The differences between the two console releases on the PS2 and Xbox are so minute that you couldn’t go wrong either way. Even though it had some disadvantages we mentioned above, the Xbox version has slightly sharper graphics thanks to the support of 480p. Silent Hill 2: Restless Dreams, which came out for the first Xbox on December 20, 2001, has the same gameplay and content as the PS2 version. The computer-generated cut scenes, as well as the frame rate, are also better on Sony’s platform when compared to the Xbox version.
When compared to the other ports (even the PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 releases), the PS2 version has, surprisingly, the best fog effects. However, you should track down the Greatest Hits version, which came out for the same system on November 17, 2002, as it contains an extra ending (making it six total) along with the Born from a Wish side-story scenario. Silent Hill 2 was released first for the PlayStation 2 on September 24, 2001. Needless to say, if you are a fan of the survival-horror genre, Silent Hill 2 is a must-play. The different locales and twists to the story will make you want to see it to the end even if you have to experience more horror to get to that point. The nightmarish place has been abandoned aside from the occasional wandering creepy monsters. The plot follows James Sunderland as he arrives at the mysterious town of Silent Hill after receiving a letter from his deceased. Silent Hill 2 really shines when it comes to atmosphere and story. While you can kill these creatures, the combat system has been made intentionally clunky, making you feel very vulnerable (an element that is missing in almost modern AAA games). As a result, you have to rely on your radio, which emits static noises when any of the disturbing monsters are nearby. Silent Hills 2 is a true survival-horror experience as it limits your visibility with a heavy fog and awkward camera angles. So what version should you be playing? Find out with our rankings of the different iterations below. While the second Silent Hill installment came out on multiple platforms, some versions are better than others when it comes to some elements. Silent Hill 2 is considered to be one of the best survival-horror games ever created.