Silent Hill is full of engrossing characters who are all punctuated further by the eponymous town itself. Unlike Resident Evil and some other survival-horror franchises, Silent Hill games typically require some consideration to fully comprehend each theme or motif that is depicted. These are surely games that survival-horror fans may adore even if they are only interested in their gameplay. Earlier installments such as Silent Hill 2 revolve around puzzle-based exploration and resource management, but they also arguably have the most fascinating narratives of the bunch as well.
In particular, Silent Hill 2 is always the game that is referred to when reminiscing about what makes the franchise special. Part of its charm is that it is technically a standalone entry without explicit ties to the first or third installments other than being in the same canonical universe. But another profoundly significant reason why the sequel is so beloved is because of how excellently its narrative is told, as well as how its discourse on mental illness, guilt, and trauma is expressed through each character, but especially through Silent Hill 2 protagonist James Sunderland.
Silent Hill 2’s James Sunderland is Plagued with Grief and Guilt
The best part of James Sunderland’s character is that he is not a heroic character, and instead his portrayal opens up to the idea that he is either morally ambiguous or truly malicious in his intent. James is an unassuming character in the beginning of Silent Hill 2, and dubious characters that he interacts with become more immediately intriguing based upon how bland he initially seems.
Maria has an important role in Silent Hill 2’s narrative as she brazenly mirrors Mary, and her multiple deaths start to reveal a deeply traumatic part of James’ recent past. Once players meet characters such as Eddie Dombrowski and Angela Orosco, it becomes clearer that James must be inhabiting Silent Hill for some comparably dubious action committed.
That said, not all who found themselves in Silent Hill are necessarily as heinous as Eddie, who had killed a dog and shot a bully. Rather, a mentally ill Angela had killed her father after he had sexually abused her, which is still an act of murder but with a much more empathetic motivation. These character developments only shed more light on James’ own character as more is gradually learned about him through their interactions.
Silent Hill 2 Has Deeply Moving and Sympathetic Subject Matter
Once it is acknowledged that Silent Hill pulls from characters’ individual psyches to manifest its horrors, the connections between James, nurses, Silent Hill 2’s Pyramid Heads, and other enemies become more intriguing. If James’ actions had come from a place of pity for Mary, the mere thought of putting an end to her suffering would likely be a sympathetic notion that some fans could relate to—even though James’ means of euthanizing Mary is rather disturbing in context.
It is through Silent Hill that James comes to terms with his true actions, and the implications of why he had done so may resonate with the player because they are grounded in realism and represent real choices that some individuals may be tasked with considering in their lives. James and Mary’s dilemma is obviously a niche situation that not everyone will be able to relate to, but the narrative’s storytelling is exceptional enough to make it seem relatable and palpable.
Then, when it is alluded to why James may have wanted to kill Mary and move on with his life, his thoughts and decisions are then presented to him in Silent Hill’s grisly reflection of his psyche. James’ actions could be considered pitiful, sympathetic, or reprehensible, but it is also not necessary for players to judge him—the eerie tourist town of Silent Hill does that well enough, and based on players’ choices James receives an ending that fans might find satisfying either way.
Silent Hill 2 is in development for PC and PS5.