Never played a SH game, should this be my first?

[Spacebard]

Should I play the original first or is it good to dive in here?
Will the story make sense? Do callbacks to the original really hit and if they're lost on me does it lessen the experience?

Appreciate your opinions.

[Bankruptcy]

silent hill 2 (remake or original) has always been a pretty disconnected experience from sh1.
if you're up for slightly wonky combat and fixed cams, then i'd say definitely play silent hill 2 original first, otherwise, if you want a more modern version of the game, play this one.
i do recommend playing the original 2 at some point (either before this, or after), its a fantastic experience.

[ingi]

I recently played the original Silent Hill 2 on Playstation 2. I found it extremely annoying, just because of the fixed camera perspective. I don't need to play the original Silent Hill 2 again, but that's just my personal and own opinion.

[Mono]

I'll write you about my experience with SH2 Remake.
I haven't dealt with the series before, only heard it was great and know it has a large fanbase.
I sat down to play the game with high expectations.
Let me start with the pros: the game has great graphics and sound design. The facial animations in the interludes, the “acting” - This is an absolute first-rate. The atmosphere in the game is also a big plus.
As for the downsides: This game is a remake of a Japanese production from 2001, and you can clearly feel it. Characters and situations are often... How to write it subtly... Awkward. It is clear that the original game was worked on by the Japanese. Despite the fact that they strenuously try to make a “Western game” unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your point of view) this is clearly an Asian production, you can feel it at every turn. So either you played it as a very young person in 2001 and liked it or you like such Asian games. In addition, those very characteristic of Japanese “survival games” puzzles, which to me personally seem completely out of context and not suitable for the game.
I could give specific examples of what I'm describing above and perhaps it would make more sense but the post would be too long.

To sum up and answer your question directly: you don't have to have played the previous part or the original to appreciate the remake but you have to keep in mind that it's a thoroughly Japanese production in “Western” guise and quite archaic in its concepts, at least in terms of fundamentals.

[Harry]

Yes. Remake is completely disconnected how it's played to original, from combat to map traversal, I can't say it's good or bad but it's still a pleasant experience. Mind the stutters and hardware dependency.

[Harry]

Also there is no 1999 remake or a way to play it legitimately without buying OG hardware, reprogramming ps1 portable version from 2017 anniversary release or emulating so this could be your hustle free entry.

[Sir Lunchalot]

I am currently playing this as my first SH game ever. I would advice you to play with the 90s filter (is an option in game) which gives the game a somewhat retro look with big vignette and other things. Some people dont like it due to the filmgrain but I think its pretty nice when you want to have an even bigger atmosphere. Without that filter the game just looks like Resident Evil 2 Remake set in Silent Hill: Way too colourful

[KwyjiboKitsune]

Play enhanced version of the original if you're up to setting them up. Far superior to this stutterfest.