Silent Hill 2

Genre: Action/adventure
Christian Rating: 2 of 5
   (offensive)
Gameplay: 2 of 5
   (poor)
Violence: 2 of 5
   (heavy)
Adult Content: 2 of 5
   (heavy)

“Silent Hill 2” (the sequel to the disturbing predecessor is on the shelves) and the world it creates is nothing short of breathtaking. Unlike it's predecessor, this game has many aspects that vary from the first release. In fact, the only real similarity is the game's setting (Silent Hill), and the breathtaking fog that adds to the game's realism.

The game's plot centers around a man named James Sunderland who receives a letter from his dead wife inviting him to visit her at “their special place.” Of course when he arrives, the town is blanketed in fog, and there is a mysterious silence due to the sheer lack of people. As he progresses, James meets a plethora of characters. A little girl, a woman who resembles his wife, an obese man who seems strangely oblivious to the town and instead is scared of his own past, and a strange humanoid creature that seems very interested in killing him throughout the game.

There are a few plot twists, and plenty of violence, but virtually no character development.

Graphically speaking, “Silent Hill 2” is state of the art. The lighting effects and fog have been enhanced to the point of virtual photo-realism, the haunting and sometimes beautiful scenery is extremely well-done, characters’ lip movements and facial expressions are incredibly lifelike, and the hero finally runs like a man! (only those who played the first would understand this).

The game itself is much different from its predecessor though. For example, in the original “Silent Hill,” you didn't have to look far to find underlying occult references and symbols, they are everywhere. But, in “Silent Hill 2,” occult symbols were replaced with milder references to famous fairy tales, or simply references to death--you will never see an ankh or a crucifix or any sort of religious symbol in the course of gameplay. The original “Silent Hill” used children as a crucial plot and style point to give the game a kind of two-faced disturbing feel. “Silent Hill 2” however, has only one child character, and her character is not used to enhance the fear factor the game was designed to create. “Silent Hill 2”’s plot and style centers more around James' interaction with the adult characters, and seems more down to Earth than the first one. Konami also makes a decent amount of sexual inferences and suggestive dialogue, which add to the “grown up” feel of the game. To say the least, these games don't have a lot in common.

I would say to people who enjoyed the first “Silent Hill”, you will be incredibly disappointed with the second. And for those who hated the fist one, or have never even played it, don't even bother playing the sequel.

For those of us who have already made the mistake of playing it though, I would say this: this round gives a very good glimpse into the heart and soul of mankind. In this game it is very clear that James' own sin brought about the horrible nightmare that he was sucked into. It shows us the horror that some people experience only in their own mind, and the futility of lying to yourself and bottling up your sins inside you. It shows us what is bad, but lacks a clear display of what is good. In a way the message is waiting to be completed by you. Christ is the one thing that was missing. In reality only He can release you from your nightmare. (John 8:34-36)

Overall, I did not think to highly of this game, and I give it a 2 out of 5. There is really nothing beneficial from either of these games, and I would really encourage people to just leave them on the shelf.

Year of Release—2001

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