Are there any spoiler free reviews of this or the original?

[Rocket]

I've always heard SH2 is a must play. But even back when it released it felt a bit janky so I never got farther than the first 30 minutes. The price is a little high for me now but that doesn't mean I won't revisit it down the road.

The thing though is, that everyone says go into it knowing nothing because if you know the story it ruins the whole thing. So I really am not sure if it's my cup of tea.

I love RE games, Alien Isolation, Stay Out of the House, Murder House, Evil Within 2, Control, and to a lesser extent, Alan Wake.

I wouldn't quite say horror games are my jam, since many are either walking simulators with scares or you're completely defenseless and need to run away (which can get old fast, Outlast comes to mind) , but I've really enjoyed some of them.

[Rocket]

Bump

[angstlicht]

not sure what you want. i can write you a review of sh2 right now:

it's good, but it's more of an adventure game with good music and memorable character beats than a resident evil game that's fun because of the metroidvania aspects and combat.

if you want a youtube video that doesn't spoil plot points but recommends it:

https://youtu.be/vPqP931obI0

the OG version has very de-emphasized combat that you barely need to interact with, and has one or two adventure game puzzles that you might need to look up a guide for. this remake changes that quite a bit and is a lot more combat-oriented for a lot longer of a runtime, causing a pretty weird pacing issue.

[Virake]

this is not a faithful recreation of the original, so if you're wondering if you should buy the remake, old reviews wouldn't be helpful.

in terms of gameplay, original SH2 is like RE1, while the remake is like RE4.

since you listed TEW2, I have to assume you don't care about the story in games. in this case, the original is definitely not for you, but you may find some value in the remake for its gameplay.

[Rocket]

Originally posted by angstlicht:

not sure what you want. i can write you a review of sh2 right now:

it's good, but it's more of an adventure game with good music and memorable character beats than a resident evil game that's fun because of the metroidvania aspects and combat.

if you want a youtube video that doesn't spoil plot points but recommends it:

https://youtu.be/vPqP931obI0

the OG version has very de-emphasized combat that you barely need to interact with, and has one or two adventure game puzzles that you might need to look up a guide for. this remake changes that quite a bit and is a lot more combat-oriented for a lot longer of a runtime, causing a pretty weird pacing issue.

When you say adventure games, do you mean point and click style adventure games? Because I like the really good ones. If not then I'm not sure what you mean by adventure.

I mainly couldn't go back to tank controls and the menu accessing for every small action.

I'll check out that review tonight when I have some time to watch it, thanks!

[decizion]

Originally posted by Rocket:

I've always heard SH2 is a must play. But even back when it released it felt a bit janky so I never got farther than the first 30 minutes. The price is a little high for me now but that doesn't mean I won't revisit it down the road.

The thing though is, that everyone says go into it knowing nothing because if you know the story it ruins the whole thing. So I really am not sure if it's my cup of tea.

I love RE games, Alien Isolation, Stay Out of the House, Murder House, Evil Within 2, Control, and to a lesser extent, Alan Wake.

I wouldn't quite say horror games are my jam, since many are either walking simulators with scares or you're completely defenseless and need to run away (which can get old fast, Outlast comes to mind) , but I've really enjoyed some of them.

This remake is the perfect place to start playing a Silent Hill game. It's actually a great remake and the modernized combat and controls will surely be more to your liking compared to old "tank" controls.

[Rocket]

Originally posted by Virake:

since you listed TEW2, I have to assume you don't care about the story in games.

My brain just fried because of this one sentence and how nonsensical, incorrect, subjective, and side tracked the thread will get. Blocked.

[angstlicht]

Originally posted by Rocket:

When you say adventure games, do you mean point and click style adventure games?

yes, the ps2 version is more toward that type of game than RE has ever been.

I mainly couldn't go back to tank controls and the menu accessing for every small action.

there's an inventory menu for sure, but again anything combat-wise is really not any kind of challenge. fighting the tyrant at the end of re1 1996 you can die a lot or be out of health items or w/e. sh2 doesn't really have that aspect and even the big boss fights are simple events. you're mainly going into the menu to do things like inspecting letters, and there's no RE-style inventory cap so you aren't constantly dropping things to make room.

[Rocket]

Originally posted by angstlicht:

Originally posted by Rocket:

When you say adventure games, do you mean point and click style adventure games?

yes, the ps2 version is more toward that type of game than RE has ever been.

I mainly couldn't go back to tank controls and the menu accessing for every small action.

there's an inventory menu for sure, but again anything combat-wise is really not any kind of challenge. fighting the tyrant at the end of re1 1996 you can die a lot or be out of health items or w/e. sh2 doesn't really have that aspect and even the big boss fights are simple events. you're mainly going into the menu to do things like inspecting letters, and there's no RE-style inventory cap so you aren't constantly dropping things to make room.

I watched the video you posted. He explained how the original felt to play much better than I could.

With the camera and controls and combat being improved I think I'll like it because the story/ game beyond the interface for it was often described as already really good.

I appreciate your responses. Thank you.

Originally posted by decizion:

This remake is the perfect place to start playing a Silent Hill game. It's actually a great remake and the modernized combat and controls will surely be more to your liking compared to old "tank" controls.

Much appreciated.

[Virake]

Originally posted by Rocket:

My brain just fried because of this one sentence and how nonsensical, incorrect, subjective, and side tracked the thread will get. Blocked.

my comment was perfectly relevant. Silent Hill 2 is regarded as the best psychological horror game ever made in large part thanks to its writing. The Evil Within 2 has notoriously bad writing, so if it's one of your favorite games, it makes sense to conclude that this aspect isn't particularly important to you.

[angstlicht]

Originally posted by Virake:

Originally posted by Rocket:

My brain just fried because of this one sentence and how nonsensical, incorrect, subjective, and side tracked the thread will get. Blocked.

my comment was perfectly relevant. Silent Hill 2 is regarded as the best psychological horror game ever made in large part thanks to its writing. The Evil Within 2 has notoriously bad writing, so if it's one of your favorite games, it makes sense to conclude that this aspect isn't particularly important to you.

a general social cue tip, people generally don't like things based on how poorly those things do something. even if all you can think about a product is insults, to a person who likes something they're probably complimenting something else they *did* appreciate about it.

like call of duty campaigns are generally stupid with the writing, but if i recommended a game with a stupid, badly written campaign to a call of duty fan they'd probably notice i've 1) insulted them and 2) on the off chance they play the thing i recommend they'll notice any number of traits call of duty can afford to have that less-well-funded games might not have, with non-COD games generally having far longer TTKs and far fewer animations.

silent hill 2 is 'smart' relative to the playstation 2 library of games and a lot of horror movies, sure, but it isn't so smart that it can't be described as a dumber version of tarkovsky's solaris that is carried mostly on its soundtrack and sound design and weird line delivery. it's not an offputtingly impenetrable story. in fact in terms of complexity TEW2 has way more details and rules to keep track of than sh2, and it has a lot of subject matter carry over from sh2 due to sh2 basically being the model T for taking the psychological angle in console horror games.

tl;dr: if someone says they like a 'bad' thing, they're probably appraising traits you wouldn't think of. it's entirely possible for someone to like TEW2 and not be upset by 'better' writing when it shows up, as liking a game doesn't really at-all imply said game is the high water mark for dialogue and plotting in your mind. do you think mario 64 fans hate all books because those have more writing than their favorite game?

[Lucavi]

want a spoiler free review?

Go to foggy town, try to open doors, most are locked, find ppl, run around more, jump down holes, end up in water or maybe not, depends on you.

[angstlicht]

Originally posted by Lucavi:

want a spoiler free review?

Go to foggy town, try to open doors, most are locked, find ppl, run around more, jump down holes, end up in water or maybe not, depends on you.

there's fog? sorry, game ruined. idk why you spoiler junkies can't let people find out about fog on their own.

[Virake]

Originally posted by angstlicht:

a general social cue tip, people generally don't like things based on how poorly those things do something. even if all you can think about a product is insults, to a person who likes something they're probably complimenting something else they *did* appreciate about it.

like call of duty campaigns are generally stupid with the writing, but if i recommended a game with a stupid, badly written campaign to a call of duty fan they'd probably notice i've 1) insulted them and 2) on the off chance they play the thing i recommend they'll notice any number of traits call of duty can afford to have that less-well-funded games might not have, with non-COD games generally having far longer TTKs and far fewer animations.

with this part I agree wholeheartedly.

Originally posted by angstlicht:

silent hill 2 is 'smart' relative to the playstation 2 library of games and a lot of horror movies, sure, but it isn't so smart that it can't be described as a dumber version of tarkovsky's solaris that is carried mostly on its soundtrack and sound design and weird line delivery. it's not an offputtingly impenetrable story. in fact in terms of complexity TEW2 has way more details and rules to keep track of than sh2, and it has a lot of subject matter carry over from sh2 due to sh2 basically being the model T for taking the psychological angle in console horror games.

unfortunately I haven't watched Solaris, so as a point of reference this doesn't do anything for me.

one thing I can say with certainty, though, is that complexity is not the indication of quality. TEW2's plot has a lot going on, but it's ilegant. plotholes, nonsesical twists, loose ends – the works. as a backdrop for a dumb but fun action game, it's enough. in fact, I enjoyed a lot the game while I played it – but once the dopamine high wore off, I was left rather disappointed. then TEW2 faded into obscurity, while SH2 is still talked about to this day.

Originally posted by angstlicht:

tl;dr: if someone says they like a 'bad' thing, they're probably appraising traits you wouldn't think of. it's entirely possible for someone to like TEW2 and not be upset by 'better' writing when it shows up, as liking a game doesn't really at-all imply said game is the high water mark for dialogue and plotting in your mind. do you think mario 64 fans hate all books because those have more writing than their favorite game?

I believe there's some kind of misunderstanding. I was thinking a TEW2 fan would be upset not by better writing, but by inferior gameplay.

[angstlicht]

Originally posted by Virake:

I was thinking a TEW2 fan would be upset not by better writing, but by inferior gameplay.

that's sort've fair, but op's already looking to get into a game from 2001. and it's a good or at least very memorable game, so to me that simplifies the recommendation.

[Rocket]

Originally posted by Lucavi:

want a spoiler free review?

Go to foggy town, try to open doors, most are locked, find ppl, run around more, jump down holes, end up in water or maybe not, depends on you.

One can do this with anything but I'll play along for fun since I got my answers.

Super Mario Bros: Go right. Jump over holes and step on enemies, except a few you can't step on. Break floating bricks with your head after you grab magic plants that make you gigantic or throw fireballs. Run under big dinosaur. Touch flagpole or axe. Save princess.

Doom. Shoot everything that moves. Grab everything else. Press end switch. Kill a couple bosses and read some text at the end.

Resident Evil. Shoot zombies. Solve nonsensical puzzles and find items that shouldn't be where they are. Escape alive. Listen to terrible dialogue and laugh at it. Learn about Jill sandwiches and consider opening a deli. BLOOD! That hopefully isn't Chris' blood. Poop your pants sometimes. Shoot dogs and crows to make PETA mad.

Streets of Rage 4. Punch and kick everybody you see except your teammate. Save the city.

Yakuza. Punch and kick enemies. Hit them over the head with orange cones. Long cut scenes with angry Japanese men saying things I can't understand but sound cool. Lots of slow motion. Goofy side missions.

Hitman. Kill people. Knock out other people and put them in boxes and lockers. Don't get caught.

Tetris Effect. Fill up lines with trippy music and lights that will eventually give you a seizure. Use your time stopping Max Payne button to get lots of points.