Silent Hill 2 – Silent Hill welcomes guests again. Review

Played on PC

Two years ago, Konami announced the return of Silent Hill with fanfare. There were five games in the works, one way or another related to the foggy town. This news was not received with enthusiasm – the reputation of the Japanese publisher has long been bursting at the seams, and all the projects presented raised questions. The first releases only increased doubts that Silent Hill could return in earnest and for a long time. The Short Message turned out to be little more than a free teaser that tried to play on the same field as P.T. (but worse). Interactive Ascension did not live up to even the weakest works of Supermassive Games. Many were already mentally prepared to bury the remake of Silent Hill 2. But that was not the case.

Some episodes have changed, others are staged frame by frame following the original source

⇡#This city is not a fairy tale, and far from a dream

Once upon a time, James and Mary Sunderland spent a wonderful vacation in Silent Hill. Unfortunately, Mary died of illness three years ago. And yet James received a letter from his wife. She is waiting for her husband in their special place. Where he promised to bring them again, but never fulfilled his promise. This preamble is familiar to almost every video game fan. The Silent Hill 2 remake follows the story very closely, starting with the frame-by-frame opening scene.

James looks wearily at his reflection in a dirty public toilet. His gaze is hidden in the shadows. A viscous, melancholic melody flows. Akira Yamaoka has re-recorded familiar tunes in a new arrangement, and his music is just as captivating as it was twenty years ago. James goes outside. A charming view of the forest, shrouded in foggy haze, opens up. Behind it is Silent Hill. Is Mary really waiting there? Both the protagonist and the player will ask this question more than once throughout the journey.

The locations of the original game are unmistakably recognizable, and sometimes recreated down to the last detail. But the remake allows you to look at familiar places from a different angle – the fixed camera has given way to a free view and a third-person view. There is a lot to admire here. Yes, Unreal Engine 5 is known for certain problems and high requirements, but it also provides adequate picture quality. In addition, Bloober Team managed to get their hands on working with the engine in the collection of updated Layers of Fear.

Silent Hill is beautiful in its melancholy

The fog that shrouded the city is the hallmark of the series, and the authors put a lot of effort into its implementation. They can be rightfully proud of the result. No one in the industry did such an effect better. A milky haze spreads across the asphalt and pavements, enveloping advertising signs, traffic lights and cars. The fog either parted under the sun’s rays, showing the historical buildings of the city in all its glory, or, swirled by gusts of wind, closed a step away from James, hiding all the horrors until the very last moment.

The artists did an amazing job on the Dark World as well. They abandoned the spectacular transition between dimensions in real time, like in the films or Homecoming. Of course, the crumbling finish, rust and rot creeping onto the walls look impressive, but the Silent Hill 2 remake adheres to the Team Silent style. The otherworldly Silent Hill draws James in subtly and less dramatically than in the original. Bloober Team works more subtly, using techniques familiar from the same Layers of Fear.

Many paths are initially closed, and in order to advance to Mary, you need to find many keys and solve a dozen tricky puzzles (however, as in the old parts, the difficulty of the puzzles can be chosen). Therefore, while exploring an abandoned hospital or an empty high-rise building, you will run through all the rooms and corridors more than once or twice. And with every step that brings James closer to his late wife, the environment changes subtly. And it’s even difficult to say what exactly. Was the wallpaper in the lobby torn off? And the windows in the reception area didn’t seem to be boarded up… And so, once again leaving the elevator, you find yourself in some kind of creepy labyrinth made of flesh and chain-link.

Each boss battle is now a unique episode with multiple phases. Much more interesting than running from corner to corner

The oppressive atmosphere is complemented by incredible sound design. In quiet moments, the silence is broken only by the hero’s booming steps: a ringing clatter along the road, splashing through a puddle, or the creaking of wooden floorboards. But the more we are drawn into the Dark Dimension, the more ominous noise and hum begins to oppress. From around the corner comes a barely noticeable whisper or an eerie scream. Someone’s disgusting slurping or suspicious stomping. The last time Dead Space did such a delicate job with sound.

⇡#Once caught in his web, you are lost forever

In the first half of the game, we can explore the streets of Silent Hill relatively calmly. Its design is almost exactly the same as the original. It’s as if the city was populated just yesterday. There are still cups of drinks on the cafe tables; someone left a note about an important meeting. But this hardly surprises James. He must find a “special place”, and everything else is secondary. Like in a bad dream, you are not surprised by strange things. But you are afraid of monsters…

At the same time, the creators slyly wink at fans of the original. Remember the first skirmish with the Lying Figure? The authors remember, so they will leave an Easter egg in this place. “When will James have to face the monsters of Silent Hill?” – the player can only wonder. Such decisions, coupled with the general closeness to the original, allow us to surprise fans as well. After all, everything is so familiar. But is everything in the same place…

Scenes that were changed or cut remain references for fans

The authors not only play with expectations, but also contribute to the overall story. Don’t worry, the writers didn’t take any liberties. Before us are still touching and poignant stories about love and hate, sins and redemption. The narrative has become a little more harmonious, but has not lost its phantasmagoric feeling.

Angela and Eddie – another guests of Silent Hill – still behave mysteriously, in their own minds. Their lines also underwent slight adjustments. Skillful acting coupled with modern technology gave them life. The sharp change in intonation perfectly fits the mood on the verge between dream and reality. James himself is especially good – Luke Roberts, who gave the protagonist his voice, face and movements, simply must receive at least a nomination at the Game Awards. The facial animation is also good, thanks to which all emotional changes are perfectly played out with facial expressions. And sometimes words are not even used to convey feelings: be it Maria’s sly smile, the mischievous sparkle in Laura’s gaze, or the grin that slipped across Eddie’s face.

Bloober Team, with love and great respect for the original source, retells a familiar story, but carefully and harmoniously complements it with its own ideas. It expands the narrative a little, cuts out or replaces some moments, but remains entirely true to the original vision of Team Silent. Apart from fights with monsters, they had to be remade from scratch in any case. But the new mechanics still reference the original.

The blows feel juicy, and enemies are covered in injuries and blood

Faced with the first enemy, James grabs a stick with nails that comes to hand. At first you will have to fight exclusively in close combat. There aren’t many opportunities. The protagonist is not a warrior (neither in life nor in fantasies), so he slightly clumsily swings an improvised mace and tries to jump away from danger, as any person would do. Over time, the arsenal will be replenished with a pistol, a shotgun and a hunting rifle, but that’s all. No leveling up, special skills or other modern trends.

James is also not an outstanding shooter. The barrel moves from side to side, and for an accurate shot you need to aim well. Although there is enough ammunition scattered around the surrounding area, even with accurate shooting, the monsters do not die immediately, and there are not enough bullets for everyone. Therefore, you will have to combine melee and ranged combat – and this transition through dashes away from danger feels smooth and natural. Surprisingly, Bloober Team made battle mechanics for the first time in their careers, and it turned out better than in the similar dynamics of The Callisto Protocol from people seemingly knowledgeable in this matter.

The enemies are frisky – to win, you must not lose concentration, otherwise you will miss the deceptive attack of a mannequin or a sudden blow from a twitchy nurse. At the same time, the protagonist, although slightly awkward, responds responsively to the player’s commands, so that the battles are kept in suspense, captivating, and not annoying. Yes, Silent Hill 2 was never about fighting monsters in the literal sense. But now the battles successfully complement the gameplay without losing the nerve. This is Homecoming done right.

Love for the original source in every frame

The only thing in which the remake could not surpass or even come close to the original was its delicate balance without a single superfluous element. Silent Hill 2 by Bloober Team still feels overly drawn out in several episodes. Shorten a couple of locations – she would only benefit. But I want to believe that this is out of great love – the authors just wanted to stay in Silent Hill for at least a minute longer.

* * *

Bloober Team still managed to fulfill James’ promise and returned us to Silent Hill. That same foggy city, at the same time terribly frightening and bewitchingly beautiful, that a whole generation of players fell in love with. Konami, please don’t let that spark die out again.

Advantages:

• A new opportunity to enjoy one of the best video game stories;
• Atmospheric and technological picture;
• Simple, but thoughtful and refined combat system;
• Outstanding sound design.

Disadvantages:

• Several episodes are still dragging.

Graphic arts

Gorgeous detailed picture and excellent implementation of the series’ signature fog – Silent Hill has never been so beautiful.

Sound

The game world breathes, wheezes, creaks and growls. Akira Yamaoka’s timeless score is still beautiful in this new remastering. The actors fit perfectly into the mood and general atmosphere.

Single player game

A familiar story began to sparkle with new colors. A leisurely plunge into an atmosphere of despair is diluted with interesting riddles and intense battles.

Estimated time of completion

From 14 to 18 hours, depending on the complexity and desire to explore the foggy city inside and out

Collective game

Not foreseen.

General impression

A wonderful remake and at the same time a declaration of love to a cult classic.

Rating: 9.0 / 10

More about grading system

Video: