Tbh, I wouldn't say it has. If you'd have played it before then it wouldn't matter, but since you haven't it really might be better to start with the second one. The graphics and controls alone in SH1 aren't worth it and the voice acting is sort of lifeless (though that's one of the quirks I actually liked :D). Besides that, SH2 is in high regards among most who have played it, not sure I could say the same for SH1.
On the pros side, the first three silent hill games represent (to me) the holy trinity and it's worth noting, that 1. and 3. game are connected by their story.
Anything SH that comes after the third instalment has lost what makes the trinity so good - either the darkness has been replaced with some weak-ass fog or the games play a lot more like an action horror and not survival horror.
All in all, SH1 was my first PS one game, so I have fond memories of it. It was imao the best at what it did at the time. That said, I'd still probably avoid it now. Also, if you find the urge too strong, you can always come back to it later, it's not going anywhere :)