Silent Hill 2 is a legendary survival horror recreation and though many video games within the style have come and gone, none of them have reached the distinctive storytelling accomplishments the 2001 title managed to attain. So, when Konami introduced that they have been remaking the sport in a partnership with Bloober Staff, a studio that’s finest recognized for technically sound however finally middling horror experiences, I used to be greater than a bit uncomfortable.
I imply, why Konami would select Bloober Staff to helm a remake of a recreation that’s held so extremely by probably the most passionate followers of the franchise? It felt a wierd resolution again then. Nonetheless, after experiencing the sport myself, all my considerations have been laid to relaxation.
“Your entire solid of characters has been expertly portrayed by their proficient actors, bringing depth and nuance to every function and enhancing the emotional influence of the story.”
So, what occurs in Silent Hill 2? You tackle the function of James Sunderland, who involves the dreaded city of Silent Hill after receiving a letter from his spouse Mary. “What’s the large deal?” one could ask. Effectively, his spouse died from an sickness three years in the past. Out of intrigue and curiosity, James makes his technique to Silent Hill, solely to search out that it has been overrun by grotesque monsters that may solely be described as a nightmarish mix of human and horror.
However wait, he’s not alone. Alongside the way in which he meets a various solid of characters, every haunted by their very own traumas of the previous. Angela Orosco, for instance, has a painful previous of abuse and is usually proven to have confused feelings starting from being tense to getting indignant. Eddie Dombrowski, then again, tends to reside in isolation after struggling years of bullying. Then there’s Maria, who resembles James’ useless spouse. She is proven to be fascinating and far more astute than Mary, however let’s chorus from delving deeper into her character to keep away from spoilers for any newcomers.
The unique Silent Hill 2 was recognized for its distinctive voice performing, and I’m glad to report that the remake elevates that have even additional. Your entire solid of characters has been expertly portrayed by their proficient actors, bringing depth and nuance to every function and enhancing the emotional influence of the story.
I used to be significantly impressed with Gianna Kiehl’s portrayal of Angela; her vary of feelings whereas expressing the character’s deep-seated trauma was carried out with excruciating element. Luke Roberts and Salóme Gunnarsdóttir, portraying James and Mary/Maria respectively, additionally ship excellent performances that deeply enrich the story.
“What drives this story ahead, moreover the beautiful cutscenes and performances of its characters, is the completely good music by Akira Yamaoka.”
Silent Hill 2 was a daring recreation for its time and, in additional methods than one, was a commentary on how individuals endure and battle from numerous types of trauma and abuse. Due to expertly directed cutscenes and beautiful facial animations, the remake captures the essence of the unique’s themes, delivering the sort of emotional influence that hits all the best notes. The story stays trustworthy to the unique and in some ways I’m pleased that Bloober didn’t modify it. In case you have performed the unique, you’ll recognize that all the narrative parts are intact, whereas newcomers shall be enthralled and shocked with the sport’s daring storytelling.
What drives this story ahead, moreover the beautiful cutscenes and performances of its characters, is the completely good music by Akira Yamaoka. A variety of previous tracks have been remade and new ones have been added, which helps in additional immersing the participant into the expertise. There is no such thing as a denying that the unique soundtrack stays excellent until date however the brand new mixes will undoubtedly have their very own followers. It’s tough to find out which is healthier. Personally, I nonetheless desire the unique. That stated, that is on no account a shot towards the improved tracks for the remake.
On the gameplay entrance, the unique Silent Hill 2 used a hard and fast digital camera perspective, nonetheless, the remake options an over-the-shoulder perspective. I liked how the unique used its fastened digital camera angles to focus on vital moments within the story, however after experiencing the remake, I discover myself preferring the brand new digital camera system. The brand new angle permits for extra participating exploration of the environments, making the expertise really feel contemporary.
“James can even break by way of glass frames to find new areas, which can result in additional gadgets like syringes and ammo.”
It additionally helped me recognize the finer particulars that Bloober Staff has littered throughout the sport’s numerous environments. You may, as an example, additionally decide up objects of curiosity and study them from completely different angles, and the eye to element right here is excellent. Working on Unreal Engine 5, Silent Hill 2 Remake is nothing wanting a graphical powerhouse and a real current-gen visible showcase. Lined in a thick mist of fog, the sport’s setting immerses you in its dilapidated buildings, interiors which are full of grotesque imagery and unsettling sounds, and darkish hallways that may scare the dwelling daylights out of you. To see the unique tailored to such an intense stage of consideration to element is an astonishing expertise.
Silent Hill 2 Remake additionally retains its wonderful stage design and difficult puzzles. Staying true to its roots, a lot of its gameplay revolves round exploring the eerie corridors, discovering gadgets, preventing monsters, and uncovering the story. This makes Silent Hill 2 a slow-paced horror expertise that may take a look at your endurance, particularly when in comparison with different franchises that bombard you with weapons. Given the complicated stage design, exploration turns into an attractive expertise, particularly with the noticeable expansions in a number of places in comparison with the unique.
James can even break by way of glass frames to find new areas, which can result in additional gadgets like syringes and ammo. The expanded places and the elevated give attention to exploration contribute to an extended working time for the remake when in comparison with the unique. The 2001 model clocked in at round 8 to 10 hours; nonetheless the remake will take you round 20 hours. Thankfully, the remake maintains the unique’s tight pacing regardless of its longer runtime, and no sequence appears like a drag to play by way of.
“Whether or not you’re swinging a picket plank or stomping on a monster, melee fight feels extremely satisfying.”
The unique Silent Hill 2 wasn’t actually appreciated for its fight, and to be brutally sincere, it has now aged poorly. The remake, nonetheless, makes some noticeable enhancements on this division. The very very first thing you’ll discover is that James can now dodge. His melee assaults really feel impactful as you smack the hell out of the city’s grotesque monsters, which might additionally cleverly conceal themselves within the setting, virtually like they’re camouflaged.
Whether or not you’re swinging a picket plank or stomping on a monster, melee fight feels extremely satisfying. Gun fight, nonetheless, appears a tad underwhelming. I didn’t expertise the influence that normally comes together with such weaponry. The weapons do their job and that’s about it.
Along with the modifications in fight and expanded areas, Bloober Staff has additionally revamped the boss fights. Whereas I received’t go into a lot element, I can say that they’re a marked enchancment over the simple fights of the unique. The improved boss fights now incorporate a layer of technique, as a substitute of the unique’s strategy of mindlessly working round in a small room and taking pictures each time attainable.
“Silent Hill 2 Remake is a surprisingly superb remake.”
Silent Hill 2 Remake on the PS5 affords two graphical modes, with High quality and Efficiency. I skilled the sport on High quality mode, which will increase visible constancy and runs the sport at 30 frames per second. For probably the most half, efficiency was effective, though I did witness some body charge drops, however fortunately they have been extraordinarily uncommon. In the meantime, one other level to notice is that the sport doesn’t seamlessly transition from cutscenes to gameplay. Whereas this isn’t a dealbreaker, it’s a tad shocking that Bloober Staff neglected what’s a reasonably commonplace method, particularly given how they nailed the remake’s immersion think about different areas.
Silent Hill 2 Remake is a surprisingly superb remake. I shall be sincere, my expectations have been fairly low, given the developer’s observe report and the way Konami has actually accomplished nothing with IP within the final decade. The remake sticks very near its supply materials, but it surely additionally adapts itself for a contemporary viewers, because of its consideration to element, performing performances, expanded areas, and stellar storytelling. It additionally manages to look completely beautiful.
Silent Hill 2 was a triumph for the survival horror style in 2001. Twenty-three years later, Bloober Staff’s remake is a triumph once more. Silent Hill is again, and I can’t wait to see what course the subsequent potential remake will take.
This recreation was reviewed on the PlayStation 5.
