View source for Silent Hill 2

{{Short description|2001 video game}}
{{About|the 2001 video game|the remake|Silent Hill 2 (2024 video game){{!}}''Silent Hill 2'' (2024 video game)|the second ''Silent Hill'' film|Silent Hill: Revelation{{!}}''Silent Hill: Revelation''}}
{{Good article}}{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox video game
| image     = Silent Hill 2.jpg
| caption   = North American cover art
| developer = [[Team Silent]]{{Efn|Team Silent was a group in [[Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo]]. Ported to Windows by [[Creature Labs]].|lead=yes}}
| publisher = [[Konami]]
| director  = Masashi Tsuboyama
| producer  = Akihiro Imamura
| artist    = [[Masahiro Ito]]
| writer    = [[Hiroyuki Owaku]]
| composer  = [[Akira Yamaoka]]
| series    = ''[[Silent Hill]]''
| platforms = {{Unbulleted list|[[PlayStation 2]]|[[Xbox (console)|Xbox]]|[[Windows]]}}
| released  = {{Collapsible list|title={{Nobold|September 25, 2001}}|'''PlayStation 2'''{{Video game release|NA|September 25, 2001|JP|September 27, 2001|EU|November 23, 2001}}'''Xbox'''{{Video game release|NA|December 18, 2001|JP|February 22, 2002|EU|October 4, 2002}}'''Windows'''{{Video game release|NA|December 2, 2002|EU|February 28, 2003}}}}
| genre     = [[Survival horror]]
| modes     = [[Single-player]]
}}

{{Nihongo foot|'''''Silent Hill 2'''''|サイレントヒル 2|Sairento Hiru Tsū|group=lower-alpha|lead=yes}} is a 2001 [[survival horror]] [[video game]] developed by [[Team Silent]], a group in [[Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo]], and published by [[Konami]] for the [[PlayStation 2]]. The second installment in the ''[[Silent Hill]]'' series, ''Silent Hill 2'' centers on [[James Sunderland (Silent Hill)|James Sunderland]], a widower who journeys to the town of Silent Hill after receiving a letter from his dead wife. An extended version containing a bonus scenario, ''Born from a Wish'', and other additions was published for [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]] in December of the same year. In 2002, it was ported to [[Windows]] and re-released for the PlayStation 2 as a ''Greatest Hits'' version, which includes all bonus content from the Xbox port. A [[remaster]]ed [[High-definition video|high-definition]] version was released for the [[PlayStation 3]] and [[Xbox 360]] in 2012 as part of the ''[[Silent Hill HD Collection]]''. A [[Silent Hill 2 (2024 video game)|remake]] developed by [[Bloober Team]] was released on October 8, 2024 for the [[PlayStation 5]] and Windows.

Development of ''Silent Hill 2'' began in June 1999, soon after ''[[Silent Hill (video game)|Silent Hill]]'' had been completed. Its narrative was inspired by the Russian novel ''[[Crime and Punishment]]'' (1866) by [[Fyodor Dostoevsky]], and some of the [[Silent Hill 2#Development|influences]] on the game's artistic style include the work of film director [[David Lynch]] and paintings by [[Francis Bacon (artist)|Francis Bacon]] and [[Andrew Wyeth]]; cultural references to history, films and literature can be found in the game. In contrast with the previous title, whose narrative concerned cult activity, ''Silent Hill 2'' focuses directly on the psychology of its characters.

In North America, Japan, and Europe, over one million copies of ''Silent Hill 2'' were sold, with the greatest number of sales in North America. Critics praised its [[psychological horror]] story, use of [[symbol]]ism and [[taboo]] topics, atmosphere, graphics, monster designs, [[soundtrack]], sound design, and emotional depth. It is considered to be the most acclaimed game of the ''Silent Hill'' franchise,<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 4, 2024 |title=Every Silent Hill Game, Ranked |url=https://www.metacritic.com/pictures/ever-silent-hill-game-ranked-worst-to-best/11/ |access-date=April 23, 2025 |website=[[Metacritic]] |language=en}}</ref> one of the [[List of video games considered the best|best video games of all time]], and a key example of [[video games as an art form]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=How A Team Of Silent Hill 2 Fans Transformed A Buggy Port Into The Definitive Version |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/how-a-team-of-silent-hill-2-fans-transformed-a-buggy-port-into-the-definitive-version/1100-6483977/ |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US}}</ref> The game was followed by ''[[Silent Hill 3]]'' in 2003.

==Gameplay==
[[File:Jamesvspatient.jpg|thumb|left|alt=A screenshot from a video game. On the corner of a foggy street, a monster with no arms faces a man in a green jacket wielding a pipe.|James preparing to fight a monster]]

The objective of ''Silent Hill 2'' is to guide the [[player character]], [[James Sunderland (Silent Hill)|James Sunderland]], through the monster-filled town of Silent Hill as he searches for his deceased wife. The game features a [[third-person view]], with various camera angles.<ref name="IGN PS2"/> The default control for ''Silent Hill 2'' has James moving in the direction that he is facing when the player tilts the analog stick upwards, although players can choose a more traditional control scheme.<ref name="GS PS2"/> ''Silent Hill 2'' does not use a [[Heads-up display (video games)|heads-up display]]; to check James' health, location, and items, the player must enter the pause-game menu to review his status.<ref name="booklet">{{cite book|title=Silent Hill 2 – Instruction Manual|publisher=[[Konami]]|year=2001|pages=9, 19, 22–23}}</ref><ref name="IGN PC"/> Throughout the game, James collects [[map]]s, which can only be read if there is sufficient light or when his flashlight is on.<ref name="booklet"/> He also updates relevant maps to reflect locked doors, clues, and obstructions,<ref name="GS PS2"/> and writes down the content of all documents for future reference. Maps are not essential to proceed through the game, but they will give a significant advantage to exploring the world.<ref name="booklet"/>

Much of the gameplay consists of navigating the town and finding keys or other items to bypass doors or other obstructions, with less focus on killing enemies.<ref name="GS PS2"/> Occasionally, puzzles will be presented, often with riddles left for the player to interpret.<ref name="GS PS2"/> The difficulty levels of the enemies and the puzzles are determined independently by the player before starting the game.<ref name="IGN PS2"/> James keeps a [[radio]] with him, which alerts him to the presence of creatures by emitting static, allowing him to detect them even through the thick fog or darkness. Similar to the first game, the player can choose to turn off the radio if they want.<ref name="booklet"/> He also tilts his head in the direction of a nearby item or monster, giving clues to items that the player may miss while playing.<ref name="IGN PS2"/> For combat, he finds three melee weapons and three firearms throughout the game, with another two melee weapons unlocked during replays. James can move and shoot while equipped with a handgun, but he cannot move and shoot with a shotgun or rifle. James cannot aim up or down and the player will have to rely on the game's auto-aim to hit enemies that are on the ceiling.<ref name="IGN PS2"/> "[[Health (gaming)|Health]]" restoratives and ammunition can be found throughout the game.<ref name="booklet"/>
{{clear}}

==Plot==
{{Main|List of Silent Hill series characters}}

===Setting===
While not focusing on the characters and plot threads of the [[Silent Hill (video game)|first ''Silent Hill'' game]], ''Silent Hill 2'' takes place in the series' namesake town, located in [[Maine]].<ref name="E3 interview"/><ref name="pgs 4-5"/> ''Silent Hill 2'' is set in another area of the town,<ref name="Imamura interview 2"/> and explores some of Silent Hill's [[backstory]].<ref name="E3 interview"/> As opposed to the first game where the monsters and environments were a real manifestation, and everybody could see what was happening, this time the town draws upon the psyche of its visitors and ultimately forms alternative versions of itself, which differs depending on the character; thus, Silent Hill 2 acts as more of an internal representation of a person's guilt or demons.{{efn|This can be seen prominently with James, who experiences a version of the town influenced by his guilt and delusions for the majority of the game. His version of the town fades as he comes to terms with his guilt and responsibility for his actions.<ref name="pg 111"/> For example, the hotel transforms from being just as it was three years ago,<ref name="Lakeview Hotel"/> to its true form of a mostly burned-out structure. Meanwhile, since the character of Laura is young and innocent, she does not see any monsters or otherworldly versions of Silent Hill, and can freely move around as if nothing is wrong.<ref name="pgs 4-5">{{cite book|script-title=ja:サイレントヒル3公式完全攻略ガイド:  失われた記憶-サイレントヒル・クロニクル-.|trans-title=Silent Hill 3 Official Strategy Guide / Lost Memories: Silent Hill Chronicle|language=ja|publisher=[[Konami]]|location=Japan|year=2003|pages=4–5|chapter=Silent Hill Area Map|isbn=4-7571-8145-0|oclc=168084311}}</ref> Furthermore, only Laura perceives the town as normal because she is not burdened with guilt or past misdeeds; to her, neither the monsters nor Maria exist.<ref name="lostcharacters"/>}}<ref name="pg 111">{{cite book|script-title=ja:サイレントヒル3公式完全攻略ガイド:  失われた記憶-サイレントヒル・クロニクル-.|trans-title=Silent Hill 3 Official Strategy Guide / Lost Memories: Silent Hill Chronicle|language=ja|publisher=[[Konami]]|location=Japan|year=2003|page=111|chapter=XXI: The World|isbn=4-7571-8145-0|oclc=168084311}}</ref> The concept behind the town was "a small, rural town in America"; to make the setting more realistic, some buildings and rooms lack furnishings.<ref name="Sato interview"/>

===Storylines===
The game's main storyline follows a character named [[James Sunderland (Silent Hill)|James Sunderland]]. Later editions of the game include a second storyline titled "''Born from a Wish''", which follows a character named Maria. In editions that include "''Born from a Wish''", the original storyline is titled "''Letter from Silent Heaven''".

==== ''Letter from Silent Heaven'' ====
James Sunderland (Guy Cihi) arrives in Silent Hill after receiving a letter from his late wife Mary (Monica Taylor Horgan), who had been suffering from an illness and died three years before.<ref name="Silent Hill 2">{{cite video game|title=Silent Hill 2|developer=Konami (Team Silent)|publisher=Konami|date=September 21, 2001|platform=PlayStation 2|level=Beginning}}</ref> While exploring the town, he encounters Angela Orosco ([[Donna Burke]]), a 19-year-old runaway searching for her mother; Eddie Dombrowski (David Schaufele), another runaway; and Laura (Jacquelyn Breckenridge), a bratty eight-year-old orphan who befriended Mary and accuses James of not truly loving her. While making his way through an apartment complex, he also runs into an indestructible being known as [[Pyramid Head]].<ref name="lostcharacters">{{cite book|script-title=ja:サイレントヒル3公式完全攻略ガイド:  失われた記憶-サイレントヒル・クロニクル-.|trans-title=Silent Hill 3 Official Strategy Guide / Lost Memories: Silent Hill Chronicle|publisher=[[Konami]]|language=ja|location=Japan|year=2003|pages=46–47|chapter=Silent Hill 2 Character Commentary|isbn=4-7571-8145-0|oclc=168084311}}</ref><ref name="IGNchar">{{cite web|url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/097/097431p1.html |title=Meet the Characters and Monsters of Silent Hill 2 |publisher=IGN |date=August 15, 2001 |access-date=August 8, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071224201722/http://ps2.ign.com/articles/097/097431p1.html |archive-date=December 24, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite video game|title=Silent Hill 2|developer=Konami (Team Silent)|publisher=Konami|date=September 21, 2001|platform=PlayStation 2|scene=Credits}}</ref> While searching a local park, James meets Maria (Horgan), a woman who strongly resembles Mary but has a much more assertive and sexual personality. Maria claims that she has never met or seen Mary, and because she is frightened by the monsters, James allows her to follow him.<ref>{{cite video game|title=Silent Hill 2|developer=Konami (Team Silent)|publisher=Konami|date=September 21, 2001|platform=PlayStation 2|level=Rosewater Park}}</ref> Arriving at a bowling alley, Eddie and Laura are found inside, but Laura runs off.

Following Laura to a hospital and searching for her there at Maria's insistence, James and Maria are ambushed by the monster Pyramid Head, and Maria is killed while James escapes.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite video game|title=Silent Hill 2|developer=Konami (Team Silent)|publisher=Konami|date=September 21, 2001|platform=PlayStation 2|level=Brookhaven Hospital}}</ref> Afterwards, James resolves to search the hotel that he and Mary stayed at during their vacation.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> On the way, he is surprised to find Maria alive and unharmed in a locked cell room. She remembers their previous encounter differently, and begins discussing elements of James' and Mary's past that only Mary would know. James sets off to find a way to free Maria but returns to find her dead again.<ref name="Historical Society">{{cite video game|title=Silent Hill 2|developer=Konami (Team Silent)|publisher=Konami|date=September 21, 2001|platform=PlayStation 2|level=Silent Hill Historical Society}}</ref> Later on, he rescues Angela from a monster, after which she reveals that her father had raped her as a child; a nearby newspaper clipping implies that she killed her father before coming to Silent Hill. Angela confronts James about his wife, accusing him of not loving her.<ref name="lostcharacters"/><ref name="Historical Society"/> James also confronts Eddie, who admits to maiming a bully and killing a dog before fleeing to Silent Hill. After a poorly worded question, Eddie is offended and attacks him. James is forced to kill him in self-defense, grieving at the fact that he just killed a person.<ref name="Historical Society"/>

At the hotel, James locates a videotape that depicts him killing his dying wife by smothering her with a pillow. In another room, a final meeting in a burning staircase with Angela sees her giving up on life, unable to cope with her trauma. She thanks James for saving her but wishes that he didn't, as she feels she deserved the sexual abuse as a child. She then walks into a fire and is never seen again, commenting her world is always like this.<ref name="Lakeview Hotel">{{cite video game|title=Silent Hill 2|developer=Konami (Team Silent)|publisher=Konami|date=September 21, 2001|platform=PlayStation 2|level=Lakeview Hotel}}</ref> Afterwards, James encounters two Pyramid Heads, along with Maria, who is killed once again. He comes to realize that Pyramid Head was created because he needed someone to punish him, and all the monsters are manifestations of his psyche. The envelope from Mary disappears and both Pyramid Heads commit suicide.<ref name="Lakeview Hotel"/> James heads to the hotel's rooftop, and depending on choices made by the player throughout the game, he encounters either Mary or Maria disguised as her.

''Silent Hill 2'' features six endings; Konami has kept their [[Canon (fiction)|canonicity]] ambiguous.<ref name="E3 interview"/><ref>{{cite book|script-title=ja:サイレントヒル3公式完全攻略ガイド:  失われた記憶-サイレントヒル・クロニクル-.|trans-title=Silent Hill 3 Official Strategy Guide / Lost Memories: Silent Hill Chronicle|publisher=[[Konami]]|language=ja|location=Japan|year=2003|pages=50–51|chapter=Silent Hill 2 Ending Analysis|isbn=4-7571-8145-0|oclc=168084311}}</ref> In "Leave", James has one last meeting with Mary, reads her letter, and leaves the town with Laura. "In Water" sees James commit suicide by driving into Lake Toluca with Mary's body in the car.<ref>{{cite video game|title=Silent Hill 2|developer=Konami (Team Silent)|publisher=Konami|date=September 21, 2001|platform=PlayStation 2|level=In Water ending}}</ref> The "Maria" ending sees Mary as the woman on the rooftop, who has not forgiven James for killing her; after her defeat, James dismisses her as a hallucination and then leaves the town with an alive Maria, who briefly coughs, suggesting she will become sick just as Mary did, and the cycle will repeat.<ref>{{cite video game|title=Silent Hill 2|developer=Konami (Team Silent)|publisher=Konami|date=September 21, 2001|platform=PlayStation 2|level=Maria ending}}</ref> The other three endings are only available in replay games, including "Rebirth", in which James plans to resurrect Mary using arcane objects collected throughout the game,<ref>{{cite video game|title=Silent Hill 2|developer=Konami (Team Silent)|publisher=Konami|date=September 21, 2001|platform=PlayStation 2|level=rebirth ending}}</ref> and two joke endings: "Dog", where James discovers that a [[Shiba Inu]] has been controlling all the events of the game,<ref>{{cite video game|title=Silent Hill 2|developer=Konami (Team Silent)|publisher=Konami|date=September 21, 2001|platform=PlayStation 2|level=Dog ending}}</ref> and "UFO", where James is abducted by [[Extraterrestrial life|extraterrestrials]] with the help of the first game's protagonist, Harry Mason.<ref>{{cite video game|title=Silent Hill 2|developer=Konami (Team Silent)|publisher=Konami|date=September 21, 2001|platform=PlayStation 2|level=UFO ending}}</ref>

==== ''Born from a Wish'' ====
''Born from a Wish'' is a side-story scenario in the [[#Release|special editions and re-releases]] of the game in which the player takes control of Maria shortly before she and James meet at Silent Hill. After waking up in the town with a gun and contemplating suicide, she decides to try to find someone.<ref name="Silent Hill 2"/> She eventually encounters a local mansion, where she hears the voice of its owner, Ernest Baldwin (Ward Sexton). Ernest refuses to let Maria into the room he is in and will only talk to her through its closed door. After Maria completes tasks for him, Ernest warns her about James, whom he describes as a "bad man".<ref>{{cite video game|title=Silent Hill 2|developer=Konami (Team Silent)|publisher=Konami|date=September 21, 2001|platform=PlayStation 2|level=Ernest's House}}</ref> After Maria opens the door to Ernest's room and finds it empty, she leaves the mansion. After the scenario, Maria contemplates suicide once more but ultimately resolves to find James.<ref>{{cite video game|title=Silent Hill 2|developer=Konami (Team Silent)|publisher=Konami|date=November 19, 2002|platform=PlayStation 2|level=Ending}}</ref> The side-story concludes with a voice-over of James encountering Maria in the park and her introducing herself to him, as it happens during the events of the main story.

== Themes and analysis ==
Some of the more apparent themes of the narrative are grief, guilt, and punishment. Other noticeable themes in ''Silent Hill 2'' are mental illness,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Velocci|first=Carli|date=February 10, 2017|title=What 'Silent Hill 2' gets right about mental illness|url=https://www.inverse.com/article/27660-silent-hill-2-konami-pyramid-head|website=Inverse|access-date=October 29, 2022|archive-date=October 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221029012757/https://www.inverse.com/article/27660-silent-hill-2-konami-pyramid-head|url-status=live}}</ref> lust, love and abuse,<ref name=":0" /> including an exploration of how it [[Traumatic memories|affects people]].<ref name=":1" />

A prominent focus of analysis is the symbolism of the monsters present in the game, which seem to be manifested from James' guilty consciousness. One major example is [[Pyramid Head]], a tall, masculine, faceless humanoid figure, whose head is concealed by a large pyramid-shaped helmet that is made of rusted iron. Pyramid Head wields a large blade called the "Great Knife", which he drags across the floor in several encounters with the player. His design not only serves to psychologically frighten the player, as the sharp edges of the triangular head were intentionally illustrated to "suggest the possibility of pain"<ref name="DVD" /> according to his creator [[Masahiro Ito]], but it is also emblematic of many of the themes of the narrative, as his appearance and behaviour represent the guilt that James experienced, the retribution he seeks for his actions, and the [[sexual frustration]] that he felt while his late wife, Mary, was terminally ill.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Woodrick|first=Sam|date=May 29, 2020|title=The Symbolism Behind Silent Hill's Pyramid Head|url=https://gamerant.com/silent-hill-2020-ps5-pyramid-head/|website=Game Rant|access-date=August 16, 2021|archive-date=August 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210816231904/https://gamerant.com/silent-hill-2020-ps5-pyramid-head/|url-status=live}}</ref>

According to [[GameSpot]], "critics have championed" the game as a key example of [[video games as an art form]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=How A Team Of Silent Hill 2 Fans Transformed A Buggy Port Into The Definitive Version |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/how-a-team-of-silent-hill-2-fans-transformed-a-buggy-port-into-the-definitive-version/1100-6483977/ |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US |archive-date=May 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510223953/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/how-a-team-of-silent-hill-2-fans-transformed-a-buggy-port-into-the-definitive-version/1100-6483977/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Development==
===Influences and design===
[[File:Silent Hill 2 gameplay.jpg|thumb|"Bubble Head Nurses" (pictured) and "Mannequins" (creatures composed of only two pairs of female legs) were designed to be sexually suggestive, and a reflection of James' subconscious sexual desires during Mary's hospitalization.<ref name="memobads"/>]]
Development of ''Silent Hill 2'' began in June 1999, directly after the completion of its predecessor.<ref name="satoresume">{{cite web|last=Sato |first=Takayoshi |title=My Resume |url=http://www.satoworks.com/Takayoshi_Sato_resume.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716010338/http://www.satoworks.com/Takayoshi_Sato_resume.html |publisher=SatoWorks |archive-date=July 16, 2011 |access-date=June 18, 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The game was created by [[Team Silent]], a production group within [[Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo]].<ref name="E3 interview">{{cite web|url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/094/094863p1.html |title=E3 2001: Silent Hill 2 Interview |date=May 17, 2001 |work=[[IGN]] |access-date=December 26, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525030314/http://ps2.ign.com/articles/094/094863p1.html |archive-date=May 25, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041012044127/http://www.konamityo.com/games/lineup/soft_ps2.html |archive-date=October 12, 2004 |title=ゲームソフト プレイステーション2 |publisher=[[Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo|Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo, Inc.]]|url=http://www.konamityo.com/games/lineup/soft_ps2.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://top100.ign.com/2007/ign_top_game_97.html |title=IGN Top 100 Games 2007: 97 Silent Hill 2 |year=2007 |work=[[IGN]] |access-date=December 26, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100616184955/http://top100.ign.com/2007/ign_top_game_97.html |archive-date=June 16, 2010}}</ref> The story was conceived by CGI director [[Takayoshi Sato]], who based it on Russian author [[Fyodor Dostoevsky]]'s novel ''[[Crime and Punishment]]'' (1866), with individual members of the team collaborating on the actual scenario.<ref name="satoint">{{cite web|url=http://coregamer.web.simplesnet.pt/sato.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110831193214/http://coregamer.web.simplesnet.pt/sato.html |archive-date=August 31, 2011 |title=Interview with Takayoshi Sato: Seizing New Creations |date=September 15, 2009 |author=Dieubussy |publisher=Core Gamers |access-date=January 6, 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="gamasutra">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/2382/silence_is_golden_takayoshi_.php |title=Silence Is Golden: Takayoshi Sato's Occidental Journey |author=Brandon Sheffield |author-link=Brandon Sheffield |date=August 25, 2005 |work=[[Gamasutra]] |publisher=[[United Business Media]] |access-date=January 19, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110512030040/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/2382/silence_is_golden_takayoshi_.php |archive-date=May 12, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://8226.teacup.com/hill_nobu/bbs/1416 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716194906/http://8226.teacup.com/hill_nobu/bbs/1416 |archive-date=July 16, 2011 |title=Nobu bbs: scenario writers |author=Masahiro Ito |author-link=Masahiro Ito |date=April 14, 2010 |access-date=April 14, 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The main writing was done by [[Hiroyuki Owaku]] and Sato, who provided the dialogue for the female characters.<ref name="satoint" /><ref name="gamasutra" /><ref>{{cite video game |title=Silent Hill 2 |developer=[[Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo|Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo, Inc.]] |publisher=[[Konami|Konami of America, Inc.]] |date=September 24, 2001 |scene=staff credits}}</ref> Around the time ''Silent Hill 2'' was in production, the average budget for video game production has been estimated to be around US$7–10 million by Sato.<ref name="gamasutra" /> The decision to produce a sequel to ''Silent Hill'' was partly a financial one, as it had been commercially successful, and partly a creative one, as the team had faced difficulties while working on the original game.<ref name="Imamura interview 2">{{cite web|url=http://xbox.ign.com/articles/092/092852p1.html |title=IGN Xbox Interviews Silent Hill 2 Producer Akihiro Imamura |date=March 28, 2001 |author=<!--Not stated--> |work=[[IGN]] |access-date=February 4, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110911182029/http://xbox.ign.com/articles/092/092852p1.html |archive-date=September 11, 2011}}</ref> The team was given a small window to settle on a platform. As it was unable to gather information on the then-unannounced [[GameCube]] and [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]] consoles, they began production of the game for the [[PlayStation 2]]. Producer Akihiro Imamura stated that the decision was also influenced by "a wish from the business section that we move rapidly on the PS2. You know, it is currently the market focus".<ref name="edgeprscr">{{cite magazine|title=Prescreen focus: Silent Hill 2|date=December 2000|magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]|issue=91|pages=44–48|publisher=[[Future Publishing]]|location=Bath, United Kingdom}}</ref> Imamura read all comments about the original game and kept them in mind while working on ''Silent Hill 2''.<ref name="Imamura interview 2"/> He estimated that a total of fifty people worked on the game: while the creative team from the first game remained, they had to bring in thirty people from Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo.<ref name="Imamura interview 2"/> Developed at the same time,<ref name="Imamura interview 2"/> the PlayStation 2 version of ''Silent Hill 2'' and its Xbox port debuted at the March 2001 [[Tokyo Game Show]] to positive reactions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://xbox.ign.com/articles/092/092944p1.html |title=TGS 2001: Silent Hill 2 Xbox Impressions |author=<!--Not stated--> |work=[[IGN]] |date=March 29, 2001 |access-date=February 4, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061230131224/http://xbox.ign.com/articles/092/092944p1.html |archive-date=December 30, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/092/092925p1.html |title=TGS 2001: Silent Hill 2 Impressions |author=<!--Not stated--> |work=[[IGN]]|date=March 29, 2001 |access-date=February 4, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070101233733/http://ps2.ign.com/articles/092/092925p1.html |archive-date=January 1, 2007}}</ref>

''Silent Hill 2'' shared the same atmosphere of [[psychological horror]] as the first ''Silent Hill'' game.<ref name="Imamura interview 2"/> As the developers already had a rough sense of the game's environment, they focused on its plot first, in contrast to the process used with the first game.<ref name="Sato interview"/> The PlayStation 2 hardware allowed the developers to create improved fog and shadow special effects. For example, as a monster approaches the player character, its shadow cast on the wall by the flashlight grows.<ref name="Imamura interview"/> When dealing with the game's camera angles, the team struggled with a balance between those that stayed true to the creative vision and those that did not hamper gameplay.<ref name="Imamura interview">{{cite web|url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/097/097467p1.html |title=Silent Hill 2's Producer Akihito Imamura Not So Silent |date=August 17, 2001 |author=<!--Not stated--> |work=[[IGN]]  |access-date=February 6, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070620131721/http://ps2.ign.com/articles/097/097467p1.html |archive-date=June 20, 2007}}</ref> Psychological elements, such as the gradual disappearance of Mary's letter and symbolic holes, were incorporated into the game.<ref name="lostcharacters"/><ref>{{cite book|script-title=ja:サイレントヒル3公式完全攻略ガイド:  失われた記憶-サイレントヒル・クロニクル-.|trans-title=Silent Hill 3 Official Strategy Guide / Lost Memories: Silent Hill Chronicle|language=ja|publisher=[[Konami]]|location=Japan|year=2003|pages=100–101|isbn=4-7571-8145-0}}</ref> The team wanted ''Silent Hill 2''{{'}}s protagonist to "reflect [the] evil", against which the protagonist of the first game battles.<ref name="Imamura interview 2"/>

For the game's artistic style, the team drew on a variety of influences: the work of film directors [[David Cronenberg]], [[David Fincher]], [[David Lynch]]{{efn|Ito specifically cited ''[[Lost Highway (film)|Lost Highway]]'' (1997) as an inspiration, which at one time led the team to consider multiple protagonists for the game.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fukuyama |first=Koji |date=2023-01-16 |title=Silent Hill 2 Remake: World Exclusive Deep Dive Interview |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/silent-hill-2-remake-world-exclusive-deep-dive-interview |access-date=2024-10-24 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author1=Dustin Bailey |date=2024-08-23 |title=Silent Hill 2 veteran says the survival horror classic would have featured David Lynch-inspired multiple protagonists if it didn't make the story "too complicated" |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/games/silent-hill/silent-hill-2-veteran-says-the-survival-horror-classic-would-have-featured-david-lynch-inspired-multiple-protagonists-if-it-didnt-make-the-story-too-complicated/ |access-date=2024-08-25 |website=GamesRadar+ |language=en}}</ref>}} and [[Alfred Hitchcock]], along with films similar to the 1990 [[psychological thriller]]/[[horror film]] ''[[Jacob's Ladder (1990 film)|Jacob's Ladder]]'', and painters such as [[Francis Bacon (artist)|Francis Bacon]], [[Rembrandt]] and [[Andrew Wyeth]].<ref name="Sato interview"/> Early in the project, they studied the 1996 video game ''[[Tomb Raider (1996 video game)|Tomb Raider]]''{{'}}s creation of [[Stereoscopy|3D]] environments.<ref name="Sato interview"/> Other influences on the game included [[Madonna]]'s 1999 music video for "[[Nothing Really Matters]]",<ref>{{cite web |last=Reyna |first=Leo |title=The Strangest References Found In The 'Silent Hill' Games |url=https://www.ranker.com/list/strangest-references-in-silent-hill-video-games/leo-reyna |website=[[Ranker.com|Ranker]] |date=2020-04-09 |access-date=2025-05-28}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gamemag.ru/news/135780/hudozhnik-monstrov-silent-hill-cherpal-vdohnovenie-dlya-sikvela-iz-muzykalnogo-klipa-madonny|title=Арт-директор Silent Hill 2 вдохновлялся творчеством Мадонны в ходе работы над ужастиком|language=Russian|last=Вескер|first=Павел|date=2019-03-30|website=GameMag|access-date=2025-05-29|archive-date=2021-12-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222184317/https://gamemag.ru/news/135780/hudozhnik-monstrov-silent-hill-cherpal-vdohnovenie-dlya-sikvela-iz-muzykalnogo-klipa-madonny|url-status=live}}</ref> the 1992 survival horror video game ''[[Alone in the Dark (1992 video game)|Alone in the Dark]]'',<ref name="Sato interview"/> the first ''Silent Hill'' game,<ref name="Sato interview"/> and [[Manga|Japanese comics]] by [[Daijiro Morohoshi]] and [[Junji Ito]].<ref>{{cite book|script-title=ja:サイレントヒル3公式完全攻略ガイド:  失われた記憶-サイレントヒル・クロニクル-.|trans-title=Silent Hill 3 Official Strategy Guide / Lost Memories: Silent Hill Chronicle|publisher=[[Konami]]|language=ja|year=2003|location=Japan|page=131|chapter=Books & Comics|isbn=4-7571-8145-0|oclc=168084311}}</ref> While working on the character designs, Sato and his team sketched human faces and various expressions.<ref name="Sato interview"/> To gain a better sense of the characters' facial structures, they drew the characters' profiles from various angles, before creating [[wire-frame model]]s, each consisting of six thousand [[Polygon (computer graphics)|polygon]]s; they then completed the model with [[Texture mapping|textures]].<ref name="Sato interview"/> Data for the character animation was taken through [[motion capture]], and using [[Softimage 3D|Softimage]], they animated the characters.<ref name="Sato interview"/> [[Masahiro Ito]] designed the monsters in ''Silent Hill 2''; "soured flesh" was the concept behind their appearance.<ref name="Sato interview">{{cite web |url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/097/097403p1.html |title=Interview with Silent Hill 2's Artist Takayoshi Sato
|author=<!--Not stated-->
|date=August 17, 2001
|work=[[IGN]]
|access-date=February 6, 2012
|url-status=live
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090821162603/http://ps2.ign.com/articles/097/097403p1.html
|archive-date=August 21, 2009}}</ref> The monsters were also to incorporate "an element of humanity".<ref name="Imamura interview 2"/> For the most part, the monsters reflect the protagonist's subconscious. For example, the monster Pyramid Head was based on the executioners of the town's fictional history and is intended to be a punisher for James.<ref name="memobads"/> An exception to this theme is the "Creepers", which are also seen in the first game.<ref name="memobads">{{cite book|script-title=ja:サイレントヒル3公式完全攻略ガイド:  失われた記憶-サイレントヒル・クロニクル-.|trans-title=Silent Hill 3 Official Strategy Guide / Lost Memories: Silent Hill Chronicle|publisher=[[Konami]]|language=ja|year=2003|location=Japan|pages=48–49|chapter=Silent Hill 2 Creature Commentary|isbn=4-7571-8145-0|oclc=168084311}}</ref>

''Silent Hill 2'' also incorporates some references to real-life events. In the original scenario, the developers designed Maria and James with dual personalities: Maria's other personality was "Mary", a reference to [[Mary Jane Kelly]], [[Jack the Ripper]]'s last victim, while James' was "Joseph", a reference to one of the [[Jack the Ripper suspects]].<ref name="lostcharacters"/> Eddie Dombrowski's name was taken from actor [[Eddie Murphy]] during the beginning phases of production when Eddie was originally designed with a pleasantly optimistic personality.<ref name="lostcharacters"/> The name of Angela Orosco was derived from Angela Bennett, the name of the protagonist in the 1995 film ''[[The Net (1995 film)|The Net]]'', and Laura's from the 1970 novel ''No Language But a Cry'' by Richard D'Ambrosio.<ref name="lostcharacters"/> The developers satirized the perceived accessibility of firearms in the U.S. by allowing James to find a handgun in a [[shopping cart]].<ref>{{cite book|script-title=ja:サイレントヒル3公式完全攻略ガイド:  失われた記憶-サイレントヒル・クロニクル-.|trans-title=Silent Hill 3 Official Strategy Guide / Lost Memories: Silent Hill Chronicle|publisher=[[Konami]]|language=ja|year=2003|location=Japan|page=93|chapter=VII: The Chariot|isbn=4-7571-8145-0|oclc=168084311}}</ref> There are also indications that the layout of Silent Hill was based to a certain extent on the town of [[San Bruno, California]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Silent Hill: Too Close to Home? |url=http://uk.ps2.ign.com/articles/094/094441p1.html |publisher=IGN |date=May 11, 2001 |access-date=February 9, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070526061829/http://uk.ps2.ign.com/articles/094/094441p1.html |archive-date=May 26, 2007}}</ref>

===Sound===
{{Infobox album
| italic_title = no
| name         = ''Silent Hill 2 Original Soundtracks''
| type         = Soundtrack
| artist       = [[Akira Yamaoka]]
| cover        =
| alt          =
| released     = October 3, 2001 (original release)<br />March 6, 2019 ([[Phonograph record|vinyl]] rerelease)
| recorded     =
| venue        =
| studio       =
| genre        = [[Video game music|Video game soundtrack]], [[Industrial music|industrial]], [[trip hop]], [[dark ambient]], [[alternative rock]]
| length       = 74:15
| label        = [[King Records (Japan)|King Records]] (original release)<br />[[Mondo (American company)|Mondo]] (vinyl rerelease)
| producer     =
| prev_title   =
| prev_year    =
| next_title   =
| next_year    =
}}
{{Music ratings
| rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
| rev1score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Silent Hill, Vol. 2 - Original Game Soundtrack |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/silent-hill-vol-2-mw0000727319 |publisher=[[Allmusic]] |access-date=January 16, 2019 |archive-date=November 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107024904/https://www.allmusic.com/album/silent-hill-vol-2-mw0000727319 |url-status=live}}</ref>
| rev2 = [[Sputnik Music|Sputnik]]
| rev2score = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Akira Yamaoka - Silent Hill 2 |url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/80582/Akira-Yamaoka-Silent-Hill-2 |publisher=[[Sputnik Music|Sputnik]] |access-date= February 12, 2025}}</ref>
}}
[[Akira Yamaoka]] composed the music for ''Silent Hill 2''.<ref name="E3 interview"/> At his home, Yamaoka took three days to write the music for "Theme of Laura", ''Silent Hill 2''{{'}}s main theme, by combining "a sad melody" and "a strong beat", although he does not consider the melody to be the "most important" element of a musical piece.<ref name="DVD"/> He wanted the music to evoke emotions in the player.<ref name="DVD"/> ''Silent Hill 2'' makes extensive use of [[sound effect]]s ranging from screams to footsteps on broken glass.<ref name="IGN PS2"/> In charge of the game's fifty sound effects, Yamaoka wanted to surprise the player with different sounds and create an unsettling environment.<ref name="DVD"/> He also incorporated occasional silence, commenting that "selecting moments of silence is another way of producing sound".<ref name="DVD">{{cite video|date=2001|title=Silent Hill 2: Making of|medium=CD|publisher=FUN TV}}</ref>

[[Konami]] published ''Silent Hill 2 Original Soundtracks'' in Japan on October 3, 2001.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/switch-language/product/B00005NO3D?language=ja_JP|title=Silent Hill 2 オリジナル・サウンドトラック|language=ja|publisher=[[Amazon.co.jp]]|access-date=June 21, 2010|archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6Bz8lRpx0?url=http://www.amazon.co.jp/SILENT-HILL2-%E2%80%95-%E3%82%AA%E3%83%AA%E3%82%B8%E3%83%8A%E3%83%AB%E3%83%BB%E3%82%B5%E3%82%A6%E3%83%B3%E3%83%89%E3%83%88%E3%83%A9%E3%83%83%E3%82%AF-%E3%82%B2%E3%83%BC%E3%83%A0%E3%83%BB%E3%83%9F%E3%83%A5%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B8%E3%83%83|archive-date=November 7, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> Eight tracks ("Theme of Laura", "Null Moon", "Love Psalm", "True", "Promise", "Fermata in Mistic Air", "Laura Plays the Piano" and "Overdose Delusion") appeared in the 2006 [[PlayStation Portable]] release ''The Silent Hill Experience''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://psp.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r28636.htm |title=Silent Hill Experience Review - PSP |first=Louis |last=Bedigian |date=April 11, 2006 |publisher=GameZone |access-date=June 13, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071130043321/http://psp.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r28636.htm |archive-date=November 30, 2007}}</ref> At the 2006 [[Play! A Video Game Symphony]] concert in [[Chicago, Illinois]], Yamaoka performed music from the series, including "Theme of Laura", with a full-size orchestra.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://music.ign.com/articles/689/689140p1.html |title=Akira Yamaoka Brings Silent Hill Alive |date=February 16, 2006 |author=<!--Not stated--> |work=[[IGN]] |access-date=February 6, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120312011443/http://music.ign.com/articles/689/689140p1.html |archive-date=March 12, 2012}}</ref> In 2019, the soundtrack was re-released on [[Phonograph record|vinyl]] by [[Mondo (American company)|Mondo]], who previously gave the same treatment to the soundtrack of ''[[Silent Hill (video game)|Silent Hill]]'' in 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/the-further/3549366/silent-hill-2-vinyl-soundtrack-enamel-pins-mondo-goes-sale-week/|title='Silent Hill 2' Vinyl Soundtrack and Enamel Pins From Mondo Go On Sale This Week|first=Neil|last=Bolt|website=[[Bloody Disgusting]]|date=March 4, 2019|access-date=May 20, 2020|archive-date=March 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190305131054/https://bloody-disgusting.com/the-further/3549366/silent-hill-2-vinyl-soundtrack-enamel-pins-mondo-goes-sale-week/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Release==
''Silent Hill 2'' was first released for the PlayStation 2 in North America on September 25, 2001, in Japan on September 27 and in Europe on November 23.<ref>{{Cite web |author=I. G. N. Staff |date=2001-09-25 |title=Five New PS2 Titles Ship |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/09/25/five-new-ps2-titles-ship |access-date=2023-03-03 |website=IGN |language=en |archive-date=March 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230303230501/https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/09/25/five-new-ps2-titles-ship |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Gaming Intelligence Agency - Silent Hill 2 Japanese release date |url=http://archive.thegia.com/news/0107/n03b.html |access-date=2023-03-03 |website=archive.thegia.com |archive-date=March 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230303230500/http://archive.thegia.com/news/0107/n03b.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The original European edition also included a second disc: a "[[Making-of]]" DVD video featuring trailers, an artwork gallery and a documentary on the game's development.<ref>{{cite news|title=Silent Hill 2 special edition in Europe |url=http://www.ps2fantasy.com/news/200111/1005043586.php |publisher=PS2Fantasy |date=November 6, 2001 |access-date=January 23, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061119133318/http://www.ps2fantasy.com/news/200111/1005043586.php |archive-date=November 19, 2006}}</ref>

An extended version of the game was published for Xbox in North America on December 18, 2001, Japan on February 22, 2002, and Europe on October 14.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Konami announces North American release dates |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/konami-announces-north-american-release-dates/1100-2830715/ |access-date=2023-11-24 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US |archive-date=November 20, 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041120110424/http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/sports/espninternationalws2002/news_2830715.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2002-10-04 |title=What's New? |language=en |work=Eurogamer.net |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/article-46782 |access-date=2023-11-24}}</ref> Each region had different subtitles for the game: {{nihongo|''Saigo no Uta''|最期の詩||lit. "''Poem of the Last Moment''"}} in Japan, ''Restless Dreams'' in North America and ''Inner Fears'' in Europe.<ref name="IGN GH"/><ref name="Eurogamer">{{cite web|author=Reed, Kristin |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=3918 |title=Silent Hill 2: Inner Fears Review |work=[[Eurogamer]] |publisher=Eurogamer Network |date=October 2, 2002 |access-date=May 30, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930014519/http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=3918 |archive-date=September 30, 2007}}</ref> This edition contained the short bonus scenario ''[[#Born from a Wish|Born from a Wish]]'' and other minor enhancements. This revised version was ported back to the PlayStation 2 and subtitled ''Director's Cut'' in Europe, but was not subtitled in North America, and was simply released under the "[[List of Sony Greatest Hits games|Greatest Hits]]" banner.<ref name="IGN GH">{{cite web|url=http://uk.ps2.ign.com/objects/607/607856.html |title=Silent Hill 2: Greatest Hits |work=[[IGN]] |access-date=June 13, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100624023147/http://uk.ps2.ign.com/objects/607/607856.html |archive-date=June 24, 2010}}</ref> [[Creature Labs]] ported this edition to [[Windows]], which Konami released in December 2002.<ref name="creature">{{cite book |title=Silent Hill 2 Manual |section=Credits |page=24 |date=December 2, 2002 |publisher=[[Konami|Konami of America, Inc.]]}}</ref><ref name="GS">{{cite web|title=Silent Hill 2 |work=[[GameSpy]] |publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc. |url=http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/silent-hill-2/ |access-date=August 5, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070711213952/http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/silent-hill-2/ |archive-date=July 11, 2007}}</ref> Added features in the PC version include the ability to [[Quicksaving|quicksave]] and watch [[Trailer (film)|trailers]] for ''Silent Hill 3''.<ref name="IGN PC"/> In 2018, ''Enhanced Edition'' [[Video game modding|mod]] was released for the PC version. It adds higher resolution, high framerate (60FPS) and widescreen support, and audio and bug fixes.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Chalk |first1=Andy |title=Silent Hill 2 Enhanced Edition mod pack promises the 'definitive' version of the horror classic |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/silent-hill-2-enhanced-edition-mod-pack-promises-the-definitive-version-of-the-horror-classic/ |website=[[PC Gamer]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |access-date=5 March 2023 |date=24 August 2018 |archive-date=March 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230305175939/https://www.pcgamer.com/silent-hill-2-enhanced-edition-mod-pack-promises-the-definitive-version-of-the-horror-classic/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Nightingale |first1=Ed |title=Silent Hill 2 modders have finally fixed a 20-year-old bug |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/silent-hill-2-modders-have-finally-fixed-a-20-year-old-bug |website=[[Eurogamer]] |publisher=[[Gamer Network]] |access-date=5 March 2023 |date=4 July 2022 |archive-date=March 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230305175941/https://www.eurogamer.net/silent-hill-2-modders-have-finally-fixed-a-20-year-old-bug |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2006, Konami re-released ''Silent Hill 2'' with its indirect PS2 sequels, ''[[Silent Hill 3]]'' and ''[[Silent Hill 4: The Room]]'', in a bundle entitled ''The Silent Hill Collection'' in Europe and Japan.<ref>{{cite news|first=Rob |last=Fahey |title=Konami to launch Silent Hill Collection |url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=15749 |work=[[Gamesindustry.biz]] |publisher=Eurogamer Network |date=March 30, 2006 |access-date=October 31, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012142019/http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=15749 |archive-date=October 12, 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Robert |last=Purchese |title=Konami confirms PS2 re-issues |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/konami-confirms-ps2-re-issues |date=August 7, 2009 |work=[[Eurogamer]] |publisher=Eurogamer Network |access-date=August 9, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090810010254/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/konami-confirms-ps2-re-issues |archive-date=August 10, 2009}}</ref> ''[[Silent Hill HD Collection]]'', a compilation of [[remaster]]ed [[High-definition video|high-definition]] editions of ''Silent Hill 2'' and ''3'', was released for the [[PlayStation 3]] and the [[Xbox 360]] on March 20, 2012.<ref name="GameSpot dates">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/silent-hill-hd-collection-delayed-further-report-6362858 |title=Silent Hill HD Collection delayed further - Report |date=February 29, 2012 |author=Makuch, Eddie |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=March 1, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120301074544/http://www.gamespot.com/news/silent-hill-hd-collection-delayed-further-report-6362858 |archive-date=March 1, 2012}}</ref> It contains new [[voice actor]]s for the characters of both games, along with the option in ''Silent Hill 2'' to listen to the original cast.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-11-23-silent-hill-hd-collection-has-original-silent-hill-2-voices |title=Silent Hill HD Collection has original Silent Hill 2 voices |date=November 23, 2011 |author=Yin-Poole, Wesley |work=[[Eurogamer]] |publisher=Eurogamer Network |access-date=February 10, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120216142852/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-11-23-silent-hill-hd-collection-has-original-silent-hill-2-voices |archive-date=February 16, 2012}}</ref>

==Reception and legacy==
{{Video game reviews
| MC = 89/100 (PS2)<ref name="MC PS2"/><br />84/100 (Xbox)<ref name="MC Xbox"/><br />70/100 (PC)<ref name="MC PC"/>
| Allgame = 3.5/5<ref name="allgame"/>
| EuroG = 9/10 (PS2)<ref name="Eurogamer PS2"/><br /> 9/10 (Xbox)<ref name="Eurogamer"/>
| Fam = 34/40 (PS2)<ref>''プレイステーション2 - サイレントヒル2''. Weekly Famitsu. No.915 Pt.2. Pg.65. June 30, 2006.</ref><br />32/40 (Xbox)<ref>''Xbox - サイレントヒル2 最後の詩''. Weekly Famitsu. No.915 Pt.2. Pg.104. June 30, 2006.</ref>
| GI = 8.25/10<ref name="MC Xbox"/>
| GSpot = 7.7/10 (PS2)<ref name="GS PS2"/><br />7.9/10 (Xbox)<ref name="GS Xbox"/><br />6.2/10 (PC)<ref name="Gamespot PC"/>
| GSpy = 96/100 (PS2)<ref name="GameSpy PS2"/><br />86/100 (PC)<ref name="spyreview2"/>
| IGN = 9/10 (PS2)<ref name="IGN PS2"/><br />8.4/10 (PC)<ref name="IGN PC"/>
| NGen = 4/5 (PS2)<ref name="NG"/><br>4/5 (Xbox)<ref name="NGv5n1"/>
| award1Pub = IGN
| award1 = Editor's Choice (PS2)<ref name="IGN PS2"/>
}}
''Silent Hill 2'' sold over one million copies in the month of its release in North America, Japan and Europe, with the most units sold in North America.<ref name="sales">{{cite web|url=http://uk.ps2.ign.com/articles/099/099550p1.html |title=Silent Hill 2 Cracks Million Mark |work=[[IGN]]  |date=October 31, 2001 |access-date=January 23, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070524184403/http://uk.ps2.ign.com/articles/099/099550p1.html |archive-date=May 24, 2007 }}</ref> Rating aggregation site [[Metacritic]] shows "generally favorable reviews", with an average rating of 89 out of 100 for the PS2 version<ref name="MC PS2">{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/ps2/silenthill2 |title=Silent Hill 2 - PS2 |work=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=February 7, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070128204718/http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/ps2/silenthill2 |archive-date=January 28, 2007 }}</ref> and 84 out of 100 for the Xbox version.<ref name="MC Xbox">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/silent-hill-2-restless-dreams/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox |title=Silent Hill 2: Restless Dreams - Xbox |work=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=February 8, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111209162732/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox/silent-hill-2-restless-dreams |archive-date=December 9, 2011 }}</ref> However, the PC port received "mixed or average reviews", with a Metascore of 70 out of 100.<ref name="MC PC">{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/pc/silenthill2 |title=Silent Hill 2 - PC |work=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=February 7, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070129021536/http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/pc/silenthill2 |archive-date=January 29, 2007 }}</ref>

''Silent Hill 2'' received praise from [[Video game journalism|video game journalists]] at the time of its release and in retrospect. Jeff Lundrigan reviewed the PlayStation 2 version of the game for ''[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]'', rating it four stars out of five, and stated that "it's not for the faint of heart, nor anyone looking for fast action, but those who enjoy a good shiver won't be disappointed".<ref name="NG">{{cite magazine |last=Lundrigan |first=Jeff |date=November 2001 |title=Finals |magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]] |publisher=[[Future US|Imagine Media]] |page=100 |volume=4 |issue=11}}</ref> Andy Greenwald of ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]'' magazine praised it as a frightening but "restrained" game.<ref name="SPIN">{{cite magazine|author=Greenwald, Andy|date=October 2001|volume=17|issue=10|location=New York|magazine=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]] |title=Digital: The Haunting|page=64|issn=0886-3032|oclc=12872607|quote=As the story progresses and you delve into the mystery, the game's genius becomes clear: It's genuinely scary because it's so restrained[...]}}</ref> Jon Thompson of [[AllGame]] stated: "''Silent Hill 2'' feels a bit rushed, and although it might not live up to the dizzying horror of the first game, it packs enough of its own punch to make it a worthy sequel."<ref name="allgame">{{cite web|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=35308&tab=review |title=Silent Hill 2 – Review |author=Thompson, Jon |work=[[Allgame]] |publisher=Rovi Corporation |access-date=February 10, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115084238/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=35308&tab=review |archive-date=November 15, 2014 }}</ref> ''[[IGN]]''{{'}}s Doug Perry wrote: "It's frightening, deep, clever, and tries to improve the genre, if just a little, and in the end, that's all I really want in a survival horror game."<ref name="IGN PS2">{{cite web|author=Perry, Doug |url=http://uk.ps2.ign.com/articles/164/164904p1.html |title=Silent Hill 2 |work=[[IGN]]  |date=September 25, 2001 |access-date=January 26, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070524184358/http://uk.ps2.ign.com/articles/164/164904p1.html |archive-date=May 24, 2007 }}</ref> Joe Fielder of [[GameSpot]] concluded, "''Silent Hill 2'' is a much prettier, somewhat smarter but less a compelling game than the original."<ref name="GS PS2">{{cite web|url=http://uk.gamespot.com/ps2/adventure/silenthill2/review.html |title=PlayStation 2 - Silent Hill 2 - Reviews |author=Fielder, Joe |date=September 25, 2001 |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |pages=1–2 |access-date=January 21, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100524224337/http://uk.gamespot.com/ps2/adventure/silenthill2/review.html |archive-date=May 24, 2010 }}</ref> In ''[[Replay: The History of Video Games]]'' (2010), Tristian Donovan described ''Silent Hill 2'' as the "high point" of the series.<ref>{{cite book|author=Donovan, Tristan|year=2010|title=[[Replay: The History of Video Games]]|publisher=Yellow Ant|location=East Sussex, England |isbn=978-0-9565072-0-4|oclc=639031262|page=400}}</ref> In a retrospective article on the survival horror genre, ''IGN'' writer Jim Stephanie Sterling praised the game's plot as "one of the finest examples of narrative construction in gaming to this day".<ref>{{cite web |author=Sterling, Jim |date=June 9, 2008 |title=Fear 101: A Beginner's Guide to Survival Horror |url=http://retro.ign.com/articles/880/880202p1.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120217164343/http://retro.ign.com/articles/880/880202p1.html |archive-date=February 17, 2012 |access-date=February 24, 2012 |work=[[IGN]] |page=1}}</ref>

The graphics and atmosphere of ''Silent Hill 2'' were praised by reviewers, who highlighted the smooth transitions from computer-generated (CG) to in-game [[cutscene]]s and the sense of claustrophobia caused by the fog.<ref name="IGN PS2"/><ref name="Eurogamer PS2"/> On the other hand, Thompson felt that the grainy image effects and dense fog hid the details of the environment,<ref name="allgame"/> while Fielder wrote that the exterior environments "rarely push the PlayStation 2's graphical capabilities".<ref name="GS PS2"/> Character animation was considered realistic by reviewers,<ref name="IGN PS2"/><ref name="Eurogamer PS2"/> though James' animation in the CG sometimes appeared "marionette"-like, according to Perry.<ref name="IGN PS2"/> The voice acting garnered mixed responses from reviewers divided over whether it was well done with an improved script,<ref name="IGN PS2"/> or hampered by the script.<ref name="GS PS2"/> Reviewers enjoyed the monster designs,<ref name="IGN PS2"/><ref name="GS PS2"/><ref name="GameSpy PS2">{{cite web|last=Hodgson|first=David|title=Silent Hill 2|work=[[GameSpy]]|publisher= IGN Entertainment, Inc.|access-date=February 4, 2012|url=http://www.planetps2.com/features/reviews/2001/silenthill2/index3.shtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011006133734/http://www.planetps2.com/features/reviews/2001/silenthill2/index3.shtml|archive-date=October 6, 2001|date=September 25, 2001}}</ref> although some found the monsters less frightening due to the abundance of ammunition,<ref name="GS PS2"/><ref name="allgame"/> and being easily avoided.<ref name="allgame"/> Reviewers found the camera, though improved, still difficult when battling monsters which hung from the ceiling<ref name="IGN PS2"/><ref name="Eurogamer PS2">{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_silenthill2_ps2 |title=Silent Hill 2 Review |author=Bramwell, Tom |date=December 25, 2001 |work=[[Eurogamer]] |publisher=Eurogamer Network |access-date=February 10, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120129060422/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_silenthill2_ps2 |archive-date=January 29, 2012 }}</ref>—concerns echoed by reviewers of the PC version.<ref name="IGN PC"/><ref name="Gamespot PC"/> The soundtrack and sound effects were considered by reviewers to be effective in creating suspense,<ref name="IGN PS2"/><ref name="GS PS2"/><ref name="allgame"/> though Thompson considered them sometimes "a bit forced and contrived".<ref name="allgame"/> The puzzles were generally seen as not overly challenging by reviewers,<ref name="IGN PS2"/><ref name="GS PS2"/> though Thompson found them generally easy and [[GameSpy]]'s David Hodgeson wrote that they were sometimes illogical.<ref name="allgame"/> Less well-received was the combat, criticized for its lack of challenge and easily defeated monsters and [[Boss (gaming)|bosses]].<ref name="GS PS2"/><ref name="allgame"/>

Reactions to the Xbox port were also positive. Reviewers have written that the PlayStation 2 and Xbox versions were mostly similar, except for the ''Born from a Wish'' side-scenario found in the Xbox version.<ref name="Eurogamer"/><ref name="GS Xbox">{{cite web|url=http://uk.gamespot.com/xbox/adventure/silenthill2restlessdreams/review.html |title=Xbox - Silent Hill 2: Restless Dreams - Reviews |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |pages=1–3 |access-date=January 21, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929224600/http://uk.gamespot.com/xbox/adventure/silenthill2restlessdreams/review.html |archive-date=September 29, 2007 }}</ref> ''[[Eurogamer]]''{{'}}s Kristan Reed called ''Born from a Wish'' "more like a demo than anything",<ref name="Eurogamer"/> while Fielder described it as "a commendable extra".<ref name="GS Xbox"/> Both felt that it could be completed in around an hour and did not add much to the game.<ref name="Eurogamer"/><ref name="GS Xbox"/> The PC port, in contrast, received mixed reactions. Allen Rausch of GameSpy considered the PC port overall to be "[a] fantastic translation of Konami's stylish and scary survival-horror game".<ref name="spyreview2">{{cite web|url=http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/silent-hill-2/5536p1.html |title=Silent Hill 2 (PC) |author=Rausch, Allen |work=[[GameSpy]] |pages=1–2 |publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc. |date=January 26, 2003 |access-date=January 20, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070514111449/http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/silent-hill-2/5536p1.html |archive-date=May 14, 2007 }}</ref> ''IGN''{{'}}s Ivan Sulic advised against playing the game with the keyboard, and rated the game "great".<ref name="IGN PC">{{cite web|author=Sulic, Ivan |url=http://uk.pc.ign.com/articles/376/376425p3.html |title=Silent Hill 2 Review |work=[[IGN]]  |date=December 3, 2002 |access-date=January 26, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070309094536/http://uk.pc.ign.com/articles/376/376425p3.html |archive-date=March 9, 2007 }}</ref> Conversely, Ron Dulin, another reviewer for GameSpot, wrote: "Not even the game's foggy atmosphere is thick enough to hide ''Silent Hill 2''{{'}}s problems".<ref name="Gamespot PC">{{cite web|url=http://uk.gamespot.com/pc/adventure/silenthill2/review.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=tabs |title=PC - Silent Hill 2: Director's Cut - Reviews |author=Dulin, Ron |date=December 4, 2002 |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=January 21, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926212734/http://uk.gamespot.com/pc/adventure/silenthill2/review.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=tabs |archive-date=September 26, 2007 }}</ref> ''Next Generation'' reviewed the [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]] version of the game, rating it four stars out of five, and stated that "exactly the same disturbing yet wildly enjoyable game as it was on PS2" and noted the sub-game called "Born From a Wish" saying "if you've already played this on PS2 there's no particular reason to pick it up again. On the other hand, if you haven't (and why haven't you?), then this added bonus would make the Xbox version the one to buy."<ref name="NGv5n1">{{cite magazine|title=Next Gen's Ultimate Xbox Review Guide|magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|volume=5|issue=1|publisher=[[Future US|Imagine Media]]|date=January 2002|page=35}}</ref>

''Silent Hill 2'' is often considered to be one of the best horror games and [[List of video games considered the best|one of the best video games of all time]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=November 27, 2017 |title=The 500 best games of all time: 500-401 |url=https://www.polygon.com/features/2017/11/27/16158276/polygon-500-best-games-of-all-time-500-401 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180303210843/https://www.polygon.com/features/2017/11/27/16158276/polygon-500-best-games-of-all-time-500-401 |archive-date=March 3, 2018 |access-date=January 8, 2018 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]}}</ref><ref name="web.archive.org">{{cite web |date=May 15, 2011 |title=The 100 Greatest Games Of All Time- Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe - Empire - www.empireonline.com |url=http://www.empireonline.com/100greatestgames/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110515221956/http://www.empireonline.com/100greatestgames/ |archive-date=May 15, 2011}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Top 100 Video Games of All Time - IGN.com |url=http://www.ign.com/lists/top-100-games |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180101162249/http://www.ign.com/lists/top-100-games |archive-date=January 1, 2018 |access-date=January 8, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The 25 Best Horror Games of All Time |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/games/horror-games/best-horror-games |access-date=2024-02-05 |website=Paste Magazine |language=en-US |archive-date=February 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240205130215/https://www.pastemagazine.com/games/horror-games/best-horror-games |url-status=live }}</ref> It ranked first on [[X-Play]]'s list of the scariest games of all time in 2006.<ref>{{cite news|title=The Scariest Games of All Time|url=http://g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/658946/X-Play-Top-10-Scariest-Games.html|author=D'Alonzo, Mike|publisher=G4TV|date=October 25, 2006|access-date=June 13, 2010|archive-date=June 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170617211226/http://g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/658946/X-Play-Top-10-Scariest-Games.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2009, ''IGN'' listed it as one of the five best horror video games created after 2000,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://games.ign.com/articles/103/1035126p1.html |title=Cheers & Tears: Horror Games |author=<!--Not stated--> |work=[[IGN]] |date=October 14, 2009 |access-date=June 21, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100702011342/http://games.ign.com/articles/103/1035126p1.html |archive-date=July 2, 2010 }}</ref> and one of the twelve greatest PlayStation 2 games of all time.<ref name="25 Best">{{cite web|url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/772/772296p2.html |title=The Top 25 PS2 Games of All Time |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=August 10, 2009 |work=[[IGN]] |access-date=May 19, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227073529/http://ps2.ign.com/articles/772/772296p2.html |archive-date=February 27, 2009 }}</ref> It ranked again in IGN's list of the top 100 PS2 games,<ref name="top100">{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/top-ps2-games/54 |title=Silent Hill 2 - #54 Top PS2 Games |work=[[IGN]] |access-date=November 1, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101030220604/http://www.ign.com/top-ps2-games/54 |archive-date=October 30, 2010 }}</ref> and again in 2018, on ''IGN''{{'}}s list of the 100 greatest video games ever made.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/lists/top-100-games |title=Top 100 Best Video Games |access-date=January 8, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180101162249/http://www.ign.com/lists/top-100-games |archive-date=January 1, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> In a retrospective by ''[[GamePro]]'', it was the 26th best game for the PS2.<ref>{{cite web|author=GamePro Staff |url=http://www.gamepro.com/article/features/205779/the-36-best-ps2-games-page-2-of-5 |title=The 36 Best PS2 Games, page 2, Feature Story from GamePro |date=December 25, 2010 |access-date=February 26, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101225071223/http://www.gamepro.com/article/features/205779/the-36-best-ps2-games-page-2-of-5 |archive-date=December 25, 2010 }}</ref> In 2008, ''[[GamesRadar]]'' placed it on its list of the 15 best "video game stories" ever, describing it as "a punishing tale not easily matched".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesradar.com/f/the-best-videogame-stories-ever/a-200804179337286093/p-8 |title=The Best Videogame Stories Ever |date=April 21, 2008 |publisher=[[GamesRadar]] |access-date=July 16, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615200131/http://www.gamesradar.com/f/the-best-videogame-stories-ever/a-200804179337286093/p-8 |archive-date=June 15, 2011 }}</ref> In 2009, ''[[Wired News]]'' listed it as the 11th most influential game of the decade for its emphasis on psychological horror and exploration of taboo topics such as incest and domestic abuse, rather than gore.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wired.com/2009/12/the-15-most-influential-games-of-the-decade/ |title=The 15 Most Influential Games of the Decade |author=Kohler, Chris |date=December 24, 2009 |work=[[Wired News]]  |access-date=October 19, 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100731072129/http://www.wired.com/gamelife/2009/12/the-15-most-influential-games-of-the-decade/5 |archive-date=July 31, 2010 }}</ref> In 2012, a top video games of all-time list by [[G4 (U.S. TV channel)|G4]] television network ranked the game in 85th place.<ref>{{cite news|title=Top 100 Video Games of All Time |url=http://www.g4tv.com/top-100/411/silent-hill-2/ |work=[[G4 (U.S. TV channel)|G4]] |publisher=G4 Media, LLC |date=June 13, 2012 |access-date=June 13, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140924040633/http://www.g4tv.com/top-100/411/silent-hill-2/ |archive-date=September 24, 2014 }}</ref> That same year, the game's narrative was ranked first on GamesRadar's list of The Best Videogame Stories Ever.<ref>{{cite news|title=The best videogame stories ever |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/the-best-videogame-stories-ever/ |work=GamesRadar |date=July 12, 2013 |access-date=November 6, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140422042037/http://gamesradar.com/the-best-videogame-stories-ever/ |archive-date=April 22, 2014 }}</ref> ''[[Game Informer]]'' named ''Silent Hill 2'' the best of the ''Silent Hill'' franchise and listed it as the second best horror game of all time in its October 2014 issue,<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Andrew Reiner |title=The Top 25 Horror Games Of All Time |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2014/11/26/the-top-25-horror-games-of-all-time.aspx?PostPageIndex=5 |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |date=November 26, 2014 |access-date=July 27, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150818051108/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2014/11/26/the-top-25-horror-games-of-all-time.aspx?PostPageIndex=5 |archive-date=August 18, 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2015/04/28/ranking-the-entire-silent-hill-series.aspx#:~:text=Silent%20Hill%202's%20deceptively%20basic,terrifying%20video%20games%20can%20get.|title=Ranking The Entire Silent Hill Series|publisher=Game Informer|author=Tim Turi|access-date=November 10, 2020|archive-date=November 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111053503/https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2015/04/28/ranking-the-entire-silent-hill-series.aspx#:~:text=Silent%20Hill%202's%20deceptively%20basic,terrifying%20video%20games%20can%20get.|url-status=live}}</ref> and number eight on ''[[GameTrailers]]''{{'}}s Top Ten Twos list of the best second franchise games in 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gametrailers.com/videos/livvmj/gt-countdown-top-ten-2s |title=GameTrailers - YouTube |access-date=August 4, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150805002231/http://www.gametrailers.com/videos/livvmj/gt-countdown-top-ten-2s |archive-date=August 5, 2015 }}</ref>

In another retrospective article on survival horror, fellow ''IGN'' writer Travis Fahs credited the game as a factor in the "short-lived period of renewed interest in horror games".<ref>{{cite web |author=Fahs, Travis |date=October 30, 2009 |title=IGN Presents the History of Survival Horror |url=http://retro.ign.com/articles/104/1040759p6.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111224083436/http://retro.ign.com/articles/104/1040759p6.html |archive-date=December 24, 2011 |access-date=February 24, 2012 |work=[[IGN]] |page=6 |quote=''Silent Hill 2'' also helped spark a short-lived period of renewed interest in horror games.}}</ref> Online game critic for ''[[The Escapist (magazine)|The Escapist]]'' [[Ben Croshaw|Ben "Yahtzee" Croshaw]] lists this game as among his top five favorite games of all time, praising it for its thick and unsettling atmosphere creating tension and fear for players. In his review of the game he commented, "Silent Hill 2 is the game I replay every now and again to remind myself that for all the shiny brown, quick-time event, RPG element space marines, gaming is still worth defending", and that "It's a fascinating voyage of pain and despair that leaves you emotionally drained and satisfied."<ref>{{cite web |title=Silent Hill 2 &#124; Zero Punctuation Video Gallery &#124; the Escapist |date=August 21, 2009 |url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/zero-punctuation/878-Silent-Hill-2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161023032750/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/zero-punctuation/878-Silent-Hill-2 |archive-date=October 23, 2016 |access-date=August 11, 2016}}</ref>

== Adaptations ==

===Remake===
{{Main| Silent Hill 2 (2024 video game)}}
A remake was announced on October 19, 2022, during the Silent Hill Transmission event. Developed by [[Bloober Team]] with contributions by original ''Silent Hill 2'' artist [[Masahiro Ito]] and composer [[Akira Yamaoka]], it was released for the [[PlayStation 5]] and [[Windows]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=McWhertor |first=Michael |date=2022-10-19 |title=Silent Hill 2 remake coming to PS5, PC |url=https://www.polygon.com/23413363/silent-hill-2-remake-release-date-ps5-pc-konami |access-date=2022-10-19 |website=Polygon |language=en-US |archive-date=October 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023220419/https://www.polygon.com/23413363/silent-hill-2-remake-release-date-ps5-pc-konami |url-status=live }}</ref> on October 8, 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Valentine |first1=Rebekah |last2=Lyles |first2=Taylor |date=2024-05-30 |title=Silent Hill 2 Remake Gets Brand-New Trailer and Release Date Ahead of Transmission Stream - State of Play 2024 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/silent-hill-2-remake-gets-brand-new-trailer-and-release-date-ahead-of-transmission-stream-state-of-play-2024 |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=IGN |language=en |archive-date=May 31, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240531022627/https://www.ign.com/articles/silent-hill-2-remake-gets-brand-new-trailer-and-release-date-ahead-of-transmission-stream-state-of-play-2024 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Film adaptation===
{{Main| Return to Silent Hill}}
In October 2022, it was announced that the game would be adapted into a film titled ''[[Return to Silent Hill]]'', with [[Christophe Gans]] set to direct.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zaidi |first=Salman Haider |date=2022-10-19 |title=Report: Silent Hill 2 Remake, "Return to Silent Hill" Movie & Silent Hill: Ascension to Be Announced in Silent Hill Transmission |url=https://mp1st.com/news/report-silent-hill-2-remake-return-to-silent-hill-movie-silent-hill-ascension-to-be-announced-in-silent-hill-transmission |access-date=2022-10-19 |website=MP1st |language=en-US |archive-date=October 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019212214/https://mp1st.com/news/report-silent-hill-2-remake-return-to-silent-hill-movie-silent-hill-ascension-to-be-announced-in-silent-hill-transmission |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite news |last=Wood |first=Austin |date=2022-10-21 |title=Silent Hill 2's original translator weighs in on the remake: "Giving me appropriate credit is the right thing to do" |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/silent-hill-2s-original-translator-weighs-in-on-the-remake-giving-me-appropriate-credit-is-the-right-thing-to-do/ |url-status=live |work=[[GamesRadar+]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802122809/https://www.gamesradar.com/silent-hill-2s-original-translator-weighs-in-on-the-remake-giving-me-appropriate-credit-is-the-right-thing-to-do/ |archive-date=2023-08-02 |access-date=2024-02-05}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Silent Hill 2}}
{{Wikiquote|Silent Hill#Silent Hill 2|Silent Hill 2}}
* {{MobyGames|/silent-hill-2}}

{{Silent Hill series}}
{{Portal bar|Horror|Video games}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:2000s horror video games]]
[[Category:2001 video games]]
[[Category:Creature Labs games]]
[[Category:Everyman]]
[[Category:Existentialist video games]]
[[Category:Fiction about child sexual abuse]]
[[Category:Fiction about patricide]]
[[Category:Fiction about uxoricide]]
[[Category:Fiction with unreliable narrators]]
[[Category:Konami games]]
[[Category:PlayStation 2 games]]
[[Category:Psychological horror games]]
[[Category:Rape in video games]]
[[Category:Silent Hill games]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]
[[Category:Survival horror video games]]
[[Category:Video games about amnesia]]
[[Category:Video games about demons]]
[[Category:Video games about ghosts]]
[[Category:Video games about mental health]]
[[Category:Video games about suicide]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Akira Yamaoka]]
[[Category:Video games set in Maine]]
[[Category:Video games set in prison]]
[[Category:Video games set in psychiatric hospitals]]
[[Category:Windows games]]
[[Category:Xbox games]]
[[Category:Video games with multiple endings]]