20 PS2 Games That Still Hold Up
3. Silent Hill 2
Silent Hill 2 is among the only games that ruthless gaming critic, Ben "Yahtzee" Croshaw, couldn't fault. That alone should tell you the standard of gaming we're talking about here.
Even though Silent Hill redefined survival horror, the sequel set a new precipice for storytelling. Unlike many horror games (including the original), the haunting sequel focuses more on atmosphere than overt threats. The constant fog, flickering streetlights, and silent, bloodied corridors are tailored to keep players on edge. But since there are few jump-scares, players get little chance to release their pent-up emotions, making the gameplay more unnerving.
Although Silent Hill 2 has terrifying creatures like Pyramid Head, the focus on grief, guilt, and repression makes the protagonist's dilemma more relatable and frightening.
The monsters aren't just physical threats but manifestations of the lead's psyche, making each encounter resonant. The way the plot is intertwined with the gameplay allows players to engage in an emotional journey that lingers long after the controller is set down.
Though the 2024 remake tried modernising the game, many changes were criticised, demonstrating further that Silent Hill 2 has little to no room for improvement.