25 essential video games every gamer should know

11. Silent Hill 2

Silent Hill 2 is the second installment of the popular Silent Hill series developed by Konami, though it isn’t a direct sequel to Silent Hill. Released back in 2001 on PlayStation 2, it’s since been remastered for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. It uses many of the typical mechanics found in the survival-horror genre, and while critics claim it didn’t improve or add much since the original, it still received critical acclaim. One of the most iconic video game villains, Pyramid Head, has become a fan-favorite and the monster is still a popular cosplay choice at conventions worldwide.

Players will control James Sunderland who visits the fictional town of Silent Hill after receiving a letter from his dead wife, saying she’s waiting for him there. James will explore the town looking for her and discovering the truth behind her death in the process. The town is covered in a thick fog and James has a small radio that emits static whenever enemies are near. To further immerse players in the game, there is no HUD and instead, players need to consult the pause menu to see James’ status. Like most survival horror games, resource management is key and a lot of gameplay is focused on avoiding enemies rather than fighting.