank controls off in the options. Remember this if you decide to play Silent Hill 3 (which I highly recommend!) Also, it looks like you were playing the HD Collection of the game, which is infamous for several reasons. Still glad you enjoyed it though. Classic survival horror at it's best!
James gets wheeled down a hallway after the Flesh Lips boss fight? holy crap! I've beaten this game a good number of times and I always thought he was going down an elevator instead, that goes out to show you you're always finding out new things about Silent HIll 2.
The fact videos like this are still being made is PROOF Silent Hill 2 was just that good! Fingers crossed this is either a REmake 2 situation (adapted the game for mainstream audiences with many surprises) or the Demon’s Souls treatment (almost basically the same game with some small quality of life updates to make the experience smoother as well as some small additions for the hardcore like the new Armor and game mode.
I love that the greatest hits version added a new scenario with maria, most greatest hits versions didnt add anything new but i give team silent the props for doing that
I personally think that going down to the prison all the way until you see Maria dead, fighting Angela's boss, and going deeper to fight Eddie is the scariest and best part of the game. It's a long huge build up until it climaxes after fighting Eddie. It's like you're exploring Jame's mind and the rest of the characters and seeing the worst of it all.
I highly recommend playing Silent Hill 3 however, if you haven’t played the 1st game or it’s been a while since you have, play that first. 3 is a direct sequel to 1. Great vid. Subbed!
I played this game when I was 14 and lt is my favourite story of any medium ever. The story is the best ever, the soundtrack is second to none. I appreciate the game as an adult even more (especially when comparing the resident evil games which seem generic storywise compared to SH2), the mature themes, psychological aspects of the game, mental health, taboo topics, this game is art itself. As certain TH-camrs mentioned, Silent Hill is a broken place for broken people and all the characters save for Laura have dealt with some sort of trauma or abuse. Especially with Angela taking the worst of it.
I bought a ps3 and recently beat silent hill 1-3 for the first time and completely fell in love with the franchise. Now silent hill is back! Great to see others in the same boat.
Konami seems to be really cool about the music from this game being used freely. You hear it in a Ton of you tube videos. And, yes it’s that damn good.
Inmagine playing Silent hill 1 and 2 day one as I experienced. The piano puzzle on SH2 on the school, got me stuck badly, lol. No internet help back then either. 🤦♂️ nothing but strategy guides, demo disks, and word of mouth tips and tricks back then... 😄
NO, I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THE REMAKE! Hope you enjoyed the video. Lock worked very hard to get this one out on time for the event while everyone is thinking/talking about Silent Hill 2 :)
lol thats abs insane
If you want to dive deeper into the ideas and concepts of the game check out th-cam.com/users/ReinstallPaul and th-cam.com/channels/j8orMezFWVcoN-4S545Wtw.html
play part 1 to call yourself Silent Hill ANYTHING
Your timing is crazy lol but pretty cool!
Bro no way you didn't plan this lmao
The scene with Angela on the stairs of fire is one of the most powerful scenes in any game period. Especially when she turn to James and says "For me its always like this".
I personally agree. Outside of the tail end, this is the part I think about a lot. Angela’s whole arc is just extremely dark and I arguably feel worse for her compared to James since that’s the last time you see her.
That scene, its just depressing man
Silent Hill Is a version of hell in another realm. I didn't understand it at the time when I played it I was in my 20's back then. Everyone comes there to face judgement. Seems like all the characters you meet there are stuck in a continuous loop.
Now in 4k. Burn us through the screen.. I don't know if gamers of today will get it. But It deals with real life problems. So I hope they will be frightened and love it.
Boober gets the chance at a easy home run. Medium wad test run I'm afraid 😆
“Even momma said it…I deserved what happened to me”
That line, and it’s delivery, really gets me. Amazing and misunderstood voice acting this game has!
This is some insane timing, the silent hill 2 remake was literally just announced
Matty playing 4D chess out here
Hopefully it gets better treatment then the HD collection though wish they would remake the first game.
@@maulressurected4405 I'm sure they will remake all of them if sh2 remake sells well.
I mean the date was already announced ahead of time and there have been rumors/leaks of a SH2 remake forever
I think they chose 2 because that’s where the games started to get popular, I heard the first silent hill for the ps1 isn’t as popular, but that’s just what I heard
When recording Mary's letter at the end of the game, her actress actually started to break into tears. Her mother died of an illness and the letter was a little too real to her. They recorded more takes after that one, but the first one was the most genuine, so that's the one they ended up using.
Thats fascinating to know!
Dear God i pray her the best of wishes but that's some timing, letting it all out would have helped her even if it was a little
It was one take, the first one and she broke down afterwards.
James'actor was also going through a tough divorce at the time, so he poured that suffering into his voice, sometimes even unintentionally. It's like all the planets aligned to make this game as good as possible.
@@du0lol hence why people demand for the original's director cut ps2 port but konami hates their fans.
Well timed upload
Yeah definitely a coincidence and it wasn’t strategically picked as a video topic based on the announcement a few days ago
valid point. but a hustle is a hustle. at least he created something
@@trippyskullz6669 yeah no I didn’t discredit that or shit on it I just think it’s stupid when all these people are like”woah it’s crazy you decided to upload when the topic of the video is trending”
Call it synchronicity or call it a cult or business running things behind the scenes by paying creators to push certain video topics.
@@-my4skinwastakeninasickjew426 or a guy making TH-cam videos had a list of topics to choose from and saw the silent hill announcement and decided to go with a silent hill video because it would perform better in terms of views due to the silent hill buzz
When I first played SH2 it was during a time I was in a really dark place, depressed, suicidal and I just wasn’t doing great, but playing this game it really got to me in a way no other game really has before, it really is a special game, and even with how dark and depressing the overall story really is, I think that’s what really resonated with me, I love the story, characters, the music, the atmosphere, it’s my favourite horror title ever, I love all the details, how the enemies are tied to James and his emotions, it’s all very psychological and it’s really interesting. I hope the remake lives up to the original and they do it justice.
Same thing man. Silent Hill is better than therapy in my opinion. It helps you feel a little more sane in your head. Or at least comforts you so you don’t feel alone. It also made me rethink my life a lot and I did a lot of self reflections and it made me a better person I think.
Well said
@@tycobeyurness7823 right? I think that’s what I’ve always loved about all the Silent Hill games, for the most part they almost make the dark, depressing side of life into a world that can be lived in and also I guess kind of fixed? As with the ending of SH2 and how James comes out of it. At the time it really made me look at my depression in a different way which ultimately I think helped me in one way or another. Truly a masterpiece series.
@@reganmccarthy8409 The issue with that is people with *true* clinical depression don’t just snap out of it. James was suffering through trauma
i couldnt finish the game while depressed, only later.
I don't think we have had a game as thought provoking in the horror genre since this. The closest is probably SOMA. It nails the human psyche so well. James is such a complicated yet likable character.
Id argue, depending if you consider hellblade to be a horror game then you definitely have to put that on that list
Soma was so good, especially at the end where you know what's coming
I feel like Spec Ops: The Line would fall into that category. Even tho it's an action game, it still plays a lot into psychological horror, similar to Silent Hill 2.
@@HustlerOne01 spec ops the line shook me honestly, i was expecting a basic game to play while chilling on discord w some friends but damn, that game was amazing
Soma is for soyboys
15:07 SPOILERS: I think the save method (red squares) has to do with James having to piece himself together one by one through the game. Remember the save location right before the Double Pyramid head boss fight? It's the only time that a bunch of those red squares are together which form a big square, symbolizing James' final realization
Also, it looks a multiple pane window.
I think it represents a door to James' soul.
@@ishakali8634 i want some of whatever you’re smoking
@@Ainknowhouis Good stardog
... It's just the letter dipped in blood.
I'm not sure if anyone else has mentioned it but fun fact: If you try to read Mary's letter after the Eddie boss fight you'll see it's just a blank page now
Hey man, I noticed that despite you having the PS2 edition of the game, the gameplay shown is from the HD collection, one which contains A LOT of visual and audio bugs and graphical DOWNGRADES. If you bought the ps2 version but played the HD edition this also might explain why you think the fog worked as a wall. You can find more information on the HD collection online and you'll see just how bad they messed up
I literally shed tears during the premiere of the remake trailer. Those around me didn't understand why, but as a 30-year-old man living with deep regret, guilt and mental illness, SH2's story of a quietly self-condemned person, drowning in grief and denial, heading to a place in his life where confronting his reality means life-or-death, means the world to me. The remake looks to stay true to that vision.
I really hope so!!
I unfortunately have no faith in Konami and expect them to screw it up some way. I hope I'm pleasantly surprised because SH2 is one of my all time favourites.
@@CorporalCookie downer
@@Communistic-Gabagool more like a realist.
@@shawncc89 more like a downer
The voice acting is phenomenal. I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but the creators made the acting intentional to convey the story better. It’s especially well done for Maria and Mary as their the same person however the actress was able to flip the switch in an instant. Maria’s cell scene is the best example.
It's amazing to hear someone talking about getting used to tank controles, I'm so used to them I don't even think about it! I was 5 when I played Resident Evil 2 in 1998, my first Survival Horror game. Please, keep on playing those gems, you'll not be disappointed!!
I’ve suffered from depression and anxiety disorder for most of my life, and this game spoke to me profoundly - in particular, the visual and auditory representation of mental illness.
I can’t relate to the killing of my wife. But the visual imagery of James fumbling through the darkness, not being able to see clearly, twisted demons representing inner demons trying to kill you - the grime, the filth, the isolation - I found it all so relatable to my mental struggles.
And don’t event get me started on the music. Basically the quintessential soundtrack depicting depression, anxiety, isolation, and terror.
No piece of art has quite captured and portrayed my struggle with mental illness quite like silent hill 2. I found it oddly comforting, in a macabre sort of way.
You know something is great when it can speak to you on a whole nother level as you described. Cheers
Could you imagine how much our minds were blown when it came out in 2002 . This game will always have a special place in my heart
I think it's from 2001
The reason why Silent Hill 2 it became a classic is because eventually people began to see how unique, eerie, melancholic and authentic the game's atmosphere it really is, and took the time to enjoy its deeply thoughtful narrative and symbolism. To this day it’s by far one of, if not the most mature examination of grief, sexual trauma, suicide, and morality all combined. It’s an intelligent game that does not hold anyone’s hand and comes at the player with utmost confidence in itself. It’s fantastic stuff. The rest of the original 4 are great in their own right and have their own well written stories, but they don’t hold the same emotional weight to them. I think SH2’s maturity by comparison is something that a lot of people are drawn to. ☯️
By the way. The tank controls practically disappear if you go to the options and change the control to 3D to 2D, i played the game in that way and was very much comfortable and i recommend to play it that way
Yeah, I wish I knew about this. Fortunately it didn’t hurt my experience too bad, but this change would’ve definitely helped big time.
I wish I could go back and play this for the first time
To be honest my first playtime was...average 🙂 Silent Hill 1 was the best for me (at the time). Silent Hill 2 was not even scary for me. I don't know why. Maybe because PC port was not so good. I've discovered full potencial of Silent Hill 2 over time. It's a great game!
@@andrzejos7003 yeah sh2 isn't that scary, im a sh3 Stan. I think sh1 might be my favorite tho
@@DaltonGoesSlow Yeah. I love SH1 and SH2 but SH1 was definitely more scarier and has more of a 'pure horror' sense to it compared to SH2 which was less scary but had a more abandoned / lonely feel to it. Combat also plays a role and I definitely found SH2 combat to be way easier and you could pretty much mow down enemies with a wooden plank any day unless its one of the tough enemies like abstract daddy for example
@@DaltonGoesSlow Watch out, the Sh2 fanbots are waiting in the corner to tell you how wrong you are lol
@@rlfpotatoking9253 sh2 on normal/normal was the first game my friend ever beat, the story kept her interested. The gameplay in 2 is really easy, don't think she could have beaten 1 or 3.
Do like those games better but I knew it was better to recommend 2 first
The story and atmosphere have aged amazingly. My only issue is the abstract daddy becoming a common enemy which takes away from its initial fight. I pray the remake does it justice. The game's story is timeless imo.
good point I never thought of it like that. but my interpretation was that you only see the abstract Daddy if Angela is near the area???
@@stephenthedude4383 I guess you could say that but it definitely lessens the impact of the creature. We never see enemies themed around Eddie when he is close though.
@@golemofwill4728 yeah I agree it does lessen the impact hopefully find a way to fix that
@@golemofwill4728 Yeah, what I wish the remake would do is expand Angela's and Eddie's segments, and perhaps give Eddie his own monster. I think it would do the remake good to introduce a few new monsters.
Silent Hill 2, while featuring some of the staple monsters of the franchise, had a pretty bare bestiary compared to its siblings. If the remake can't replicate the mystique and charm of the original, I at least hope they can give it better gameplay.
@@whoareyoutoaccuseme6588 the bestiary while small, is very symbolic so i don't think they should touch it. Maybe add other story bits but idk.
After finally playing Silent Hill 2 and beating it two years ago, the experience was just amazing and left me thinking about the game months after finishing it. It's a game worth playing or replaying indeed & now with a remake literally just announced, We SH fans get to finally get something tangible gaming wise and not no damn 🎰 slot machines lol..
It’s one of the few games that make you feel a certain type of way and can’t stop thinking about the overall experience. Very rare to have that kind of experience.
@@Chico18124 Yeah definitely, I beat it for the first time about three weeks back and I still find myself thinking about it. At first I wasn't that into it, but the gameplay was surprisingly solid for a 2001 survival horror game and I was intrigued by the mystery enough to stick with it. By the end I was gripped.
Slight correction, James and Laura aren't visiting Mary's grave, it was actually confirmed by the devs that her body was in the back of James car the whole time.
But she died ages ago, Is it a skeleton?
@@ishakali8634 no she died right before the game starts, the 3 years ago thing was a lie.
@@seanpaul3362 What aboot da letter?
The little girl Laura tells James she received a letter from Mary wishing her happy birthday. Her birthday was a week prior to the game. Laura was with Mary till her final days.
It's not confirmed.
Great video! Silent Hill 2 was one of those games I had heard great things about for ages. I finally got around to playing it for the first time a few years ago. I was floored by how well it holds up. So damn creepy and thought provoking. It feels like everything has a purpose.
Oh how I wish I could experience this game for the first time again.
now you could with the remake :D
You can. Just whack your head with a mallet once a week for a month or so until you can't remember anything about the game 🤠
That’s me with KOTOR :)
@@mindblower76 it won't be as good. Apart from resident evil 2 remake, remakes are never good
Honestly the tank controls are fine, after a few minutes it becomes normal. Also people NEVER EVER mention you can press L2 for the search camera to negate fixed camera angles lol. Like it makes it basically over the shoulder and tracks the player and allowed you to look around with the right analog stick too.
There's also literally an option to turn off tank controls and just have the directions correspond to the screen instead of the character. But it's on the "secret" option screen you have to press one of the shoulder buttons to get to.
Tank controls aren't bad. What's bad is the melee combat, till u get the pipe at least. I kept getting cheap damage due to James being unable ho hit the enemy properly.
I used to use that back in the day when it was first released! Lol
Yeah, it makes me wonder if people who say the game is fixed camera have actually played it recently? Probably not considering how hard it is to attain a copy, but still.
@@iwantasandwich9606 Well, he isn't fucking Spec ops😂
It always makes me happy to see someone else feel the same heartache I felt when I first played this masterpiece as a kid. I feel you man. Lets cry it out
The reason why Silent Hill 2 it became a classic is because eventually people began to see how unique, eerie, melancholic and authentic the game's atmosphere it really is, and took the time to enjoy its deeply thoughtful narrative and symbolism. To this day it’s by far one of, if not the most mature examination of grief, sexual trauma, suicide, and morality all combined. It’s an intelligent game that does not hold anyone’s hand and comes at the player with utmost confidence in itself. It’s fantastic stuff. The rest of the original 4 are great in their own right and have their own well written stories, but they don’t hold the same emotional weight to them. I think SH2’s maturity by comparison is something that a lot of people are drawn to. ☯️
45:25 There is a hint on Laura's letter suggesting it happened just a week previously the scene and not all those years ago. I love those subtle hints. Every time a play this game I catch some new nuances and that is why I love this game so much.
I played this when I was 12 years old when it first came out. Its a huge part of my childhood and i love it
A beautiful declaration of love for this important classic! everyone who played through the game back on the PS2 listens to you and smiles in agreement.
The legend goes the actor who played James brought his daughter in to play Laura and they like his nervousness.. it was his first time acting ..which his stilted and disconnected acting add to the vibe of the game
Love it. I avoided this game as a teen because the original terrified me. It's now a game I replay every 6 months
lol that's normal, team silent pulled no brakes and would give kids many nightmares
Wow dude, you were barely six back in 2001??
I was 18 years old and got to personally enjoy this game, the very first Devil May Cry game and then Metal Gear Solid 2 Sons of Liberty.
Playing this game back when I was a teenager for the very first time really made me think about life and possibly having to struggle someday with the loss of loved ones that were very important to us.
MGS 2 made me think about time, and how fast we were racing into the future and things like the internet were close to becoming way more advanced like it is now where we use it for everything, phones were also advancing too.
I have nieces and a nephew that were close to your age when this game first came out and when I would be playing Silent Hill 2 and Metal Gear Solid 2, they would sit still and not jump up and down going nuts as they were totally invested in me playing those masterpieces.
They still bring up those memories from time to time and tell me that it’s some of their greatest happiest memories ☺️.
I’m so worried for the remake. In the original he was apathetic, not caring of ‘if it’s dangerous or not’ and being generally void of emotion or feeling. It was SO IMPORTANT to his mental state and made the character so good.
In the remake trailer he’s screaming, crying, breaking down. I hope they don’t humanise him too much, because in the original he was pretty dead inside
A little emotion is fine, but please for the love of god don’t hollywood-ise James 😂
Had the same feeling. In the original game he is really going through some form of derealization, like he's losing contact with reality. If he starts to act desperate, showing emotions like fear, it shows that he's still pretty much sane. You can't deal with Silent Hill if you're sane at all, losing part of your mind to deal with the monsters and the logic of the world is important. The sane, that are in denial and fighting to survive, perish. You have to be insane and fight for redemption.
@@SrThanatos010 absolutely. He is detached from reality, which is obvious considering he murdered his wife only days before coming to silent hill and he thinks it’s been years. That and the fact the devs confirmed she was actually in his backseat the whole time!
I'm worried they'll try to tone Angela's story. I don't see her story being too well received today lol
@@haydenadcock227 yeah, I think it’ll be a lot more subtly suggested tbh. Ughh I really hope not :(
SH2 has a good number of really uncanny, weird, unnatural moments that are either very deliberate and genius, or beautiful accidents (I put some of the VO delivery in this category) and they are GREAT at putting the player on edge - never sure if the narrative is reliable. If the remake can capture that, it will be golden, imo.
Yes 100%
That's a funny timing because of the Silent Hill Remake announcement by Konami. I know is not intentional but is perfect timing.
I DO miss manuals inside the package. I have no idea how much money is saved by not having them, but just like vinyl albums covers and sleeves, game manuals add so much to the experience. Being able to read about the game while it installs (like the original Fallout) or just having it as a resource, game manuals bring back great memories for me. Especially for NES games and PS1/PS2 games. It's the little things that people always remember. I wish all entertainment companies would understand that. Stepping over dollars to get pennies.
Let’s just say you save a LOT but not hunting down complete copies of games
@@retrorebound8887 Just for clarification, I meant the Devs and Publishers save a bunch of money by not printing manuals. I appreciate a collector who searches for complete copies. And ur right, it's crazy how's much it costs to get those manuals for a collection! Thanks for the videos Matty!
Glad to hear how much you appreciated this game. Definitely one of my all time favs and had a huge impact on me when it came out. The whole story felt very adult and it really stays with you. Great job covering it so in depth with your thoughts.
I got the black label one recently in a local find and love it. Wouldn't have expected the additional content to be in the greatest hits version since it's cheaper but it makes sense due to additions after initial release
I remember getting this game from Fred Meyer in 9th grade and playing it during the fall/winter of that year. I can vividly remember so much about this game, despite having last played it 20 years ago.
Glad you enjoyed it.
Loved seeing someone analyzing the game and being so enthusiastic about it after playing it for the first time. I'm a long time fan of this entry and the series, and I thoroughly enjoyed hearing your thoughts.
The reason why Silent Hill 2 it became a classic is because eventually people began to see how unique, eerie, melancholic and authentic the game's atmosphere it really is, and took the time to enjoy its deeply thoughtful narrative and symbolism. To this day it’s by far one of, if not the most mature examination of grief, sexual trauma, suicide, and morality all combined. It’s an intelligent game that does not hold anyone’s hand and comes at the player with utmost confidence in itself. It’s fantastic stuff. The rest of the original 4 are great in their own right and have their own well written stories, but they don’t hold the same emotional weight to them. I think SH2’s maturity by comparison is something that a lot of people are drawn to. ☯️
Back in the 2000s I was always on this silent hill forum. The amount of talk about the story and symbolism in this game was tremendous. I actually prefer SH3 but I can't deny the story telling is fantastic here.
Sh2 and sh3 are so distant tho.
I made the mistake(?) of playing Silent Hill 2 before 1 and 3 so the latter two just couldn't compare by the time I got to them. With 1 it's more understandable because it was the series' first entry on PS1, but the writing in 3 (both dialogue and story) is just such a huge step back from 2 imo. I haven't played 4 yet.
I don't like that they made the guns a lot weaker in 3 either. In 1 and 2 you could kill most weak enemies with 3-5 handgun shots on normal, whereas in 3 the weaker enemies often take double that, forcing you to use melee more often. That wouldn't be a problem on it's own, if not for the other thing I don't like about 3 (and 1) - the enemies are all much faster than they are in 2. I found melee a lot easier to use in 2 just because the three most common enemies (no-arms-thing, mannequin and nurse) all moved so slowly, giving you a lot more breathing room to time your swing.
@@yewtewbstew547 SH3 wasn't supposed to have the story we know, the devs wrote another one, but it was so dark that Konami didn't accept it and they had to come up with a new one quickly.
I was on that Forum also! It was awesome and there were very bright and intelligent people that posted there. I am trying to remember the name...
@@yewtewbstew547 - Silent Hill 3 is the best one! I love Valtiel and the lore. Heather is awesome!
Most fans love 3 the most!
Get and play 4! The ROOM is an amazing experience too!
Silent Hill 2 has my favorite detail in it in any game I’ve ever played. After James plays the videotape where you find out what happened to Mary, the letter from Mary in your inventory disappears because it never actually existed…
It doesn't disappear, it's just blank which makes it even more ominous.
@@johnathanross6519 yep. Actually worse
@@johnathanross6519 gives me shivers. Wow
It actually happens gradually over the course of the game. First the envelope disappears, then the writing on the letter itself.
Best psychological horror game till date, nothing stands even close to this. Doubt the remake even will. It's just.. it's different. It just is.
Great review man! Yeah James’s corpse shows up in a bunch of places in the game, like in front of the tv with the static when the corpse has a plaid shirt it’s also him. I highly recommend aesiraesthetics and thegamingmuse videos on the series if you want to go further down the rabbit hole :)
Great game, interesting to hear a first timers perspective.
I'm curious as to why the footage is from the HD collection? was it easier to capture from a hd console?
I know its never mentioned in the video but I can tell the differences between the xb/ps2 version and the hd port.
obvious giveaway is the streets are too clean.
And the fog! The HD fog looks like shit.
You can change the controls to 2D, which makes controlling James a lot easier. Just finished this for the first time. I was quite confused but it made me think a lot, and after reading up on some explanations and stuff, it makes a lot more sense and I’m quite impressed at how well thought out the narrative of this game is.
Coming from someone that day-one'd SH1 shortly after turning 19 it's kind of mind blowing to hear you were 6 when SH2 came out LOL That said, the stories are absolutely amazing, and like all great art, transcend time. Lastly, speaking as someone that has battled with anxiety since before you were born, I wish you strength.
Exactly! I beat SH1 in 1999 when I was 17. Then got SH2 in college and beat it in my dorm room.
It's weird to hear people say they NEVER played a tank control game. I don't feel old...
I played silent hill 1 for the first time in 20 years a few weeks ago. The flashlight glow was fantastic and there was a section where rain was falling on a sandy street. The rain drops wet the sand. It was such a good effect for the time. Honestly these games just need a touch up and to be readily available on new generations
The 1st was mind blowing at the time to me it was basically real 😂
I’m not sure if I watched any your other videos but I am impressed with your work here. I’m subscribing.
I barely ever comment on a video, but Matty this video deserves all my respect. I adore SH2 and seen many-a retrospective/video-essay on this game. Your take was fresh and interesting and reminded me why I love this game and that you have a good "voice" in the whole videogame-youtube-discours. I might not watch every single video you put out, but when I do, it's always a cozy time with my morning brew. Cheers!
This is actually an excellent breakdown. You appreciate the symbolism, the themes, and the subtlety of the presentation. I got flamed for pointing out how the remake trailer seems to abandon some of those things, but I think you would agree with me that James’s heavy handing emoting in the remake trailer damages what made the original so powerful.
You get a sub for this.
Ain’t no way this wasn’t planned
Well if you watched the entire video you would know it literally wasn’t….
Yeah Konami will send him a beta to the remake as payment for generating interest again.
Matty, I've also struggled with hypochondria. It started in my early-mid 20s and was so bad that I was getting all these tests I didn't need. It was a really rough number of years. It has since eased a lot but I still have my triggers. Certain health subjects I try to stay away from altogether.
Great review, Matty. This game is a classic.
I saw the black label box and I was screaming internally until you showed the red label disc.
For anyone that doesn’t know: the Greatest Hit version is basically version 1.2, it fixed a bunch of bugs, added new game plus content, a new ending and a new scenario.
Damn I didn’t know this I just bought the black label
matty with the sly synergy upload
Wow, crazy timing! Silent hill 2 is my favorite silent hill game, but, 1 and 3 are high on my list as well. I really enjoy the cult lore of 1 and 3. Imo, I feel like the silent hill franchise does some of the best, if not the best Cult horror/lore.
Thanks for the upload. This popped up in my feed today. 💜🤝
Don't forget about 4! That goes further in depth about the different sects of the cult.
Great video Matty! Btw you can turn off the tank controls and switch to direct input
I passed this game a few months ago in the summer and it was awesome!!! Looking forward to the Remakes and new film!!!
I played this game for the first time too about two weeks ago. Crazy how we’re getting a remake now!
The tank controlls make you feel helpless, and it definitely adds to the gameplay. The damage you take is never so insane that you can't make a mistake but you always feel like you're going to die at any moment.
Thank You Retro Rebound! This video about Silent Hill 2 was awesome and informative!
Tank controls are much easier to work with if you use the D-pad. If it's not a control scheme you're used to or have played for years it would definitely take some getting used to. I think some versions of SH2 have 2-D stick controls, but it can be disorienting when trying to move forward during a camera switch. SH3 has the option of 2-D controls as well. Anyway, overall great takes and it makes me happy to see that people who didn't get to experience it when it was new can still enjoy SH2 and appreciate just how amazing it is even in modern times.
You do not have to play the game with tank controls. In the options menu you can change the controls from 3D to 2D and it makes it so it isn't tank controls for movement. You lose strafing, but gain full movement of James.
I find it amazingly coincidental that I became a fan only 4-5 months ago through the deep dives of TheGamingBritShow’s TH-cam channel. Downloaded and beat SH2 three weeks ago and now unlike the fans waiting 10 years I only have to wait most likely 2, for the most amazing sequel remake of all time. For some reason I have faith in Konami even tho his latest track record hasn’t been the best. I’m just so hyped!!!!
Silent Hill 2 is amazing, and always love it when new players discover it for themselves and gain a love and appreciation for what is essentially a one of a kind experience. It's not the most intricate in terms of combat, its puzzles run on "Poing'n'Click Adventure Game" logic, and it's linear as hell, but the way it utilizes its gameplay elements expertly (intentional or not) to tell the story and make you FEEL like you are James struggling through town is just masterful.
While I no longer get proper scared while playing this game due to how much I've played it (maybe nervous or a little unsettled, but never full on scared), I find it calming now while entrenching myself in its melancholic, atmospheric realm of loss, decay, and mental anguish. For me it'll always be this beautifully tragic story about a very complicated man trying to find answers that I, and many other players, will have the privilege to explore and get lost in, both literally and metaphorically.
It's a proud piece in my collection, in my personal top 45 favorite games of all time, and the GH version of the game is the only "purest" version that matters... well, unless the remake of SH2 ends up actually being better in every way, but that's very uncertain at the moment.
Good timing hahaha.
SH 2 was one of my favorite games ever, I played it for the first time last year, and it really has left an impression that I think about more often than most video games. Glad to see others enjoying it just as much today as it was 20 years ago.
Man, love the thumbnail. It was hilarious. Man how I missed this I do not know
I stayed up and beat this with my best friend right before she died. So once a year I will play through it just…for memories. Oddly my mom and I finished part 3.
i miss the old days when games would come w that manual booklet in the game and had all that art and you would glance thru it before you started the game
WTF brah i had no idea you had this channel. SUBBED! SH2 one of my favorite games. Silent Hill 3 is good too.
Welcome aboard!
The GameCube remake of Resident Evil 1 is incredible, anyone would recommend that version over ps1. But with both RE2 and especially RE3, the remakes are their own games that mix things up and aren't concerned with being faithful. They're great games but they're both quite different from the games they're based on, and I'd highly recommend both the PS1 Resident Evil 2 and (if you can get your hands on it) Dreamcast RE3.
This is my favorite game of all time... Played through it dam near a hundred times game is a speed runners dream to.
Only thing I worry about the most is the atmosphere getting affected by being modernized... I'm still hopeful but those graphics back then most definitely made the experience more daunting, in my opinion anyways.
Go to the Options Menu and then press L2 or R2 to open the "secret" options menu. It will take you to a bunch of extra options like how many bullets in each box, how much health, film grain on/off, etc. I thought one of those options is the 3d/non-tank controls. Maybe I'm mistaken, but it's worth checking.
System limitations at the time was the reason the fog was implemented.Very smart and wise idea during that period.👌 Perfect game and I hope that the remake will be even more perfect.
In reference to the voice acting. I don't know if it is deliberate but I always feel it has an odd dream-like quality to it.
In these games, you're always just a regular person. It would be weird if you weren't bumbling around with the controls and combat. It adds to the horror when you're trying to figure out how to go around the corner whilst being chased, or quickly trying to smash a pair of legs with a plank while you know other things are nearby
P.S. The dead guy in the chair is James' character model as well. And yes, it was very intentional lol
Great analysis! I played this game as a teenager, just a newbie to horror games with RE 2 as my intro to the genre. I never imagined this game to be so impactful as well. I obliviously played SH2 as just any other game at the time, and it wasn't until a while after I found out it's deeper meaning. I am certainly anticipating its remake!
2001 was just a banner year for games in general. In addition to Silent Hill 2 and MGS2, Final Fantasy X, GTA3, Sonic Adventure 2, and Super Smash Bros. Melee all came out that year as well. Probably more I'm forgetting too. Easily one of the greatest years in gaming -- probably the only one that surpasses it in sheer number of killer-apps was 1998 (RE2, Pokemon Yellow, MGS1, Ocarina of Time, Sonic Adventure, Spyro 1, etc.).
Also, fun fact, this game came out on my 11th birthday. And it was the same day that Ico came out too. Two of my all-time favorite games.
Ran into this by mistake because I’ve been consuming so much sh content since the transmission. I played sh2 on release ages ago and it’s etched into my mind, but loved your commentary. Cracked me up at times, I’m glad you got to enjoy this :). I can promise you SH 1 through 4 are phenomenal and well worth playing. I mean the gameplay is gonna be rough, sh3 is probably the smoothest. But if you want real horror, those four games are unmatched. There was good stuff after, definitely dead space was a high point for video game horror that came out of nowhere at the time. But I don’t know if anything captured horror like those first 4 SH games.
31:20
Silent Hill Downpour is kind of like this. It's more open-ended and there's other characters with their own stories.
I loved downpour I've beaten it like 6 times it's exactly what hes looking for more building exploration more side stories more exploring
Downpour is garbage.
@@FreeOpenTruth I respectfully disagree
Matty, your love of the medium (pun not intended) shines through your coverage, thank you❤
Go to the Options Menu and then press L2 or R2 and it will take you to a bunch of extra options like how many bullets in each box, how much health, film grain on/off, etc. I thought one of those options is the 3d/non-tank controls. Maybe I'm mistaken, but it's worth checking.
37:58 Man, you Scared the crap out of me with that sudden audio shift. I'm sitting alone in my room in the dark with earbuds in. Just listening to your voice and low volume effects. Then all the sudden This happens, Very loud in my right ear and it scared the crap out of me
Great video!
I'm guessing this has been pointed out already, but you can turn the tank controls off in the options. Remember this if you decide to play Silent Hill 3 (which I highly recommend!)
Also, it looks like you were playing the HD Collection of the game, which is infamous for several reasons. Still glad you enjoyed it though. Classic survival horror at it's best!
I cant believe you only played this gem for the first time in 2022!!!
Best game in silent hill franchise. The story is so gripping and depressing but it’s so beautiful
Will love your coverage for Midnight Club 3 on this retro channel. By the way amazing attention to detail to cover art and manual.
That is a great gift to have in yourself to feel that emotion at our age like that fear and like my God this is a great cinematic masterpiece.
James gets wheeled down a hallway after the Flesh Lips boss fight? holy crap! I've beaten this game a good number of times and I always thought he was going down an elevator instead, that goes out to show you you're always finding out new things about Silent HIll 2.
Fun fact, you can change the tank control in the menu.
The fact videos like this are still being made is PROOF Silent Hill 2 was just that good!
Fingers crossed this is either a REmake 2 situation (adapted the game for mainstream audiences with many surprises) or the Demon’s Souls treatment (almost basically the same game with some small quality of life updates to make the experience smoother as well as some small additions for the hardcore like the new Armor and game mode.
One of my Favorite Horror Games, im so happy Silent Hill is coming back big. 4 New Games and a New Movie? I couldn't be happier.
I love that the greatest hits version added a new scenario with maria, most greatest hits versions didnt add anything new but i give team silent the props for doing that
I’m not convinced this dude had insider info lol too well timed!
This game and Red Dead Redemption 2 are the only two games I wish I could play for the first time again.
I personally think that going down to the prison all the way until you see Maria dead, fighting Angela's boss, and going deeper to fight Eddie is the scariest and best part of the game. It's a long huge build up until it climaxes after fighting Eddie. It's like you're exploring Jame's mind and the rest of the characters and seeing the worst of it all.
I highly recommend playing Silent Hill 3 however, if you haven’t played the 1st game or it’s been a while since you have, play that first. 3 is a direct sequel to 1. Great vid. Subbed!
I played this game when I was 14 and lt is my favourite story of any medium ever. The story is the best ever, the soundtrack is second to none. I appreciate the game as an adult even more (especially when comparing the resident evil games which seem generic storywise compared to SH2), the mature themes, psychological aspects of the game, mental health, taboo topics, this game is art itself. As certain TH-camrs mentioned, Silent Hill is a broken place for broken people and all the characters save for Laura have dealt with some sort of trauma or abuse. Especially with Angela taking the worst of it.
Dang. I did not touch this game on PS2 because, well, I was like 10 and this terrified and also looked kind of boring to me. I appreciate this!
From one scaredy cat to another, I think it’s worth the dive ;)
I bought a ps3 and recently beat silent hill 1-3 for the first time and completely fell in love with the franchise. Now silent hill is back! Great to see others in the same boat.
Get and play SH4: The Room! That's the final one by Team Silent! It's pretty good....different but good!
Konami seems to be really cool about the music from this game being used freely. You hear it in a Ton of you tube videos. And, yes it’s that damn good.
Inmagine playing Silent hill 1 and 2 day one as I experienced. The piano puzzle on SH2 on the school, got me stuck badly, lol. No internet help back then either. 🤦♂️ nothing but strategy guides, demo disks, and word of mouth tips and tricks back then... 😄