Silent Hill 2 Review

A Deeply Unsettling Return (kind of) to Silent Hill

Cards on the table… Prior to this purchase, I had never played a Silent Hill game before. I can vividly recall playing a demo of the original, it was on a CD that came with the Official UK Playstation Magazine (I’m showing my age by admitting this!). I was a veteran of Resident Evil and Resident Evil 2, so what horrors could possibly be too much for me? Well it turns out, Silent Hill had exactly those horrors… scary pixels. It was turned off pretty damn quick.

With the release of this remake I decided to take the plunge once again. Surely the interim 25(!) years since I tried the demo would have steeled me for this shiny new version of the sequel? So it was that I approached the remake of Silent Hill 2 with a mix of anticipation and trepidation. Would this reimagining capture the essence of the original while offering a fresh perspective for newcomers like myself? The answer, thankfully, is a resounding yes. Bloober Team has crafted a chilling and psychologically disturbing experience that stands as a powerful entry point into this iconic horror franchise.

Unease in the Fog: Atmosphere and Environment

From the moment you step into the fog-shrouded town of Silent Hill, a palpable sense of unease sets in. The visual design is fantastic, with incredibly detailed environments brought to life making full use of the Unreal Engine. Whilst exploring the dilapidated streets, venturing into eerie apartment complexes, or navigating the haunting corridors of Brookhaven Hospital, I found the atmosphere engrossing and almost suffocating (in a good way), it is thick with dread.

The sound design is equally impressive and plays a crucial role in building the unsettling atmosphere. The almost constant presence of fog creates a sense of claustrophobia, limiting visibility and leaving you vulnerable to the horrors that lurk within. The radio you acquire early on emits a piercing static whenever an enemy is nearby. This instantly put me on edge and turned even the most mundane exploration into a tense experience. It's a brilliant mechanic that keeps you constantly on your toes. The soundtrack, composed by Akira Yamaoka, who worked on the original game, is a chilling blend of industrial sounds, unsettling melodies and discordant notes that perfectly complement the disturbing visuals.

A Descent into Darkness: Story and Characters

Silent Hill 2 tells the story of James Sunderland, a man drawn to the town by a letter from his deceased wife, Mary. What starts as a search for answers quickly spirals into a psychological nightmare as James confronts the darkness within himself and the twisted reality of Silent Hill. The story really hits all the themes you might expect in a psychological horror: grief, guilt, repressed trauma. They are all there in the game and covered with unsettling depth.

I definitely felt that the original game's script feels somewhat dated, the cinematic direction and powerful performances from the new voice cast really elevate the story telling. The characters you encounter, from the mysterious Maria to the deeply troubled Angela, add further layers of complexity and unease to the narrative. There’s a deep understanding of the source material on show here, preserving the unsettling nature of these characters while adding a new layer of emotional depth.

The game does not shy away from exploring difficult subjects such as bullying, sexual violence, and trauma. For me, it handles these topics with remarkable care and nuance. The horror in Silent Hill 2 is not merely about jump scares or grotesque monsters (although there are plenty of both); it's about the darkness that resides within the human psyche, and that's what makes it truly disturbing.

A Test of Wits: Puzzles and Combat

I really enjoyed the puzzles in Silent Hill 2 Remake. They offer a satisfying blend of challenge and clever design. It’s fair to say some gamers may find them obtuse, particularly those accustomed to more hand-holding in modern games. However, they are rarely unfair and often require you to pay close attention to your surroundings and the clues scattered throughout the environment. The puzzles are varied and I often felt a deep sense of accomplishment when I had solved them with no outside assistance.

While Silent Hill 2 is primarily a psychological horror experience, combat does play a role, albeit a less central one. The combat system has been modernised, offering a more fluid over-the-shoulder perspective compared to the fixed camera angles of the original. The gunplay, while satisfyingly impactful, definitely felt somewhat clunky at times, especially when facing multiple enemies in tight spaces. Melee combat, using weapons like a wooden plank or a lead pipe, is equally visceral but can be frustrating due to the somewhat stiff controls.

The combat’s difficulty is adjustable, allowing you to tailor the experience to your preference. While the “Light” setting offers more resources and makes encounters less punishing, those seeking a greater challenge can opt for “Standard” or “Hard”. While the combat definitely isn't the game’s strongest point, the overall sense of vulnerability and the grotesque designs of the enemies ensure that every encounter is tense and memorable.

A Haunting Masterpiece

So, have I managed to exorcise the demons of that age old Silent Hill demo which haunted my youth? Yes.. I think so. Silent Hill 2 is a remarkable reimagining of a horror classic. It is not without its flaws, particularly the sometimes-clunky combat, but the masterful atmosphere, deeply unsettling story, and cleverly designed puzzles make it a must-play for fans of psychological horror. I think Bloober Team deserve the plaudits they have received for the remake and they have proven themselves more than capable of handling this beloved franchise. Silent Hill 2 Remake is a chilling and unforgettable journey into the darkest corners of the human psyche and I highly recommend it.