Bloober Team’s remake ofSilent Hill 2landed with a bang, not only proving that the often-maligned Polish studio has a wealth of talent and skill to draw on, but also giving hope to series fans who have spent years being disappointed by Konami’s handling of the property. With moreSilent Hillgames on the horizon, it will be fascinating to see how they turn out, now that a new gold standard has been set for the series.
Silent Hillhas been buffeted by a series of lackluster titles and questionable directorial decisions over the years, with most considering the franchise’s glory days to have concluded followingSilent Hill 3orSilent Hill 4. There were high hopes for a return to form withSilent Hills, a game meant to be led by both visionary director Guillermo del Toro and eccentric game designer Hideo Kojima, but Konami’s axing of that project effectively dragged fan expectations to a subterranean level. After years in limbo, with little more than themed pachinko machines to its name,Silent Hillis back thanks to theSilent Hill 2remake—whether the series can maintain this momentum moving forward is another question, though.
Silent Hill 2 Raises the Bar for Modern Silent Hill
The Silent Hill 2 Remake Starts This New Era With a Bang
Though it is certainly the series' most high-profile release in years,Silent Hill 2isn’t alone; there areseveral otherSilent Hillgames in development, including:
Silent Hill 2, aside from being polished and enjoyable to play, exemplifies the tense psychological horror and atmosphere that makesSilent Hillso special. Before its launch, modern audiences may not have associated such strengths with the franchise, as more recent releases, including theunderwhelmingSilent Hill: The Short Message, aren’t exactly the best showcases of these essential characteristics. Expectations are different now, though, and while the likes ofTownfallandSilent Hill fmay have previously been viewed with, at best, cautious optimism, they could very well enjoy a great deal of hype in the coming months. But, as anyone who follows the games industry already knows, hype can often be a double-edged sword.
Silent Hill’s Future Projects May Be Harder To Get Right
Bloober Team has displayed an abundance ofpassion and artistry with theSilent Hill 2remake, and that shouldn’t be minimized. Having said that, Bloober couldn’t have asked for a better starting point to work from, as the originalSilent Hill 2is still renowned as one of the most haunting, mature, and thought-provoking games of all time. Its narrative, atmosphere, creature design, music, and more still hold up today, and with access to Konami’s wealth of resources, Bloober Team was well-poised to deliver something special with the remake, especially when considering how much reverence it clearly has for the original game, as evidenced by its previous projects.
Moreoriginal and risky upcoming games likeSilent Hill fpresent a greater challenge in some ways. These titles are going out on a limb, not able to rely on nostalgia or an already-proven narrative that could be leveraged for success. In this way, they are also far more important for the future ofSilent Hill, as no franchise can subsist off remakes alone; sooner or later, fresh ideas need to be brought to the table.
TheSilent Hill 2remake, if nothing else, indicates that Konami is willing to trust studios to be creative and sophisticated with their development approach. It’s hard to know exactlywhat to expect from futureSilent Hillgames, but if they display at least the same level of passion and vision as theSilent Hill 2remake, then the franchise very well could be on the verge of a full-blown comeback.
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.
