Summary
Silent Hill 2 Remakeis one of the most anticipated upcoming remakes in recent memory. The 2001 original’s seminal psychological/survival horror experience set the tone and bar for a huge range of titles released in the genre since, andSH2’s legacy in it is well-established. Though various latter franchise entries weren’t as well received, andSilent Hillwas sometimes thought to have veered too far from its direction and identity in some of them, developer Bloober Team’s upcomingSilent Hill 2 Remakewill ostensibly be recapturing the essence and style ofSH2with modern values and sensibilities.
After a period of few updates, the first glimpse of theSilent Hill 2 Remakewas shown off in January of this year at the PlayStation State of Play. However, thereception of the firstSilent Hill 2 Remakegameplay revealwas less than encouraging due to the aspects it chose to highlight, in particular the combat mechanics versus its iconic characters and harrowing story. Now, with information pointing to a possible PlayStation Showcase happening soon in May, and theSilent Hill 2 Remakealso widely thought to be featured again if so, it might provide the right venue for Bloober Team and Konami to reassure fans concerned that the remake is going down the wrong path.
Whileneither a May PlayStation showcase norSilent Hill 2 Remake’s appearanceat it is officially confirmed as of writing, rumors and other insider information indicate that both may be likely.
Silent Hill 2 Remake Needs to Set its Story Straight if it Appears at the Rumored Sony Showcase
Silent Hill 2 Remake’s First Gameplay Trailer Didn’t Do It Any Favors
The first official look at theSilent Hill 2 Remakedidn’t leave the best impression. TheSH2 Remaketrailer seemed to heavily focus on its combat design and mechanics and while there wasn’t anything intrinsically wrong with these, the fact that the trailer appeared to emphasize those elements more than the revered story understandably caused a bit of a stir.
Bloober Team later responded to the reception of theSilent Hill 2 Remaketrailer, stating that it was Konami’s direction that influenced how and why the trailer was designed and marketed in such a way. But first impressions were set and the damage was done, leaving plenty of players initially wary ofSH2 Remake’s design and intentions.
Silent Hill 2 Remake Should Reassure Fans about Its Story/Characters at the Rumored Sony Showcase
Silent Hill 2is often pointed to as the best in the series due to its atmosphere, characters, and emotionally affecting plot, delving into and exploring mature themes and issues rarely seen before in gaming at the time. The remakethus has a lot to live up to in this area, and Konami and Bloober Team may be in for a rough roadif theSilent Hill 2 Remakedoesn’t hit its markwith players, whether they are returning fans or newcomers to the title who are aware of its reputation and are expecting an outstanding experience.
Should those elements be relegated to the background in favor of more action/combat comparable toResident Evil, it runs a high risk of alienating and displeasing audiences on both ends of theSilent Hillcommunity. Ifa May PlayStation event is happening withSilent Hill 2featured in it, it would probably be in the best interest to show off its other, more important facets—the characters and their arcs—that are the defining aspects ofSilent Hill 2.
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.
