While what’s been revealed of theSilent Hill 2remake thus far has raised concerns among some fans regarding its faithfulness to the original, it still has the potential to lay the foundation for an era of the franchise’s redemption. The legacy of the acclaimed titles ofSilent Hill’s early days has endured for years beyond the releases of subsequent games which received far more mixed reception, and it seems that Konami is finally leaning into this through its focus on the most popular entry in the series. Even if combat or narrative presentation ends up falling short in some areas of theSilent Hill 2remake, sticking the landing overall could pave the way for the laterSHgames to follow its example.
The original Team Silent’s last project in the series wasThe Room, a game which itself has not been as highly regarded as its predecessors despite being largely made by the same people. After the IP was given to different studios, what many fans would count as theworst entries inSilent Hillfollowed until the series petered out into a long hiatus. Now that several upcoming titles are set to accompany the remake ofSilent Hill 2, however, these less-appreciated titles are arguably better candidates for the same treatment over the more popular choices.
Bloober Team’s Silent Hill 2 Remake Can Overcome Its Pre-Release Criticisms
The Disparity Between the Silent Hill 2 Remake’s Vision and Konami’s Marketing
The status ofSilent Hill 2as what many consider a great work of art makes it a questionable game to remake in the first place, and this has naturally led to much scrutiny being placed upon the developers behind it. After a controversial gameplay showcase received backlash, however,Bloober Team blamed Konamifor what was deemed a misrepresentation of the project’s intended feeling. Only time will tell whether it will live up to the atmosphere of the PS2 classic in its own way, as it seems clear that the studio has been well-aware of feedback throughout the months since the initial reveal.
With a story that is frequently ranked among the best within the medium of video games as a whole, changes to theSilent Hill 2remake’s gameplaywill serve to define how it is perceived relative to the high bar set by the original. This puts its developer in a tight position when it comes to meaningful creative decisions outside that area, but this process could also be done with far more freedom if the comparatively poorly receivedSHtitles are remade.
Future Remakes Could Mean Redemption for Silent Hill’s Weakest Entries
Narratives That Fans Aren’t as Attached to
While even minor alterations to the story of James Sunderland are likely to attract heavy pushback, fans aren’t nearly as passionate about the journeys of the likes ofSH’s Alex Shepherd or Murphy Pendleton. With titles likeHomecomingandOriginsbeing seen as formulaic and derivative when stacked up against the genre-defining successes of the second or third games, there is genuine room for improvement which offers a new studio far more flexibility than the pressure of handlingSilent Hill 2.
Room to Iterate on Survival Horror Gameplay
Considering that criticisms ranging fromHomecoming’s emphasis on stiff melee combat to the frustrating enemy AI ofDownpourhave marred the reputations of these titles since their launches, complete overhauls to these systems would make perfect sense in the case of remakes. Theclunky feeling ofSilent Hill 2is often said to complement its horror, but the same cannot be said for titles released years later which would only benefit from the refinement that being revisited could bring.
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.
