She's apologizing to James despite being the one dying of a slow terminal illness. That alone just hurts to think about.

"I can't tell you to remember me, but I can't bear for you to forget me." This is such a strong fucking line, gets me every time.

"James...you made me... happy..." Then I dropped the controller and cried like I''ve never before in my entire life

"You made me happy"... Gotta be the most soul crushing ending in the history of video games.

A horror game that makes you cry at the end. This game was absolutely brilliant.

Fun Fact: Jeremy Blaustein revealed in an interview that Monica Taylor Horgan cried after narrating Mary's letter.

And people say horror and video games can't be art...

In my restless dreams I see that franchise. Silent Hill. They promised they would make another one. But they never did...

A fun fact from Monica Taylor Horgan (Mary/Maria) from a 2011 interview: "I will tell you a fun little fact….the letter reading from Mary that we did….was a very rare “one take”. This means, I read it one time only….we recorded it…and it was a perfect take the first time. I remember distinctly everyone taking a Loooooong moment afterward. We nailed it. Great material. And a solid read. Probably the best I ever did".

i bought this game about 3 months after my ill girlfriend took her own life. i couldnt stop feeling like i somehow made her do it. somehow playing this game and seeing james feel, think and act so differently than me leading up to what he did to mary was what made me finally realize i never harmed my angel. its been a few days after experiencing this game. i dont know what to do without her, but im still here. i guess i should be thankful, but im not sure i am yet. team silent, thank you. and naomi, i love you.

This has to be the saddest scene in any videogame

The version without the background music hits so much harder. I still remember my first play through. Just me alone in silence in the dark. It felt like just me and Mary. One of the deepest most personal connections I’ve ever felt to anything. So powerful.

That final "James, you made me happy" is so devastating. It sounds like the voice actor was drawing up tangible emotions there. Absolutely heartbreaking in the deepest way possible. Just the wish it could have all been different.

The way Monica Hargen says "Happy."... i don't even... i can't... i just... it's... real.

ive got tears in my eyes literally when she said "you made me happy"

this doesn't pull at your heart strings...this rips them right out of you, cuts them to pieces and pushes them back in you. it makes me think so much about the one i love

4:16 damn that little quiver in her voice is so effective. Monica is really talented

i tear up everytime when she says "You made me happy" :(

i played this when i was 12.... i am almost 32... This still hits deep. nothing compares to Silent Hill 2.

"I'm afraid you don't really want me to come home" Is what gets me. I'm not crying, it's just raining..

Recently replayed Silent Hill 2 and forgot about the letter that's read off at the end. Such an immense feeling going into the game and up until the end expecting to be terrified to your wit's end only to feel so utterly depressed at the end as the voice actress tries not to cry reading it off. One of the many reasons why this ranks as my all time favorite survival horror game.

The fact that she wrote it without knowing that JAMES would kill her is heartbreaking

The letter isn't simply sadness and regret. The letter is a realization of mortality. And in the end , it's a declaration that even though so many mistakes were made. The final words were one last vow, for believing in the thing that made life worth living for. Love. Even death didn't change that. That's the most beautiful thing about it all.

The scene with Angela on the stairs gets me every time.

"James, you made me happy..." This is when I broke down crying.

The thing about Silent Hill 2 that I'll forever love and appreciate is that this masterpiece makes you THINK about yourself and your relationship - ANY relationship you share with anyone you care about, doesn't matter if it's platonic or romantic. The game is telling you from this letter that if you have someone you care about - a husband, or wife, boyfriend, or girlfriend - don't give up on them, don't leave them, do not stop loving them, no matter how much pain that's poisoning you and them. Life is too short, that's a common truth that we don't think about, but it is. Life can take that person you care about away, and you won't see it coming. It could be from anything, it could even be from a cruel illness. But for the love of god, please don't stop loving them, and please be there for each other. Honor them the best way you can, remember them, do not let that person go. If they caused you some pain, if you caused THEM some pain, don't hate them and don't hate yourself...you have to forgive them and you HAVE to forgive yourself. Pain should never be the winner, I don't care how corny that sounds. My game ended with James leaving town with Laura. Mary forgave him, he forgave himself. He always knew he loved her, hate was never in his heart, he just confused that hate and aimed it at her when he was really hating himself. If he hadn't found that resolution, if the town hadn't given him that one chance to TALK to her, he would be dead. But in my canon, James is alive, he's honoring Mary, hes living for himself and HER. That's all he can do. Silent Hill 2 is just an extremely powerful experience, it really is. It's really no wonder it's considered the best game in the whole franchise - it told one of the most human stories gaming could achieve and then some.

Still in 2016, this letter & the SH2 game touch my emotions so deeply than most other current games. SH2 is art made videogame.

"...In my restless dream, I see that town, Silent Hill..." Those words has taken a space in my head, and whenever anyone mention about Silent hill franchise, and they come back, for me.

I lost my mom when I was young; this feels exactly what she would have wanted to say to my dad after she passed.

The "you made me happy hits so hard I can't

I think the worst part of this is Mary blaming herself. She had no control of this but still feels guilty.

This hits me hard because after my Mom died of a long illness I came across this video around that time. The way Mary is talking sounds like my Mom & how she used to tell me I made her happy. She passed away in 2006 & the Pain is still there.

The beginning of the game opens with the first few lines of the letter...but we don’t see the rest. It implies that James has the full letter, but, wether due to mental repression, or the town’s influence, he only sees the first few lines. Yet, at the end of the story, he reads the letter again, and this time, he’s reading it all. He knows the truth now, so there’s no need to keep hiding from it.

“You made me happy” is the most gut wrenching line

Silent Hill is no horror game, it is a life lesson.

To this day, there is no horror game that ends on such a grounded, bittersweet note. All the other Silent Hill games never reached that point (4 was close). This game is still a masterpiece

This is the saddest stuff I've ever seen in a video game. I'm crying right now

"you promised youd take me there again someday. but you never did ..."

"A dead person can't write a letter... ...it's illegal!"

Gota of all time game nothing compares to this game ever

i think this is the most emotional moment in videogames, remember i literally cried when i saw this scene.. you can actually feel the mary's pain.. true masterpiece

My experience with SH2 is a lot different than others. My dad had lung cancer when I was 14. He was suffering badly towards the end. He was given a shot of morphine to help him go to sleep and pass on. This clouded my interpretation of James killing Mary. Sure, he had all the sexual frustration, but Mary was also cruel to him; but they both loved each other. There is a lot of shadow, but there is also a lot of light. It was at the height of her sickness he suffocated her. I think he really wanted her to be ok.

God, Mary's message legit broke me at the end. The amount of pain in her voice and knowing that this is it. How much she loved James. God Silent Hill 2 is a piece of fucking art

“You made me happy” instant tears as I yelled out “ WHAT A FUCKING STORY”

Kids these days can never know what gaming meant back in our day.

I cried so hard after this scene. I couldn't stop crying for five minutes.

I think this is the most epic moment of this game, doesnt matter no violent scenes, but is really deep and sublime

very very sad latter and her voice really touched my soul

that was the first and the most emotional ending I've encountered in PC games ever. Truly masterpiece.

Not bad how many times we repeat it, it always hurt our souls

This is honest to god some of the best voice acting in any video game I've ever seen. The subtle passion and sadness dripping through Mary's voice is incredibly moving, and it's honestly enough to choke me up a little, and I never cry at fictional media.

"In my restless dreams, I see that town. Silent Hill. You promised me you'd take me there again someday. But you never did. Well, I'm alone there now... In our 'special place'... Waiting for you... Waiting for you to come to see me. But you never do. And so I wait, wrapped in my cocoon of pain and loneliness. I know I've done a terrible thing to you. Something you'll never forgive me for. I wish I could change that, but I can't. I feel so pathetic and ugly laying here, waiting for you... Every day I stare up at the cracks in the ceiling and all I can think about is how unfair it all is... The doctor came today. He told me I could go home for a short stay. It’s not that I'm getting better. It’s just that this may be my last chance... I think you know what I mean... Even so, I'm glad to be coming home. I've missed you terribly. But I'm afraid, James. I'm afraid you don't really want me to come home. Whenever you come see me, I can tell how hard it is on you... I don't know if you hate me or pity me... Or maybe I just disgust you... I'm sorry about that. When I first learned that I was going to die, I just didn't want to accept it. I was so angry all the time and I struck out at everyone I loved most. Especially you, James. That's why I understand if you do hate me. But I want you to know this, James. I'll always love you. Even though our life together had to end like this, I still wouldn't trade it for the world. We had some wonderful years together. Well, this letter has gone on too long, so I'll say goodbye. I told the nurse to give this to you after I'm gone. That means that as you read this, I'm already dead. I can't tell you to remember me, but I can't bear for you to forget me. These last few years since I became ill... I'm so sorry for what I did to you, did to us... You've given me so much and I haven't been able to return a single thing. That's why I want you to live for yourself now. Do what's best for you, James. James... You made me happy."

For someone with his name. How am I not supposed to have a psychological breakdown after this.

The first time I played this game I cried so much. I still cry when I play sometimes. This isn't a game, this is emotional desolation.

Monica started crying IRL toward the end of the letter. She was crying when she said "You made me happy".

I don't know about the rest of you, but the first time I played this game I was majorly depressed, and I feel like that actually enhanced the experience.

Hands down the most amazing one take in voice acting history if you ask me. For some reason it feels so real!

8 years since this video has been uploaded and I still cant get over, "I'm so sorry!" And beyond the letter...its just so sincere.

This is so utterly sad. Geez, I'll always cry to this end.

At the very end when she says you made me happy it always makes me cry. What a wonderful job the voice actor did.

I just need to get this out my guts, I can't sleep for nights... My wife is sick, she's sick and in pain. And I'm sincerely taking care of her while working a 12 hours shift.. One day she's feeling better and then next day, her condition worsen. I would sacrifice anything to see her smile again, I would do anything to make her happy forever. God I know I won't end up like what James did in this game but, I'm afraid to be alone. I can't imagine my life without her, she's my best friend, my ego, my support and my love till the end. I can't bear the feeling of loneliness and living in solitude without the only light of my life.. I'm so afraid, I can't stop these thoughts and tears. I don't know how long I can pretend to be all hopeful and high spirited in front of her. Please don't leave me, sayang... I don't want to read your very version of this Mary's Letter.. Sayang, abang selalu berdoa agar kamu cepat sembuh, abang cintakan kamu...

i though i wouldn't cry but those voice cracks at the end hit something on me

Lie down, try not to cry, cry a lot...

I was going through a really rough patch when I first played this game. My first play through of this game was legimately a form of therapy for me. I think what makes this game such a beautiful piece of art is that it strikes a nerve on some of the most difficult universal experiences we share as human beings. I’ve never had a piece of media reach out to me in a dark moment and make me feel less alone like this game did and that is why it will always hold a special place in my heart.

You know, Silent Hill 2 has been my favorite game since freshman year of high school. I've played it so many times I've lost count of the number. Let me tell you that Mary's letter becomes *a lot harder* to sit through when you've been diagnosed with cancer. I decided to look it up again after years of not playing the game, and Christ, I can't look at this scene the same way again.

After all these years, it still sends shivers to my spine

Over 20 years later and this game still tears me up inside.

This is where real men cried

I just can't stop crying after watched this. Damn.

this letter made me cry

This on its own is extremely depressing. But experiencing this game, the complete emotional deterioration and draining leading up to this letter, makes the impact 10x more heartbreaking. Its beautiful. I was always a wuss when it came to horror games, especially these older ones. I never played it but I did watch playthrough by someone passionate for the first 4 games. He helped with explaining some symbolism and I understood some before he had to explain. Which, delving down into the work Team Silent put together, kinda depresses me that I never took this game and experienced it for myself. I am sure it would have hit me in a totally different way. Nevertheless, its still a art that I was able to enjoy. I would have got pretty bummed out if I got the In Water ending on my first playthrough though.

When I first played Silent Hill 2 (thankfully I never got spoilers) that ending hit so hard I was feeling so sad about it for days, no other game has ever come close to doing that. They don’t make them like they used to that’s for sure

Only game ending I've cried to.

Why does this make me think of all my relationships..

I love this letter....

I got a similar letter from my ex gf ... she ... passed away a few years ago, cancer took her away. We've known eath other since we were babies ... we've always considered each other soulmates. When she got sick ... she changed and became angry and irritated at everything and at me the most. After a couple of weeks she told that her family is gonna move to another city ... she even gave me a name of a different city from the one they went to ... i guess she lied because she didnt want me around her. To see her weak and pathetic. Day after day she started fading away and not answering the calls and eventually she vanished. After 2 weeks i recieved a facebook message from one of her friends ... she told be that Sophia passed away and it seems that she left a letter with your name on it (i've studied with this girl back at school so she knew who i am ) ... and yup her letter was quite similar to this one ... i come listen to this video a lot lately ... i guess it reminds me of the good old times, wishing that they come back ... but they never do.

One of the absolute greatest pieces of art ever crafted. Silent Hill 2 transcends most video games and should be considered art. Because that's exactly what it is.

This is what art does to people. It makes them feel enlightened, it makes them feel empathetic for those in worse positions than yourself. This letter made me bawl and realize the pain that my sister has been going through the past few years. She exhibits the same feelings this letter does, and it really made me understand the feelings of those with a terminal or chronic illness and how it can affect both the person with the illness and the loved ones. This game truly struck a cord with me on a psychological scale and made me think for a while. I’m truly grateful to the team and writers of SH2 who made this masterpiece. A horror game made me understand more about humanity.

I was playing this game when i was like 18 years old. I remember how this letter affected me. Now im 32 and it still have the same effect on me as then. So much feels! And why do i have so many onions lying in front of me?

Coming back here after hearing the iconic phrase: In my restless dreams, I see that town, Silent Hill. I am so excited for the remake

I burned an offering and I got here. Any DBD's here?

This scene absolutely breaks me, not just because of how effective the writing is, but also from how relatable it is personally. I’ve had a chronic illness since 2015 and my health has been declining lately, leaving me pretty much bedridden for the past few weeks. I feel like a burden to my family and boyfriend, and Mary’s lines where she says that she feels so pathetic and ugly, and wanting to rid others of her burden really hits hard for me. I’ve always loved SH2 and have always felt so sorry for Mary, but now I feel her deep pain more authentically

Everytime I heard this voice narration from Mary Shepherd (virtually Monica...), I just couldn't hold my tears.

You made me happy.

Jesus CHRIST I forgot how fucking beautiful this was. It takes a lot for me to cry over something these days and yet I'm crying like I just heard this for the first time right now. Everyone involved in this deserves some kind of award.

10 years later i still cry

This never fails to bring a tear to my eye. What a perfect reading full of emotion. Truly beautiful

I translated this to my classmate in high school once and she loved. Her name is "Maria" too.

The most memorable game ever, and still my favorite.

I _barely_ held myself back from crying right at the end.

I always fall asleep to this. It helps me with my anxiety.

Damn bro i clicked on my mix, I wanted to jam out not jam myself under my covers and cry

James had the letter in his possession the entire game...but rather than read it, he tortured himself for his crimes

Who wouldn't cry with that? It's very sincere and honest and pure. You can feel it, even the voice actress cried.

the nightmare returns

This letter reminds me of a person...who was suffering through depression the same way Mary was and she wrote a similar thing to me.

Masterfully written and masterfully acted.

Mary's Letter

“Even though our life together had to end like this, I still wouldn’t trade it for the world”, “I can’t tell you to remember me but I can’t bear for you to forget me” & “You've given me so much and I haven’t been able to return a thing” breaks me every time

I don't think any other piece of writing as been so good at making you cry like a baby