Metacritic Games

Silent Hill (Playstation)

After waking from a crash induced nightmare, Harry finds the town almost deserted and a young motorcycle cop, Cybil, watching over him. Cybil is here to find out what happened to the towns' folk. But is she a friend or something much worse?

Konami
Survival Horror, Adventure
Players: 1
M (Mature)
Developer: Konami
Released January 31, 1999

Overall Metascore

This is a weighted, normalized average of all individual scores given by critics, on a scale of 0 (worst) to 100 (best).

86 / 100

Critic Reviews

94 Absolute Playstation
It's a horrifying action/adventure that will set the pulse racing and put the mind on constant alert.
91 PSX Nation
With multiple endings, secrets and hidden items you'll find replay value deep within the game.
90 Adrenaline Vault
The various flaws (like horrible voice acting, odd attack control, and hyper-linear gameplay) keep it from earning a perfect rating. But it's a worthy successor to "Resident Evil."
90 IGN
From the inexplicable sobbing of an unseen child in a blood-stained school hall to the loud rattling of an invisible "something" underneath the floorboards that you're standing on, the game never sinks into predictability. Imagine all of this while never quite being able to see past arm's length into the darkness.
90 Hot Games
If you thought that "Resident Evil" was scary, well let me just tell you Resident Evil is akin to Disney's Bambi compared to this... If you want a game that will surely help you soil your undies kids, than Silent Hill is what you want!
90 All Game Guide
A genuinely terrifying experience combined with a unique, gripping story and immersive atmosphere.
90 GamePro
One of SH's coolest features is its excellent Dual Shock support: The controller beats like a heart, thumping harder when you're close to death, and its responsiveness keeps you in command.
88 GameShark
Another thing that I found annoying was the fog effect. I do not know if it is hiding pop-up or setting the mood of the story (which it does an excellent job for since you cannot see 10 feet down the street). I just found it very annoying.
86 Electronic Gaming Monthly
Enough creepiness to make Christopher Walken uncomfortable. [Jan 2004, p.189]
85 Gamezilla!
Aside from the grainy graphics, imprecise controls and somewhat strange puzzles, this game is pure horror fun.
84 TotalGames.net
Flawed, yes, ambitious definitely - Silent Hill is a whole new experience adding to the challenge of "Resident Evil 2," while maintaining what it set out to do... drain you psychologically and scare you shitless!
83 Game Revolution
Go buy Silent Hill, pour yourself a strong drink, turn out all the lights, and immerse yourself in the sickness. It's a hell of a lot better than going to see the latest Wes Craven movie.
82 GameSpot
One of the most successfully unnerving elements is the game's lighting... It was that effect, much more than any fearsome creature, which made me leave a hall light on one night after playing it.
80 Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
Have you ever been so terrified by a phone ring?! [Nov 2001, p.51]
80 Cheat Code Central Platinum
Those looking for the intense action of RE may be disappointed. If disturbing atmosphere is your thing, with an emphasis on 3D exploration and puzzle solving, then SH will be worth a whirl.
80 Games Domain
The control in this game is simply its worst feature, and it will probably cause some players to grow frustrated and put this title down too early.
80 Total Video Games
No game will freak you as much as this game, and I truly believe you will enjoy it no matter what genre you're into most. If you don't have this game, buy it, and while you're there, pick up a set of briefs. You'll need em'!!

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