This game plays like a greatest-hits of Silent Hill gameplay, whilst the story has it's moments it mostly just feels like it didn't play the original game, including rewriting important plot points, which is disappointing, but this is definitely the game I would recommend to anyone who wants to get into the series, as this is a pure, undoctored hit of silent hill gameplay and puzzles. There are some great environments and a real focus on replayability, this game doesn't get the recognition it deserves.

Whilst I love this game I don't think it quite recaptures the feeling of the original, but also doesn't do enough to stand itself up on it's own merits. Nevertheless, the best way of describing this game is 'Silent Hill 2 does Silent Hill 1'. The story of this game meshes very well with the original and heather is an interesting new kind of protaganist with plenty of personality. This, like Origins, gives you a lot of reasons to replay it, but this game feels like it's about half the length that it is, mostly because a lot of the game is kinda forgettable. This game does improve on combat with more weapon variety and contains some of the best writing and characters in the series.

Why would you play this when you can play Downpour on the same system? At least that game feels like it respects Silent Hill. The worst part is that this game isn't even that bad, it just has such a tonal inconsistency, such a repetative story and such a clear want to just reproduce Silent Hill 2 but with none of the interesting characters or story-world interplay. The only redeeming feature of this game is that it is finishable and the puzzles aren't too frustrating (except the final one), but even then it's only if you can contend with the bugs, especially on PC.

Never before in my life have I been so frustrated by a game, never before has my opinion on a game changed so radically as the game has gone on. If Silent Hill 3 is well-made but nothing new, then this game is the exact opposite. The first half of this game is some of the best that this game has to offer; Unnerving, genuinely scary enemies, interesting locations, and new gameplay changes that switch up the gameplay in great ways that really work and really fit. the smaller inventory works really well with how you can go back to your apartment whenever you like, and the apartment is full of atmosphere and works as a really great safe-space. The improved combat also feels like exactly that - Improved!

But, and this is the biggest 'but' of all time, the second half of the game is positively unbearable, not only is it a one of the worst escort missions ever made, but you need to escort her through all of the areas you've already been through with little to no changes made, and if you give her a weapon then she will not leave a room unless all of the enemies are dead, and the more damage she takes denotes how bad the ending you get is. And what's more is that the home that was your safe space becomes full of enemies and after a certain point there is just nothing you can do about it.

This game had so much potential that was all thrown away in the second half.