I am not enjoying this. Almost not at all since the hospital and especially it's 2nd part. I just finished labirynth and reached hotel.
The shore and hotel is very refreshing though. Finally I can see again.
But the dungeons, Hospital, other world hospital, prison, labirynth and whatever the fuck. These are all WAY TOO LONG.
We all know the story. We all know what James did. I get the point. He feels bad, it's torturing him and torturing us as the player to convey his guilt and pain. I GET IT. EVERYONE GETS IT. You don't need to torture us 2x longer than original (or more, I am at 16h now).
I love the open world fog parts exploration and visiting shops etc. That's great.
But any major dungeon and "oh boy, let's go 4 hours of depressing, disgusting tunnels with bloody walls I can barely see with my flashlight".
It's too artsy and up it's own ass with the messaging. I love all the story bits and cutscenes but the damn dungeons, especiall other world hospital and almost everything after are a nightmare. Scary, disgusting and way over bloated. You run around, pick up keys and I kinda don't feel I will ever replay it because I am sighting with relief after every dungeon.
I understand it's silent hill and what it's doing and that's probably a criticism for the original too. But imo, the dungeons should've been way shorter, labyrinth should not exist at all. It added nothing to the game or story... yeah I get it, stages of grief and guilt. But it wasted my time and made me feel awful.
If it was shorter and had some moments of relief inbetween. Maybe even something a tiny bit more light hearted inbetween to kinda refresh the player and make feel safe for a minute, I think it would be better FOR ME.
If the original was 8 hours, I can see how it could be better paced since you dont spend 3-4 hours in a single invisibly dark dungeon at a time.
edit: tl;dr Evil within 2 is better! Not gross but engaging, emotional and gripping! even playable with headphones lol
edit2: I am probably also just a wuss, easily scared and susceptible to heavy ambient