I love Silent Hill, and while I can see why some people like it, like a cousin of mine that say it is boring, i belive it is one of the best franchises ever. I played the second game, the thrid game, Origins and Shattered Memories. I also have the fourth one, but from what i played it sucks so bad its not worth waiting for me to finish it to be on the comparisson. So now, I'll be comparing these fourth games on some categories, using the abreviations SH2, SH3, SH0 and SM.

GRAPHICS:
While it is obvious that Shattered Memories has the best graphics, I think that i should also look on the artistic side. But, even looking at this point, Shattered Memories still is the best, because there is an amazing amout of detail on everything, from signs that you can look to a memorial that you can read perfectly. SM

SOUND:
The franchise is very well known for its sound, which creates an intense atmosphere on it. In terms of atmosphere, it is hard to determine what game has the best, but i think it has to go to all games. BUT, we have to consider the music, and in this category, both SH2 and SH3 win. ALL (SH2 and SH3)

STORY:
The stories of the games are also normaly very good, but i can eliminated right of the bat Origins, because its story dosen't add anything to what we already know and doesen't stand well on its feet. This category should go to either one of the three, because all of them have great stories, so i can't decide which one has the best. ALL W/O SH0

CONTROLS and CAMERA:
While the 3D controls used in SH0 are great, its camera sucks, because it shifts too much between fixed angles and over the shoulder. Considering camera and controls, the best is SH3, because it added a 180º turn and the camera is pretty, while with some flaws. SH3

GAMEPLAY:
The gameplay between SH2 and SH3 is basicly the game, the only thing that differs are the puzzles. Origins also retains the same gameplay experience, but i think it has the best puzzles of all the games, but the game is ridiculously short, lasting between 2 and 4 hours. Shattered Memories kinda dosen't fit into the survivor horror category; it is more like a traditional adventure game, and while it fits the game, i think that it is not that great. If i had to choose between one or the other, I would go with SH3, just because i like the puzzles better. SH3

REPLAY VALUE:
All the game offer multiple endings and some bonuses when you finish, such as more costumes and weapons, which encorage you to play more times. All these games offers a UFO ending, which is like a joke ending, in which some crazy sh*t happens, in some cases ending the game sooner. In therm of ending, i would go with Shattered Memories, but as it dosen't has dosen't have combat, you cannot unlock weapons. Silent Hill 2 also has some good ending, and additional weapons when playing at the second time, besides other costumes. In therm of unlockables, Silent Hill 3 and Origins offer more costumes and weapons. So in a nutshell, i have to give this to Silent Hill 3, due to the optional Heather Beam that you can unlock, which almost pushed the boundaries on what would be aceptable in the game, and to Shattered Memories and SH2 because of their endings. ALL W/O 0

OVERALL:
My favourite game in the series by far is Silent Hill 3. Its story is great, the gameplay is balanced and has some great music, besides the replay value. While i belive all the games in the series are great, it is my favourite for now, though i'm planing of buying the first game, so i might make some changes on this list eventually

Silent Hill 3:6
Silent Hill 2:4
Shattered Memories:4
Silent Hill 0rigins:1