traded the camp that made Capcom’s game so charmingly B-movie for a much more psychological

brand of terror. For its budding genre, Silent Hill was a pivotal moment that really expanded

what a survival horror game could be.

Fast forward more than a decade later, and Silent Hill is the latest series to get a

contemporary facelift. The second and third games in this renowned franchise are remade

in high-definition in Konami’s Silent Hill Collection, and although HD has certainly

improved their look, sadly, it can’t do the same for their design.

Silent Hill 2 and Silent Hill 3 were originally released in 2001 and 2003. Both were lauded

by critics, earning Silent Hill praise as a consistent leader in survival horror. So

frankly, the quality of these games is almost unquestionable...at least, within their time.

Now, when you revisit them today, you’ll still be scared, you’ll still be amazed

by how thrilling and really smart they are.

But you’ll also ask yourself, “Were games really this clunky ten years ago?”

To start with those criticisms, these games do show their age. They just don’t make

games like this anymore, and I mean that in terms of their general design. After you struggle

with the camera, the controls and a few unreasonably cryptic puzzles and objectives, your nostalgia

buzz immediately gives way to retro frustrations.

And if you’re a newcomer, yeah...this is how games used to be.

The good news is these games are still absolutely terrifying. In fact, when you’re revisiting

them, you quickly realize that very few horror games have been able to recreate the sheer

terror and deep emotional impact these Silent Hill games so effortlessly muster. The themes

are relentlessly dark, and for those willing to

explore it, there’s a psychological depth here that is profoundly disturbing.

Now, the second game is still a bit better, and their old design quirks can be a little

annoying. But when it comes to survival horror, you still can’t do better than a trip to

Silent Hill...and the place has never looked better than in the Silent Hill Collection.