Summary
Bloober Team’s remake ofSilent Hill 2has been met with equal fear and excitement, as fans still herald this title as one of the greatest games in the survival horror genre. Its tragic story of grief, loss, and guilt is told artfully throughout the game, and the monster design is second to none.
With a few psychological games in their portfolio, Bloober Team should be able to create a successful remake that builds upon the original, enhancing the beloved game. But there are definitely some elements of the original that are a must.
1The Historical Society
The Most Bizarre And Terrifying Location In The Game
Most fans will remember locations such as the hotel and apartments when thinking back to their playthrough ofSilent Hill 2, but the Historical Society is undeniably one of the most important locations in the game and is a part that Bloober Team must get right for their remake.
Players will descend into darkness and madness as they walk down a set of dark stairs that seemingly stretch on for eternity, and then down several holes. Theentire scenario is unsettlingand surreal and by far one of the most memorable.
2Multiple Endings
Various Endings Have Become A Silent Hill Staple
It might come as a surprise to people who are not familiar with the game, butSilent Hill 2hasmultiple endingsplayers can acquire through their actions, and items that can be found hidden across the world. The game had a total of seven endings which can be achieved by completing certain tasks while avoiding others. Most players were probably not even aware of these endings during their first playthrough and got their specific ending purely by coincidence.
By far, the dog ending became the most popular, as it was revealed the entire game was just a simulation run by an adorable Shiba Inu, adding a moment of astonishment and levity following an emotional game. Adding in all of these conclusions is a must, as the pattern of multiple endings has carried on throughout the series.
3The Side Characters
The Additional Characters Are An Integral Part Of James' Journey
James seemingly isn’t the only person in Silent Hill, as he will encounterother characterssuch as Angela, Laura, Eddie, and Maria throughout his adventure, all with their distinct personalities and stories, with only Laura being a real person. Eddie, Angela, and Maria are all manifestations, but that doesn’t mean they lack the same importance as James or Laura.
As such, all of these side characters are a must for the remake, and it is up to Bloober to successfully recreate them.
4The Puzzles
Solving Puzzles Is An Important Gameplay Element
Alongside defeating monsters and navigating the maps,puzzles are another all-importantgameplay mechanic, with many challenging the player to figure out the solution. They help to break up the combat and exploration, keeping the game fresh and interesting.
As such, it is integral that most if not all the puzzles are migrated to the remake, as each one was a fun and unique challenge. The remake trailer revealed that the “Free the Innocent Man” puzzle is going to be part of the game, so there are high hopes for the others as well.
The Fleeting Glimpse Was As Impactful As It Was Terrifying
All who have playedSilent Hill 2will recall that fateful moment in the Otherworld version of Bluecreek apartments, where they approached a gate blocking one of the passageways to see a roughly humanoid creature with a giant red pyramid where a head should be. There was no great swelling orchestra, no cinematic cutscene, and no cheap jumpscare. Just the vision of this horrifying creature, separated from the player by only a few flimsy metal bars.
The simplicity of this moment did nothing to lessen the fear it struck in the hearts of players, and helped compound the message Pyramid Head isa threatening and terrifying creature. Bloober Team should include this encounter in the remake exactly as it is in the original, as it works perfectly.
6Mary’s Letter
The Letter Is By Far The Most Important Item In The Game
The entire reason James traveled to Silent Hill in the first place is because he received a letter from his dead wife asking him to come and meet her, and thus the horrors commenced. The letter in question is an actual in-game item that is stored in the players' inventory, which players can choose to read for themselves in its entirety if they wish.
The letter is also read out in certain endings of the game, which is atragic and heartbreaking scene. The letter itself is perfect, as though it came from the hands of a dying woman battling with a terminal illness and the loss of her husband’s affections, and should be added to the remake exactly as it was in the original.
7The Videotape
The Item That Revealed The Truth Is A Must-Have
There aren’t that many obvious hints about the truth surrounding James, Mary, and what happened to her in the game, but the subtly is all foregone in favor of ashocking revelationrevealed when watching the all-important videotape found in the Lake View Hotel.
The tape seems innocuous enough at first, showing James recording Mary during a moment of peace before she exhibits signs of her illness, and then the tape goes on to show the unfortunate fate of Mary at the hands of her husband, forcing James to confront his guilt. Though it is often said that subtlety is how all good stories should be told, the shock factor of this revelation was an important moment for both the players and the character to experience and is a necessity for the remake.
