Second time around. I still think the themes are solid. The palpable sense of hopelessness, the NPCs, the sense of degradation that leads really nicely into DS3, it's all here. However, I noticed all of the cracks so much more this time around. I noticed the poor areas, the underwhelming bosses, the frustrating combat, the absurd difficulty spike of the DLC, and the lack of cohesion. It's really disappointing that it's SO much clearer when things aren't fresh. It still has some cool things. It's still a fine game. I just don't think I'll play it ever again.

God damn. I was kinda expecting to be let down, but I think the concept of giving a player an objective and letting the player decide how they reach that objective is just an insanely strong game design choice that has, so far, always been engaging and compelling. Breath of the Wild and Metal Gear Solid V really nailed that and this scratches that itch that I've been looking for since I've finished those games. I loved my time with the game and I can easily see myself returning to it consistently.

I won't lie; I skipped the cutscenes. I really did not see myself being able to be engaged by any story here, but I doubt that's the point anyway. The gameplay here is supreme and just plain fun.

I'm not sure if I'll finish this one but I wanted to at least log it. I didn't grow up with this game at all. The RE4 remake blew me away so I wanted to see what the original was like. It's clearly a groundbreaking game for the time. It deserves its flowers for what its done. However, I find it hard to go back after all the improvements the remake made, and find myself just wishing I was playing the remake instead. I have no hard feelings at all towards this one. It's pretty damn fun. It plays great for being the grandfather of 3rd person shooters. It just feels like something I don't need to experience in full right now. You may disagree with that as much as you'd like.

Wow.

I'm someone who hasn't played the original yet, but still, this was just amazing from start to finish. It's insane how a complete restructuring of the Resident Evil formula at a base level doesn't ruin the experience and still retains a lot of its charm and personality in new ways. It's just really, really, really fun to play. I can't remember when I cared to S-rank a shooting range minigame, but this did it. I'm not sure what it was, but it reminded me of the experience I had playing games when I was younger, despite having no experience with the original.

As a remake, I can't judge it. As a game, this is phenomenal.

I'm sorry. I wish I loved this game. I know its significance. But I just don't. I just think it's fine.

I understand its context given the time it came out, but damn, the controls are frustrating, the puzzles baffling, and the setting a little uncompelling for me.

I don't hate it. Not at all. I'm glad I played it. It IS a classic. I just can't understand why the early Silent Hill games clicked instantly and this didn't. Maybe I'll return some day and love it.