Gamers are hypocrites when it comes to remakes and remasters. We constantly critique developers and publishers in the triple-A landscape for refusing to try something new or give way for innovation, yet we are also such transparent slaves to our own nostalgia.
The past few years alone have seen beloved revivals ofResident Evil 4,Dead Rising,Dead Space,Mass Effect,Persona 3, and countless more I haven’t listed here. Some of these products are more basic remasters that remain faithful to the title it spruces up, while others are comprehensive, from the ground-up remakes that feature not just enhanced visuals, but completely remade gameplay mechanics, expanded stories, and a creative vision that embraces all manner of modern tendencies. But they are still things we have seen before, albeit in a different form that exudes an aura of comforting familiarity.
Just to let you know I’m not playing Silent Hill 2 Remake. Don’t expect any coverage of that game from me.
— Suzi Hunter (@TheSphereHunter)July 16, 2025
Over this past weekend, YouTuberSphereHunterconfirmed that she won’t release any content for the upcoming Silent Hill 2 remake, at least not on the review embargo. The reason for this is that she has become “extremely disillusioned” with remakes and remasters, and believes that video games should be taking risks and exploring new ideas instead of constantly pilfering from the past. I’m on her side here, but many have called SphereHunter a hypocrite because she has heaped praise upon these exact experiences in the past.
Some have pointed to reviews of Resident Evil 4 Remake and a few other videos as concrete proof that they can’t possibly have a different view onSilent Hill 2. That because you loved Capcom’s near flawless revival a few years ago, your views cannot be swayed. This doesn’t make any sense, since the finest critics understand that our views change over time, and that we have the capacity to love something and recognise its level of craft, but also acknowledge the purpose it serves contributes to something negative.
Capcom knocked it out of the park with Resident Evil 4 Remake, while Square Enix is doing fantastic things with the ongoing Final Fantasy 7 trilogy (itself far more ambitious than a regular remake like Silent Hill 2). But separate that from our collective enjoyment and think about what these games actually represent, how many years they take to create, and what might have surfaced in their place if new ideas were given a chance. It’s admirable of SphereHunter to draw a line in the sand and declare they would rather be focusing their critical influence on other places.
They save special mention for Alan Wake 2 and Signalis, two horror titles from recent years that are unflinchingly original in both their narrative and mechanics, and have developed so many passionate fans because they aren’t afraid to try something new. Signalis is a Resident Evil-inspired sapphic horror set in a ruined complex filled with demons both mental and physical, while Alan Wake 2 takes the dormant franchise and pushes every boundary it possibly can. SphereHunter would rather champion the likes of Slay The Princess, Dredge, or Inscryption than the same blockbusters being brought back to life over and over again.
We are going to one day reach a fever pitch of remakes and remasters where the medium will run out of nostalgia to abuse, or it will reach a plateau where the commercialisation with which our memories are taken advantage of is plain to see. Taking risks in triple-A gaming is harder and harder these days when things take so long and cost so much to make, meaning you would rather bankroll a familiar brand than risk bankruptcy on a new idea. But in the four years it took to create something like Silent Hill 2, new stories and characters and worlds could have existed in my place. But companies need to make money, and capitalism thrives on the familiar.
Older gamers are reliving the same stories over and over again, while the new generation is continually treated to revivals of classics they never played, told these are the finest gaming will ever be because decades ago they helped lay the foundations. SphereHunter is standing up in defiance of this future. They aren’t a hypocrite, they’re just smart enough to see that you can love something, but still acknowledge its problematic nature enough to let it go, or decide that your time is better spent lifting other, more original and innovative efforts.
Working in video games, you often have no choice but to engage with the latest titles - even if they are just revivals of classics we’ve seen time and time again. SphereHunter reminds everyone how we are constantly told that a successful remake or remaster would result in new titles in a dormant franchise, or a new game entirely by the same creators. But how often is this really the case, or is it merely a way for developers and publishers to get our valuable money before going back on their word? The proof is in the pudding, and our plates look real empty.
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.
