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Difference between revisions of "Silent Hill 2: Director's Cut"

From PCGamingWiki, the wiki about fixing PC games
(Undo revision 1251003 by Darkknightplus (talk). Not sure why this was removed.)
Tag: Undo
(I'm a team member of the SH2:EE project. Wiki page has been updated to reflect newest changes with our project. In regards to removal of Audio/FMV Pack Wiki links: We no longer offer individual package downloads; it is now all done through an installer.)
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'''General information'''
 
'''General information'''
 
{{mm}} [http://www.silenthillmemories.net/sh2/info_en.htm Silent Hill Memories - Informative site]
 
{{mm}} [http://www.silenthillmemories.net/sh2/info_en.htm Silent Hill Memories - Informative site]
{{mm}} [http://enhanced.townofsilenthill.com/SH2 Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition Installation Guide]
+
{{mm}} [http://enhanced.townofsilenthill.com/SH2 Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition]
  
 
==Availability==
 
==Availability==
Line 53: Line 53:
 
==Essential improvements==
 
==Essential improvements==
 
===[http://enhanced.townofsilenthill.com/SH2 Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition]===
 
===[http://enhanced.townofsilenthill.com/SH2 Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition]===
{{++}} ''Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition'' is a collection of unofficial mods which implement widescreen resolution support, add PlayStation 2 quality audio and fog that were missing from the PC version, improve controller support and much more.<ref>[http://enhanced.townofsilenthill.com/SH2/ Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition - Installation Guide]</ref>
+
{{++}} ''Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition'' is a collection of unofficial mods which implement widescreen resolution support, add PlayStation 2 quality audio and fog that were missing from the PC version, provide upscaled images and FMVs, improve controller support and much more.<ref>[http://enhanced.townofsilenthill.com/SH2/ Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition - Installation Guide]</ref>
{{ii}} All improvements in this section are included in the full installation of the Enhanced Edition collection.
+
{{ii}} All improvements in this section are included in the full installation of the Enhanced Edition project.
 
 
===[http://enhanced.townofsilenthill.com/SH2/install.htm#installFMVEnhancementPack Silent Hill 2 FMV Enhancement Pack]===
 
{{ii}} The PC version's FMV videos were re-encoded in Bink format and run at 30FPS instead of 60 on PlayStation 2.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nna2yt1c9gI&feature=youtu.be&t=557 DF Retro: Silent Hill 2 - Horror Perfected on PS2/Xbox/PC/PS3]</ref>
 
{{++}} The ''FMV Enhancement Pack'' improves the quality and upscales the resolution of the FMVs.
 
 
 
===[http://enhanced.townofsilenthill.com/SH2/install.htm#installAudioEnhancementPack Silent Hill 2 Audio Enhancement Pack]===
 
{{ii}} The PC version's audio is compressed and lacks detail in comparison to the PlayStation 2 version.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8E5Nt8ahZRk Silent Hill 2 Sound Comparison (PC vs PS2) - YouTube]</ref>
 
{{++}} The ''Audio Enhancement Pack'' replaces the PC version's audio files with the original, higher quality PlayStation 2 ones.
 
  
 
===[https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/1399-silent-hill-2-pc-fix-by-steam006/ Silent Hill 2 PC Fix by Steam006]===
 
===[https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/1399-silent-hill-2-pc-fix-by-steam006/ Silent Hill 2 PC Fix by Steam006]===
 
{{++}} A fix which adds new features and fixes some bugs.  
 
{{++}} A fix which adds new features and fixes some bugs.  
{{ii}} Do not use this fix if you plan to follow the [http://enhanced.townofsilenthill.com/SH2 Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition installation method].
+
{{ii}} Do not use this fix if you plan to install the [http://enhanced.townofsilenthill.com/SH2 Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition] project.
  
 
{{Fixbox|description=Instructions|ref={{cn}}|fix=
 
{{Fixbox|description=Instructions|ref={{cn}}|fix=
Line 108: Line 100:
 
|fov notes                  =  
 
|fov notes                  =  
 
|windowed                  = hackable
 
|windowed                  = hackable
|windowed notes            = Use [[#Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition|Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition]], then set {{code|ScreenMode}} in {{file|d3d8.ini}} to {{code|1}}.
+
|windowed notes            = Use [[#Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition|Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition]], then set <code>ScreenMode = 1</code> in {{file|d3d8.ini}}.
 
|borderless windowed        = hackable
 
|borderless windowed        = hackable
|borderless windowed notes  = Use [[#Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition|Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition]], then set {{code|ScreenMode}} in {{file|d3d8.ini}} to {{code|2}}.
+
|borderless windowed notes  = Use [[#Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition|Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition]], then set <code>ScreenMode = 2</code> in {{file|d3d8.ini}}.
|anisotropic                = hackable
+
|anisotropic                = false
|anisotropic notes          = Use [[#Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition|Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition]], then set {{code|AnisotropicFiltering}} in {{file|d3d8.ini}} between {{code|2}} to {{code|16}}; setting this value to {{code|1}} will automatically use the highest amount supported by your video card, and {{code|0}} will disable anisotropic filtering.
+
|anisotropic notes          =  
 
|antialiasing              = hackable
 
|antialiasing              = hackable
|antialiasing notes        = Use [[#Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition|Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition]]. For [[SMAA]], set {{code|EnableSMAA}} in {{file|d3d8.ini}} to {{code|1}}. Alternatively, GPU-based [[MSAA]] can be forced via your video card's respective control panel; see [http://enhanced.townofsilenthill.com/SH2/troubleshoot.htm#what-antialiasing-should-i-use-for-the-game here] for instructions and recommended settings.
+
|antialiasing notes        = Use [[#Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition|Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition]]. For [[SMAA]], set <code>EnableMSAA = 1</code> in {{file|d3d8.ini}}. Alternatively, GPU-based [[MSAA]] can be forced via your video card's respective control panel; see [http://enhanced.townofsilenthill.com/SH2/troubleshoot.htm#what-antialiasing-should-i-use-for-the-game here] for instructions and recommended settings.
 
|vsync                      = false
 
|vsync                      = false
 
|vsync notes                =  
 
|vsync notes                =  
Line 138: Line 130:
 
'''Notes'''
 
'''Notes'''
  
{{ii}} Playing the game at 60 FPS causes various bugs which are as follows.<ref>[https://github.com/elishacloud/Silent-Hill-2-Enhancements/issues/28 Side effects playing the game at 60 FPS · Issue #28 · elishacloud/Silent-Hill-2-Enhancements]</ref>
+
{{--}} Playing the game at 60 FPS causes various audio/visual bugs, some of which are detailed below.<ref>[https://github.com/elishacloud/Silent-Hill-2-Enhancements/issues/28 Side effects playing the game at 60 FPS · Issue #28 · elishacloud/Silent-Hill-2-Enhancements]</ref>
  
 
* The intensity/effectiveness of the motion blur is reduced by half.
 
* The intensity/effectiveness of the motion blur is reduced by half.
Line 154: Line 146:
 
# Install [[#Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition|Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition]].
 
# Install [[#Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition|Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition]].
 
# Open <code>d3d8.ini</code>.
 
# Open <code>d3d8.ini</code>.
# Set <code>IncreaseNoiseEffectRes</code> to any value between <code>128</code> and <code>4096</code>. The larger the value, the smaller the noise grain will be.
+
# Set <code>IncreaseNoiseEffectRes</code> to any value between <code>128</code> and <code>4096</code>. The larger the value, the smaller the noise grain will be. <code>512</code> is the default noise grain value.
 
}}
 
}}
  
Line 216: Line 208:
 
{{ii}} Analog triggers and vibration on XInput controllers won't function without workarounds.
 
{{ii}} Analog triggers and vibration on XInput controllers won't function without workarounds.
  
{{Fixbox|description=Fix triggers and vibration|ref=<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=377H3K9jAGA Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition - Update Video #3 - YouTube]</ref>|fix=
+
{{Fixbox|description=Fix triggers and vibration via [[#Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition|Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition]]|ref=<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=377H3K9jAGA Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition - Update Video #3 - YouTube]</ref>|fix=
# Install [[#Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition|Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition]] to restore vibration for XInput-based controllers.
+
# Install [[#Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition|Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition]].
 +
{{ii}}Be sure to install the "XInput Plus" package as you install the project. This will restore trigger and vibration functionality for XInput-based controllers and includes a pre-configured [[#Configuration_file.28s.29_location|{{file|keyconf.dat}}]] file so that inputs on XInput controllers are correctly mapped for ''Silent Hill 2: Director's Cut'' out of the box.
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Fix triggers and vibration via XInput Plus (stand-alone fix)|fix=
 
# Download and run [https://sites.google.com/site/0dd14lab/xinput-plus XInput Plus].
 
# Download and run [https://sites.google.com/site/0dd14lab/xinput-plus XInput Plus].
 
# Set the Target Program to <code>sh2pc.exe</code>.
 
# Set the Target Program to <code>sh2pc.exe</code>.
Line 343: Line 339:
  
 
==Issues fixed==
 
==Issues fixed==
===Music fades randomly and sound loops===
+
===Audio begins to stutter infinitely or stop completely===
{{ii}} The game can only run stably on a single core.
+
{{ii}} The game shipped with a buggy, beta version of CRIWARE audio middleware. [[#Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition|Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition]] comes with a custom reimplementation of this audio engine to fix the issue.
  
{{Fixbox|description=Limit the game to one CPU core|ref={{cn|date=August 2018}}|fix=
+
{{Fixbox|description=Use EnableCriWareReimplementation|ref={{cn|date=August 2018}}|fix=
 
# Install [[#Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition|Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition]].
 
# Install [[#Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition|Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition]].
# Open <code>d3d8.ini</code> and ensure <code>SingleCoreAffinity = 1</code> is set.
+
# Open <code>d3d8.ini</code> and ensure <code>EnableCriWareReimplementation = 1</code> is set.
}}
 
 
 
===Game hangs at startup===
 
{{ii}} On Windows 7, having single core affinity enabled through [[#Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition|Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition]] may prevent the game from running.
 
 
 
{{Fixbox|description=Disable SingleCoreAffinity on Windows 7|ref=<ref>[https://github.com/AeroWidescreen/NFS-SH-WidescreenFixWiki/wiki/3.-Troubleshooting#silent-hill-2 Troubleshooting · AeroWidescreen/NFS-SH-WidescreenFixWiki Wiki]</ref>|fix=
 
# Go to the installation folder.
 
# Open <code>d3d8.ini</code>.
 
# Set <code>SingleCoreAffinity = 0</code>.
 
# Doing this will require [http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/windows-and-office/change-the-processor-affinity-setting-in-windows-7-to-gain-a-performance-edge/ manually changing] the single core affinity from Task Manager every time you run the game.
 
 
}}
 
}}
  
Line 370: Line 356:
 
{{Fixbox|description=Use WhiteShaderFix|ref=<ref>[http://www.enhanced.townofsilenthill.com/SH2/config.htm#WhiteShaderFix Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition - Installation Guide]</ref>|fix=
 
{{Fixbox|description=Use WhiteShaderFix|ref=<ref>[http://www.enhanced.townofsilenthill.com/SH2/config.htm#WhiteShaderFix Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition - Installation Guide]</ref>|fix=
 
# Install [[#Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition|Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition]].
 
# Install [[#Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition|Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition]].
# Ensure <code>WhiteShaderFix</code> is set to <code>1</code>.
+
# Open <code>d3d8.ini</code> and ensure <code>WhiteShaderFix = 1</code> is set.
 
}}
 
}}
  
==="Insert a disc" message in the ending===
+
==="Insert a disc" message appears during the ending===
{{Fixbox|description=Rename ending.bik|ref=<ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/silenthill/comments/3p88a5/silent_hill_2_directors_cut_pc_ending_troubles/ Silent Hill 2 Director's Cut PC Ending Troubles : silenthill]</ref>|fix=
+
{{ii}} In rare situations, the game will look for "end.bik" instead of "ending.bik" for the credits video. If that happens, this error will occur.
 +
{{Fixbox|description=If using [[#Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition|Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition]]:|ref=<ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/silenthill/comments/3p88a5/silent_hill_2_directors_cut_pc_ending_troubles/ Silent Hill 2 Director's Cut PC Ending Troubles : silenthill]</ref>|fix=
 +
# Install [[#Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition|Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition]].
 +
{{ii}}The project fixes this issue without having to rename the video file.
 +
}}
 +
{{Fixbox|description=If NOT using Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition:|ref=<ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/silenthill/comments/3p88a5/silent_hill_2_directors_cut_pc_ending_troubles/ Silent Hill 2 Director's Cut PC Ending Troubles : silenthill]</ref>|fix=
 
# Go to <code>{{p|game}}\data\movie\</code>.
 
# Go to <code>{{p|game}}\data\movie\</code>.
 
# Rename <code>ending.bik</code> to <code>end.bik</code>.
 
# Rename <code>ending.bik</code> to <code>end.bik</code>.
Line 418: Line 409:
 
|physics notes    =  
 
|physics notes    =  
 
|audio            = ADX
 
|audio            = ADX
|audio notes      = Sound files are compressed compared to the PlayStation 2 version. PlayStation 2 quality audio can be restored into the PC version with [[#Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition|Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition]] and installing the [[#Silent Hill 2 Audio Enhancement Pack|Audio Enhancement Pack]].
+
|audio notes      = Sound files are compressed compared to the PlayStation 2 version. PlayStation 2 quality audio can be restored into the PC version by installing the Audio Enhancement Pack as part of the [[#Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition|Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition]] project.
 
|interface        =  
 
|interface        =  
 
|interface notes  =  
 
|interface notes  =  
Line 424: Line 415:
 
|input notes      =  
 
|input notes      =  
 
|cutscenes        = Bink Video
 
|cutscenes        = Bink Video
|cutscenes notes  = FMVs are compressed and play at 29.97 full frames per second (29.97p), compared to the PlayStation 2 version which plays them at 59.94 half frames per second (29.97i). The quality of the PC version's FMVs can be improved by using the [[#Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition|Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition]] mod and installing the [[#Silent Hill 2 FMV Enhancement Pack|FMV Enhancement Pack]].
+
|cutscenes notes  = FMVs are compressed and play at 29.97 full frames per second (29.97p), compared to the PlayStation 2 version which plays them at 59.94 half frames per second (29.97i). The quality of the PC version's FMVs can be improved by installing the FMV Enhancement Pack as part of the [[#Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition|Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition]] project.
 
|multiplayer      =  
 
|multiplayer      =  
 
|multiplayer notes=  
 
|multiplayer notes=  
Line 434: Line 425:
 
{{ii}} This replaces the original voice acting with the new voices from the Silent Hill HD Collection release.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4L3KiqpgQU&t Voice Comparison]</ref>
 
{{ii}} This replaces the original voice acting with the new voices from the Silent Hill HD Collection release.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4L3KiqpgQU&t Voice Comparison]</ref>
 
{{ii}} The HD Collection voices are very divisive and often considered to be inferior to the original voice acting.
 
{{ii}} The HD Collection voices are very divisive and often considered to be inferior to the original voice acting.
{{++}} The ''HD Voice Pack'' includes and integrates the [[#Silent Hill 2 Audio Enhancement Pack|''Audio Enhancement Pack'']] and [[#Silent Hill 2 FMV Enhancement Pack|''FMV Enhancement Pack'']] for its audio improvements.
+
{{++}} The ''HD Voice Pack'' includes and integrates the Audio Enhancement Pack and FMV Enhancement Pack from the [[#Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition|Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition]] project for its audio improvements.
  
 
===Make James run without slowing down===
 
===Make James run without slowing down===

Revision as of 16:16, 1 July 2022

Silent Hill 2: Director's Cut
Silent Hill 2: Director's Cut cover
Developers
Team Silent
Windows Creature Labs
Publishers
Konami
Release dates
Windows December 2, 2002
Reception
Metacritic 70
Taxonomy
Modes Singleplayer
Pacing Real-time
Perspectives Cinematic camera, Third-person
Controls Direct control
Genres Survival horror
Art styles Realistic
Themes Contemporary, Horror, North America
Series Silent Hill
Silent Hill 2: Director's Cut on HowLongToBeat
Silent Hill 2: Director's Cut on IGDB
Silent Hill 2: Director's Cut guide on StrategyWiki
Silent Hill 2: Director's Cut on MobyGames
Silent Hill 2: Director's Cut on Wikipedia
Silent Hill
Silent Hill 2: Director's Cut 2002
Silent Hill 3 2003
Silent Hill 4: The Room 2004
Silent Hill: Homecoming 2008
Silent Hill 2 2024

Silent Hill 2: Director's Cut is a survival horror game developed by Team Silent, ported by Creature Labs, and published by Konami. It is the second installment in the Silent Hill series.

The game was originally released for the PlayStation 2 on September 21, 2001 worldwide. The game later received an extended Director's Cut version on PlayStation 2 as a Greatest Hits re-release, Xbox, and PC, which added a new Born from a Wish scenario, a secret UFO ending, and for the PC version, a quick-save function, real-time weapon swapping, and a movie gallery. The PC version also features improved flashlight lighting like in the Xbox port, however, it also has a number of inaccuracies, missing or downgraded effects, and lower audio and FMV quality than previous versions.[1] It also has compatibility issues with newer versions of Windows and hardware (see here for details).

There have been growing efforts by modders to fix the issues with the PC version, starting with sh2proxy by emoose to address compatibility issues and implement widescreen support for the game. It has since been succeeded by Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition, a community-driven project for the PC version that restores features from the original PlayStation 2 version, adds support for HD and widescreen resolutions, improved controller support, and other quality-of-life improvements.

General information

Silent Hill Memories - Informative site
Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition

Availability

Source DRM Notes Keys OS
Retail
Disc check (requires the CD/DVD in the drive to play)
SecuROM 4.83 DRM. Patch 1.1 removes the DRM.
Released on 3 CDs.
Windows
There are two versions: the North American version and the European Director's Cut version. If the title screen lacks "Director's Cut" on it, it's the North American version. Both versions include the extra scenario Born from a Wish along with an extra UFO ending.

Essential improvements

Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition

Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition is a collection of unofficial mods which implement widescreen resolution support, add PlayStation 2 quality audio and fog that were missing from the PC version, provide upscaled images and FMVs, improve controller support and much more.[2]
All improvements in this section are included in the full installation of the Enhanced Edition project.

Silent Hill 2 PC Fix by Steam006

A fix which adds new features and fixes some bugs.
Do not use this fix if you plan to install the Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition project.
Instructions[citation needed]
  1. Copy all the files to <path-to-game>
  2. Configure the width and height and other options in Silent_Hill_2_PC_Fix.ini.
  3. Start the game with DLLInjector.exe.

Game data

Configuration file(s) location

System Location
Windows <path-to-game>\[Note 1]
keyconf.dat stores input bindings.
language.ini stores language settings.
options.ini stores gameplay and volume settings.
settings.ini stores video and audio settings.

Save game data location

System Location
Windows <path-to-game>\data\save\[Note 1]

Video

Video settings
Video settings

Graphics feature State WSGF Notes
Widescreen resolution
Use Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition.
Multi-monitor
Ultra-widescreen
Use Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition.
4K Ultra HD
Use Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition.
Field of view (FOV)
Windowed
Use Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition, then set ScreenMode = 1 in d3d8.ini.
Borderless fullscreen windowed
Use Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition, then set ScreenMode = 2 in d3d8.ini.
Anisotropic filtering (AF)
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Anti-aliasing (AA)
Use Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition. For SMAA, set EnableMSAA = 1 in d3d8.ini. Alternatively, GPU-based MSAA can be forced via your video card's respective control panel; see here for instructions and recommended settings.
Vertical sync (Vsync)
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
60 FPS
Capped at 30 FPS. See High frame rate.
120+ FPS

High frame rate

Change the frame rate cap[3]
  1. Install Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition.
  2. Open d3d8.ini.
  3. Add the following to its own lines in the file:
; Controls the frame rate limit, but it may cause bugs if increased above 30 FPS.
FPSLimit = 60

Notes

Playing the game at 60 FPS causes various audio/visual bugs, some of which are detailed below.[4]
  • The intensity/effectiveness of the motion blur is reduced by half.
  • The bullet casing sound effects for the handgun and shotgun glitch out.
  • Animation for James transcribing notes onto his map is twice as fast.
  • James's inner monologue (immediately upon exiting the hospital) may run twice as fast.
  • Water animates/moves quicker in all areas (James rowing on the lake, water in the labyrinth, etc) and drains twice as fast during the RPT Apartment boss fight.
  • The flames in Angela's staircase move twice as fast.
  • The flashlight dies out twice as fast in the prison bug room.
  • The "ritual" prison monster's footsteps happen way too fast.

Change noise effect resolution

Change IncreaseNoiseEffectRes[5]
  1. Install Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition.
  2. Open d3d8.ini.
  3. Set IncreaseNoiseEffectRes to any value between 128 and 4096. The larger the value, the smaller the noise grain will be. 512 is the default noise grain value.

Input

Controller support

Analog triggers and vibration on XInput controllers won't function without workarounds.
Fix triggers and vibration via Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition[6]
  1. Install Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition.
Be sure to install the "XInput Plus" package as you install the project. This will restore trigger and vibration functionality for XInput-based controllers and includes a pre-configured keyconf.dat file so that inputs on XInput controllers are correctly mapped for Silent Hill 2: Director's Cut out of the box.
Fix triggers and vibration via XInput Plus (stand-alone fix)
  1. Download and run XInput Plus.
  2. Set the Target Program to sh2pc.exe.
  3. Go to DirectInput and check Enable DirectInput Output.
  4. Assign LT/RT to Button 11/12.
  5. Click Apply and OK.

Audio

Audio feature State Notes
Separate volume controls
Background music and sound effects.
Surround sound
Up to 7.0 output.[7]
Subtitles
Closed captions
Mute on focus lost
EAX support
DirectSound3D.
May require DirectSound3D restoration software to restore hardware-accelerated 3D sound functionality on Windows Vista and later. (DSOAL is included in Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition)

Localizations

Use Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition to restore the language selection in the options menu.
Language UI Audio Sub Notes
English
Arabic
Fan translation, download.
Simplified Chinese
Fan translation, download.
French
German
Italian
Polish
Fan translation, download. Versions for both the original game (which includes an older widescreen patch, it's recommended to use the one by thirteenAG instead) and Enhanced Edition are available.
Brazilian Portuguese
Fan translation, download. It requires the Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition, Fan audio, download.
Russian
Fan translation by «HomeTown.ru / Ashigaru».
Spanish
Game is officially translated in Spanish but an improved fan translation is also available, download.
Indonesian
Fan translation, download.
Turkish
Fan translation, download.

Issues fixed

Audio begins to stutter infinitely or stop completely

The game shipped with a buggy, beta version of CRIWARE audio middleware. Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition comes with a custom reimplementation of this audio engine to fix the issue.
Use EnableCriWareReimplementation[citation needed]
  1. Install Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition.
  2. Open d3d8.ini and ensure EnableCriWareReimplementation = 1 is set.

Clicking or popping sound effects

Use AudioClipDetection[8]
  1. Install Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition.
  2. Open d3d8.ini and ensure AudioClipDetection = 1 is set.

Textures appear as solid white surfaces

Use WhiteShaderFix[9]
  1. Install Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition.
  2. Open d3d8.ini and ensure WhiteShaderFix = 1 is set.

"Insert a disc" message appears during the ending

In rare situations, the game will look for "end.bik" instead of "ending.bik" for the credits video. If that happens, this error will occur.
If using Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition:[10]
  1. Install Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition.
The project fixes this issue without having to rename the video file.
If NOT using Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition:[11]
  1. Go to <path-to-game>\data\movie\.
  2. Rename ending.bik to end.bik.

Other information

API

Technical specs Supported Notes
Direct3D 8.1 For DirectX 9 support, use Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition.
Shader Model support 1.4
Executable 32-bit 64-bit Notes
Windows

Middleware

Middleware Notes
Audio ADX Sound files are compressed compared to the PlayStation 2 version. PlayStation 2 quality audio can be restored into the PC version by installing the Audio Enhancement Pack as part of the Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition project.
Cutscenes Bink Video FMVs are compressed and play at 29.97 full frames per second (29.97p), compared to the PlayStation 2 version which plays them at 59.94 half frames per second (29.97i). The quality of the PC version's FMVs can be improved by installing the FMV Enhancement Pack as part of the Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition project.

Silent Hill 2 HD Collection Voice Pack

This replaces the original voice acting with the new voices from the Silent Hill HD Collection release.[12]
The HD Collection voices are very divisive and often considered to be inferior to the original voice acting.
The HD Voice Pack includes and integrates the Audio Enhancement Pack and FMV Enhancement Pack from the Silent Hill 2: Enhanced Edition project for its audio improvements.

Make James run without slowing down

Apply unlimited stamina-hack[13]
  1. Open sh2pc.exe with a hex-editor such as HxD.
  2. Press Ctrl+F and find address 89 BE 20 01 00 00 D8 B6 40 01 00 00 (Hex-values).
  3. Press Ctrl+G and go to 41 (offset relative to: current offset).
  4. Change the value CF to C8 and save the changes.

Disable background fog

Disable fogging[14]
  1. Download and run DxWnd.
  2. Click on Edit, then Add.
  3. Set the path to <path-to-game>\sh2pc.exe
  4. Disable Run in Window.
  5. Click on the Direct3D tab and enable Disable Fogging.
  6. Click OK, File, Save, and start the game with DxWnd running.

Add icon to executable file

sh2pc.exe may have no icon set by default.
Set icon with Rcedit[15]
  1. Download Rcedit depending on your OS bitness, and copy it to <path-to-game>.
  2. Download sh2_newicon.zip and extract sh2_new.ico to <path-to-game>.
  3. Open a Command Prompt.
  4. Type in and enter cd <path-to-game>.
    • Replace <path-to-game> with the actual path; e.g. cd C:\Games\Silent Hill 2.
  5. Type in and enter rcedit-x64.exe sh2pc.exe --set-icon sh2_new.ico.
    • If you use the 32-bit version, replace rcedit-x64.exe with rcedit-x86.exe above.

System requirements

Windows
Minimum Recommended
Operating system (OS) 98, ME, 2000, XP
Processor (CPU) Intel Pentium 700 MHz
AMD Athlon 700 MHz
System memory (RAM) 64 MB
Hard disk drive (HDD) 1.8 GB
Video card (GPU) 32 MB of VRAM
DirectX 8.1 compatible


Notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 When running this game without elevated privileges (Run as administrator option), write operations against a location below %PROGRAMFILES%, %PROGRAMDATA%, or %WINDIR% might be redirected to %LOCALAPPDATA%\VirtualStore on Windows Vista and later (more details).

References