Silent Hill 2 Remake was one of the most anticipated games of this year. The survival horror community was looking forward to love or blood. It was expected because the community was waiting too long for a Silent Hill game. Especially for one that deserves its title. Silent Hill 2 is one of the most iconic games of its genre. For many Silent Hill fans, it is the best of the series. But does its remake deserve the name and its legacy? Long story short, the Bloober Team won the bet and earned righteously the respect of our community. Let’s dive deep into the mysterious fog of the reimagining of the occult town that still haunts our nightmares after more than two decades. Welcome to Silent Hill!
Prologue
I would like to thank my friend Teddy for giving me the chance to play the game on his system and for his perfect hospitality and patience. You are the Pyramid Head man!
The Silent Hill series is my favorite, especially the ones marked by Team Silent. I still remember the thrill of the first touch with the notorious Great4 of the series. And still, every time a Silent gem is in my hands, I feel like a child whose part of itself is a part of the town. I was waiting too long for a new Silent title, and I always hoped my prayers would be answered. When Konami announced the newer titles, I was too excited… and skeptical, especially about the remake of my favorite title in the series. I was hoping that the Bloober Team wouldn’t disappoint us. But I learned that they were huge fans of the games, so that was a relief and gave me hope. And the moment of truth finally came.
The remake was set to release on October 8 of this year. Still, Steam users were given the option of early access on October 6 by paying almost 80 USD (the original price was 69,99 USD) and some extras (cosmetic items, digital art book, and OST). My friend Teddy is also a massive fan of the series, so he bought the early access package. However, as a good friend, he also offered me the option to play it on his PC and release this article on time with its official release. An offer I couldn’t deny. I visited his house (and his PC) about two times a day for two days after work and completed the game in about 16,5 hours. It wasn’t the best time, but I am not famous for my gaming skills.
He also suggested (rather demanded) playing it in normal (standard) mode because no one deserves to be called an SH fan if he won’t play it, at least in this mode. Challenge accepted, but not lighthearted. Man, I stink at gaming; this is unfair. But it is what it is. So, this review is delivered to you after too much pain and hassle. But it is definitely worth my time. Silent Hill wasn’t built in a day, so who am I to complain about it? The best is yet to come!
About the Silent Hill series
The Silent Hill series is a renowned survival horror video game franchise developed by Konami, known for its psychological horror elements, atmospheric storytelling, and disturbing imagery. It debuted in 1999 with the original “Silent Hill” game, which follows Harry Mason searching for his adopted daughter in the fog-laden town of Silent Hill, where the line between reality and nightmares blurs. The first four installments of the series by Team Silent are considered the best of the franchise.
The series is known for its haunting sound design (often by composer Akira Yamaoka), disturbing monsters, and a deep emphasis on psychological themes. It has been adapted into films, comics, and other media, further expanding its influence in horror culture. After being silenced for over a decade, the franchise is back, and the Silent Hill 2 Remake is the first proof that the town is still going strong. God may have mercy on our souls!
About Silent Hill 2
“Silent Hill 2,” released in 2001 for the PlayStation 2, is a psychological horror game developed by Konami. It follows James Sunderland, who receives a letter from his deceased wife, Mary, beckoning him to the mysterious town of Silent Hill.
As James explores the fog-shrouded town, he encounters various disturbing creatures and characters, each representing his guilt and inner turmoil. The game is renowned for its deep narrative, atmospheric visuals, and haunting soundtrack by Akira Yamaoka. Themes of grief, loss, and psychological trauma are central to the story, making it a landmark title in the horror genre and earning critical acclaim for its storytelling and design.
The game features multiple endings based on the player’s choices, enhancing its replayability and depth. It is considered the best of the franchise and one of the best games of all time. The 2024 remake remains loyal to the original story but with some essential enhancements that intend to improve the overall gaming experience. The Bloober Team scored too well at its daunting task. If you want a remake done right, let the fans do it. Silent Hill 2 Remake is a perfect example of this. The fog is coming!
Graphics
Tested on a build consisting of:
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 7800X3D
- Graphics Card: Asus Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 Super (latest Gaming drivers)
- RAM: 64GB DDR5 6000 MT/S (EXPO)
- Monitor: 1440p, IPS, 165Hz, Adaptive-Sync
- Controller: Xbox One Series
- OS: Windows 11 (Up-to-date)
The game is built upon the Unreal Engine and features the latest enhancements that make a game a good one. Of course, I had the chance to play it on a powerful system that could handle it more than perfectly. The game is built for decent gaming machines, so if you own one, it won’t disappoint you. Some stutters (traversal stuttering) and flaws were present, but as a pre-release, I can’t blame it, as they should be improved with later updates. Still, I should mention everything I noted. Some frame drops were noticeable, but there was nothing major to complain about or something that could destroy the overall experience. I might be too strict, but the graphics would have been better. But that might be just me who wants the optimal for my dearest game. Still, it is what it is.
Acting, dialogues, and the general atmosphere
The remake is loyal to its predecessor, but some parts improved the original game, adding welcome additions to the thrilling experience. They are so good that I can’t believe why they weren’t implemented in the first game. Some remakes do what they should, as it seems. The acting is way better than the original one, and the user would feel closer to the story than ever. Maria and James are the perfect duet that seems like being taken from Stephen King’s most notable works. That is a plus.
The dialogues are mostly true to their source, with some minor changes and additions that they are up to the task. The general atmosphere is Silent-Hill-powered with whatever that means to you. To me, this is the true core of the game. The fog is now an essential part of the atmosphere, not just a necessary imperfection. Man, the fog might be the scariest part of the game!
Creatures and area design
When you know that the legendary Masahiro Ito will be part of the team, you know nothing can go wrong. The redesigned and new creatures are the perfect hosts to this nightmare. The whole town seems like it has emerged from the Hell. The Silent Hill screams out of despair and horror. A living nightmare!
Music
Akira Yamaoka might be the one who is more related to SH than any other of the Team Silent for the fans. And for a good reason. Yamaoka’s score is what made the Silent Hill what it is. And the remake is not an exception.
Key Differences of the remake vs the original
- Expanded Map
- Visual Enhancements
- Over-The-Shoulder Camera
- Encounters
- New Combat Actions
- New Enemy Attacks
- New Puzzles
- Redesigned Layouts
- Additional Buildings
- New Cast
- New customizable UI
- Duration
- Two more endings (eight in total)
Gameplay
You know we are talking about a remake of a classic. However, concerning the community, I will try to keep the game as spoiler-free as possible. The control experience is solid, especially if you own a decent controller. You won’t meet any issue with it. The game remains mostly loyal to its source. We follow James Sunderland, a somewhat depressed and troubled person who has to deal with the skeletons in his closet after receiving a mysterious letter from his deceased wife, Mary. She told him to meet her at their special place, and James found himself wandering around the mist of the town of Silent Hill. But he realizes shortly that nothing is as it seems. Strange creatures and abominations are everywhere and threaten his existence. The more he wanders, the more he deals with weird characters that might be more menacing than the lurking creatures.
Angela, Maria, Laura, Eddie… All of them seem to play a crucial role in solving the puzzle he is called to deal with. They might be friends, partners, or evil enemies. Angela is a shady lady who looks for her “mamma,” and Maria is a mysterious woman who seems foggier than the whole town. Laura is a rather tempered and puzzling child, and Eddie seems like a sluggish but decent man with unclear motives. They are all trapped in this occult town, trying to escape and survive. But is that even true? As James moves forward, it looks like all are related to him and his secrets, one way or another. “You see it, too? For me, it’s always like this…”
Regarding how to survive the game, you should follow some simple rules:
- Be moderate with ammo, health drinks, and syringes (Am I the only one who thinks I sound like a gangster advisor here?)
- Use the bat/log. Believe me, it will come in handy.
- Try to avoid enemies instead of fighting them.
- Break everything. You really should. I stack sometimes because I had to break something, and I didn’t know it. Well…
- Beware of enemies everywhere.
- Never underestimate your enemies. I was a martyr of this. Yes, I admit that I had to restart the game, because I was killed. Normal mode, you see…
- The bosses are challenging.
- Some fights require you only to last until the cutscenes.
- Enjoy the game.
And now, after saying all these things, I have to spoil some things. I hate the “bedad” of Angela, and I feel sorry for Eddie. Eddie, you are the most underrated person I ever met in a game. You gave me chills. Just because you are different. Pyramid Head, what’s wrong with your head, mate? Yes, I still can’t dream well because of you. Maria, Maria, you are not a movie star. Angela, you are the most dramatic person in this game, and Laura… Well, you should be careful with the doors. That’s all I have to say to you. For the hardcore fans, just one name: Walter Sullivan. It brings back memories, right?
Regarding the combat, the remake gives a welcoming “Resident Evil 4-like” feel but manages to be on the spot with the original. It is what Silent Hill 2 should have been two decades ago. Thumbs up to the Bloober Team. The key differences are welcome additions that contribute to the optimal story experience. I truly felt like a part of the game. After 16.5 hours of gameplay, I was rewarded with the “In The Water” ending, which was rather unfair. I mean, come on. I was better than this! But life is not fair, so why should a game ought to be? At least, I haven’t got bored of it. Not a bit. The gaming hours flowed like water. Let’s proceed to the epilogue before it is too late.
Epilogue
Silent Hill 2 Remake is more than a worthy successor of its predecessor. It is what the original could have been if it was about to be released now. Yes, they nailed it! That’s why I hate the Bloober Team: Now, I can’t “dream” of the original without their exceptional work. For me, both the original and the remake are the same thing. Every survival horror fan should include it in his collection without hesitation and second thoughts. Just do it. And Bloober Team, you earned righteously my respect and my gratitude. Believe me, hearing that from a huge fan of the series means a lot. Keep up with the good work. But wait, what are these strange sirens I hear outside my room? What’s wrong with this mysterious fog? Welcome to Silent Hill…
Verdict: Highly Recommended
Score
Overall Gaming Experience: 9,5/10
Gameplay: 9/10
Graphics: 7/10
Music and FX: 8,5/10
Creatures and characters design: 8,5/10
Story: 10/10
True to its original material: 9,5/10
Gaming Experience (controls, etc.): 8/10
Acting: 8/10
Area Design: 8/10
Price: 8/10 (quite expensive, but it is worth the fee it asks for)
