Going through it again...

[Q. Valintyne]

The default settings for SH2 is 2D; all of the controls are relative to the direction James is facing (up on the analog stick moves him forward, back is reverse, etc.). 3D controls are relative to camera angle; you move in the direction you push the analog stick in.

Hope that made sense!

[Floodclaw]

2D is tank controls like RE1 and SH1. 3D is more modern traditional controls like Q. described. :3

[Mothersdecent]

Nope, this game is still as epic and terrifying as i remember it.

[Noname6]

I'm fine with the old feeling that this game has now. It feels gritty and obscured. If the graphics showed more detail, then I think that would detract from the atmosphere overall. It's over ten years old, so what do you expect? I appreciate the lo-fi aspects of this game.

[Devoured]

Used to be that developers had to work with what they had, these days pretty much 'anyone can do anything' and it's just a matter of pulling it off properly. I don't feel like SH's visuals have really improved as far as the feelings they convey go. Being more realistic-looking to me doesn't automatically mean it looks better. I've always liked those pre-rendered backgrounds like Resident Evil and Final Fantasy used to have for instance, even though they form a big contrast between the characters & objects etc and backgrounds.

[Hazardsfury]

... The audio in SH1... in my opinion is probably Akira's best work, really sets the tone of the atmosphere really well.

[Volodislavu]

I kind of miss the more industrial music from SH1. The music of games is better to listen to on your MP3 player I guess, but the original just seemed to do a better job by creating an unsure atmosphere with its music.

[NarooN]

SH1's soundtrack perfectly matched the atmosphere of the game. I wouldn't have minded if Akira explored different sounds like that more rather than just making most of the stuff either ambient or random distorted screeches and whatnot.

[BitterSeason]

Personally, I love SH1. It's a masterpiece of a game and it was so ahead of its time. Harry Mason is my hero.

It's sad that you didn't really enjoy it.

[Hazardsfury]

I still rate it as one of my favourite games of all time.... It has everything the atmosphere.. the story.. the characters and a awesome tense soundtrack to boot!

[ZombieKillerXXX]

I think you have to look at it for what it is...a PS1 game. With that said I think it still holds up fine today (13 years later). For me it's a toss up between SH1 and SH2 for my favorite in the series. The story can be a little on the cheesy side from time to time but I've definitely seen worse as far as the story goes. As much as I do like SH1 I sort of understand what your saying about starting a new game and playing through it again a 2nd time or 3rd, 4th, 5th time for that matter. There isn't really a whole lot to look forward to, but the new weapons and upgrades is enough to keep me coming back. The story and game play is basically the same as always, new weapons tend to freshen it up a little though. If your not a hardcore SH1 fan then I'd say there isn't a lot of replay value after beating the game for the first time. For someone like me there is a lot of replay value. I enjoy unlocking the other weapons, seeing the different endings, and trying to make it through the game as quickly and flawlessly as possible to try and get the 10 star ranking. Agree or disagree it's just my opinion. I like SH1 a lot and will continue playing it...late at night...with the lights off...head phones on.....and I still find it creepy. Got love it.

Mike

[Axiomatic]

Having just finished a playthrough on my PS3, the game is still great. It does a lot of things that games with bigger budgets and superior graphics fail to do: constantly have me in a state of tension and fear, have an amazing atmosphere, instill a sense of paranoia in me while I play, and a storyline which encourages discussion and thinking to fill in the gaps. As far as filling gaps go, it's like Dark Souls. In Dark Souls, the storyline isn't in your face. It falls to the background, but there is this rich history if you choose to dig for it.

I think the same holds for the original Silent Hill.

[ZombieKillerXXX]

Having just finished a playthrough on my PS3, the game is still great. It does a lot of things that games with bigger budgets and superior graphics fail to do: constantly have me in a state of tension and fear, have an amazing atmosphere, instill a sense of paranoia in me while I play, and a storyline which encourages discussion and thinking to fill in the gaps. As far as filling gaps go, it's like Dark Souls. In Dark Souls, the storyline isn't in your face. It falls to the background, but there is this rich history if you choose to dig for it.

I think the same holds for the original Silent Hill.

I have to totally agree with you there, the storyline is put together very well. It's one of my favorite story lines out of the entire series. Your right, it's not up in your face, but if you look around for all the clues it unfolds nicely right in front of you without it being shoved down your throat. Some games throw the story in your face to the point where it ends up ruining the game, a prime example is a game that has endless dialogue scrolling across the bottom of the screen. Has to many long pauses to explain the whole story to you. Games that are like that tend to lose my interest, not that I have A.D.D. but I get bored with listening and trying to digest all of it, especially when all I want to do is play the game. Anyways, SH does a good job in that department cause you can read as many clues as you want, and if you don't want to you don't have to. Plus the game doesn't go into to many heavy dialogue sequence's that leave you sitting there for 5 minutes with the controller in your hand doing nothing, just waiting for it to be over. SH achieves at that in that aspect of the game. It's overall just a great game, I can't praise it enough.

Mike

[lukejones]

I stopped playing this about three months ago when I’d arrived at the school. Picked it back up at the weekend and haven’t been able to put it down. The atmosphere of the game is brilliant.

The combat mechanics are shoddy, but it’s nearly 15 years old... everything else is a redeeming factor in that respect.

[ZombieKillerXXX]

I stopped playing this about three months ago when I’d arrived at the school. Picked it back up at the weekend and haven’t been able to put it down. The atmosphere of the game is brilliant.

The combat mechanics are shoddy, but it’s nearly 15 years old... everything else is a redeeming factor in that respect.

Right on, I'm glad to hear that you didn't give up on it. The atmosphere is brilliant, and it was the first taste of SH for me and hooked me ever sense. I've played it (beaten it) more times than any other video game I have ever played. I even got the 10 star finish, which is no easy task. As for the combat, there definitely isn't much to say there. You have to think for the time in which the game was released (1999) that was pretty much the norm as combat goes, so you can't really knock it to much there. It is what it is for time.

If you ever are interested in achieving all of the endings (5). Our would like to try and get a 10 star finish to acquire the "Green Hyper Blaster" shoot me a PM and I'd be more than happy to give you some pointers and what it is you need to do to achieve this. However If your not that "hardcore" of a gamer and are more of a casual gamer I would not recommend going for it, as it is very hard and will require you to beat the game multiple times...not for the faint of heart.

Well that's about all I have to say, even if you'd just like to maybe play it again to get a different ending get in touch with me and I will help you out. Until next time "LukeJones", take care and I'll chat with you later.

Mike