Bloober Team’s 2024 “Silent Hill 2” is a remake of the critically acclaimed and genre-defining 2001 psychological horror game of the same name, and it’s better in almost every way than the original release.
The game’s plot follows James Sunderland as he travels to the mysterious and horrifying town of Silent Hill after receiving a letter from his deceased wife beckoning him to find her. The story remains almost entirely unchanged other than the movement of some locations and an increase in map size. All of the pivotal moments and terrifying set pieces remain in place and are even better than they were in 2001.
The largest changes from the original release are the camera, combat, and graphics. Each of these changes make the gameplay a lot smoother and much easier to pick up.
The fixed camera angles of the original release are removed in favor of a player-controlled, over-the-shoulder camera. This change really helps the game feel less dated. With the modernized camera changes comes an entirely new combat system that is mainly melee focused. The new combat is infinitely better than the original and makes an already stressful game even more tense.
The largest update of all is, of course, the graphics. They are a welcome change and maintain the tone that was in the original game, even elevating it during some parts. Something as simple as the fog is made 100 times more terrifying because it is no longer a system limitation, but an active part of every set piece.
The acting in the game is also fantastic. Luke Roberts’ performance as James Sunderland is one of the best of the year and really captures the complexities of the character. He is a great replacement of the original voice actor and does a lot for the character. The other performances by Salome Gunnarsdottir as Mary, Gianna Kiehl as Angela, Evie Templeton as Laura, and Scott Haining and Danny Kirrane as Eddie are all great as well and make each character feel real and grounded.
The bosses and enemies are also remade to fit the new combat and camera with great effect. The fights with classic enemies like Pyramid Head and the Mannequins are greatly improved by these new systems. The higher graphic fidelity also helps the symbolism of bosses and enemies come through better than the original as the character models are simply of higher quality.
Now for the most important part of the game: the horror. This is the single most terrifying game that I have played since 2017’s “Resident Evil 7: Biohazard.” This game, more so than the original, is a cycle of open air puzzles that are a little spooky, and pure terror in confined hallways. Each location, like the Woodside and Blue Creek Apartments, Brookhaven Hospital, Toluca Prison, and Lakeview Hotel, are all dark, grim, and absolutely frightening. There were many points in each of these locations where I was frozen in fear or had to turn off the game and take a break. The enemies are all fast and seeing their silhouettes in dimly lit hallways is anxiety inducing.
The “Silent Hill 2” remake is a testament to the ability of modern studios to make a game that stays true to the original while elevating it to new heights. In an era oversaturated with remakes of classic games, this one has set itself apart and stands near the top with the likes of 2020’s “Final Fantasy VII Remake” and 2023’s “Resident Evil 4” remake. If you want to experience a classic story in a modern way and are prepared for a truly terrifying experience, “Silent Hill 2” is a can’t-miss title.
At a glance:
Publisher: Konami
Developer: Bloober Team
Platform: Playstation 5, PC
ESRB Rating: M
Price: $69.99
My Rating: ★★★★½
