A clearer definition of claustrophobia.
Imagine being trapped in a room, with chains barring your exit from the front door, windows which seem to have some force holding it shut, and a friggin hole in the bathroom. Everything that shouldnt happen, happens in Henry Townshends apartment.
Graphics:
The graphics have seen a change from Silent Hill 2. The graphic also sheds some of the influence of the backdrop of the game and the various locales Henry traverses through. The opening scene where a body literally tears itself away from the wall in Henry's room was as real as it could have been. The characters...both living and the dead's...facial features and physical features were pretty convincing.
Gameplay:
Instead of the "invisible backpacks" lead characters from Silent Hill 1 and 2 had, which allowed them to carry an enormous number of items with them, Silent Hill 4 did away with that feature. Instead, Henry has to offload items which he might not use into a trunk in his room, and switching items as he traverses the room and the Otherworld.
Silent Hill 4 also relies more on combat than intricate puzzles compared to previous and future games.
Story:
Silent Hill 4 has more of a stand alone story and only contains certain similarities with other games.
Overall, Silent Hill 4 is an interesting game and a must for Silent Hill fans or even survival horror fans.