Silent Hill 2: Inner Fears Review

By Kristan Reed Published 2 October, 2002

Review - scaring the bejesus out of us all over again

Version tested: Xbox

Upon its PS2 release nearly a year ago, Silent Hill 2 was undoubtedly the blackest, most sinister, twisted game ever to grace the world of videogames. Successfully splicing the survival horror and adventure genres to brilliant effect, Konami was universally applauded for producing one of the games of the year - thankfully the public thought so too, and bought it in droves.

'Silent Hill 2: Inner Fears' Screenshot sep024b

Maria! Something-something-something-something Mariiiaa!

And after a torturous delay, the game finally makes it to the Xbox in Europe on October 4th (despite having been available in the States for ages), and comes complete with an exclusive episode in which you get to play as the mysterious Maria, but more on that later.

The main game tells the story of James Sutherland, a slightly confused and desperate individual who returns to the fog bound lakeside town of Silent Hill, after he receives a letter from his dead wife Mary, asking him to return to their 'special place'.

Blown mind

Of course, Sutherland's mind is more than a little blown by this, but decides to investigate anyway, which is where you come in. The game has you dashing around the deserted town in search of clues, and quickly takes on the adventure game formula of finding objects, solving puzzles, talking to anyone you come across and inevitably unlocking doors to further your progress. But you don't have it all your own way, with bizarre, twisted, slimy and deformed creatures shambling around to provide the all-important horror element.

After an unnecessarily drawn out beginning, where you're wandering around for ages looking for something to do (although it does give you time to admire the gorgeously stylised graphics, and fantastic fog effects) you finally find an apartment to explore and unlock, and it's here where the game really begins to take shape.

'Silent Hill 2: Inner Fears' Screenshot sep021b

Doors - who needs 'em?

Inevitably, comparisons will be made to the various Resident Evil titles, but Silent Hill 2 scores over all of them in a myriad of ways. Firstly the voice acting and dialogue are a world away from the often hammy Res Evil efforts, and weave a genuinely intriguing, and adult plot line. How many games can you name that tackle Euthanasia and suicide? Granted, the often Twin Peaks-esque story might not be to everyone's taste, but it demonstrates that videogame plot lines are finally growing up.

Elsewhere, the dynamic camera system is superior, and nearly always gives a sympathetic viewpoint, which is essential when you're trying to dispatch a bunch of mutant undead, although there are a few exceptions when you're running blind into a pack of salivating limb waving monsters. The combat is generally pretty limited (usually a case of fire, fire, fire, stomp on head) only coming into its own during the boss sections, but it's always terrifying.

The use of lighting also deserves a special mention. Once you're in the deserted and filthy apartment environment, and you find a torch, the grainy, grimy look complements the unhinged storyline perfectly, and is the perfect game to play with the lights off. Sadly, the Xbox version's graphics are functionally identical to the PS2, but don't let that put you off - it still looks stunning throughout, and the cut scenes are uniformly impressive. And as for the audio - we can't recall there ever being a more vile concoction of other worldly noises. Clearly the dev team are people you wouldn't want to meet down a dark alley.

Slaphead

'Silent Hill 2: Inner Fears' Screenshot sep022b

Oh, apparently we do. Hello Maria.

The puzzles are also extremely well conceived, and recall the glory days of early '90s LucasArts point and click adventures for sheer forehead slapping brilliance (once you crack them, of course). If you're into lateral thinking, Silent Hill 2 is a real joy to tackle, although you can always adjust the difficulty level if the challenge is proving too much. Likewise, the level of combat difficulty can be adjusted to cater for your tastes - all things that make the play experience more accessible to a broad audience.

For a game that relies so heavily on the narrative to drive the player on, it's worth mentioning in advance that it never really makes sense. But that's not to say it's frustrating or unsatisfying in any way - right to the end you're left with that 'what the hell?' feeling, but it all adds to the enigma. For the real die-hards, there are four different endings, and different objects that appear once you've completed it, but whether it makes any more sense is another matter.

Extra extra

'Silent Hill 2: Inner Fears' Screenshot sep023b

I don't suppose you know the way to the, er, no, I suppose you wouldn't

The PS2 owners of Silent Hill 2 will no doubt be intrigued as to what the extra content is, but prepare to be underwhelmed. Essentially you get a mini episode that casts the player in the role of Maria, who runs around in a rather fetching mini skirt and crop top doing much the same things as James does in the main game. The only problem is that it'll take any self respecting gamer less than an hour to complete, - and that includes the inevitable running around, puzzle solving and monster slaying.

To say we're disappointed with this extra is an understatement, as it's more like a demo than anything, although it does shed a tiny bit of extra light on Maria's role in this curious tale. Oddly, Konami has decided to strip out the extra DVD content that came with the PS2 release, such as the 'Making Of' featurette. Surely it could have squeezed it onto the Xbox version? Meanies.

In conclusion, Silent Hill 2 is an essential purchase for Xbox owners who don't already own the PS2 version. For the die hards - rent or borrow it, but don't be tempted to part with another £45 - get Project Zero instead (providing you own a PS2).

9 / 10

Read the Eurogamer.net scoring policy
Picture of Kristan.

About Kristan Reed

Kristan is a former editor of Eurogamer, dad, Stone Roses bore and Norwich City supporter who sometimes mutters optimistically about Team Silent getting back together.

Read more articles from Kristan by visiting the Kristan Reed archive page.

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Comments (52) Latest comment 8 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • UncleLou #1 10 years ago

    Lol - nice alt-texts, especially on page 2. And what's the score for people who once have owned it, but sold it then? ;)

  • Killerbee #2 10 years ago

    And what's the score for people who once have owned it, but sold it then?

    And what if we've never owned it and don't even own an XBox!?

    Aha! Didn't think of that one did you!

    >>>

    Oh. Go and see PS2 review. Linkage at end of the article. Right. I get you...

  • otto #3 10 years ago

    I think it's "how do you solve a problem like Mariiiaaaa" but I wouldn't swear to it

  • jaa #4 10 years ago

    The plot makes sense (kind of). Just check GameFaqs. I recommend the plot analysis by ORCA782/CVXFREAK.

    edit: link didn't work.
    Edited by 1 at 02/10/02 @ 15:46

  • Gestalt #5 10 years ago

    "what's the score for people who once have owned it, but sold it then"

    Pah, scores are for weenies - make up your own mind. :p

  • Whizzo #6 10 years ago

    What should the score be for people who've had it since it came out on the PS2 but other than about 4 hours of play can't face going back to it because it unnerves them too much?

    *cough*That's not me by the way..*cough* Just thought I'd clear that up....

  • Machiavel #7 10 years ago

    I thought the plot made sense, unlike the freakishly batty first one. My moan was that I played through the game 'in the spirit' of the character - slowly, carefully, not always healing - and got the miserable "underwater" ending for my troubles.

    I hear there's an extra weapon or two for this version. Hope it's more exciting than a spray can - Whoopee!

  • skalmanxl #8 10 years ago

    And what if we've never owned it and don't even own an XBox!?

    Get it on PS2 when it comes there, it's fab. Fab, fab I tell you FAAAAAAAB!!!!

    Ah knives!

  • #9 10 years ago

    I bought SH2 for PS2 six moths ago because it was only 25€, and came with the bonus DVD, but I haven't played it more than few hours. I can see that it's very good game, but it's so depressing that I can't get myself to start playing it.

  • skalmanxl #10 10 years ago

    I can see that it's very good game, but it's so depressing that I can't get myself to start playing it.

    The depression part is a great bit of the lovley feeling you get when playing the game.

  • krudster #11 10 years ago

    Without a doubt the most depressing game ever, but so compellingly dark. But then I do own more than my fair share of Smiths and Depress Mode albums...

  • skalmanxl #12 10 years ago

    What's great in SH2 is the dept of the story and scenario. It does leave a LOT open for interpretation and such. A masterpiece!

  • hulahoops #13 10 years ago

    I've been playing for about five hours, and I'm on the second boss.

    What really strikes me about the game is the use of sound - SFX and music. They work perfectly to really stir up the atmoshere and get your pulse racing.

    Some of the best audio I've heard in any entertainment medium anywhere.

  • jaa #14 10 years ago

    I do own more than my fair share of Smiths and Depress Mode albums...

    My faith in you was shook by the Shox review but is now firm again (and my puns are even worse than yours).

  • Nobby #15 10 years ago

    I do own more than my fair share of Smiths and Depress Mode albums...

    Ah, good music taste, glad to hear it.

    Survival horror games aren't for me though - I'm just a coward to be honest.

  • Brain freeze #16 10 years ago

    this game is wierd, that pyramid head dude is freakin scary, and what he's doing is wrong..... very, very wrong
    Zombie raping goodness for all!
    I love this game
    Edited by 1 at 02/10/02 @ 21:23

  • Brain freeze #17 10 years ago

    has anyone else played the game?
    Tell me, is Pyramid actually raping those manaquins?
    seems a bit too sick, when I first saw it I was like WTF is this twisited ****, but I guess the whole games pretty wierd when I think about it

  • reflux #18 10 years ago

    "dialogue are a world away from the often hammy Res Evil efforts"

    Hammy? Wtf have hamsters to do with this game? I don't get it but then I'm Swedish (could be that I'm teeny-weeny bit drunk after a nice party and probably hamster-biased but my lovely little russian dwarf hammy (Sputnik) wonders too)

    Chu?

  • krudster #19 10 years ago

    Hammy: a wonderfully British way of describing something you might also associate with being Cheesy.

    Don't ask why it's about food. It just smells bad. Ok?

  • Blerk #20 9 years ago

    Can't wait for the PC version arriving

    PC version? First I've heard.

  • Super Stu #21 9 years ago

    Superb game.

    Funniest Alt-texts ever.

  • BartonFink #22 9 years ago

    Funniest Alt-texts ever
    Stu what is this Alt-texts business???

  • UncleLou #23 9 years ago

    The text that appears when you rest the mouse pointer on the screenshots - was that your question?

  • BartonFink #24 9 years ago

    Yup never heard of them referred to as alt-texts though.

  • Whizzo #25 9 years ago

    Never done any web design then Barton? Alt text has been around since the early days of HTML, it gives those with slow connections or who've switched off graphics something to see when the graphic doesn't show.

  • Super Stu #26 9 years ago

    Although in this instance, it's hard to see how the alt-texts would leave you any wiser as to the picture's content ;)

  • BartonFink #27 9 years ago

    Never done any web design then Barton?
    Nope no web design, praise the lord. Usually refer to them as tooltips in UI design though.

  • otto #28 9 years ago

    Worst thing about Mozilla - no mousehover alttexts - or am I doing something wrong?

  • Super Stu #29 9 years ago

    If the Xbox version looks no better, the PC version won't. Plus I suspect not having the ease of control through a pad, coupled with the awkward environment (I'm sorry, defend it all you want, sitting at your PC to play games isn't as comfortable), I get the impression that some of the atmoshpere of the game will be lost.

  • Mr_Sleep #30 9 years ago

    "I don't think so. Support for higher resolutions is a given with positively any PC game.."

    That is if the coders can be arsed to actually bother re coding the engine to use them ;)

  • BartonFink #31 9 years ago

    Yup sitting hunched over your keyboard and mouse is soooo much more comfortable and immersive than sitting in front of your telly on a nice comfortable sofa. LOL

  • ssuellid #32 9 years ago

    " but when it comes to the immersiveness factor, the PC has the advantage, each and every time. " er, how?



  • otto #33 9 years ago

    This is a conversation going nowhere. Like the man said, each to his own. Personally, in terms of comfort I see little to choose between either of them, they're both pretty comfy ways to pass the time. As for control systems, depends on the game surely?

  • ssuellid #34 9 years ago

    Daas - I have a PC and I have a few consoles.

    For comfort and immersiveness I find being slouched on a sofa in front of a large widescreen TV and associated cinema surround a lot better than sitting in front of the PC.

  • otto #35 9 years ago

    Incidentally in case it wasn't obvious, Daas & Nevermind are one & the same.

  • Super Stu #36 9 years ago

    Daas

    Finally, what is it with console fanboys and PC bashing, really?
    Jealous you can't afford a gaming computer?

    And that's where your credibility hits rock bottom. I didn't say the PC was an incapable gaming machine, the conclusion fanboys are quick to jump to. No, I merely stated that for such an intimately atmospheric game like Silent Hill, the PC will suffer.

    Of course, having played SH2 many times over, in complete isolation, curtains drawn, sound cracked up etc.. you're probably in a particularly good position to comment as to whether the PC version would be as good.

    No? Didn't think so.

    what is it with console fanboys and PC bashing, really?

    Kettle. Pot. Black. etc.

  • Super Stu #37 9 years ago

    Daas. Best be more direct with the fanboy labelling on an open message board such as this.

    Your generalisation that console owners are somehow jealous of PC gamers because we can't afford themis, however, utterly misguided.

  • BartonFink #38 9 years ago

    BartonFink, I take it you connect to the internet by means of Webtv, no?

    I mean, wouldn't it make you no less than *stupid* to leave the comfort of your couch and telly, for the awkwardness of connecting to the net hunched over that PC?

    /sarcasm

    Sorry moderators about the personal insult but

    Sracasm my ar$e .. Seesh what an idiot ...

  • ssuellid #39 9 years ago

    To quote you Daas

    "Finally, what is it with console fanboys and PC bashing, really?
    Jealous you can't afford a gaming computer?"


  • BartonFink #40 9 years ago

    Nice comeback, Bartonfink.
    You have your way with words, I'll credit you that much.
    Your comments hardly warranted anything more.

    And as some of the others have said this is an old one that's been bashed out here interminably. So can we leave it at that.

    As for being jealous at not being able to afford a 'gaming' PC. What the hell is a gaming PC. And like some of the others here I have numerous consoles and believe it or not I also have a shit hot PC. I just don't like playing games on it, apart from RTS, RPG and FPS games, for everything else give me a console.
    Edited by 1 at 03/10/02 @ 14:16

  • Super Stu #41 9 years ago

    Daas

    Sorry to be pedantic, but:

    Read it more carefully - I was not referring to console users in general..

    is complete shite, because:

    Finally, what is it with console fanboys and PC bashing, really?
    Jealous you can't afford a gaming computer?

    If you're going to make an argument, at least be consistent.

  • Blerk #42 9 years ago

    Blimey, what's going on in here? I only said I hadn't heard about the PC version of Silent Hill! Honestly, I can't leave you lot alone for five minutes. :-)

  • Super Stu #43 9 years ago

    Kettle, pot, black.

    Very clever.

    However, upon closer inspection you'll find that console fanboys are indeed console owners. I infered no distinction between the two, therefore you can't imply that I was somehow speaking for console users as a whole.

    Pedantic? Extremely, but then I didn't bring fanboyism into this.

  • Mr_Sleep #44 9 years ago

    LMFAO! I know you aren't here for my entertainment but this is genuinely funny :D

  • Super Stu #45 9 years ago

    Just puerile

    Because stuff like

    Finally, what is it with console fanboys and PC bashing, really?
    Jealous you can't afford a gaming computer?

    shows a hitherto unseen level of maturity on this comments board.

  • BartonFink #46 9 years ago

    Hmm you seem to be the only one arguing about anything here. Seems to me and about everybody else posting here that you are the one making foolish comments.
    Back to the school yard with ye
    Edited by 1 at 03/10/02 @ 15:30

  • Super Stu #47 9 years ago

    Barton.. indeed, my mistake. When is half-term over?

  • sam_spade #48 9 years ago

    //comes outside and rings the handbell

    Come inside children, dinner time is over.

  • BartonFink #49 9 years ago

    LOL

  • Mr_Sleep #50 9 years ago

    Oh I think you might have scared him off with that petty thing called an intellect, the poor dear :(

  • BartonFink #51 9 years ago

    His lunch break must be over.

  • #52 9 years ago

    No. Survival horror, not mindless shooter.

  • Fozzie_bear #53 9 years ago

    I got this 2nd hand for the PS2 a while ago and haven't played it. The more i read about it the more i realise i'm missing out!

    Now if i could just drag myself away from Championship Manager....... ah no. Here comes Mario. Ah well, in a few weeks maybe.

  • James #54 8 years ago

    I can't believe that no one else picked up the fact that the reviewer got my namesake's last name wrong!

    James's name is SUNDERLAND not Sutherland as mentioned in the article.

    Okay ... I'm done ... :)