Announced during the Silent Hill Transmission Livestream in October 2022 and released here on October 8, 2024, the remake of Silent Hill 2 marks the great return of Konami’s famous horror franchise. Available exclusively on PlayStation 5 and PC (Steam), this title is part of the relaunch of the series, initiated with Silent Hill : Ascension et Silent Hill : The Short Messagealready released on our modern consoles.
However, while Ascension et The Short Message have not fully convinced fans, the wait for this remake arouses as much excitement as skepticism, especially since the first images have left some players perplexed. The pressure is therefore immense, because Silent Hill 2 remains the emblematic title of the series.
So, does the remake live up to expectations? Let’s explore this together!
At the bend of a dark alley…
Known for its psychological horror games, Polish studio Bloober Team was tasked with making this highly anticipated remake. The studio stood out in particular with Layers of Fear (2016), which received mixed reviews, and The Medium (2021), received more favorably.
Originally released in 2001 for PlayStation 2, Silent Hill 2 redefined the genre of survival horror and quickly became a cult game of the console. This success is based on several elements, including a mature and psychologically intense storyline, which was particularly striking for the time. The game is distinguished by disturbing visuals, distorted creatures with strong symbolism, and an oppressive atmosphere, intensified by the famous fog in which the player gets lost. Titles known today as Alan Wake or The Evil Within are inspired by Silent Hill 2 in their way of approaching personal trauma where horror is the mirror of the characters’ deepest fears.
A cult horror license
At the time, Silent Hill was seen as a response, even a rival, to the series Resident Evil of Capcom although the two franchises approach horror in very distinct ways. However, over the 2010s, Silent Hill loses its prestige following disappointing games, and the series gradually sinks into oblivion. The demo Silent Hills : P.T. in 2014 could have relaunched the license, but the project was canceled after the departure of Hideo Kojima, who then redirected his ideas towards Death Stranding.
Until 2022, the idea of a return of Silent Hill seemed distant, but the Silent Hill Transmission Livestream revived fans’ hopes by announcing several new features. In addition to a highly anticipated remake of Silent Hill 2a new film adaptation based on the story of this second part has been unveiled, complementing the films Silent Hill (2006) et Silent Hill : Revelation (2012), which respectively adapted the first and third installments of the series.
A real return of the franchise is marked by the announcements of other new titles, meanwhile released between 2023 and 2024 but despite this relaunch, feedback on some of the new productions is shared, and expectations regarding the remake of Silent Hill 2 are tinged with apprehension. But upon its release, big surprise, the game encountered a impressive start.
With over a million copies sold (digital and physical) just three days after its release on PlayStation 5 and PC (making it one of the games in the series Silent Hill having had the fastest sales) fan satisfaction for this modern reinvention and the overall positive reception from critics make this remake a success.
The story of four people in the fog
The story centers around our protagonist, James Sunderlanda man who receives a letter from his wife, Mary, asking him to find her in the town of Silent Hill, although she died three years previously. Intrigued and distraught, James travels to this mysterious city, where he discovers a strange and disturbing place, populated by terrifying creatures and enigmatic characters in a constant fog.
During his exploration of the city, James encounters several intriguing characters: Eddiea man obviously on the run and who seems to have a mysterious connection to the city; Angelaa young woman searching for her missing mother; Lauraa little girl who seems to have a connection with Mary, and Mariaa woman who bears a striking resemblance to Mary, both physically and behaviorally.
The game explores themes such as guilt, grief and redemption, and shows how the events that unfold are heavily influenced by the psychological states of the characters. The oppressive atmosphere stems from the idea that the city reflects the inner fears and torments of its inhabitants.
L’art subtil du foreshadowing
Silent Hill 2 excels in the art of foreshadowinga subtle narrative technique that involves planting clues about future events, often indirectly or unconsciously. These moments reinforce the oppressive atmosphere and psychological intensity of the game, cultivating the idea that the unfolding horror is not only external but linked to the characters’ internal struggles. In addition, the remake includes elements and locations from the original which are illustrated by small flashback effects for James, winks for fans of the original game and subjects of theories for the most established fans.
An iceberg video from Venus Is Naive explores the deep, hidden aspects of the game, shedding light on theories, secrets, and narrative elements that are often overlooked. Venus reviews subtle details, symbolisms, and events that might be missed on a first reading of the game, while analyzing the game’s underlying themes. The video also reveals secret elements that enrich the player experience, often relating to psychological horror and character psychology. Be careful though, the video contains spoilers regarding the scenario and the conclusion of the game!
23 years later, what is the situation?
This remake is distinguished by modernized graphics on Unreal Engine 5 while preserving the disturbing atmosphere of the original game. Visual improvements include sharper textures in revisited and enhanced locations as well as optimized lighting management and new graphic effects, thus reinforcing immersion. Iconic creatures, like Pyramid Head for example, also benefit from more detailed modeling, offering richer visual experience.
Significant improvements significantly modernize the gameplay. A new camera perspective and a reworked combat system, including a dedicated dodge button, make clashes more dynamic. In addition, the game offers many options for personalization to meet player preferences, such as a sight for the gun, changeable in shape and color. These adjustments make progression more pleasant and adapted to each person, according to their playing style.
However, although the game manages to establish a much more oppressive and distressing atmosphere than the original, a major problem should be noted: the overabundance of enemies makes any attempt to escape almost impossible, where previously one could dodge them. . The fight therefore becomes unavoidable and almost imposed. While some fights introduce interesting new mechanics, adding depth and variety to encounters, they sometimes drag on unnecessarily, which can break the pace and dull the intensity. This problem of excessive length is also found in certain other sequences of the game, weighing down the experience and slowing down progression.
Finally, for those nostalgic, the abandonment of the fixed camera marks a significant break with the original atmosphere. This type of camera, which could give the impression of being spied on by an invisible presence in the shadows, has been replaced by a more classic angle of view, typical of modern horror games like Alan Wake 2 or Resident Evil 4.
Regarding the playing timethe remake takes 15 to 17 hours to complete, which is double the time required to complete the original, which concluded in around 8 hours. The addition of new puzzles in addition to those completely redesigned from the original and the expansion of the areas to explore offer a further extension of the game time. New cutscenes also enrich the experience, bringing a new dimension to the game. history.
Finally, the soundtrackcomposed by Akira Yamaoka, retains the unique and distressing essence of the original while being enriched with new elements. Yamaoka, famous for his ability to mix disturbing and emotional atmospheres, returns with a reinterpretation of his own compositions. The music maintains its captivating atmosphere, with revisited iconic pieces and new tracks that amplify the immersion in the oppressive world of the city.
The end of the tunnel, the end of the mist
The remake of Silent Hill 2 asserts itself as a successful return for Konami’s cult horror franchise. Bloober Team’s work allows for an impressive modernization of the graphics while preserving the disturbing atmosphere that made the original game famous. Gameplay improvements, such as a reworked combat system and customization options, as well as extended playtime, allow players to rediscover the experience in a new light, while enriching the story with elements unpublished.
If the game aroused some apprehension before its release, it seems that the remake was able to meet players’ expectations while adding its own touch to this horror classic. With a generally positive reception, an impressive start and an updating of many elements, this remake manages to combine nostalgia and innovation. Silent Hill 2 thus succeeds in breathing new life into the franchise, while captivating both old fans and newcomers to this dark and psychologically intense universe. All we can do is hope to be able to benefit from the DLC of the original soon: Born from a Wishcentered on the character of Maria where the story takes place before the events of the game.
