
![Silent Hill PAL Cover](/images/posts/revisiting-silent-hill-one/silent-hill-cover.JPG)

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Recently, I decided to play through [Silent Hill 1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silent_Hill_(video_game)) using the PS1 emulator [DuckStation](https://duckstation.org/). Having just finished playing the [Silent Hill 2 remake](https://store.steampowered.com/app/2124490/SILENT_HILL_2/), I was curious to see how the original entry in the series stacked up. I've always been intrigued by the legacy of the Silent Hill series, but as someone who missed the boat back when it first launched in 1999 (I was born in 2003, haha), I wasn't sure what to expect. Would the game hold up after nearly 25 years? Would its outdated graphics and clunky mechanics ruin the experience? Spoiler: <ins>IT DIDN'T</ins>.

### A Story That Pulls You In
From the moment you step into the foggy streets of Silent Hill as Harry Mason, the game grabs you with its eerie atmosphere and refuses to let go. Harry's search for his missing daughter, Cheryl, is the kind of simple yet gripping settup that works because it's relatable. You're not some super soldier or chosen one -- you're just a regular guy caught in a nightmare. The story is full of twists, weird cult, and makes you question what's real and what isn't. Sure, some of the dialogue is a bit cheesy, but that almost adds to its charm.

### Atmosphere Over Graphics
Let's address the elephant in the room: yes, Silent Hill 1 is old. Yes, the graphics didn't age well -- the game released in 1998. But the genius of this game lies in how it uses its limitations to its advantage. The thick fog and grainy visuals don't just hide the PS1's hardware limitations -- they create an oppressive atmosphere that's unmatched by any other game.

The sound design deserves it's own blog post to be honest. What Akira Yamaoka managed to accomplish is BEAUTIFUL. The industrial screeches and melancholic melodies stay with you long after you've put down the controller. And then there's the silence  -- the way the game uses quiet moments to build tension is nothing short of masterful. Every creak, every distant scream, every echo of your footsteps... it all works together to keep you on edge.

### Gameplay: Imperfect but Effective
Let's be real: the very first thing you will notice when booting the game are the controls. They're janky to say the least. I switched the control type from 3D to 2D almost immediately, which made movement a lot more intuitive. Combat is more about survival than skill, which makes every encounter feel meaningful. However, the melee weapons and some ranged attack weapons have frustratingly short reach, leading to moments where you'll swing at an enemy or fire off a shot and completely miss. This can make fights more tense, but it also highlights the clunky mechanics. Running out of ammo or health supplies can leave you genuinely panicked, and that's exactly what survival horror is supposed to do.

The puzzles, on the other hand, are hit or miss. Some are brilliant and rewarding, while others feel like -- huh? Still, they're a core part of the experience, and there's something satisfying about finally cracking a riddle.

My favourite part of Silent Hill games is completely marking the map -- where the roads cut off, open/closed doors. There's something satisfying about it.

### Why It Still Matters
Playing Silent Hill 1 in 2025 isn't just about nostalgia; it's about experiencing the roots of a genre that shaped countless games since. It's a reminder that great games don't need cutting-edge-graphics or hyper-polished mechanics -- they need atmosphere, story. and heart. This game nails all three.

If you've never played Silent Hill 1 and you're a fan of horror, do yourself a favor and try it. I'd recommend emulating it or borrow a friend's copy for the PS1 if they have one laying around. Konami no longer sells the game, and online shopping platforms sell the game for crazy amount of money.

The PS1 emulator I used: [DuckStation](https://duckstation.org/) </br>
The Silent Hill ROM I used: [Vimm's Lair](https://vimm.net/vault/50618) </br>
Find yourself a PS1 BIOS file online and you're good to go. :)

### Final Thoughts
I went into Silent Hill 1 expecting a relic of gaming history, and I came out with a newfound appreciation for what survival horror can achieve. The game might show its age in places, but it's a masterpiece in atmosphere and storytelling. Playing it felt like uncovering a hidden gem, even if the gem's edges are a little rough. 

Now excuse me while I play the rest of the Silent Hill games.

### God Bless The Silent Hill 1 Development Team
<div style="position: relative; width: 100%; padding-bottom: 56.25%">
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</div>

Revisiting Silent Hill 1: A Journey Back to the Roots of Survival Horror


![Silent Hill 2 Differences](/images/posts/silent-hill-two-remake/post-cover.jpg)

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Before diving into the classic [Silent Hill 1](http://localhost:3000/blog/revisiting-silent-hill-one), I started my journey with the [Silent Hill 2 remake](https://store.steampowered.com/app/2124490/SILENT_HILL_2/). As someone who knew the legacy of the original game, but never played it, the remake was a fresh yet familiar experience. It's not every day that a beloved classic gets a second chance to shine, and I was curious to see if the remake would live up to the expectations of both longtime fans and newcomers like me. Spoiler. <ins>it absolutely delivered</ins>.</br>

### Skepticism around Bloober Team
[Bloober Team](https://www.blooberteam.com/) has had a reputation for being hit or miss, with past titles like Layers of Fear. When they were announced as the developers for the Silent Hill 2 Remake, skepticism was high. Would they truly understand what made the original a masterpiece? Could they deliver this? Fortunately, Bloober Team understood the assignment and then some. They not only nailed the game's lore and emotional depth but also made significant improvements and additions across the board.

The new over-the-top camera style, the combat mechanics were refined, creating tense yet manageable encouncters. The environmental design was richer and more immersive, seamlessly blending classic elements with modern sensibilities. Most importantly, Bloober Team preserved the physchological depth and emotional resonance of the original while enhancing its accessibility for a new generation. This remake really isn't just a recreation, it's an evolution.

### Story: Emotionally Devastating and Profound
The story of James Sunderland searching for his dead wife in the mysterious town of Silent Hill is one of the most haunting narratives I've ever experienced. It's not just about monsters or scares -- it's about grief, guilt, and the darker corners of the human psyche. The remake does an excellent job of preserving the core themes while enhancing the storytelling with more nuanced voice acting and subtle visual cues. The emotional weight of the game hits hard, and certain revelations left me staring at the screen in disbelief.

Every character James encounters feels like a piece of his fractured psyche, and every detail -- from the enemy designs to the environmental storytelling -- reinforces this.

### Visuals and Atmosphere
The remake takes full advantage of modern hardware to create a visually stunning yet oppressive atmosphere. The fog is thicker, the lighting more dynamic, and the environments are packed with unsettling details that make the town of Silent Hill feel alive in the worst way possible. The game's use of shadows and lighting is phenomenal, often making you second-guess whether something is lurking just out of sight.

And the monsters -- oh, the monsters. Pyramid Head is as terrifying as ever, even the lesser creatures are grotesque in ways that feel deeply personal. The updated graphics make their designs even more disturbing, amplifying their symbolic connections to James's inner turmoil.

### Gameplay: Faithful Yet Improved
The remake stays true to the original's survival horror roots while making some smart updates to the gameplay. Movement and combat feels smoother and more intuitive, but they still retain that sense of vulnerability that's crucial to the genre. You're not a soldier mowing down enemies; every encounter feels like a struggle for survival.

Exploration is where the game truly shines. The town of Silent Hill is brimming with secrets, and the updated visuals make it a joy to lose yourself in eerie streets and abandoned buildings. The puzzles are challenging but fair, often requiring you pay close attention to your surroundings. They strike a perfect balance between frustration and satisfaction.

### Sound Design: A Masterpiece of Unease
[Akira Yamaoka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akira_Yamaoka)'s original soundtrack is iconic, and the remake treats it with the praise it deserves. The updated score perfectly captures the melancholy and dread of the original while layering in modern enhancements that deepen its impact. Each track feels like a character in its own right, guiding you through the emotional highs and lows of James’s journey.

### Why This Remake Works
Remakes can be tricky, especially for games with such a cult-following fanbase such as Silent Hill 2. Bloober Team walked a fine line between preserving what made the original special and updating it for a new generation. They didn't just slap on a fresh coat of paint -- they carefully reexamined every aspect of the game to ensure it resonated with both old fans and newcomers.

It's a reminder of why Silent Hill 2 is considered one of the greatest horror games of all time. The themes it explores and the emotions it evokes are universal, and this remake makes them accessible without diluting their impact. The enhancements to visuals, audio, and gameplay make it not only a faithful recreation but also a better version of the original in many respects.

### Final Thoughts
Playing the Silent Hill 2 Remake was an unforgettable experience. It's a testament to how games can be art, capable of making you feel things that no other medium can. If you've never played Silent Hill 2, this remake is the perfect starting point. And if you're a longtime fan, it's a chance to revisit a classic in a way that feels both fresh and respectful (ehem -- take a look at the so called "Definitive Edition" of the GTA Trilogy, they didn not care).

After finishing the remake, I knew I had to go back and experience the original Silent Hill 2 and its expanded content in Restless Dreams. Revisiting the original after the remake was a fascinating journey. The classic version holds up remarkably well, offering a different kind of charm with its dated graphics and mechanics, while the story and atmosphere remain timeless. Experiencing both versions back-to-back highlighted just how much care Bloober Team put into modernizing the game without losing its soul. Whether it's the original or the remake, Silent Hill 2 proves why it's a masterpiece in the horror genre.

---

Purchase Silent Hill 2 Remake on Steam: [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/2124490/SILENT_HILL_2/)</br></br>
Download the original Silent Hill 2 FOR FREE - [AbandonWare](https://www.myabandonware.com/game/silent-hill-2-restless-dreams-bgd)</br></br>
If you decide to play the original game, I'd highly recommend installing the community project "Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition", it makes the game compatible with modern hardware and displays while enhancing the experience through update visuals, audio, and features. [Download here!](https://enhanced.townofsilenthill.com/SH2/)

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### God Bless The Silent Hill 2 OG Development Team & Bloober Team for the remake

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    </iframe>
</div>

<div style="position: relative; width: 100%; padding-bottom: 56.25%">
    <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zvoIPWz6Um4?si=MI-yxm27IQ1h-_Ze" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen>
    </iframe>
</div>

Silent Hill 2 Remake: A Masterclass in Revitalizing Horror


### What is this & why I made this extension
As a gamer from Kosovo, Steam has been my go-to platform for years. But there's a small yet meaningful detail
that's been missing for far too long: the Kosovo flag on community profiles. It might seem like a minor issue,
something that wouldn't matter to most. But for those of us from Kosovo, it's about representation. Over the
years, many of us have made requests, raised awareness, and voiced our frustrations -- but the flag still isn't there.

So I did it on my own. With a simple browser extension, I created a solution that automatically replaces the missing Kosovo flag
on Steam profiles with the correct one.

I love what Valve has built so far, but adding the Kosovo flag? That's something you can fix in seconds, and it would mean a lot to so many of us.

Please, it's a small change for you -- but a big one for us.

---

### Download Extension
Firefox Browser: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/kosovo-flag-fixer-for-steam/
\
Chrome Browser: I'm not paying $5 to upload MY OWN work to a conglomerate. Download the source code and install it locally. 

---

# Result after Installing Extension
![Result after Installing Extension](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/AmirAliuA/steam-kosovo-flag/main/result.png)

Fixing the missing Kosovo on Steam Community Profiles


I’ve always been a fan of simplicity when it comes to your own personal website and not throw rainbow themed buttons, 50 different
gradient combinations, 1200px height * width picture of yourself or your favorite show character.

So yeah, I removed the old website and will be using this one for now. Why not.

New Personal Website Launched

<h3>What is this &amp; why I made this extension</h3>
<p>As a gamer from Kosovo, Steam has been my go-to platform for years. But there’s a small yet meaningful detail
that’s been missing for far too long: the Kosovo flag on community profiles. It might seem like a minor issue,
something that wouldn’t matter to most. But for those of us from Kosovo, it’s about representation. Over the
years, many of us have made requests, raised awareness, and voiced our frustrations – but the flag still isn’t there.</p>
<p>So I did it on my own. With a simple browser extension, I created a solution that automatically replaces the missing Kosovo flag
on Steam profiles with the correct one.</p>
<p>I love what Valve has built so far, but adding the Kosovo flag? That’s something you can fix in seconds, and it would mean a lot to so many of us.</p>
<p>Please, it’s a small change for you – but a big one for us.</p>
<hr>
<h3>Download Extension</h3>
<p>Firefox Browser: <a href="https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/kosovo-flag-fixer-for-steam/">https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/kosovo-flag-fixer-for-steam/</a>
<br>
Chrome Browser: I’m not paying $5 to upload MY OWN work to a conglomerate. Download the source code and install it locally.</p>
<hr>
<h1>Result after Installing Extension</h1>
<p><img src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/AmirAliuA/steam-kosovo-flag/main/result.png" alt="Result after Installing Extension"></p>


Fixing the missing Kosovo on Steam Community Profiles

What is this & why I made this extension

Download Extension

Result after Installing Extension

View all certifications

Revisiting Silent Hill 1: A Journey Back to the Roots of Survival Horror

Silent Hill 2 Remake: A Masterclass in Revitalizing Horror

New Personal Website Launched