Silent Hill. Its very name conjures up a sense of mystery, and within some, a sense of dread. But not for everyone. For some people, Silent Hill is a place of happy memories, maybe the last pleasant memories that they've ever had. James Sutherland's wife was such a person. She seemed drawn to Silent Hill and always wanted to return. She didn't have a chance after she became ill and died. And yet, maybe she does have that chance, because now, three years after her death, James Sutherland has received a letter from his late wife, urging him to come meet her. In Silent Hill.
Story wise, Silent Hill 2 is only a loose sequel to the 1999's critically praised survival horror game. The infamous town in question is the setting for both games, but other than that, only the thinnest of plotlines connect the two games. Silent Hill 2 features an all-new protagonist and cast of characters, and the plot is strikingly different from the first. The nature of the game, with its survival horror basis wrapped in fog-drenched mystery, remains similar.
In the game, you control James, who has come to town to find out why his dead wife beckoned him to Silent Hill. James tells himself the letter is not real, but he's still compelled to visit the town, perhaps by forces he cannot comprehend. Along the way, he'll meet other characters that have come to town for their own personal reasons. There's Angela, a young moody woman who's searching for her parents; Maria, a mysterious woman who looks very much like James' late wife; Laura, a snotty little girl who seems to try and impede James' progress at every turn; and Eddie, a large, stupid man whose fear seems to be hiding something deeper.
Although the plot weaves around these characters and eventually reveals their inner natures and motivations, this isn't a soap opera -- there are also plenty of monsters to do battle with, and a greater darkness to uncover. To fight these gruesome beings, some of which are making a return appearance and some that are brand new, James will have to locate different weapons and ammunition, such as the handgun, shot gun, and rifle. And there will also be plenty of puzzles to solve that require a player's wits as well as their ability to discover and combine various items hidden around the town.
While Silent Hill 2 retains the multiple endings of the first game, these different endings are more focused on the plot, and how you achieve them is more tied in to how you actually play the game. There are four different actual endings and an additional secret one that won't be spoiled here. Each of these endings is unique and provides more of the story to this dark town. Also included to encourage players to keep going through the game are multiple difficulty levels for both fighting and puzzle solving. In addition to this, players who play through the game enough times will be able to discover new hidden objects, as well as special weapons such as the chain saw, which severs enemies completely in half.
Unlike the North American release, the PAL and Japanese releases have an extra Making of Silent Hill 2 disc featuring various behind-the-scenes materials, interview with developers, Konami game trailers and more.
Restless Dreams is an updated version of of Silent Hill 2. It contains all of the content of the original version and adds several pieces of new content. The most significant is a new short scenario called Born from a Wish, where players take control of Maria from her first moments right up to where she first appears in the main game. Also included is a sixth ending to the main scenario and a minor feature that allows the player to turn off the graphical effect, which makes the game look like it was shot on cheap film stock.
Features:
New areas to explore and new weapons and items to use
Five different endings depending on the game progresses
Two playable characters
MANUFACTURER'S DESCRIPTION:
THE SILENCE IS BROKEN...
James Sunderland's life is shattered when his young wife Mary suffers a tragic death. Three years later, a mysterious letter arrives from mary, beckoning him to return to their sanctuary of memories, the dark realm of SilentHill.
Now James must go back to that special place to uncover the truth, unaware that the answers he seeks require the ultimate sacrifice.
Return to Silent Hill in an entirely new adventure with all-new characters and monsters.
Battle horrifying creatures with a new arsenal of weapons and items.
Riveting storyline, stunning graphics and true-to-life CG movies leave you on the edge of your seat.
Atmospheric lighting and ambient 3D sorround sound shift and change at each terrifing turn.
Dynamic camera angles, beautifully rendered environments and real-time weather effects deliver a cinematic horror experience.
Extras included:
- Additional playable character (Maria).
- More secrets revealed!
- New areas, weapons and items.
- Enhanced graphics and lightning effects.
FEATURES:
- Third person perspective.
- 3D graphics
- Cartoon graphics
- Horror & Mystery themes.
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