Enter the foggy streets of Silent Hill 2 It is one of the most memorable experiences that can be had with a controller in your hands. It was in 2001, when the Japanese Konami published the original version of this psychological horror game, and it is more than twenty years later, thanks to the remake with which the Polish studio Bloober Team has updated this great classic of the interactive medium.
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Why deny it, there was some fear around this update. Not so much because of the thought of putting ourselves in the shoes of James Sunderland again, but because of the irregular treatment that Konami has given to its classic franchises in recent years. However, the millions of fans of Silent Hill 2 You can be satisfied, because this new version of the game for PC and PlayStation 5 honors the original work.
The keys to the new version
A ‘remake’ at the height of the original game
Before detailing the changes offered by this remake, it is important to clarify two things. First, that the different installments of the series Silent Hill They can be played independently, so it is not necessary to have experienced the first part. Second, this update faithfully respects the approach and plot of the original title: the story of a man who receives a letter from his deceased wife, which leads him to visit a mysterious city where he must face his own traumas and guilt.
Based on the original game, Bloober Team has carried out a complete renovation of the visual section using the Unreal Engine 5 graphics engine. And yes, although there will always be those who prefer the look of the classic version, the new installment not only offers scenarios and characters with a great level of detail, but has also managed to find the balance between respect for the art direction of illustrator Masahiro Ito – who, by the way, is still involved – and an approach to both the graphics and the gameplay in accordance with the current times.
The players’ perception of James Sunderland, the game’s protagonist, changes radically throughout the adventure.
Bloober Team has done a notable job both to update the presentation and to expand and extend its gameplay.
Visiting some of the game’s iconic locations, such as the harrowing hallways of the apartment building or the hospital, remains a truly terrifying experience, something that is enhanced not only through the visuals, but also thanks to the sensational sound design. Playing with headphones or a good sound system amplifies the experience thanks to excellent use of spatial audio, sound effects and the soundtrack – which again features composer Akira Yamaoka.
Bloober Team has not only shown great respect for Silent Hill 2his extensive experience in horror games has helped him extend a large part of the adventure with a development that doubles the duration of the original title, and which now stands at around fifteen hours. To achieve this, the team led by Mateusz Lenart has been wise enough to extend the puzzles and prolong the swings from one place to another without negatively altering the narrative pulse.
The narrow hallways, as well as the abominable creatures emerging from the pencils of artist Masahiro Ito, remain the stuff of true nightmares
Beyond the new packaging, what made this psychological horror classic great were the tricky themes it put on the table.
Years after a remastering that didn’t do it justice, Silent Hill 2 returns with a remake that exalts and updates this essential title. Now, beyond the new packaging, what made this masterpiece of psychological horror great remains unchanged, and is nothing other than the tricky themes it brought to the table. Issues such as mistreatment, sexual abuse, suicide, guilt or depression impacted all those people who walked the foggy streets of the town of Lake Toluca. It is the foundation on which the entire experience is based, a foundation that goes far beyond tweaks and updates.
The Silent Hill 2 remake is available this week for PC and PlayStation 5
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