For the first issue of Identity Crisis, I will be analyzing the game Silent Hill 2. Now, personally as I played this game it scared me half to death. Even while watching others play it I'd get caught in the game and scream at a little event that probably isn't scary in the least. However, I'd have to say Silent Hill 2 fits the horror category pretty well (though that could just be me playing it at night with all the lights off). So, let’s dive into the elements of Silent Hill 2 shall we?

     For one thing, the sound effects of Silent Hill 2 are an important characteristic. The radio James has, points out how close to an enemy you are and may cause most of the fear you (or at least me) will have. The static of the radio gives it a life-like effect (we've all had scratchy radios that we felt like we needed to throw against a wall and maybe even done so *whistles and looks in the other direction*). When you first get the radio you hear a women's voice but you don't understand due to the static. Not only does the radio make up the game, but also the monsters themselves are equipped with their own weird noises and voices.

     Sounds are a lot, but so are the looks of the monsters themselves. I'm not sure even a rocket scientist can make out what some of the creatures are supposed to look like. I've also noticed that (well at least on the XBox game of SH2) the mutant monsters seem to have a smooth and slimy texture. Movements of these slimy, shiny, and smooth mutant creatures seems to make as much sense as the look of them. All these visual factors in the end play on the fear of almost everyone.

     This brings us now to the infamous fog of Silent Hill 2. The fog is maybe a trade mark of eerie and creepy feelings in the game, don't you agree? Not being able to see in front of you always creates a feeling of fear, no matter if it's in a game or real life. This causes the game to also have a sense of real life (ok, in the scenery at least). Without fog, the game probably wouldn't have been that great and not as popular.

     If we're trying to get a good feel of why Silent Hill 2 is horror, then let’s try and imagine Silent Hill 2 without some of the key elements. If you take away the fog, then you'd just be wandering around, being able to avoid enemies and actually find your destination. This could bring down the game's quality; however the game could still be fun. If the monsters looked like humans you wouldn't have to twist your neck around upon looking at them to try and see if you can make sense of it. The human monsters wouldn't make the same eerie noises, they might talk slow and be possessed but not the sounds they make as abnormal mutants.

     In conclusion (yes it's almost over), Silent Hill 2 fits into it's genre of horror with ease. The fog, monsters, and sounds support the game in keeping the horror and fear alive within the person to play the game. This game is one of the best horror games to buy if you are looking for that thrill or fear. So go and get excited about buying it and then get scared of playing it and have fun.