Summary
Konami’s upcomingSilent Hill 2remake, coming by way ofThe Mediumdeveloper Bloober Team, is an interesting project to behold. While many view theSilent Hill 2remake as being akin to Capcom’sResident Evilremakes, there are many factors that distinguish it from other modern horror games, and it faces some unique challenges.
Spoilers ahead forSilent Hill 2.
Unlike an action-packed romp likeResident Evil, the originalSilent Hill 2is characterized by its psychological horror elements, which introduce a new dimension of discomfort while deepening the narrative.Silent Hill 2follows James Sunderland, a man in the throes of grief following the death of his wife. Upon receiving an inexplicable letter from her, he seeks her out in Silent Hill, where his psychological torment truly begins. It is in this town where he faces off against a number of disturbing threats, which all reflect some aspect of his psyche. These entities, including Pyramid Head, are vital to the story ofSilent Hill 2, and the remake needs to get them right.
The Silent Hill 2 Remake Needs to Stick the Landing with Nurses
Silent Hill 2 Is All About James Sunderland’s Psyche
Pyramid Head has long beenSilent Hill’s de-facto mascot, though this hasn’t exactly gone over well with fans of the franchise. Pyramid Head made his debut inSilent Hill 2, and the generally accepted interpretation is that he is a manifestation of James Sunderland’s grief. Pyramid Head exists as a result of James' intense shame and guilt, which force him to believe, perhaps only subconsciously, that he must be punished. This is why his repeated appearances in games and films without James are controversial.
The final twist ofSilent Hill 2reveals that, rather than simply dying naturally of her illness, James' wife Mary perished at her husband’s hands. There’s some room for interpretation here, as it’s suggested that Mary may have wanted this euthanasia, but it’s also made clear that James felt burdened by his invalid wife. Thus,Pyramid Head was created to represent James' internal conflict. But he isn’t the only notable symbol of his shame.
The blood-drenched, scantily-clad nurses ofSilent Hill 2are easily the series' most recognizable monsters behind Pyramid Head. While thenurses are definitely unsettling without knowledge ofSilent Hill 2’s story, their narrative context lends them a far more perverse and upsetting aspect.
Again, this is somewhat interpretable, but the general consensus is that these nurses represent James' sexual frustration and shame. Their sexualized appearance suggests that James may have been harboring erotic thoughts about the nurses working in the hospital where his wife was committed, and the fact that he entertained notions of infidelity during this difficult time is a severe source of guilt. Their covered faces and erratic movements are meant to symbolize Mary’s death by suffocation, as James smothered her with a pillow.
Earlyglimpses ofSilent Hill 2’s Bubble Head nursessuggest that they will be at least somewhat different in their design. Specifically, the remake’s nurses will be donning black stockings, whereas the original’s were not. Luckily, the general design seems mostly faithful to the original, retaining the incongruous sexual motifs and the head design that alludes to James' fatal decision with Mary. There’s even more reason to be hopeful, as Masahiro Ito, the art director for the originalSilent Hill 2, is coming back for the remake. This means that, at least from a visual standpoint, the Bubble Head nurses and other monsters will probably be properly realized. If Bloober Team can also properly contextualize them within the narrative, then they should live up to their unsettling legacy.
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.
