Silent Hill 2 Vs. Resident Evil 4: Which Game Is Best?

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In terms of survival horror games, there’s nothing superior to the leading names: the Resident Evil and Silent Hill series. They laid the groundwork for what we now recognize as survival horror gaming, and they consistently strive to heighten the fear factor for their gamers.

When it comes to the essence of what makes survival horror truly terrifying, it’s often argued that Silent Hill 2 and Resident Evil 4 are the games that nail it perfectly.

These two games have undergone recent modern updates, boasting exceptional graphics and a complete overhaul of every detail from scratch. Remarkably, these updated versions outshine their predecessors, but it’s worth noting that for the ultimate question in survival horror, I am taking into account both the remade and original games to decide which is superior.

10.
Replayability and Trophies

Winner: Resident Evil 4

As trophies didn’t exist when these games initially launched, this highlight showcases a game’s potential for repeat play, and it’s worth mentioning that Resident Evil 4 stands out in this regard.

The game is incredibly packed with activities, far more than what Silent Hill 2 provides. Even if you’re not in the mood to play the game, there are options like Mercenaries Mode, Ada’s Scenario, and an in-game Shooting Range that let you experience Resident Evil 4 without necessarily having to play it from start to finish.

Contrastingly, Silent Hill 2 is highly linear, making it more of a solitary journey for many players, unless they share my level of obsession.

From my personal gaming perspective, I’ve been immersed in the process of earning my third Platinum trophy for the Silent Hill 2 Remake, while I’m still working on my inaugural Platinum with Resident Evil 4 Remake. Believe me, it’s not because I’m slacking off!

9.
Puzzles

Winner: Silent Hill 2

Without a doubt, one of the defining characteristics of Silent Hill is its challenging and thought-provoking puzzles that demand careful attention. It’s not uncommon to find yourself deeply immersed in a puzzle for hours on end, making steady progress. This dedication to problem-solving is what sets Silent Hill 2 apart as it boasts the most engaging and intricate puzzles of the series.

In contrast to Resident Evil 4, its puzzles are straightforward and concise, aligning with the series’ overall style. The only real challenge I encountered was the Light Puzzle in the village church that kept me pondering for a while.

In contrast, Silent Hill 2 offers varying degrees of challenge for its puzzles, catering to different player abilities. Yet, it’s generally expected that the most genuine Silent Hill experience lies in playing on the Hard difficulty level.

Not to mention, these puzzles are just outright cool.

8.
Characters

Winner: Tie

When comparing games based on their compelling characters, it’s quite challenging to pick a clear winner as both offer unique personalities that serve specific roles. The characters in each game are generally crafted with great care and writing.

Regardless, any character concerns were seamlessly addressed in the remakes. Notably, Ashley Graham’s and Eddie Dombrowski’s performances come to mind as they significantly improved upon earlier versions in their respective series, silencing many of the criticisms from players.

Not only are the primary characters in every game uniquely unforgettable on their own merit, but they each hold an iconic status. While more individuals may recognize Leon S. Kennedy compared to James Sunderland, the quality of writing makes their popularity irrelevant.

It’s truly challenging to decide which game boasts the superior cast, for both games feature characters that are exceptionally well-crafted.

7.
Graphics

Winner: Resident Evil 4

I’m not particularly concerned about graphics, but the visual quality gap between these games is quite apparent. Both versions of Resident Evil 4 surpass Silent Hill 2 significantly in terms of graphics and animation quality. This is largely due to the advanced engine used by the developers for the remake.

In the creation of Resident Evil 4, the RE Engine is tailored to enhance the narrative rather than vice versa, resulting in stunning visuals that truly stand out.

Instead of Silent Hill 2, however, relying on the Unreal Engine resulted in peculiar lighting effects and some unusual visual scenarios, even though it was released a year after. Fortunately, these minor glitches are absent in RE4, enhancing its overall quality dramatically.

Moreover, it’s worth noting that while both SH2 and RE4 operate in performance mode, SH2 experiences occasional frame drops and glitches, whereas RE4 remains smooth.

6.
Story

Winner: Silent Hill 2

Between the narratives of the two games, Silent Hill 2 outperforms Resident Evil 4 significantly. Now, don’t get me wrong, Resident Evil 4 has a compelling story (to say the least), but it doesn’t come close to matching the intricacy found in Silent Hill 2.

Silent Hill 2 primarily revolves around the theme of guilt, with every element within the game subtly emphasizing this concept. Everything, whether it’s objects or characters, is cloaked in symbolism, interpreting differently for both the player and the main character, thus sparking a variety of interpretations.

The narrative of Resident Evil 4 is straightforward, clear, and concise, making it enjoyable and captivating. However, once you’ve completed it, there isn’t much more to explore, leaving you with a sense of accomplishment after your win, as the sun sets and the credits begin to roll.

Nonetheless, Silent Hill 2 leaves you with a sense of emptiness and hollowness, deeply affected by the ordeal you’ve experienced, echoing in your mind even after the final credits have rolled.

5.
Enemies and Bosses

Winner: Tie

Regarding the villains portrayed in both video games, neither game outshines the other since the bosses and adversaries in both are an equally enjoyable insanity.

Both present distinctive challenges and compel the player to strategize on the most effective way to defeat each creature. To illustrate, Regenerators require a specific sniper rifle while Mannequins respond better to gunfire.

In this captivating game, I get the chance to craft my own experience, be it evading the menacing figure of Pyramid Head during our initial encounter, or grappling with Méndez’s torso amidst an inferno-lit backdrop. Regardless of the approach, the thrill is undeniable!

Neither game has better enemies; they all die at the players’ hands anyway.

4.
Combat

Winner: Resident Evil 4

Regarding the adversaries, both games are neck-and-neck, but when it comes to combat, Resident Evil 4 clearly takes the lead.

In simpler terms, the game Silent Hill 2 didn’t focus much on combat since your character was just an ordinary person. On the other hand, in Resident Evil 4, you take on the role of Leon S. Kennedy, a real-life Department of Security agent, which means there are more action-packed elements due to the nature of his profession.

In Resident Evil 4 (RE4), there’s an extensive variety of firearms to choose from, including different versions of the same gun. You can select weapons like CQC or some unusual ones, whereas in Silent Hill 2 (SH2), your choices are more limited with only a few firearm options available.

It’s a bit of an obvious winner when it comes to combat, needless to say.

3.
Music

Winner: Silent Hill 2

In terms of game soundtracks, none surpasses the exceptional sound design that Akira Yamaoka brings to the Silent Hill series. The music from Silent Hill 2 stands out as exceptionally moving, with a haunting quality that is both eerie and beautiful.

Although the music from Resident Evil 4 is notable, especially the tune from the Save Room which resonates with its fans, it doesn’t hold a candle to the overall legendary status of Silent Hill’s soundtrack.

The music in Silent Hill 2 significantly contributes to establishing the atmosphere and affecting the player’s emotions. Instead of being mere background, it embodies the very essence of the mood, resonating powerfully within the players.

I’m still really upset that Akira Yamaoka wasn’t awarded Best Sound Design at the 2024 Game Awards. It’s hard to believe with all his work on games like Silent Hill, someone else got the prize instead!

2.
Fear Factor

Winner: Silent Hill 2

Given that both games belong to the survival horror genre, it’s crucial to evaluate their fright factor. In this regard, Silent Hill 2 clearly takes the lead.

As a dedicated fan of the Resident Evil series, I can personally attest that Resident Evil 4 was the turning point where the franchise shifted from pure horror to a more action-packed experience, which didn’t sit well with some purists. However, there were still two elements that sent chills down my spine – the Regenerators and the eerie atmosphere of the Village.

Contrarily, Silent Hill 2 is unnerving from beginning to end without fail, and it somehow becomes even more unsettling as you advance through the game. Typically, by the finale of a horror game, I’ve grown accustomed to the fear element that has been established, but this is not the case with Silent Hill 2.

Both games offer a lot of excitement, but nothing quite compares to the chilling experience that Silent Hill 2 provides. It’s hard to put into words, but the only fitting description is that it’s genuinely scary.

1.
Winner

Silent Hill 2

With that, the overall winner is Silent Hill 2, winning by a single point in its favour.

It’s quite a challenge to choose between these two games, as they were both titans in the survival horror genre and significantly shaped the way we experience horror in gaming. However, I find that Silent Hill 2 aligns more closely with the traditional essence of the survival horror genre compared to Resident Evil 4.

Frequently, what makes or breaks a survival horror game lies in its ability to induce fear, deliver immersive sound design, offer challenging combat, and present intricate puzzles. Amongst these aspects, Silent Hill 2 stands out as the superior choice for three of them. As a title, it excels in creating an atmospheric experience, masterfully balancing the relationship between adversaries and players, and grasping the fundamental elements of survival horror more effectively than any other game.

While both the games are exceptional, none can match the terror and immersion provided by Silent Hill 2 when it comes to delivering a true survival horror experience.

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2025-05-30 20:10