Scary, spooky, creepy, frightening, chilling, terrifying. These are the words we shall one day use to describe Silent Hill 2. Thus is my conclusion after witnessing a live action demo film shown at the spring Tokyo Game show. Visually what will be presented is something that looks almost too real, when you add what must be the most disturbing looking baddies ever produced in games to this visual quality, top notch horror is guaranteed. But what if it's too scary to play (oops I have revealed my gaming gender).

Silent Hill 2 will fling James Sunderland, average Joe, into hell. Well maybe not hell, but what would you call a place that sends prank letters to widowers from their long dead wives, it don't get no lower. Konami will be aiming to maintain a similar mood throughout the sequel, and due to their success in the disturb and upset department in the first episode, we can expect nothing but gold.

A key to the Silent Hill project as stated by the initial developers of the series is to, "instinctually frighten people". How much further this mission statement will be realized on a next generation console is sure to be shocking. Konami will be utilizing the newly developed S-FORCE 3D Sound Library, Sony's 3D sound middleware, which will enhance nearly everything about the game, as sound makes a hallway creepier and the digesting of human flesh more guttural.

Much like the first go-round there will be an abundance of fog (this time to heighten effect, not hide pop in), the tell-tale pipe, and the staticky radio. Indeed nearly all physical aspects of the first title will be transitioned to the sequel, with much upgrading of course. Along with James taking a different route than average Joe #1 he will also be exploring a different part of town. So expect the atmosphere to be similar, but don't expect recognizable locales, like for instance, an elementary school (chills run down spine).

The differences will make for some disorientation, however James will be guided along the way by some eerie yokels such as the little girl on the wall who was debuted in the trailer. According to Akihiro Imamura lead developer of the Silent Hill 1 and producer of part 2, the little girl will reveal information along the way to further the plot as well as act as a guide for James in times of desperation. This could prove quite helpful along the way as multiple endings and forks in roads will abound.

With a team 60 sickos working overtime on this title, one can be certain that the technical aspects of the game will be fantansmagorical. But what of plot and such. Do not fret, even if the story is as shallow as a tide pool (which of course it won't be) the flash light alone has more depth, with the advance lighting and real-time shadows, than an Ingmar Bergman flick. I'm already scared.

- Tolkiemingway