Summary
We recently got our best look atSilent Hill 2 Remakeyet, thanks to a new gameplay stream froma Japanese YouTube channel called 2 Bros Entertainment. In this stream, we got to see the first 90 minutes of the game, a closer look at the titular town,a small alteration to the game’s iconic red square save points, and a heck of a lot of combat.
However, Silent Hill fans were very quick to notice that some things seem a little off in this remake, and a popular fan theory that Silent Hill 2 Remake is actually a secret sequel that builds on the original game’s Maria ending appears to have been strengthened.
For those that aren’t aware, the Maria ending in Silent Hill 2 has James given into his ignorance and leaving Silent Hill with Maria, a figment of his subconscious. In this ending, we can hear Maria cough as they leave, suggesting Maria will die like James' first wife Mary did and that the game is actually a loop.
Firstly,a Twitter user called Bobvids spotted two new notesthat were shown off in the stream that aren’t in the original Silent Hill 2. These notes appear to be written by the original James Sunderland, which can be gleaned due to likely references of Eddie, Maria, and Pyramid Head, while the very similar handwriting is also a giveaway.
Silent Hill 2 Remake Has Strange Callbacks To The Original Game
Another Twitter user called Redrum_Dum_Dumalso notices something rather strange that happens when the player in the stream visits the location in which James meets his first monster in the original game. At the 35-minute mark in the stream, we can see the player interacting with the barricade outside a tunnel.
In the original game,James climbs through and meets his first enemy. In the remake, we can see the camera pan out quite far, a little musical sting can be heard, and what appears to be static can be seen around the sides of the screen. It’s clearly a callback to the scene in the original, though it could also be something more if this secret sequel fan theory is correct.
Adding to this, we know thatJames has been aged up a little for the remake, and we also know thatthe game is twice as long as the original, though we’re not sure exactly why. Either way, we won’t know for sure what Bloober Team is cooking until we can play the game for ourselveson October 8.
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.
