Summary
One of the major concerns about theSilent Hill 2remake before it was even announced — back when it was just a thought experiment as Capcom started to modernise the classicResident Evilgames — was whether you could still capture the unnerving and voyeuristic feel without tank controls.
Many agreed that you couldn’t, and some even said thatthey missed tank controlsin modern games. Indies likeCrow Countryand Alisa, styled on the PS1 and PS2 eras, pay homage to where survival horror began, giving those fans the option all these years later. But original Silent Hill 2 director Masashi Tsuboyama himself is “not satisified” with the old school approach.
“The change in playable camera has a significant impact on many aspects, combat, level design, art creation, etc. While the impact on the story may be relatively small, it brings a big change to the play feel of the game,” Tsuboyama tweeted. “To be honest, I’m not satisfied with the playable camera from 23 years ago.
“Depth and angle were limited by the processing load. It was a continuous process of hard work that was not rewarded. But that was the limit. The over-the-shoulder view definitely adds to the sense of realism. In other words, it makes me want to try playing the even more immersive remake of Silent Hill 2!!!
Tsuboyama Is Excited For A New Generation To Try Silent Hill
A modern, third-person camera will definitely make Silent Hill 2 more welcoming to newcomers, which is something that Tsuboyama is especially excited for with the new Bloober Team remake.
“I think the value of the remake is that a new generation can play it,” he wrote. “It’s been 23 years! Even if you don’t know the original, you’re able to just enjoy the remake as it is. Whether it’s good or bad doesn’t affect the original.”
However, Tsuboyama isn’t too fond of how the remake has been marketed, arguing that the updated graphics and bonus headgear in particular don’t do enough to “convey the appeal of the work to the generation that doesn’t know Silent Hill”.
Regardless, he’s excited to get stuck in for himself and try the remake out, which we can all do tomorrow when it launches out of advanced access.
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.
