Silent Hill or Resident Evil

**Demon-Mask** · 02-13-2011, 01:21 PM

This is a very straightforward question:
Do you prefer Silent Hill or Resident Evil when it comes to survival-horror?

For me, it is Silent Hill, I prefer the more psychological scares and creepy atmosphere that makes even the times where you are safe feel... unsettling.
And I don't like horror that relies on things jumping out of nowhere.

That and I like how the protagonists in Silent Hill games are pretty much all inept at combat, and so your best bet is to just run like hell.

**elrod21** · 02-13-2011, 02:34 PM

I like both, but Silent hill does get the edge because of the atmosphere. I always liked the radio too as when it starts making noise it can make you hair stand on end waiting to see what is coming at you.

**RU Joe** · 02-13-2011, 02:47 PM

DM:

Quote:

For me, it is Silent Hill, I prefer the more psychological scares and creepy atmosphere that makes even the times where you are safe feel... unsettling.

I agree, and that's why I voted for Silent Hill: has there been a creepier town in any game?

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And I don't like horror that relies on things jumping out of nowhere.

I have to ask you if this includes Pyramid Head.

Like that empty corridor in the basement you walk through, only to have him appear directly behind you from the empty corner you just passed, the time he pops up behind you on the Hospital roof, or how about the room you go into and suddenly there's two Pyramid Heads in there with you!!

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That and I like how the protagonists in Silent Hill games are pretty much all inept at combat, and so your best bet is to just run like hell.

Most of the game it didn't seem necessary to fight, but I found the game combat to be all about timing, almost like turn - based RPG game battles.
James can kick serious Demon arse once you get that timing down, which you have to do when entering certain buildings.

**Demon-Mask** · 02-13-2011, 04:24 PM

But Silent Hill doesn't rely on that kind of scares quite as much, it's not like Resident Evil where every window will be shattered by zombie dogs.

Most of the protagonists can fight if you get the timing down, but the better option is to just run away.

**Dudebro** · 02-13-2011, 04:41 PM

The lack of combat turned me off to these games. I get it's about realism but if I was really stuck in some evil town I'd stop running after the first demon and start trying to defend myself.

**Kugyince** · 02-13-2011, 05:31 PM

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Originally Posted by Dudebro

The lack of combat turned me off to these games. I get it's about realism but if I was really stuck in some evil town I'd stop running after the first demon and start trying to defend myself.

Most games usually provide a reason why the character is pushing forwards though. Even if it is as cliched as SH's "rescuing a loved one" or as detached as RE's "it's my job."

**Dudebro** · 02-13-2011, 05:38 PM

No I get that but I'm just not into the tension brought on by seemingly unrealistic character reactions. If you know you're in the middle of some demonic town why keep running away when you know it's not helping?

**Kugyince** · 02-13-2011, 06:23 PM

Not liking the genre is fine. Different strokes for different folks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dudebro

No I get that but I'm just not into the tension brought on by seemingly unrealistic character reactions. If you know you're in the middle of some demonic town why keep running away when you know it's not helping?

The other option being? You're obviously not just going the shrug you shoulders and say "screw it, I can always have another daughter."

**RU Joe** · 02-13-2011, 06:56 PM

DM:

Quote:

But Silent Hill doesn't rely on that kind of scares quite as much, it's not like Resident Evil where every window will be shattered by zombie dogs.

Agreed, the environment provided most of the fright, and I think that's exactly what the programmers were going for.
I remember reading how they were going to make it a lot darker with a far more evil theme, and started to do so when their entire system crashed, which they took as a 'sign' that they needed to tone the game down.
I read it in a gamer magazine.

Resident Evil is another animal, and I still can't even play Veronica X, let alone RE4.

DB:

Quote:

No I get that but I'm just not into the tension brought on by seemingly unrealistic character reactions. If you know you're in the middle of some demonic town why keep running away when you know it's not helping?

I always thought these games are like playing a nightmare, the common kind where you're being surrounded or chased or both by overwhelming forces.
Running away is pretty much your only option most of the time, since they're not set up like a first person shooter where you have lots of ammo {which is practically non - existent in SH and RE} and maybe a bit of cover.
But yeah, not very 'realistic'.

Ten:

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"screw it, I can always have another daughter."

Or an Other Mother!

**Kugyince** · 02-13-2011, 07:13 PM

In the newest Silent Hill you're not even given weapons. There's no combat, you just have to run for your life. I do want to try that.

**Dudebro** · 02-13-2011, 08:33 PM

Like you said different strokes, I prefer to fight and defend myself. I don't like games where you have to play nearly helpless victim. If they took your daughter, run towards them.

**DrunkN** · 02-13-2011, 10:08 PM

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Originally Posted by Dudebro

If they took your daughter, run towards them.

In most cases the missing person is lost, not abducted.

I don't play action-horror games because I like to get scared, I play them because I like to get excited. I can't really say a whole lot about Silent Hill since I've only played two games and the second was more combat inclined than the rest, but I like Resident Evil because the games tend to kick your ass on your first time. (mostly just 3, 0, and REmake, all of the others I didn't get enough of a challenge the first time I played them) The real challenge of these type of games should come from your own decisions and rationality, such as picking your battles and managing your health and ammo. You can't even save the game willy-nilly in the lower numbered Resident Evil games.

But I really don't have a favorite. Being a fanboy is silly, if you have the interest and the option, I suggest you rent games from both series. Unfortunately, I'm seeing a lot of rental places going out of business and just can't do that kind of thing anymore.

**Dudebro** · 02-13-2011, 10:26 PM

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In most cases the missing person is lost, not abducted.

I know I meant instead of running away from stuff go forward aggressively. Either way it doesn't matter I'm just not into this genre. I've played a few over the years but the survival part(no ammo, running, hiding) never really worked for me.

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I don't play action-horror games because I like to get scared, I play them because I like to get excited.

I get that way about really good rpgs and shadowrun. If I'm still playing SR in 20 years or so I'll probably drop dead of a heart attack from the stress on my heart.

**RU Joe** · 02-14-2011, 01:25 AM

DB:

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If I'm still playing SR in 20 years or so I'll probably drop dead of a heart attack from the stress on my heart.

Anti - game groups would have a field day with that one.
Finally, the proof they've been looking for!

**Dudebro** · 02-14-2011, 01:56 AM

Proof that high intensity games might give an old man a heart attack? Not exactly the smoking gun they've been looking for.

**DrunkN** · 02-14-2011, 02:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dudebro

Proof that high intensity games might give an old man a heart attack? Not exactly the smoking gun they've been looking for.

Some times DB, it's all about having an argument that you can't lose at.

( Click to show/hide )

**Slime Slayer** · 02-14-2011, 02:40 AM

I got pretty turned off the genre from the get go, it kinda fell somewhere between Maniac Mansion and Contra, but didnt have enough of either. The Maniac Mansion elements were limited to basic switch flipping, and collecting keys or whatever, and the Contra elements were limited to unloading on your enemies and retreating if you run out of ammo. The genre also never scared me, whitch I can only assume is it's main draw. Another thing that annoyed me were the camera cuts, all they did was interupt the game. I'm sure they have come a long way since Resident Evil 2 and Dino Crisis, I just never had the urge to revisit them.

**Josephjo** · 02-14-2011, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dudebro

Like you said different strokes, I prefer to fight and defend myself. I don't like games where you have to play nearly helpless victim. If they took your daughter, run towards them.

Not played that one. It looks good

( Click to show/hide )

**Dudebro** · 02-14-2011, 01:17 PM

Oh Jojo you funny little muppet. Btw I doubt that bike shop owner will mess with him now.

**jim5cents** · 02-14-2011, 01:32 PM

Clock Tower would get my vote.

I get what DB is saying about defending yourself, but in that case, survival turns into how many shotgun shells you can find.

In Clock Tower, the bad guy can't be physically overpowered by the good guy, so you have to outsmart, hide, and have a little bit of luck in order to survive.

**RU Joe** · 02-14-2011, 06:49 PM

DB:

Quote:

old man

You'se still a youngun.
I bet you don't even have gray eyebrow hairs yet.

**Dudebro** · 02-14-2011, 07:13 PM

@JG- If I wasn't so vain I'd post a pic of my extensive gray hairs. To be fair though I've been going gray since I was 18 though.

**RU Joe** · 02-14-2011, 07:48 PM

Alright, we'll accept you into the club, then.
Congratulations, you are now a member of the old fart club!

**samejamesbond** · 02-14-2011, 08:18 PM

I prefer Resident Evil to Silent Hill because Resident Evil has more action.

But if I had to pick my favorite survival horror game, Dino Crisis 2 was outstanding.

**DrunkN** · 02-15-2011, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim5cents

Clock Tower would get my vote.

I get what DB is saying about defending yourself, but in that case, survival turns into how many shotgun shells you can find.

In Clock Tower, the bad guy can't be physically overpowered by the good guy, so you have to outsmart, hide, and have a little bit of luck in order to survive.

I wouldn't quite put Clock Tower in the same group as it really is more of an adventure horror as opposed to a survival horror. Gameplay wise, it's more about mapping out your events rather than trying to actually do them. Silent Hill and Resident Evil are much different in the fact that the challenge lies more heavily on keeping yourself alive rather than avoiding dangerous situations.