very fun and engaging short experience (maybe a little psychologically terrifying too)... the gameplay mechanics all feel pretty fleshed out for the small amount of variation they have, bullet time is something ive never been too fond of in games but the way COTS does it speaks to me. I think that there is some due frustration to be expressed over the physics of the moving bullet, ESPECIALLY in the car chase level.. sometimes the shot just doesnt go where its supposed to go.
The jarring sound design, frantic cutscenes, and "ugly" graphics may be offputting to some-- the cutscenes certainly do flash by far too fast. but it is in these decisions where you can see the beating heart inside, i cant help but think thats beautiful

incredibly beautiful, my favorite level design in any sort of skater--type game. The story is unobtrusive but adds so much to the game's overall charm, letting the characters shine! I really appreciate how to the point the dialogue is, it feels like theres never a dull moment All-City. The combat is something i really wasnt sure about going into the game, but really impressed me with the flawless integration of movement and flow (my action game brain convinces me that the game should have a lock on but its w/e). The boss fight's are almost always great but even when theyre not it doesnt matter cause they only take 3-6 hits before getting knocked anyways (mario style)... if i have one complaint about them its that the final boss really didnt need the mandatory fixed cam. I think that the games aesthetic mixed with the perfect animation and design work makes the cities a joy to walk or skate/bike/rollerblade in. awe-inspiring game from any studio, let alone an indie one.

silent hill 2 is a game so un-apologetically driven by aesthetics and fucking with the players expectations. at many points in my playthrough i was shocked by how well team silent managed to unnerve me through pure atmosphere and the always insane environments (very awesome level design!!), with always good puzzles (a few too esoteric imo). Another shocking thing is that despite how inspired some titles are by silent hill theres still so many little things that make james sunderlands journey fresh and exciting.

A lot of people complain of SH2's bad combat system but i personally think its charming, and fits well for the title. Its so perfectly clunky and the animations are so smooth that they make up for any misgivings..

I think it is safe to say silent hill 2 could not be made at any other time period than when it released, the fmv cutscenes manage to look so uncannily beautiful paired along with an absolutely haunting industrial soundtrack; mixed with delightful ballads and guitar of course.
mary's undying love for her time spent with james resonates with me to a hurtful extent, all of the dialogue from this game sticks in my head for days at a time.

Maria is very t girl coded but dont tell anyone