I’ve Completely Lost Faith In Silent Hill 2 Remake After The New Gameplay

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Obaid Ur Rehman

At HI Digital I test and write about different hardware configurations to show other PC users what they can expect from their build. My end goal is to educate the masses to make the right decision when they are looking for new PC parts to buy

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I am a huge fan of Silent Hill 2. This game was part of my childhood and is one of those titles that got me interested in the hobby. Given that it was released in 2001, it proved to be a game-changer for the horror genre.

This is exactly why I was so excited when Konami announced a remake of this iconic title. The first trailer was highly disappointing for me, but I kept my hopes high, expecting a better look later on.

Konami and Bloober Team have just offered the latest look at this remake, and I have to say, the second trailer has made me completely lose hope in Konami’s work.

Why it matters: Modern remakes are expected to improve every area. However, it seems Bloober Team has gone ahead and downgraded many elements of Silent Hill 2.

The Environment Is There, But The Gameplay Is Not

Looking at both trailers and the entire footage released in the Silent Hill Transmission, I can say that the gameplay is below average. However, the environment is somewhat good.

In my opinion, the original Silent Hill 2 had a more terrifying atmosphere because of how great the fog worked with the artistic direction. The remake seems less impressive but gets the job done from what I can see.

I don’t have many complaints regarding the environment, but the gameplay is my main concern.

The walking and running animations feel off, and the combat is even worse.

Bloober Team seems to have added a dodging mechanic to the gameplay. While this may be a great addition, in theory, the implementation looks very bizarre because the dodge is poorly animated.

Between the wonky shooting and offbeat dodging, the gameplay comes across as an uncanny mixture of The Callisto Protocol and Resident Evil 4. This is not what I had in mind when thinking of a remake for Silent Hill 2.

Bad Character Design & Voice Acting

The gameplay isn’t the only thing I have a problem with. The character designs and voice acting might be even worse. Angela’s character design is getting the most hate from fans, as she looked better in the original game.

James looks okay, but other than that, there’s not much to like in this department. Maria’s character design is also controversial. In the original title, she was clearly designed to stand out.

Today, it seems Konami and Bloober Team have completely changed how the character looks. It has also been said that Sweet Baby Inc. is being consulted for the remake, so this may have been the reason behind this design choice.

Overall, Silent Hill 2 Remake seems to lack the polish I expect from AAA games in 2024. If I’m going to pay $70 for this title, I should be able to expect a quality product at launch.

I'm just gonna come out and say it: the old Maria character design was objectively better.
byu/ContributionOk4879 insilenthill

Let’s also discuss the voice acting. Each scream, yelp, and eerie noise goes a long way toward capturing the atmosphere needed in the horror genre. In my opinion, the remake’s voice acting is failing.

The footage shown recently highlights that the line delivery is flat and lacks the punch I expected. Moreover, the game actually comes across as funny at times because of its voice acting. What are you doing, Konami?

Capcom Remains At The Top

Konami should learn a thing or two from Capcom regarding remakes, as this developer never disappoints. Just look at the remake of Resident Evil 4. It stands as a technical marvel and has an insane amount of replayability.

The gameplay, visuals, narrative, and nearly every other element are polished to perfection, making it my favorite remake of all time. Capcom outdid itself with this one, and it has set a standard for remakes.

Now compare Resident Evil 4 Remake to Silent Hill 2 Remake; the difference is immediately obvious.

What’s even more disappointing is the title’s association with PlayStation. Sony has a certain quality bar that nearly all its titles hit. However, Konami seems to have completely missed the mark.

According to recent reports, the gaming giant has delayed Metal Gear Solid 3 Remake. If there’s one silver lining in this situation, it may be the feedback that Konami will receive from its first remake.

While both IPs deserve equal respect, there’s still hope for Snake Eater since the game is reportedly set to launch in 2025 now.

Obaid Ur Rehman

[How-To Guides Expert]

Laiba, our tech guru at HI Digital, simplifies and crafts How-To Guides with a Google IT Support Certificate. Beyond tech, she captures the city’s aesthetics through her lens. Join her journey where tech meets creativity!

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