Silent Hill 2: The Hell Within Ourselves 

hey guys!!!! big update: i recently launched a patreon for these exact types of videos. it's on a per-video basis since I don't normally release videos monthly, so please consider supporting me there. thanks!!! ⭐ www.patreon.com/shinigamieater

i just wanna say i love how the pyramid shape is colored in. a lot of the time its just this greyish colored thing but so often people forget it was red and pyramids names is officially "Red Pyramid Thing"

The amount of work you put into these videos never ceases to amaze me. You do a really good job of setting the appropriate tone and using it to further get your point across. Fantastic work, brother.

What scares me about this concept as someone with deep trauma, is knowing if you are just living in the misery and letting it consume you, or if there are things you cannot change and you need to accept that to heal. At times I just cant tell if im really healing or not and the idea that I may be making a mistake and failing to heal, and just am stuck in my own misery truly terrifies me. And it is so terrifying in part cause its one of those things that feels almost impossible to be certain on. So i just end up scared.

I loved absorbing this beautiful demonstration of a heart of a game, scrolling down while awash in your deftly curated vibes, and seeing "KuuEater: SILENT HILL 2 - i hate it when women die". Got it in one.

I emulated this game while I was I college a few years ago. The way how everyone has their own "little private traps" in their own Silent Hills is really interesting and how isolated trauma can make you feel. An empty town with all your demons, its scary but for those in it, it's strangely comforting because it's all they've ever known. It makes me wonder what did Mary see in Silent Hill considering how much in 2 its based off of your psyche. I got the "In Water" ending on my first playthrough (cried btw) and hearing how you compared the recklessness of James with the player being negligent of their health bar/items really blew my mind! And it really shows how Team Silent nailed this games themes down to the gameplay itself! (Which is also why I'm terribly worried about the remake) Great video Kuu!

It feels like some kind of sick cosmic joke that I became obsessed with Silent Hill as a kid, and then as an adult in the real world, I went through something very similar with my late mother who was terminally ill. When you're the caretaker of a loved one who's sick (or even if you're not their main caretaker you're just witnessing their deterioration), it can genuinely poison your mind. You wish so intensely for their suffering to end, but then you question if that is essentially the same thing as wishing for them to die? The monologues from Mary sound eerily similar to the messages my mother would leave on my phone before she passed. It's insane how relatable Silent Hill is despite it being so otherworldly. This game has me in a chokehold, and I don't think I'll ever get over it.

What an absolute brilliant video! This is the kind of video essays I love watching where you give a quick synopsis, highlight the atmosphere, and then jump into analyzing the game rather than retelling the whole story and give a breakdown. The chills I got where Mary says "go on with your life" and then the music kicks in! You did an amazing job!

as someone else with trauma, it's so great to hear another person that can view the game this way as well. your video is great and it's so easy to understand and relate to all three characters in the game, flawed or not. you rock for making this

I felt so bad for the characters each person was a victim of something and such a sad story about how each person handles there pain

You've done a fantastic job. As someone who has dabbled in a variety of horror games, and lives with their own and others' traumas they've grappled with for years, the care and elaboration on the themes of SH2 touches home for me. Guilt, shame, and fear are all powerful emotions that drive us to places we feel are unavoidable. Choosing to remain in the prison we make for ourselves is all too easy to do, especially when it's so hard to talk to others in earnest, perhaps now moreso than ever. Being able to leave someplace like that, as the option that is made clearest to the most people in a situation like what you're prompted with in James' scenario, is perhaps a testament to hope, or maybe even teaching to the player. To accept, and to move on, knowing those scars will never fully fade, is the hardest trial of all for those of us living in the hazy and unrelenting world that we're made to believe is the only one that was meant for us.

Always a pleasure seeing a new SH 2 video essay.. They never get old.. Because it's always comes from a new and fresh perspective.. 5:29 We Love you Donna Always!!!❤ 13:09 fuck 😮 13:23 wait what?? oh yeah im watching this film.. 16:44 You're narration, editing, and soundtrack selection during this review legitimately gave me chills.. Even though I've seen over 50 SH 2 reviews on YT.. That's exactly why i subbed.. You guys never cease to amaze me , when it comes to the originality, you're individuality, and personal take on this game.. Based off your own personal experiences.. I love it !!! 29:12 It's never too late folks.. To change , to be redeemed, to forgive, to find peace ✌️, to be content and happy.. With yourself..

Holy hell, you knocked it out of the park with this one! Your essay videos are the true hiddem gems of RU-vid in my eyes.

You have a truly incredible skill for video essays. The amount of emotions you evoke in me in both this and your Bloodborne video through your choices of visuals, editing, soundtrack, and narration is genuinely astounding

this video was wonderful, thank you for your hard work with such a wonderful series. Seeing the footage of "cure" really shook me to my core after being away from it so long. thanks for including my favorite sceene!. also as a super big fan of this game i personally love seeing the "in water" ending as the true ending. the reason why i love this one the most is that it feels the most "final" the way he talks about not caring about his own safety when angela first warns him, his reaction to first losing maria after the elevator scene, and the fact he never tries to leave even after hes been in danger the whole time. It just felt right.

still adore this essay, EXTREMELY GOOD. Love the connections to Cure too (FANTASTIC CHOICE TO INCLUDE *THAT* SCENE TOO. One of my favorite depictions of absolute despair on film, total silence that screams louder than any voice. A+)

Thank you so much for such a lovely video. I loved watching this, and quite honestly it helped me understand the story of this game much more.

I love the way you edit these videos and the topics you choose to focus on

Another absolute fucking banger. You are an unbelievably talented editor and such a good analyst. This video is dripping with passion! Rock on

This was the greatest silent hill 2 video I have seen, the in depth explanations mixed with the amazing visuals made this a throughly enjoyable experience that has shook me to my core and deepened my knowledge, thank you

This video is spectacular and one of the best examples of what a video essay can be. I've always wanted to check out Silent Hill 2, but I feel that after hearing you speak about it with such passion that it's something I will definitely do. Really looking forward to what you do next!

Amazing video!!! I pregamed this one by rewatching your Bloodborne essay and I gleefully admit they both got me tearfully emotional. Your scripting and line delivery is perfect, and I'm pretty sure I laughed at every last joke you made too.

wow. Incredible job on this one, the editing was phenomenal and the emotional impact was devastating. The progression and pacing were really effective too. You outdid yourself dude ! Showin this to my video essay friends

awesome video, I adored this, a very great comprehensive rundown of a game that has so much to offer even now. I love the general mood and comedic timing as well. fantastic stuff

I'm so glad you're making more of these. Like, they're so fucking good dude.

Truly incredible work. Been looking forward to your next project ever since the Bloodborne video. Your editing, tone, and analysis was incredible. Amazing work.

Went to rewatch the bloodborne video today and was hyped to see another video essay! you're so freaking good at theese, I LOVE the sound design, your use of music and voice is so damn good.

I tell you, I've seen a LOT of videos on Silent Hill 2. But this one isn honestly one of the best ones I've seen. Seeing you really get into the minutae of the world, actually defending the voice acting (I had no idea Donna Burke was an opera singer -- learning something new is always a positive!), mentioning CURE instead of Jacob's Ladder, and even defending the Leave ending.... you kinda blew me away! You earned a sub from me, man!

this was probably the greatest Silent Hill 2 video I've ever watched, the explanation and the way the game made you feel, my god, you provided so much information, it feels like I just replayed the game, thank you for making me feel so much & revisiting one of the greatest games ever made

The quality of this video is insane, the music, the visuals, the narration, the message. I've watched this beautifully crafted essay like 5 times already

This is a masterpiece, Thank you making it

You make such amazing videos; thank you!

your speech at around 17:00 made me ugly cry, nice work. loved the video

this is legit the best edited and most unique SH2 video essay i've watched - how the hell do you not have more views/subs??

I binged watched all of your video essays and i must say you got a charm hard to beat. I feel it’s on par w Maxxor, and both channels are great in their own right. His is more bombastic and stylistic brainrot, but your videos are more intimate and emotional. Thank you for trying these video essay formats, your humor, voice, added inputs like the Cure movie, and pacing really feels as good as playing the games for the first time. 👏

Worth the wait. Have a good year

Literally the most beautiful video on silent hill 2 ive ever seen,made me tear up

Im in love with this trilogy (hopefully more in the future) of videos that are nothing but love letters to these games. Thank you.

This is simply one of the greatest videos of all time on silent hill 2! I hope I can find a way to get out of my silent hill as James does in the “leave” ending. You have to accept what you’ve done and quit punishing yourself and that goes out to all who are suffering like this whether from depression (what I’m suffering from personally), grief, guilt, ptsd, etc. you have to choose to accept your pain, suffering, what you have done wrong to others, and choose to live always and to never give up hope I love you guys and I hope everybody who is suffering currently will find peace someday and I hope I will too someday if I deserve it that is

this video brought a perspective to this game i hadnt heard yet, something very personal about the overall message. your videos rock man ty for making them

That was amazing it goes so strong I loved the blood Born video hope you make videos similar

Editing has me going oOoOOOoOo. Seriously, awesome job!

just got your bloodborne vid in my reccomended again, i HAD to check if you had uploaded and ive never been more grateful. i love your content, hope you're in good health.

Great video. I appreciate your perspective here.

Tremendous thank you

I'll never get tired of Silent Hill 2 analysis, such an incredible story. Also gotta get my hands on Cure now!

Bro u put so much quality In these videos and it's amazing thank you for making these bro I will always watch ur videos please keep making these and please make a discord

I found your channel when you're bloodborne essay released it's my favorite game of all time. I recently did a playthrough of Silent Hill 2 just before this vid released and I have to say, the moment I finished it I knew it was next to bloodborne. The timing is kind of fucking crazy.

You made me cry ty!

We need more of this bro 🙇‍♂️🙇‍♂️

I've seen so many video essays about this game, but this one tops them all.

Best game ever made. Every time I pick up a guitar, theme of Laura gets played at least once lol

God dammit this was a good video. Making something that adds to all the SH2 content, and doing it in such a fucking beautiful way.

You are an exceptional writer and editor. This game and Bloodborne clearly have had such an incredible on you it's palpable. Wonderful work, thank you for sharing 👍

This Channel is fantastic omg❤

this was such a good video wish it was 3hours longer lol thank you for your work!

great video!

Cool shit. Love your work

this was really well made!!!!!

Rebirth is equally canon to the 3 first-run endings and SH4 and Born from a Wish comment on it. We have no idea which concussion Team Silent liked best and only know that James and his wife disappeared a few years ago due to SH4. Meaning that no one ever found out that Mary is even dead.

"James, if that we true, then why do you look so sad?"

Underrated Vid

After playing Silent Hill 1 like 5 years ago, I'm finally convinced I need to play 2 now. Another amazing, beautiful video essay.

21:43 this actually creeped me out awesome video by the way

such a good analysis, gonna have to watch cure now

another hood classic from you kuu

I only recently saw Cure and immediately recognized the influences it had on Silent Hill. Tremendous film

Ayyy fucking loved this!! Great job!!

That was a fucking amazing video man

So glad to see someone relating SH2 to Cure. Always thought there was a thread there.

I played this game recently, and my god, it has not left me. It is absolutely one of the most important games ever made for the themes it handles alone

you make a good point about how easy it is to get the leave ending!

Awesome Video

very cool video. im not much of a horror fan but you make it very plain to see how profoundly it can be done thru video games as a medium. would love to see ur next video .. next year perhaps lol take it eas dude

That’s some good content right there

You crushed this bro. Did SH2 justice

Yeah I played Silent Hill for the first time I got In Water and definitely considered it 'my canon ending' at the time. Now over 20 years later, Leave resonates with me the most.

After watching your Bloodborne video, im watching your other videos, and they’re really good.

as an "in water" enjoyer, i've never once had the thought you brought up about the "leave" ending. i can't believe it never crossed my mind that it's perhaps the intended canon ending from team silent themself. this really gave me something to think about, thank you. i'm a huge SH fan, i connected so much to angela and her struggle, so i always just assumed it'd make sense since she and eddie both ended up that way for james to as well. but now that i've seen this video and heard your take, maybe that was too defeatist of me? too pessimistic? either way, i think you're really onto something here.

This video deserves way bigger recognition. Come on algorithm, pick it up. Pick. It. Up.

Towards the beginning of the game we encounter a person death in front of a TV that makes question what happened. And towards the end of the game we sit down in front of a TV that reveals to us the truth.

ur vids are actually quality wtf

I always saw the in water/leave ending as interluded, during the whole game the town has used water as a way to remind James of what he himself wanted, drowning in the lake with Mary and dying. The town itself has an agenda, it wants james to commit suicide but does not have the power to influence James himself. In water becomes canon if you as James accepts that all the water has been leading up to his suicide, if you support the leave ending you realize James has the willpower to overcome the town’s wants and power, the town even makes a grave for James, trying to persuade him suicide is the answer. Which ensing is canon is always up to you, my head canon is that Leave AND In water are canon in a way. I think James killed himself immediately when he came to the town, trying to lie to himself about his sin became impossible and he killed himself. While in his dying moments drowning, the town itself infiltrates James mind and shows him the scenarios of Maria, Leave and Rebirth ending. Although it is too late for James to change his fate after having seen the visions.

I'm surprised you didn't choose the dog ending

God, Angela's theme still hits me right in the fucking chest.

1:18 6:10 15:11 28:23 I tears up at the conclusion

he did it again

I might be a little too drunk to say this but ur videos r truly moving ur the reason i started Bloodbornei

Good shit

What a phenomenal vid. Ive never even played the game

i don't remember hearing of that Cure-film, thx

jesus christ, that one scene. It's like the actor had already lived it and is reliving it again.

Cure is a masterpiece..

This game is great because it shows the real power of the town, a place of tortured souls, a concept that we saw at The Others. These characters are like Lisa on SH1, they are trapped in this town forever, because they took their own lives. SH4 could do the same, but the ritual and all that, removing the fear of this, would be better if Walter returned like Freddy Krueger by the power of the town. PH most likely is the perception of James about doctors; there is a key to this since on the table of PH there are abortion instruments. For James, the doctors tortured his wife with pointless treatments, and this led to her fate. This explained why PH attacked Maria over and over. The doctors were just butchers for James, and with a narrow point of view, which explained the helmet, he couldn't talk to them. The doctors also lead him into the truth, which is crazy, but this is almost like a subtitle or a twisted version of the real world. A fear of doctors is also a common situation; in the movie Jacob's Ladder, he saw the doctors as monsters. So this PH isn'´t the same of Homecoming, the one of Homecoming is more like a god, which is ironic since the plot of Homecoming is very similar to Hereditary, even one of the endings of the game matched the movie, when Alex was turned in a god, a PH. Why Alex see PH? according with the ideas of SHV, Elle was gonna be Laura, this will create a very bizarre feeling that PH and Laura has a link in a sort of way, and this sort of true, because in the apartments James saw PH, and also Laura, both were a topic of a hospital, since Laura met Mary there. But also the last name of Alex is the same of Mary, this will put Laura as a very important character of the town. While "Leave ending" could be the one, Frank Sunderland, father of James confirmed on SH4 that James and his wife are missing, that means even on "Leave", James isn't any longer in the world of living, only Laura will exit the town, not James.

Ballin my g

I personally think the dog ending is the most canon. Like Silent Hill, SH2 is the story of the revenge from the dog Eddie killed. It’s like Silent Hill but from doge perspective

Silent Hill II should have a second part. Brilliant analysis in this video. I do have some theories about Silent Hill II however, I still need to type them up. This game is not "just a game", it's a way of life and state of mind. I've introduced SHII to some of my psychology professors and they were fascinated about all of the concepts, imagery, and all of the symbolisms that SHII contains. It's a perfect game to play on a foggy Saturday night to say the least. However, James Sunderland is still a Certified FartFace!

@ 03:05 I disagree. Maria is NOT Mary. Maria is what James wanted Mary to be, or a temptation. Maria is a construct of James' psyche. The picture James carries is the idealized version of Mary, the one with no flaws. Maria is what James wanted. Mary in reality was somewhere in between. The real Mary was probably more like "In the Water" ending, or "the leave" ending. Also, like the conversation that leads up to the final area. => A normal person who is flawed, and is willing to forgive after having a fight. As the player, you control James' intention, as well as his physical movements.

Hey man good job this hit me harder than watching rex die in destiny.

Dona Burke e sua linda voz