Silent Hill 4 questions

ok so this is my first silent hill game and im wondering what the difference in the difficulties im sure hard you take more damage and stuff

also does anyone have any good tips before i start playing

also should i have played the other ones before this one

Having recently completed Silent Hill 4 for the first time, but having completed the other 3 games years ago, you don't need to have completed the first 3 to understand the story of the game at all.

However - not only is the 4th the weakest game in the series, but it also contains some knowing nudges and winks to the previous games that will go right over your head if you don't play them first. This isn't a bad thing nor will it impede on your experience, but playing the first 3 beforehand will enrich your SH4 experience - particularly the first as there are numerous references and allusions to the antagonist of the first game and her mother.

VERY MINOR, NON-STORY (GAMEPLAY)SPOILERS AHEAD

In terms of difficulty, Silent Hill 4 can lull you into a false sense of security in that the 'room' is a central hub and safe haven for about 3/4 of the game. However, after that it becomes an increasingly hostile and dangerous place, and the difficulty curves considerably. If you play it on difficult mode and you're a fairly experienced gamer then the main bulk of the game shouldn't prove very problematic, but you WILL notice a sudden spike in considerable difficulty once the room begins to turn against you and suddenly you have nowhere safe to go, and you will need to be going back to the room a number of times after it starts getting hostile. You can pick up items to ward you against the dangerous nature of the room but not only are these fairly sparse, but you also have to use them very quickly and in quite specific areas, before which your health will be draining very quickly.

I would recommend playing it through on normal difficulty if you've not completed any of the series beforehand, as I believe the puzzles in the game are also more cryptic and difficult on hard mode, and given the above mention about the room itself, you might struggle all told.

I'd also recommend playing the first 3 beforehand, not as a necessity but because they are strong, and generally better games. In terms of story Silent Hill 4 is one of the more interesting and strongest of the series, but in terms of gameplay etc. it's more unique (And in some ways works better than the first 3) but is generally accepted as a slight dip in quality.

Out of curiosity, what made you want to play SH 4 first? Don't get me wrong, it is a great SH game on its own, but imo, the peak of the series is SH 2 and seeing as you're new to the series, I would suggest that game for your first, as 1 and 3 are related to eachother.
Difficulty levels comes by advanced puzzles and tougher enemies.

Out of curiosity, what made you want to play SH 4 first? Don't get me wrong, it is a great SH game on its own, but imo, the peak of the series is SH 2 and seeing as you're new to the series, I would suggest that game for your first, as 1 and 3 are related to eachother.
Difficulty levels comes by advanced puzzles and tougher enemies.

txr302

found it at a pawn shop for 5 bucks

so should i just buy Silent Hill off the PSN

also on a scale of 1-10 how scary is it

im looking for real scary game right now