I've bought a lot of PS2 games recently and surprisingly enough they still hold up despite muddy textures and archaic gameplay concepts. Now, I've been a huge fan of the Silent Hill franchise for a while even though the only game I put a significant amount of time into and actually finished was Shattered Memories. I'd like to rectify that by getting some of the older games and I figured Silent Hill 2 would be a good starting point, being :
 
1)the first PS2 game 
and
2)Widely regarded as the best one in the series.
 
Buti it DID come out in 2001, none of my recent purchases were quite that old. So, as the title says, is it still worth getting? How are the controls, puzzles, etc. compared to, say, Deadly Premonition?

I've bought a lot of PS2 games recently and surprisingly enough they still hold up despite muddy textures and archaic gameplay concepts. Now, I've been a huge fan of the Silent Hill franchise for a while even though the only game I put a significant amount of time into and actually finished was Shattered Memories. I'd like to rectify that by getting some of the older games and I figured Silent Hill 2 would be a good starting point, being :
 
1)the first PS2 game 
and
2)Widely regarded as the best one in the series.
 
Buti it DID come out in 2001, none of my recent purchases were quite that old. So, as the title says, is it still worth getting? How are the controls, puzzles, etc. compared to, say, Deadly Premonition?

The best thing about that game is it's story...which you can experience on youtube and/or wikipedia.
 
The gameplay is....ass..to be blunt (or atleast i thought it was).

" I've bought a lot of PS2 games recently and surprisingly enough they still hold up despite muddy textures and archaic gameplay concepts. Now, I've been a huge fan of the Silent Hill franchise for a while even though the only game I put a significant amount of time into and actually finished was Shattered Memories. I'd like to rectify that by getting some of the older games and I figured Silent Hill 2 would be a good starting point, being :  1)the first PS2 game  and 2)Widely regarded as the best one in the series.  Buti it DID come out in 2001, none of my recent purchases were quite that old. So, as the title says, is it still worth getting? How are the controls, puzzles, etc. compared to, say, Deadly Premonition? "

 Silent Hill 2 uses dynamic, cinematic camera angles, so it all comes down to whether or not you are compatible with tank controls.

" The best thing about that game is it's story...which you can experience on youtube and/or wikipedia.  The gameplay is....ass..to be blunt (or atleast i thought it was). "

Absolutely, get it.

" Absolutely, get it. "

I think my main concerns are how challenging the game is and if it could still scare someone now that we're used to better graphics. "

Yeah, I say do it. I debate buying this every year, every time I find one in a game store.

Alright, I guess I'll be getting this. How about SH3 and 4 though. Worth 15 bucks?
 
Also, @CptBedlam:  Thanks for reminding me of Shadow of Colossus. I wanted to get that one ever since it first came out but never got around to it.

" Alright, I guess I'll be getting this. How about SH3 and 4 though. Worth 15 bucks?
 
Also, @CptBedlam:  Thanks for reminding me of Shadow of Colossus. I wanted to get that one ever since it first came out but never got around to it. "

One of my favourite games of all time.. a must have, in my opinion.
 
@CptBedlam said:

" @paulunga said:

" Alright, I guess I'll be getting this. How about SH3 and 4 though. Worth 15 bucks?
 
Also, @CptBedlam:  Thanks for reminding me of Shadow of Colossus. I wanted to get that one ever since it first came out but never got around to it. "

 Skip SH4 altogether. Play SH3 if you know and liked SH1.   SH2 is more like a stand-alone story whereas SH3 continues the SH1 plot. "

You shouldn't play Silent Hill 2. The gameplay is pretty terrible and it will only frustrate you. It has a great story, but I'm not sure it's worth putting up with the ridiculous puzzles and other things. Maybe just watch it on YouTube? If you like having a game collection, it's probably a good idea to buy it, because it's one of those staple games that everyone should have. Also, I liked Silent Hill 4 too. I thought it was interesting, had a nice atmosphere, and had a nice idea with the room. Great soundtrack, as well.

Everyone who is telling you the game is too dated to play is an absolute idiot.
 
Silent Hill 2 is, and probably will be for a very long time, the best game that was ever made.
 
Yes, the controls are terrible, but they are not Resident Evil terrible. Yes, the graphics (While stunning for the time) are now severely dated. But none of that changes the fact that it's a fantastic game, with a character you will identify with, that you won't know how to feel about. With a story that is rivaled by few, and, in my opinion, matched by none. It's atmosphere is unprecedented, and even the enemies' physical appearances are representative of the main character and the story as a whole.
 
Buy Silent Hill 2, it'll be dirt cheap, and love it. Love it endlessly, love it ceaselessly, and live forever bummed out that when it is over, it's finally over.

Okay, here's a question. Would it still be worth getting if you have received a significant spoiler about the storyline? I had some of it spoiled, much to my disappointment, as it sounded like it would be a game that I would love.

" Okay, here's a question. Would it still be worth getting if you have received a significant spoiler about the storyline? I had some of it spoiled, much to my disappointment, as it sounded like it would be a game that I would love. "

Silent Hill 2 is one of those games that you have to play to appreciate. You can't just watch it on Youtube. You won't understand why it is so highly praised. I'll be honest with you, the plot by itself isn't super original, nor is it nonstop blow your mind crazy. It is in how it is told and how the atmosphere and tone present it to the player. How it gives you time to pause and really think about what you have just seen. And a lot of my favorite parts of the game are in the small, hidden details. You know, the things that would be quickly skimmed over or completely neglected in a video play through. Like Neely's Bar and some interesting bits involving Mary's letter. 
 
Oh, and if you grew up playing survival horror games then the game play here is fine. It is great little snapshot of horror gaming during that time.