Reviving one of the most esteemed horror games in history isn’t an easy feat, but Bloober Team successfully captures the essence of the 2001 genre-defining classic.
Mark Delaney
Twitter on October 4, 2024 at 12:00AM PDT
Even with numerous recent triumphs in renovating classic horror games, one particular project stood out as an exceptionally intimidating, if not unachievable, endeavor: Silent Hill 2. Many consider this game to be the pinnacle of the survival-horror genre, characterized by its unique dreamlike ambiance, haunting symbolic monsters, and a suffocating atmosphere reminiscent of the town’s famed fog. Depending on whom you ask, Bloober Team has either been vying for control of this franchise or has been heavily influenced by it in their previous titles like Layers of Fear and The Medium. Now, collaborating with Konami, Bloober has crafted a remake of Silent Hill 2, resulting in a careful, affectionate, and visually stunning tribute to one of horror’s most impactful works.
Silent Hill 2 follows the story of James Sunderland, who ventures into the gloomy town of Silent Hill searching for his wife, Mary, who has sent him a letter pleading to meet again, despite having supposedly died three years earlier. Both James and the player are drawn into this classic horror narrative, where an amnesiac exists amidst horrifying creatures, soon revealing a series of surreal nightmares that intricately weave moods and aesthetics to provoke confusion and unease. This creates an experience that might feel nostalgic to gamers, primarily because the original Silent Hill 2 has been a significant reference point in the genre for over twenty years.
You need a JavaScript-enabled browser to watch videos.
Would you like us to remember this setting across all your devices?
By clicking ‘enter’, you agree to GameSpot’s
Terms of Use and Privacy Policy
Now Playing: Silent Hill 2 Remake Review – Born From A Wish
The town and its residents resemble the elements of a dream that one may only partially remember upon waking. Navigating through Silent Hill often challenges fundamental ideas about what a town truly represents, as demonstrated by the massive fences shrouded in filthy sheets that abruptly cut off certain streets. These barriers seem to exist to separate the town from the outside world, yet the dense fog envelops much of the area, creating an immediate and constant feeling that no other place can possibly exist.
It feels as if Silent Hill is not simply a location on a map, but rather a manifestation within one’s psyche, and the game skillfully plays with the ambiguity surrounding this notion. It dismisses conventional geometry in favor of crumbling hospitals, winding apartment complexes, and ancient prisons that, once entered, reveal themselves to be incredibly expansive, dark, transitional spaces. James finds himself unwelcome in this unsettling landscape, and even though any rational individual would choose to retreat, an inexplicable force of fate continually draws him deeper into the town at every juncture.
Discussions between James and fellow travelers lost within the fog of the town carry a surreal quality. This virtual ghost town is inhabited by only a few individuals, each seemingly drawn to the place instinctively, much like James himself. The things these people say often appear nonsensical to someone like him, a newcomer, or to the player experiencing the story alongside him. However, when James accepts their statements without question, it effectively distances you as the player. It’s a form of inverted dramatic irony; the characters seem to possess knowledge that you lack, but they’re not withholding it from you out of malice.
You’re not expected to fully comprehend it, at least not immediately or easily. Initial conversations highlight this peculiar aspect, and before you have a chance to figure out if you’re overlooking something, the game entangles you in its overarching mystery, similar to James’s own journey.
These dreamlike aspects of the town are elevated by an extraordinary soundtrack from longtime series composer Akira Yamaoka, who returned for this installment alongside several others from the original game. Yamaoka’s score is unforgettable, often juxtaposing beautifully crafted melodies with unsettling visual moments. Some tracks are poignant and gentle, yet become unsettling during darker sequences, such as when a seemingly orphaned young girl insists she knew Mary, and her increasingly accusatory tone contrasts strikingly with the serene music.
In the remake, Yamaoka has revisited several of the original soundtrack’s pieces, producing arrangements that are just as enchanting as before. Having listened to the original compositions numerous times, I recognized the variations right away, yet I found the new interpretations satisfying. The ever-present threat inherent in Silent Hill is accentuated by genuinely beautiful music, amplifying the town’s eerie nature. Like James, you find yourself grappling with your emotions and questioning everything you thought you understood. The sensation of being haunted shouldn’t feel so fragile, but time and again, Yamaoka achieves this remarkable equilibrium, akin to a siren’s song luring you towards a treacherous current.
It might appear excessive to delve deeply into the ambiance of the game, but understanding it is essential to grasp how successfully this remake has come together. The atmosphere of Silent Hill 2 was not only powerful in 2001; it was unparalleled, and since its release, it has inspired many imitations. Now, with Bloober Team’s remake, that unique feel has been flawlessly replicated. There was skepticism among players about whether the team could achieve this, as it seemed like a daunting challenge, yet Bloober Team has managed to recapture that elusive magic, much to the delight of horror enthusiasts everywhere, whether they anticipated it or not.
Beyond its haunting music, the sound design of the game is exceptional, lending significantly to its overall tension. It creates an atmosphere where the environment feels incomprehensible at times. The remake shifts away from the original’s static camera angles, opting for a modern over-the-shoulder perspective. This change could have diminished some of the frights if not handled carefully. However, the surroundings are filled with unsettling sounds—silent whispers, the grinding of metal, and the jarring noise of unearthly creatures—that keep you questioning what lies ahead at every turn.
Often, threats lurk nearby, but at other times, there are none to be found. This unpredictability disrupts any reliance on formulaic encounters. I vividly recall a moment when the ground trembled under the heavy footsteps of an invisible beast just outside the reach of my flickering flashlight while I attempted to solve a puzzle, expecting a boss battle to ensue. Ultimately, I never encountered the creature, whatever it may have been, but the buildup of suspense from that moment will stick with me far longer than any combat scenario could.
These fresh experiences are a hallmark of the Silent Hill 2 remake. Every corner of the town has been meticulously reimagined and often expanded upon, while still preserving the essence of the original game’s unforgettable settings. For those familiar with the original Silent Hill 2, the main story milestones reappear at familiar landmarks in this remake. The multiple endings from the original game also return, with similar yet somewhat ambiguous criteria for unlocking each one. However, Bloober Team has introduced two new endings and expanded the town’s layout significantly. While the original game took new players about eight hours to complete, the remake approximately doubles this time, offering a much larger experience than some might have expected, all the while maintaining a sense of fidelity to the original.
A significant portion of this expansion takes place within the game’s indoor settings, where Bloober Team confidently embraces the opportunity to elevate complexity and scale. James’s journey towards an unforgettable revelation unfolds both figuratively and literally. These environments, often characterized by endless chasms, dilapidated mazes, and, in one instance, an extraordinarily lengthy staircase, provide a fertile ground for innovative level design that isn’t possible in the earlier streets of the town. Those earlier avenues already challenge logic, yet the town’s various roads and structures, while feeling surreal at times, still maintain the appearance of a conventional town when viewed on a map within the game.
Whether indoors or outdoors, the maps are instrumental in enhancing the experience, building on the foundation laid by the original. James can jot down notes on his maps, incorporating puzzle solutions for quick reference. He also marks specific locations with question marks, indicating “go here next,” and uses exclamation points to highlight significant items to gather. Moreover, he circles previously locked doors once he acquires the means to access them.
This functionality makes the game’s many puzzles seem manageable, particularly as some are entirely new. Yet, even these enhancements present a roundabout and puzzling nature that is both satisfying and familiar to genre enthusiasts. For example, you may need to locate a can opener to access a can of red paint to dip a lightbulb, which then simulates a red light that reveals a hidden message on a mirror, ultimately allowing you to unlock a briefcase containing a key for another room in an expansive hotel. Experiencing games like this for review can be daunting before crowdsourced solutions become available online, but Silent Hill 2’s mapping system assisted me in navigating challenging sections with just the right amount of difficulty, ensuring I felt engaged without becoming overly frustrated.
Portions of gameplay that may have taken only 30 minutes in the original now last two to three hours due to the remake’s elaboration on various elements. This extended gameplay should not be viewed as mere filler. I seldom felt that any segment lingered excessively; only one later area felt protracted. Each remaining sequence expertly diversifies enemy encounters, introduces new puzzles, and offers players further opportunities to explore, rewarding them with items such as ammunition and health kits, along with a new collectible that I suspect is linked to one of the game’s new endings.
The remake enhances the combat experience compared to the original game. While the 2001 version’s combat was often clunky, it offered an essential aspect of unpredictability—this jankiness added to the tension as players navigated the game’s narrow passages. In the remake, Bloober Team successfully retains this crucial element, but with a more deliberate approach. The new version isn’t limited by the constraints of early-2000s hardware; combat is designed to align with the narrative rather than being challenging due to technological limitations.
Aiming your weapon proves to be a challenge, as the reticle moves just enough to ensure that lining up a shot is possible without making James feel overly competent. Some foes can be spotted in their hiding spots before they attack, yet they have a knack for lunging at the precise moment you plan to take a shot. Additionally, a rifle acquired later in the game requires a few moments for the reticle to stabilize, making a hasty shot often inaccurate. Conversely, waiting for it to settle can feel like an eternity as adversaries close in on you.
These aspects are highly appreciated—Silent Hill 2 now functions like a contemporary shooter, but the traits previously mentioned introduce a clunky element to James’s combat style. The protagonist isn’t a seasoned marksman, so he shouldn’t maneuver like characters from Call of Duty or Resident Evil. The combat in Silent Hill 2 feels rewarding, with strategies focusing on attempting to aim a precise shot rather than timing multiple shots. Encounters with enemies are methodical and tense. The shotgun discovered mid-game is the standout weapon, capable of quickly dispatching most foes—crucial in a game where even a pair of enemies can become overwhelming. Fortunately, it cannot be relied upon consistently, as ammunition is limited, especially if players stick strictly to the main route without exploring side areas.
Melee combat particularly excels. Enemies frequently invade James’s personal space, and his only defenses, apart from firearms, are a solid piece of lumber—which is later exchanged for a metal pipe—and a dodge mechanic that was absent in the 2001 version. This dodging ability complements the aggressive nature of the enemies, forcing players to learn their attack patterns and visual cues to stay on their feet.
As the play progressed, I became acutely aware of the mounting tension that the combat instilled in me. As I dodged, fired, swung my weapon, panicked in the heat of battle, and swung again, the camera remained close, trembling with each impact, allowing me to experience every strike. Taking down an enemy didn’t necessarily mean they were out of the fight; sometimes they would rise again. Early in my journey, I found myself relentlessly attacking defeated foes in what could only be deemed as overkill, ensuring they wouldn’t return to haunt me moments or even minutes later. This method became a staple for me. When I felt convinced that I had cleared a certain area of threats, I would often notice my breathing steadied and my shoulders less tense.
This sentiment was underscored during boss encounters, which cleverly provided no health bars or any overt cues other than granting you space to evade attacks, leaving you to decipher the rest on your own. While it could have easily led to frustration, for the bosses in Silent Hill 2, embracing the unknown was part of the experience. The solutions were rarely intricate, and that initial discomfort at the beginning became another testament to the unsettling atmosphere of enduring a nightmarish trial.
My only concern with the remake’s enhanced combat mechanics was the overwhelming abundance of ammunition—especially pistol ammo—and health items for those who meticulously searched every nook and cranny. I figured a more casual player might struggle with managing James’s inventory supply, but for those who spared no effort in their exploration, it was possible to end up with an abundance of ammo and health supplies.
It wasn’t always so uneven, but during two extensive segments of the game, I amassed a triple-digit count of pistol rounds and over twenty health kits, which is quite excessive by the standards of any survival-horror title, and it certainly felt that way here. To its merit, I did eventually expend most of that ammunition in boss confrontations shortly thereafter, yet I completed the game without experiencing a single death. My 18-hour adventure on normal difficulty remained steeped in tension throughout; although I never faced a game-over screen, my numerous near-misses provided ample thrill, perhaps even more satisfying than having to restart any part of the game. Should I take on hard difficulty runs or if future patches adjust inventory and combat balance, this issue might eventually resolve itself.
One of the remarkable achievements of this game is how it translates the original’s grime, grit, and decay into a visually stunning experience that remains unpolished. The enemies, including the infamous nurses that James encounters in a hospital segment, retain their grotesque appearance, with sickly oil-like textures and eerily featureless faces, their distorted skin seemingly stretched like a poorly fitted bedsheet. The enigmatic Otherworld that James sometimes enters continues to be just as oppressive and menacing as it was back in 2001.
The low-fidelity PS2 aesthetic that defined the game in its original form has transformed into a nostalgic beacon for indie developers who grew up playing classics like those from Konami. This artistic direction brings an intriguing quality that is challenging to articulate and arguably more captivating than the typical high-budget visuals. Nonetheless, the remake enhances the experience with improved facial animations, superior voice acting, and a more intricately designed world. These improvements amplify the emotional impact of the game’s renowned and frequently analyzed concluding moments, even when the outcome is known in advance. Both versions coexist, excelling in similar aspects but often for different reasons.
The original Silent Hill 2 is celebrated as one of the most cherished, culturally significant, and overall best horror games ever created. It seemed challenging to recapture the magic of that title without recognizing the impact of its era and how its constraints ultimately contributed to its success. Any studio taking on such a project faced a daunting task, perpetually trying to grasp its essence, much like a moth caught in a torn net. However, by remaining faithful to the original in crucial aspects and boldly taking calculated risks based on a deep understanding of the source material—with support from some of the original creators—Bloober Team has achieved what many deemed nearly impossible. The remake of Silent Hill 2 is a relentless dream turned reality.
