My first silent hill was 2. I LOVED it! I thought the combat was mediocre, but I liked the atmosphere and story. How much does this game focus on story?

The story is actually very easy to understand after the first time through. That is, if you've played the first. It was a little disappointing for me, but the game's art direction, atmosphere, memorable lead, themes and grotesque creatures more than make up for its shortcomings. It ranks up there with the second, in my book.

Just don't hope for a story as deep or complex as the second game's and enjoy the third by its own merits.

What if I've never played the first one? Will I still understand it?

There are probably some details that you might miss, but for the most part everything was explained. I don't think it's as good of a story as 2 though. SH2 took story to a whole new level, IMO. SH3 took fear and took it to a whole new level in return.

I guess I'll read the plot analysis for SH 1.

That would probably help. You could also watch SH1 cutscenes/gameplay on youtube, that's what I did to understand the basic story before I got my copy.

I tried to find the cutscenes but i couldn't. Could you link me to a series of vids that tells the whole story?

Sure thing:

http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p ... 0177503491

These are found on Fungo's channel, he has gameplay videos as well.

I'd honestly recommend you to play SH1 first...

There are several parts and plot points in SH3 that have a big impact to those who have played the first game, and you won't actually care about those while playing if you haven't experienced first-hand the characters and the story of SH1.

^ agreed. i found it hard to understand until I got SH:1. It's really confusing and ruins the story if you haven't played the first

Yep. I wouldn't, for example, feel the same way during THAT scene when Heather returns home, if I hadn't played SH1 first. At all.

Yeah, and the part where you realise [spoiler]just who she really is[/spoiler]

You are right on tht part. That scene just isn't the same if you hadn't played SH1. I think if you at least watch the scenes from SH1, you'll be fine.

If you play the first one, play it right before the third one. I played the first one then a forever-amount-of-time later, I played the third one. I was so confused because I didn't remember much of SH1.
[spoiler]It didn't help that Heather looked totally different either. [/spoiler]

i played 3 first, then the Room, then 2, and then 1. but i already knew the storyline of both of the game so i wasnt confused or anything

[spoiler]The little red notepads in SH3 can't have the same touching feeling if you haven't played SH[/spoiler]