Summary
Finally laying to rest years of debate among fans,Silent Hill 2art director Masahiro Ito has confirmed that Pyramid Head’s design is not a creation of protagonist James Sunderland’s mind but is instead an image from a painting brought to life.Silent Hill 2players have long pondered whether the horrifyingly iconic appearance of Pyramid Head was from the mind of James or if it had a more complex origin, the latter of which has now been confirmed by the creature’s creator.
First released in 2001,Silent Hill 2is widely considered to be one of the greatest survival horror games of all time, due in large part to the mind-bending psychological storytelling and grotesque yet memorable enemies. With thesuccess of theSilent Hill 2remakereigniting interest in the community, many have been pleased to receive an answer to one of the longest-standing questions about Pyramid Head.
InSilent Hill 2, players lead James through the titular town in search of his deceased wife as he battles against abstract monsters. While exploring the town, James stumbles upon the paintingMisty Day, Remains Of The Judgementin theSilent Hill Historical Societybuilding. For years, fans have debated whether the painting, which depicts the terrifying Pyramid Head, was real in the town of Silent Hill or simply a distorted image created by the Otherworld. To settle this debate, Pyramid Head’s original designer, Masahiro Ito, has confirmed viaTwitterthat the painting really exists in the town of Silent Hill. Whether the painting depicts an actual historical executioner of the town or a twisted fantasy created by the in-game painter remains unconfirmed, but it does give fans a unique insight into why James repeatedly encounters Pyramid Head in Silent Hill.
Based on the confirmation from Ito, fans have begun speculating that perhaps James had seen the painting during his previous visit to Silent Hill with his wife Mary. Many believe that James' guilt may have manifested a living version of thePyramid Head execution figurehe saw in the painting, thus explaining how the creature was in a real painting in Silent Hill and chasing after James in the Otherworld. Audiences remain uncertain about whether Pyramid Head could appear as an antagonist to anyone besides James, but if the monstrous executioner exists within the real realm ofSilent Hill, then it may be possible for others to bring the punisher to life as well.
Pyramid Head remains one of the most iconicenemies in theSilent Hillfranchise, so it should come as no surprise that the creature’s origins are as mysterious as the town itself. With more players now venturing into the fog ofSilent Hill 2, discussions surrounding the twisted complexities of the story and monsters continue to captivate fans.
Silent Hill 2
WHERE TO PLAY
Investigating a letter from his late wife, James returns to where they made so many memories - Silent Hill. What he finds is a ghost town, prowled by disturbing monsters and cloaked in deep fog. Confront the monsters, solve puzzles, and search for traces of your wife in this remake of SILENT HILL 2.High-end Graphics and SoundWith ray tracing and other cutting-edge technical enhancements, the world of SILENT HILL and its unsettling ambiance is even realer than before.And with the inclusion of new, immersive soundscapes, you’ll feel like you’re standing in the thick of it.Larger EnvironmentsExplore locations and buildings that were once inaccessible, or are newly added in the remake. Enjoy the same acclaimed story, even while you experience the town of Silent Hill with fresh eyes across an expanded map.Over-the-shoulder CameraThe remake moves from the original’s fixed-camera viewpoints to an over-the-shoulder perspective, putting you closer to what James sees, for a more thrilling, more immersive experience as you explore the town and come face-to-face with monsters.Evolved Combat GameplayFamiliar weapons like the steel pipe and handgun make their return, but now with an updated combat system. Avoid attacks with carefully timed dodges, aim down sights, and more, making monster encounters more engaging and nerve-wracking than ever.
