Silent Hill 2

aka: Jijing Ling 2, SH2
Moby ID: 5870
Note: We may earn an affiliate commission on purchases made via eBay or Amazon links (prices updated 3/18 8:54 PM )
Included in Special Edition

Description

The player is cast in the role of James Sunderland, an at first sight normal person who got confused, as anyone else would, when he received a letter from his wife asking him to come to Silent Hill, their special place. The only problem is that his wife died three years ago, and has kept the secrets surrounding her death. James decides to honor the letter's request, wondering if this is a sick joke or if there is more to this. As James reaches the outskirts of the town, he finds that the road is blocked, and parks at an abandoned restroom. Little does he realize that this is the first step forward into the mystery of Silent Hill and his own past.

Silent Hill 2 is a survival horror game. The gameplay is similar to that of the first installment. The player navigates James around the town of Silent Hill and collects weapons, health-restoring items, and objects needed to solve puzzles in an unlimited inventory. A radio alerts James when enemies are near. Like the protagonist of the first game, James is not very skillful in combat; he can fight with basic melee weapons or firearms with scarce ammunition. Most of the puzzles are logic-based and are often shaped like riddles, though there are a few simple inventory-based tasks as well.

While the basic concept is the same as in the previous entry, the game is set in a part of town that was unexplored in it, and the weapons and enemies are mostly new as well. Also new is the ability to change the standard "survival horror" (character-dependent) controls into the more widespread, 3D (camera-dependent) navigation. The difficulty level can be adjusted separately for combat and puzzles.

Spellings

  • サイレントヒル2 - Japanese spelling
  • 寂静岭2 - Simplified Chinese spelling
  • 사일런트 힐 2 - Korean spelling

Groups +

Screenshots

Promos

Videos

See any errors or missing info for this game?

You can submit a correction, contribute trivia, add to a game group, add a related site or alternate title.

Credits (PlayStation 2 version)

109 People (82 developers, 27 thanks) · View all

Reviews

Critics

Average score: 90% (based on 34 ratings)

Players

Average score: 4.3 out of 5 (based on 100 ratings with 6 reviews)

Psychological thrill ride

The Good
I loved the atmosphere of this game, felt like an actual horror movie. I loved the characters, the storyline and the fact that it twisted your mind to no end. I also loved the puzzles in this game, much more details, and polished than that of the first Silent hill game. I loved the fact that at times, you had to bring out a pencil and paper just to solve some of the puzzles. I loved the graphic's in this game also, looked almost like a real cinematic horror movie. The blood seemed real, the facial expressions of some of the characters seemed real. I also liked the movie sequences that were through out this title. Kinda kinda wish that the graphic's lined up more with the movie sequences though, that kinda took away from the experience just a bit.

The Bad
I didn't like the fact that this game was a bit short in length, not terribly short, but still it could've been a touch longer. also the movie sequences didn't quite line up with the overall graphic's of this game. however there were moments through out this title... when I could've swore that the characters were real people running around in there. But at the end of the day, it still takes away from the experience a bit.

The Bottom Line
A Psychological thrill ride, with twists and turns around every corner. You just never know what's going to happen next, even when you've played the game as many times as I have. You still find something new and exciting, weather it's in story elements, or in new items that you didn't know you missed. This game just keeps you going from beginning to end.

PlayStation 2 · by David Bryan (21) · 2007

Survival Horror at its finest... at least, for now...

The Good
The good thing about this being my first Silent Hill game, I instantly come to terms with the controls, being a fan of the very similar Resident Evil series. With this, the weird-but-unique story kept things interesting, which constantly made you wonder what's going to happen next. This was complimented by its graphics (which, in some FMVs, seemed very realistic) and its great level design. There was little variety of weapons, but most give satisfying results - I myself just used the steel pipe and handgun, mostly because fighting a scary monster up close is better than picking him off at a distance.

The horror and suspense element, and the puzzle element too, was used in a way which was actually quite scary at some times. It was scary that much, I saved like every 10 minutes hoping not to die (I was on "Hard" action mode). The characters and enemy design are fine, the graphics are good, the story is great and the shock horror is just fantastic.

Another great feature I don't remember seeing in other games is the TWO difficulty options - in most games, you choose Easy, Normal or Hard (in some cases, Extreme) - but this game give you the option of choosing how hard the action will be, and how hard the puzzles will be. Thus, if your a genius, you could have "Hard puzzle" but with "Easy action". If you love killing monsters, you'll choose the opposite, but if you want a balance game of both, just put both on Normal. The game has little, but alas, still some, replay value. There are many endings (which I won't spoil), which include about 3 "nice" endings, 1 "bad" ending, and a quite funny "goofy" ending.

Plus, on top of all that - there are extra things to unlock once you have completed the game.

The Bad
What I didn't like the most was probably the voice acting. James', Marias' and Marys' voices were okay, but Eddies' and the other womans' voices could - and should of been - improved on. And apart from the low variety of weapons (mentioned above) made the game feel as if it lacked the right action. But then again, its survival-based, not action-based, but still; a cool magnum would be nice.

The Bottom Line
This game is probably one of the highlights of survival horror on the PlayStation 2 (and other consoles it were on), after the game Resident Evil 4 - but that's "horror-action", this is "horror-survival". I hear they brought out an improved version of this game, which includes an extra "goofy" ending. If you're a fan of the early Resident Evil titles (those released before Resident Evil 4), and love monsters, horror, or just puzzles this game is for you, especially if you like everything mentioned above. However, if you're going to buy this game, better off with the "special" platinum edition of this game (aka "Director's Cut"), or maybe even "The Silent Hill Collection" (which includes Silent Hill 2, 3 and 4).

PlayStation 2 · by Reborn_Demon (127) · 2006

Terrifying visuals, eerie sounds and sexual depravity – you’re in for a treat.

The Good
Silent Hill 2 exceeds its predecessor in all departments, so being a Silent Hill fan I thoroughly enjoyed everything about the sequel. Let’s start with the visuals. This game is visually stunning, bringing the power of the PS2 to the max, and holding up outstandingly even to today’s standards. The high point of the visual looks are really the creatures in the game, with much more individual detail to them than the ones on the previous game – an example of this is the now iconic Pyramid Head, which has become the series mascot of sorts. Regarding the soundtrack, I’d say Akira Yamaoka really outdid himself with this game. Surpassing the original soundtrack is already saying a lot, but the tunes in Silent Hill 2 are really some of the most beautifully horrifying ever, and it shows. The sound blends perfectly with the visuals, creating an atmosphere of everlasting tension, which is one of Silent Hill 2’s most pervasive elements. The gameplay is really where this game and the previous one differ the most – Henry (Silent Hill 2’s protagonist) is much more easily controllable than Harry from the first game. Controls are simply more fluid, and a very welcome addition. And of course, there’s the highly intelligent plot, filled with suspense and surprising plot twists which will stay with you long after you finish the game. There is also a great deal of sexual innuendo throughout, which is unusual for video games, but fits Silent Hill 2 perfectly.

The Bad
There really isn’t anything I didn’t like about this game. It is an absolute masterpiece. If I were to be extremely picky and point any fault at all, it would be the somewhat diminishing returns the game has – after you finish it the first time, subsequent playthroughs simply won’t be as intense. Still, I find myself replaying the game over the years, so I guess it really is a minor thing.

The Bottom Line
Silent Hill 2 can be best described as a venture into the human psyche, addressing delicate themes such as fear, guilt, frustration, obsession, and sex. 13 years since its release, and no other horror game has come out that could even begin to compare. A must-play for sure.

PlayStation 2 · by Rik Hideto (473498) · 2014

[ View all 6 player reviews ]

Trivia

1001 Video Games

Silent Hill 2 appears in the book 1001 Video Games You Must Play Before You Die by General Editor Tony Mott.

Demake

In September 2008 the game was "demade" for the TIGSource Bootleg Demakes competition as Soundless Mountain II.

Awards

  • GameSpy
    • 2001 – Best Movie Trailer of the Year

Analytics

MobyPro Early Access

Upgrade to MobyPro to view research rankings!

Related Games

Silent Hill
Released 1999 on PlayStation, 2009 on PSP, PlayStation 3
Silent Hill 3
Released 2003 on Windows, PlayStation 2
Silent Hill 4: The Room
Released 2004 on PlayStation 2, Xbox, Windows
Silent Hill: Complete Set
Released 2006 on PlayStation, PlayStation 2
Silent Hill: The Arcade
Released 2007 on Arcade
Dead by Daylight: Silent Hill
Released 2020 on Windows, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch...
Silent Hill 2: Restless Dreams
Released 2001 on Xbox, PlayStation 2, Windows
Silent Hill Mobile 2
Released 2008 on J2ME, BREW
Silent Hill: Homecoming
Released 2008 on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Windows

Related Sites +

Identifiers +

  • MobyGames ID: 5870
  • [ Please login / register to view all identifiers ]

Contribute

Are you familiar with this game? Help document and preserve this entry in video game history! If your contribution is approved, you will earn points and be credited as a contributor.

Contributors to this Entry

Game added by MAT.

Additional contributors: Trixter, Unicorn Lynx, phlux, Sciere, Zeppin, DreinIX, Patrick Bregger, Rik Hideto, FatherJack.

Game added February 26, 2002. Last modified February 12, 2024.