If survival horror is the house that Resident Evil built, Silent Hill renovated it.
Konami traded the camp that made Capcom’s game so charmingly B-movie for a much more
psychological brand of terror.
For its budding genre, Silent Hill was a pivotal moment that really expanded what a survival
horror game could be.
Fast forward more than a decade later, and Silent Hill is the latest series to get a
contemporary facelift.
The second and third games in this renowned franchise are remade in high-definition in
Konami’s Silent Hill Collection, and although HD has certainly improved their look, sadly,
it can’t do the same for their design.
Silent Hill 2 and Silent Hill 3 were originally released in 2001 and 2003.
Both were lauded by critics, earning Silent Hill praise as a consistent leader in survival
horror.
So frankly, the quality of these games is almost unquestionable...at least, within their
time.
Now, when you revisit them today, you’ll still be scared, you’ll still be amazed
by how thrilling and really smart they are.
But you’ll also ask yourself, “Were games really this clunky ten years ago?”
To start with those criticisms, these games do show their age.
They just don’t make games like this anymore, and I mean that in terms of their general
design.
After you struggle with the camera, the controls and a few unreasonably cryptic puzzles and
objectives, your nostalgia buzz immediately gives way to retro frustrations.
And if you’re a newcomer, yeah...this is how games used to be.
The good news is these games are still absolutely terrifying.
In fact, when you’re revisiting them, you quickly realize that very few horror games
have been able to recreate the sheer terror and deep emotional impact these Silent Hill
games so effortlessly muster.
The themes are relentlessly dark, and for those willing to
explore it, there’s a psychological depth here that is profoundly disturbing.
Now, the second game is still a bit better, and their old design quirks can be a little
annoying.
But when it comes to survival horror, you still can’t do better than a trip to Silent
Hill...and the place has never looked better than in the Silent Hill Collection.