Silent Hill 1 and 3 focus more on the cult side of things while 2 and 4(?) seem to focus more on the more personalized horror the town can bring. I don't find any of them scary really, but I do think 3's atmosphere seemed to get to me more than the others. I liked 3's characters quite a bit, and I think I liked it's puzzles the best. That might just be because it tapped into my interests a little more with things like the Shakespeare puzzle.

I do remember my brother playing the first one when I was a kid and it being scary to me back then though. I'd say I'm just generally desensitized to all things horror. I can't speak for 4, but all of the others are fantastic games. Also, say what you will about the post-Team Silent games, but I still think Shattered Memories is up there with the rest of them. Homecoming and Downpour I still got enjoyment out of, but they in no way measure up to the other games. I do love Downpour's joke ending though.