Dave Schaufele interviews Guy Cihi about James Sunderland and Silent Hill 2. Dave asks the important questions fans submitted. No rehearsals; no edits - just pure Silent Hill, straight from the heart.
Alan Wake I agree 100% as well. Not even Troy Baker can capture the innocence and loneliness of James in the HD Collection, and he’s like one of the best voice actors of our time!😂😂
10:02 What James has is actually called Dissociative Amnesia. It's a real thing. It causes a person to block out information because of a traumatic event and end up having gaps in their memory.
Guy being as self-satisfied with his contribution to the arts as he is kind of makes him supreme among artists to me. All artists dream of the day they can be satisfied with their work. It shows that Guy has a strong character. It's very respectable, and I learned a lot from watching this, and I love listening to him talk. The detail he goes into when remembering, the insights, the joy that is so clear on his face - it made this all very fun to watch.
You're welcome, Mr. Cihi! I actually have a lot more to say, but I didn't want to gush. You probably don't realize it, but James, and by proxy you, were role models for me, and I guess others like me, when I was growing up. I didn't realize how much you were a part of James and vice versa until I saw this interview. The message of Silent Hill 2 was a very uplifting one. It was that no matter how far gone we think we are, we can always turn back and admit when we're wrong. And we can make amends for it. Having it demonstrated in such an extreme way just meant that we *absorbed* James' lesson. We *learned* it - we didn't just watch it. Not only that, but what James did made anything we'd ever do look minor by comparison. So James made such an excellent role model because he was someone who made a huge mistake and admitted to it. Dave sort of mentions this in the interview - that the difference between a part-time artist and a professional artist is that a part-time artist pours everything he has into the work, while a professional artist is usually too distracted or burned out to. I think the kind of method acting you did for James is totally different from what voice actors do today. Voice actors today are more personalities than they are actors, in my opinion. They always sound the same, and what happens is that their personalities begin to overshadow the characters they're trying to portray. But you very much *were* James. You just don't see that anymore, and your enthusiasm about it all has made me enthusiastic about it too. I've never been able to talk about how much Silent Hill 2 had affected me, or how much I loved it, until now because no one "got it". So through your art - and it is art, it is one of the most artistic things I've found in my generation - you helped teach me the most important lesson I could've ever learned. And through your RU-vid channel, you've resurrected Silent Hill 2 for me, and I'm really grateful for that. Connecting with you like this has given me such a better understanding of something that had a huge impact on my life. It's just fascinating to me that James is kind of a real person, in a way. So, thanks to both you and Dave.
HaganeSteel The best thing about his acting is the monotony put into it. You ACTUALLY think that James is repressing a dark action like murdering his own wife. And once he figures it out, he actually becomes more emotional now that he is repressing it. When it started, I figured it was an ordinary dub job, back when the voice acting wasn't considered important in games as much as gameplay a lot like Silent Hill 1 was. But when I realized what he was hiding from us, and himself, even made up three years of his life, and imagined the letter, I realized that that was the part he was doing. While Troy Baker, who is an amazing actor by the way, did a great job performing James, it's like an Elvis impersonator, he may try to be Elvis, but he can never BE Elvis. So well done, Mr.Cihi for an amazing and compelling performance.
Guy cihi, is genuine and down to earth! I really wish i could have the chance to meet him. He so remindes me of my dad. When silent hill 2 came out was 2months after my dad passed away. When i heard guy's voice, i heard my dad. I never got the chance to say goodbye to my dad it happened suddenly, but hearing guys voice in my favorite game helps me still.
Ah man, this is so great. It's so refreshing to see voice actors talk about their roles in a more serious way, examining their characters and showing a more involved level of thought when it comes to the role.
These actors really made this game. I have never played the remaster and I never will. From James' first breath to Mary's final monologue, these guys all poured such life into SH2 and it's a game I constantly revisit. Thank you cast and crew behind SH2 for the timeless experience!
I was 12 years old when I played Silent Hill 2 back in 2001, it changed the way that I think about the entirety of entertainment(movies, books, games, music), I started thinking deeper about these things, I gained an appreciation for symbolism and metaphors, and these things still live with me today, all thanks to Silent Hill 2. Thanks to you all :-)
Still to this day Silent Hill 2 is the best game I have ever played. It deeply impacted me and it has never left me. I love listening to you talk Guy :)
Thank you! I think it's because I never thought of it as a voice acting job. The auditions were no different from a film or stage audition and 90% of the actual work was performed live on stage. Only the final two or three days were performed in a sound studio.
Guy, you're an amazing guy, I'm really glad you realize how much this game means to a lot of people and how you've stepped up and talk to the fans, when I was younger & the game was still new I actually tried to look you up but couldn't find anything about you, but now it's just great to see who you are & how much of a cool person you really are. Thank you Guy, only wishing you the best!~ :)
What a great interview with Guy, he's a really nice man and was brilliant in Silent Hill 2 playing as James Sunderland. I first played the game back in 2001 when it first came out I was only 11 at the time and it was so scary to play! I wish Guy would come back in another Silent Hill where he meets Pryimaid Head again that would be awesome! 😀
Silent Hill 2 will live on with me as the greatest game ever crafted, I can never forget what this experience was like and I hope future generations will give this game the chance to carry them away into the foggy depths of humanity.
Guy Cihi, you're the one and the best one!! I'm grateful so much for your absolutely brilliant acting James!! That was incredible and one hundred percent marvelous!
It was a great opportunity and I was very lucky to get the part. I appreciate all of the fans who recognize the quality and depth of Team Silent's creation and the original actors' performances.
There is nothing else in my life I have experienced that I have found so terrifying yet fascinating and you played a major role in something that I will carry with me to the end of my days. I thank you for this.
I know this video was posted a while ago but I wanted to thank you Guy, this game will always stay with me, and as a young actress inspires me to keep my mind open
I was in high school when the game came out. Had a lot of turmoil at home. I was depressed and stayed home from school. I made an excuse about feeling sick. I had recently gotten silent hill 2 but I hadn’t played it yet. It was a foggy, dreary day, and I got about a half hour into it before I was filled with that sort of creative energy that can only come from art, and I got dressed, walked to school, and faced my day. Maybe I even turned something around within myself that day, I don’t know. Thanks, Guy. Thanks for your work on a game that would become, for me, the game that proved that video games could tell a real story, and tell it really well.
Awesome interview! Thanks for sharing your recollections and talent with us(Guy & Dave). I remember buying the original SH2 when it arrived back in 2001and knew back then it would become a classic! To me, Guy is to James Sunderland what Peter Cullen is to Optimus Prime: a perfect match!
I've played Silent Hill 2 for the first time these past few days. I'm 25, so I was too young at the time and besides english is not my mother tongue. In regard to its mechanics, I think it is far from being a great game. In regard to its storytelling, horrific atmosphere, voice acting and music, I think it is a masterpiece. The way they approached many deep themes you don't often see in video games was just marvelous. I think you Guy and the directors made James a lovable character who feels very real. So thank you for that, and for those nice details about the production. I can feel the passion and respect you still have when you talk about that project and I really enjoy that. Great stuff.
I had to do a lot of drawings for a work and I decided to listen to this while working. Couldn't help but smile the whole interview. You're just so authentic, Guy. I love your work, and I'd love to see you on another game. Cheers and a big hug to you, man.
I was looking for this for months found it this morning and listened to it while lifted weights...... I was 15 again listening to this. just turned 30 and my inner kid got so excited. thank you Mr Cihi for doing this for your fans and being part of one of the greatest games ever created.
Oh wow, I loved watching this!! So many answered questions I've wondered for years! Guy, you are ridiculously adorable! I can see James in you, but your smile and laugh kills me! Too fuckin cute! So glad you did this!!
Nothing bad ever happened to me in a graveyard. We're all just passing through. I'm the type who imagines good conditions on the other side of things. An optimist I suppose.
It kills me to see what Konami did with not just your performance, but Dave, Donnas, the characters in general, the beautiful work that Sato did with the CGI's, and everything else that came with the HD collection. I still have the original SH2 (and SH1/3 right beside it) in my game collection, and I wouldn't part with it to save my life. Thank you Guy, for the performance and devotion to a character and a game that cannot be matched in detail, quality, or depth, even today.
From one voice actor to another, sir (not to mention someone who LOVES SH2), I'm amazed at the amount of depth you went into in this interview. Your analysis of James, his environment, and his relationships with the other characters was fascinating to listen to. I applaud you for all the effort you put into answering all these questions in depth!
very cool to hear Guy's perspective and thoughts on the game. ive never heard his voice outside of the context of james, and it sounds almost nostalgic and spooky just to hear that voice. i dont think any other voice could have been as powerful as the role of james. 21:03 kind of explains it all... thanks Guy for being such a memorable part of my fav game of all time
Loved this interview. Guy's a great guy. I paused the video after he explained how he got the part and it made me impressed because it's an example to live by, just taking opportunities that are present because you never know what it'll lead to. If he hadn't decided to give it a shot, we wouldn't have had his awesome performance.
12:17 Was hilarious, listening to him talk about that cracked me up. "Try it some time!" Haha. Also 26:51 "Hollywood here I come!" *party hand motions!* These two have great chemistry and are really down to Earth. Definitely a great game to be a huge fan of -- such a great community and cast behind the masterpiece, in real life and in the game itself.
Two of my heroes coming together and giving me a video i can come back to again and again. Guy hearing your views is like music to my hears. Thank you guys for doing this. This game was and will always be a huge part of my life. Thank you so much fellas. In my restless dreams I see that town :)
I was 17 years old when Silent Hill came out, and it's still the best game ever made. And it's the silent team and all of the voice actors, mean guys everything sounds natural. I can't find a word but you al made a ( Magnifique chef-d'œuvre ) And i'm sure the remake gonna suck without you ! Thx Mr Guy Cihi you opened my mind to philosophiy and deep human things. Thank you verry much. Dave Too thx, hope enjoyn' a pizza with you !!
The reason why Silent Hill 2 it became a classic is because eventually people began to see how unique, eerie, melancholic and authentic the game's atmosphere it really is, and took the time to enjoy its deeply thoughtful narrative and symbolism. To this day it’s by far one of, if not the most mature examination of grief, sexual trauma, suicide, and morality all combined. It’s an intelligent game that does not hold anyone’s hand and comes at the player with utmost confidence in itself. It’s fantastic stuff. The rest of the original 4 are great in their own right and have their own well written stories, but they don’t hold the same emotional weight to them. I think SH2’s maturity by comparison is something that a lot of people are drawn to. ☯️
Guy Cihi born to be James Sunderland ♥ I have played Silent Hill 2 on modern PC and the experience was amazing and incredible and breathtaking. Silent Hill 2 is not a simple Videogame, Silent Hill 2 is the father of survival horror psychological terror.
Mr. Cihi, Thank you so much for doing this interview. Very enlightening! Silent Hill 2 was and will always be very dear to my heart. The games helped me through some dark times growing up. I wish you and Dave the best. -Sarah
This is why we fans respect Mr. Cihi so much. How many people connect with their fans like he does. He even wished me a happy birthday and that meant a lot.
Always a pleasure to see your enthusiasm guy, also so glad you and dave are good pals away from the game funny thinking "james" and "eddie" get on so well.
James had a lot of inward anger which sometimes leads to suicide. It all depends on James’ state of mind and predisposition to suicide. Yes, the leave ending is the most rational ending, but James might not have been in a rational state of mind.
After watching his twitch stream play with dusty it's got me in the mood to play the game again, I will appreciate James character even more knowing that Guy Cihi really put his heart into his role.
Thanks for sharing this Guy. Silent Hill 2 is by far my favourite video game of all time. Incredibly deep and fantastically well written it asks a lot of the player. It's not mindless entertainment and Team Silent are just superb as a team - they really understand psychological horror. Really interesting to hear your take on James' character - very insightful. Thanks for your work and investing in a protagonist whose story I will doubtless return to again.
I just now found out that if you run into a wall you get a neat animation of James stopping him self. Only works if you run a distance and into a fence.
