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[Strategize]

It's been over 20 years fuck it, give it it's flowers again. There's nothing this year that's even close from a narrative perspective anyway.

The introspective dark themes, the symbolism within the gameplay, the foreshadowing, the tone and atmosphere, tied together within a new almost Naughty Dog level presentation. We need to reward this level of stuff even if it's technically old, to remind most devs to stop with the safe soft modern slop and TAKE SOME FUCKING RISKS with your stories.

 

[FunkMiller]

It remains one of the most mature storylines in video gaming ever. Crazy that very few other games have ever tackled its themes. You'd think the industry would have matured since then, but it really, really hasn't.

 

[Judge Magister]

 

[clarky]

Your thread title deserves an award if you ask me.

 

[Strategize]

Your thread title deserves an award if you ask me.

Yeah I did that shit where I just typed out the title super quick without double checking and focused on the comment

 

[RPCGamer]

It remains one of the most mature storylines in video gaming ever. Crazy that very few other games have ever tackled its themes. You'd think the industry would have matured since then, but it really, really hasn't.

It's the lack of variation that's troubling. You can have silly fun games when you're just relaxing, but also a good mature themed title when you're in the mood. Most of triple A seems to have homogenised into one.

 

[Lethal01]

The narrative has some things that are relatable and easily draw strong emotions when it makes you think of such things, but the writing isn't really anything great.

 

[Strategize]

The narrative has some things that are relatable and easily draw strong emotions when it makes you think of such things, but the writing isn't really anything great.

The dialogue can be somewhat strange and awkward, but it's ultimately all in service of protecting the final act before everything is revealed. I know this because once it becomes more "normal" again in the final scenes with Mary, the dialogue is very strong.

It's hilarious how people are willing to accept something as "deep" and "profound" and "mature" (lmao) when the creators tell them it is and so they follow suit.

Don't get me wrong, SH2 is nice and all and in some ways it was definitely ahead of its time. 20 years ago.

I've never listened to single word the creators have ever said on this game lol. I simply played the game and came that conclusion myself, because yes it is and is still ahead of the vast majority of games in that regard.

 

[od-chan]

It's hilarious how people are willing to accept something as "deep" and "profound" and "mature" (lmao) when the creators tell them it is and so they follow suit.

Don't get me wrong, SH2 is nice and all and in some ways it was definitely ahead of its time. 20 years ago.

I've never listened to single word the creators have ever said on this game lol. I simply played the game and came that conclusion myself, because yes it is and is still ahead of the vast majority of games in that regard.

Let me rephrase: When the creators make you believe it is.

It's really simple too. Sexual Abuse! Trauma! Facing my own demons! So deep! Here, let's have this melodramatic music play out for a little bit longer, it'll seem really sad, ambivalent, mysterious this way!

It's hard to stay nuanced with the SH2 fanbase lol. Obviously it's not day time soap opera trash. But it's not Faust either and neither is it the pinnacle of "maturity" lmao or anything.

 

[killatopak]

It's hilarious how people are willing to accept something as "deep" and "profound" and "mature" (lmao) when the creators tell them it is and so they follow suit.

Don't get me wrong, SH2 is nice and all and in some ways it was definitely ahead of its time. 20 years ago.

It’s only as deep as the ones it’s competing with.

Looking at current competition, it’s actually more shallow than it was 20 years ago.

Games are actually dumber today.

 

[bender]

Yeah I did that shit where I just typed out the title super quick without double checking and focused on the comment

 

[Robbit_80]

I've never played SH2 before I'm ashamed to say, is this the definitive way to jump in or is the OG PS2 version better?

 

[GHG]

I've never played SH2 before I'm ashamed to say, is this the definitive way to jump in or is the OG PS2 version better?

Without question, play the new version.

 

[Strategize]

Let me rephrase: When the creators make you believe it is.

It's really simple too. Sexual Abuse! Trauma! Facing my own demons! So deep! Here, let's have this melodramatic music play out for a little bit longer, it'll seem really sad, ambivalent, mysterious this way!

It's hard to stay nuanced with the SH2 fanbase lol. Obviously it's not day time soap opera trash. But it's not Faust either and neither is it the pinnacle of "maturity" lmao or anything.

I don't even understand your point here. Yes, if you tackle difficult themes, execute them well and emotionally move people you'll get praise, what a shock.

I've never played SH2 before I'm ashamed to say, is this the definitive way to jump in or is the OG PS2 version better?

Personally I'd play the new version because I think the acting is better and it's better to actually play. Some people think the old "worse" acting and tank controls actually helps the game and atmosphere, but I disagree, I think the remake proved those people wrong.

 

[StueyDuck]

It shouldn't be nominated or win because then let's be honest majority of older games are better so we'd just be dishing out awards to the same games all the time..

That being said.

Yes the narrative is top notch, I haven't played the remake, I'll wait for a sale but if they are even slightly respectful of the original it'll still be leagues better than majority of games releasing today.

 

[Strategize]

It shouldn't be nominated or win because then let's be honest majority of older games are better so we'd just be dishing out awards to the same games all the time..

That being said.

Yes the narrative is top notch, I haven't played the remake, I'll wait for a sale but if they are even slightly respectful of the original it'll still be leagues better than majority of games releasing today.

Me advocating for it to win is just as much about the lack of competition this year, if I felt there was anything else even half as strong narratively I'd accept it not winning.

 

[od-chan]

I don't even understand your point here.

Maybe I should rephrase it into a metaphor about drowning while playing an am-bm-cm progression

 

[Strategize]

Maybe I should rephrase it into a metaphor about drowning while playing an am-bm-cm progression

You're just waffling about the themes being dark not necessarily making it that good, which is irrelevant because it is good, especially compared the vast majority of safe soulless slop that's released these days.

 

[Hrk69]

This is what hype does to a man

Embarrassing

 

[Toots]

It’s only as deep as the ones it’s competing with.

I'd even say most acclaimed games only looks deep compared to the ones they're competing with.
The last of us looks deep because people playing video games seem to live in a cultural bubble where they mostly consume videogames (or made by committee streaming services products), so its competitors are Ratchet and clank, Tomb Raider, call of duty , etc.

od-chan is pushing things a bit far with his denigration of Silent Hill themes and narrative effects (you can deconstruct anything enough so it looks like crap written by a 12 yo child), but his point stands. If you are familiar with other other type of media, you cannot help but find video games writing mostly shallow. If you know what NBA plays like, you cannot help but have contempt for the WNBA.
Of course there's exceptions (From software stuff comes directly to mind, or Caitlin Clark for WNBA)

Maybe I should rephrase it into a metaphor about drowning while playing an am-bm-cm progression

 

[tommib]

It remains one of the most mature storylines in video gaming ever. Crazy that very few other games have ever tackled its themes. You'd think the industry would have matured since then, but it really, really hasn't.

Right? It was written for adults. It’s layered, subtle, moving, quiet. I know I can’t help myself but Returnal kind of went there. One of the few that opted for the same kind of approach.

Why aren’t we doing more of this quiet existential human drama apart from the revenge exploitation of TLOU?

 

[PatientGamer]

I've never played SH2 before either.. I'm not typically a fan of horrors in general, is this that kind of game?

Is it more Alan Wake/Control or Resident Evil? If the latter then I think i'll pass.

 

[FunkMiller]

It's really simple too. Sexual Abuse! Trauma! Facing my own demons! So deep! Here, let's have this melodramatic music play out for a little bit longer, it'll seem really sad, ambivalent, mysterious this way!

Everyone else: SH 2 is great because it deals with mature themes like sexual abuse and trauma, which very few other games get close to.

You: it’s not good, because it deals with sexual abuse and trauma!

Everybody else:

 

[SJRB]

I'm gonna rewrite The Lord of The Rings almost verbatim and expect nothing but the highest accolades from everyone for my work.

 

[delfrickintree]

I'm gonna rewrite The Lord of The Rings almost verbatim and expect nothing but the highest accolades from everyone for my work.

be sure to add excessive melodrama and gratuitous combat to dampen any mysticism or tension the original was known for

 

[Gonzito]

This is one of the best survival horror games ever made, and I've been playing these types of games for three decades. The experience is absolutely incredible, and Bloober Team has completely exceeded my expectations in an epic way

Game of the year 100%

 

[tommib]

I'm gonna rewrite The Lord of The Rings almost verbatim and expect nothing but the highest accolades from everyone for my work.

We were all waiting for them to fuck it up and remove any subtlety. They didn’t. If anything, it’s even quieter and the performances are moving and natural. It puts to shame most of what’s out there.

Think of all the movie remakes that are absolute trash these days. I don’t think they deserve accolades for the writing because it was indeed there. But think of A Star is Born which has like 4 versions. You’re just going to ignore any versions because of the original writing? Dune? The Thing? West Side Story?

 

[Strategize]

This is one of the best survival horror games ever made, and I've been playing these types of games for three decades. The experience is absolutely incredible, and Bloober Team has completely exceeded my expectations in an epic way

Game of the year 100%

I dunno about GOTY, but best narrative sure.

 

[Gonzito]

This is what hype does to a man

Embarrassing

Nah. The hype is absolutely justified, the game is a masterpiece

 

[Strategize]

Nah. The hype is absolutely justified, the game is a masterpiece

I agree, but I don't feel comfortable giving a remake best game because been some great games this year, but great narratives? Not really.

 

[keefged4]

I've never played SH2 before I'm ashamed to say, is this the definitive way to jump in or is the OG PS2 version better?

Both. Do the remake first, then the original. Both are amazing.

 

[Badlucktroll]

Can’t wait to see whats next on Bloober’s Silent Hill journey! and they will of course be taking Ito and Yamaoka with them

 

[DoktorCoktor]

Rule of Rose exists, so no.

This needs a remake because the gameplay is ass!

 

[Cakeboxer]

This is one of the best survival horror games ever made, and I've been playing these types of games for three decades. The experience is absolutely incredible, and Bloober Team has completely exceeded my expectations in an epic way

Game of the year 100%

Nothing can beat Astro Bots this year and i know this opinion will be very unpopular, but i think remakes and especially remasters shouldn't be qualified for any GOTY award.

 

[Wildebeest]

The game awards does have an agenda to make it seem like the game industry is making new games that are more like mainstream cinema every year.

 

[Mister Wolf]

Naw. It already got it's flowers decades ago.

 

[Ulysses 31]

Naw, you get less points copying other people's work.

 

[GHG]

This is what hype does to a man

Embarrassing

Only 20+ years of hype.

 

[Matt_Fox]

Thread title about best narrative is incomprehensible...

 

[Punished Miku]

We're talking about the Game Awards here, the personal playground of Mr. Geoff "Kojima is my husband" Keighley. He's probably going to do a 10 minute retrospective on when Kojima got fired by Konami and then burn a copy of Silent Hill 2 live on stage before asking Kojima to come up and talk about PT for 20 minutes.

 

[Chuck Berry]

Yeah I did that shit where I just typed out the title super quick without double checking and focused on the comment

So you pulled a Draugoth is what you’re saying

 

[chromatic9]

Are you roleplaying a zombie right now with that thread title?

Is that what most are doing when typing out thread titles recently?

 

[Topher]

I know nothing of Silent Hill, tbh. Why was 2 remade and not the first one? Are they completely stand alone games?

 

[Ulysses 31]

I know nothing of Silent Hill, tbh. Why was 2 remade and not the first one? Are they completely stand alone games?

1 & 3 are connected.

 

[darrylgorn]

Fanboys man lmao

 

[Dorfdad]

It remains one of the most mature storylines in video gaming ever. Crazy that very few other games have ever tackled its themes. You'd think the industry would have matured since then, but it really, really hasn't.

Well Microsoft did a mature with Hellblade.

 

[Arachnid]

Agreed. Greatest story in gaming, period.

 

[fart town usa]

It's hilarious how people are willing to accept something as "deep" and "profound" and "mature" (lmao) when the creators tell them it is and so they follow suit.

Don't get me wrong, SH2 is nice and all and in some ways it was definitely ahead of its time. 20 years ago.


Let me rephrase: When the creators make you believe it is.

It's really simple too. Sexual Abuse! Trauma! Facing my own demons! So deep! Here, let's have this melodramatic music play out for a little bit longer, it'll seem really sad, ambivalent, mysterious this way!

It's hard to stay nuanced with the SH2 fanbase lol. Obviously it's not day time soap opera trash. But it's not Faust either and neither is it the pinnacle of "maturity" lmao or anything.

And it still doesn't compare to Jacob's Ladder.

SH2 has such a GOAT-boner for some people. It's a fine game, the twist was memorable. It doesn't need to be more than that, and it isn't. That's perfectly fine and it isn't a knock against the OG or remake.

 

[Dorago]

If its as different as RE:Remake is to RE then they can call it a new game.

Most remakes don't go this far because the devs can't actually make as good of a game.

Positive examples would be Wolfenstein 3D remaking Castle Wolfenstein from the Apple II, Castlevania IV remaking Castlevania, Doom (2016) remaking Doom (1993).

 

[FunkMiller]

Well Microsoft did a mature with Hellblade.

But with the sequel at least, they did it badly.