Silent Hill 2 Remake review: "An atmospheric and rewarding horror game up there with the Resident Evil remakes for reinventing a classic"

GamesRadar+ VerdictSilent Hill 2 both succeeds and falters because of its almost reverential recreation of the original. While that makes for a good horror game overall, it shies away from improvements or reinterpretations that could have smoothed over older ideas or enhanced dated mechanics.TODAY’S BEST DEALSCheck AmazonPros+An atmospheric and layered horror game+Varied mix of exploration and puzzle solving+Great scares and a grinding sense of menaceCons-Stays too close to the source material-Enemies lack character GamesRadar+ Verdict GamesRadar+ Verdict Silent Hill 2 both succeeds and falters because of its almost reverential recreation of the original. While that makes for a good horror game overall, it shies away from improvements or reinterpretations that could have smoothed over older ideas or enhanced dated mechanics.TODAY’S BEST DEALSCheck Amazon Silent Hill 2 both succeeds and falters because of its almost reverential recreation of the original. While that makes for a good horror game overall, it shies away from improvements or reinterpretations that could have smoothed over older ideas or enhanced dated mechanics. TODAY’S BEST DEALSCheck Amazon TODAY’S BEST DEALSCheck Amazon TODAY’S BEST DEALSCheck Amazon TODAY’S BEST DEALS Check Amazon Check Amazon Check Amazon Pros+An atmospheric and layered horror game+Varied mix of exploration and puzzle solving+Great scares and a grinding sense of menace An atmospheric and layered horror game Varied mix of exploration and puzzle solving Great scares and a grinding sense of menace Cons-Stays too close to the source material-Enemies lack character Stays too close to the source material Enemies lack character Why you can trust GamesRadar+Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about our reviews policy. Why you can trust GamesRadar+Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about our reviews policy. I yelped and flinched more than a few times playing theSilent Hill 2 remake, which isn’t bad going for an exactingly precise remake of a 23-year-old horror game that even people who haven’t played it mostly know inside out. That was largely thanks to the Mannequins, those enemies that look like legs with more legs on top. They have a horrific habit of just standing in plain sight, tucked in a corner or nestled against some shelves – completely visible but somehow so,soeasy to miss. ‘I’ll just explore this dark and totally empty room LEGSINMYFACE! OH GOD WHY ARE THERE SO MANY LEGS IN MY FACE!’ Barely hours into the game I ended up a twitchy wreck, standing outside rooms for far too long and peering nervously inside for an excess of limbs. Even without that leggy jump scare, the atmosphere and general mood of Silent Hill 2 is a grimey, foreboding sense of tense expectation. Sure, it largely owes that to using the original like a mold, pressing out an exact recreation rather than sculpting anything new, but it works – the darkness, the weak torch that just makes it worse, and the grinding loop of ambient screeching sound that picks at your nerves as you explore, make a satisfying horror experience. Satisfying is probably not the first word you were expecting to sum up a game famous for murder nurses and sexually repressed purgatory, but it’s the best way to describe my experience. It’s a big, well made interpretation that maybe plays a little too safely with its careful replication, but in doing so (re)creates a good horror game full of pace, variety and moody foreboding. Stick to the source (Image credit: Konami) Fast factsRelease date:October 8, 2024Platform(s):PS5, PCDeveloper:Bloober TeamPublisher:Konami Fast facts Release date:October 8, 2024Platform(s):PS5, PCDeveloper:Bloober TeamPublisher:Konami Release date:October 8, 2024Platform(s):PS5, PCDeveloper:Bloober TeamPublisher:Konami I would have liked to see just a touch of an update here and there like tweaks to characters, dialogue, or plot progression. Sticking so closely to the original means a few things feel out of touch, while some moments of recreated 2001 narrative or game design can feel clunky. A few later areas also feel a little bloated, often from fleshing out a minor puzzle or area that might have been better cut. But it’s not a huge problem and the few changes there are that do improve things, like more nuanced facial animations and performances. All the characters speak in a subtle, almost imperceptible dreamlike way initially, as if they know something is wrong but haven’t woken up enough to fully grasp what. It really helps sell Silent Hill as a predatory entity, disorientating the prey it lures in. (Image credit: Konami) In the initial opening hours I worried the 4K clarity would strip away the misty sense of uncertainty and dread. As you first explore, the town feels far too crisp and visible, almost exposed for a game more associated with squinting fretfully into fog. But, fortunately, it doesn’t last: once you reach Wood Side Apartments, the first big interior area, the game takes a horrible turn for the worse, which is a good thing here. And almost as soon as you start exploring its peeling rooms, things take a nose dive into some filthy, dark depths they never really recover from. (Again, a good thing.) Wood Side Apartments also establishes the overall structure that repeats for the majority of the time you’ll be playing: splitting your time between unraveling large, interconnected puzzle hubs and exploring more open town areas. For example, getting around the peeling walls of Wood Side is centred on finding a clock, and then the three hands you need to set a time on it. Each hand is linked to a different door, and behind that is a smaller sub area with its own puzzle theme to chase - in this case moth wings to count, weights to balance and chains to pull respectively. Puzzle it out (Image credit: Konami) Challenge-wise, the hardcore might want to nudge the difficulty up a notch. I always had a gratuitous excess of ammo, and while the interior sections often left me limping from one health drink to the next, another player I spoke with had over 30 healing items for most of the game. That might be due to a patch that dropped midway between our playthrough or, more likely, I suspect a difference in playing styles, with me hoarding ammo and piling in messily with a pipe, compared to careful stealth and headshots to avoid so much as touching most enemies. (Image credit: Konami) There’s even more endings now!The original Silent Hill 2 had six endings, but the Remake ups that to eight. Like the previous game, only three are there at the start, and the others can only be unlocked through a combination of getting all three starter options first and then finding and using new items in NG+. There’s even more endings now! The original Silent Hill 2 had six endings, but the Remake ups that to eight. Like the previous game, only three are there at the start, and the others can only be unlocked through a combination of getting all three starter options first and then finding and using new items in NG+. The original Silent Hill 2 had six endings, but the Remake ups that to eight. Like the previous game, only three are there at the start, and the others can only be unlocked through a combination of getting all three starter options first and then finding and using new items in NG+. However you approach it, Silent Hill 2 is an atmospheric and rewarding horror game up there with the Resident Evil remakes for reinventing a classic. While its strict adherence to the past can feel a little constrained at times, and a few things are lacking as a result, it nails the feel of the original well. Despite a scattering of minor issues, any negativity comes more from a place of believing the new Silent Hill 2 Remake could have been better, than it actually being bad. The whole thing ultimately delivers and does a good job of making the series feel meaningful and relevant in a way it hasn’t for years. Disclaimer Silent Hill HD Collection: Price Comparison 407 Amazon customer reviews☆☆☆☆☆ 407 Amazon customer reviews☆☆☆☆☆ ☆☆☆☆☆ No price informationCheck Amazon No price informationCheck Amazon No price informationCheck Amazon No price informationCheck Amazon No price information No price information We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices More info More CATEGORIESPS5PC GamingPlatformsPlayStation CATEGORIES More about silent hill 2Silent Hill 2 Remake’s reinvention of its most underrated character means so much more in 2024The Silent Hill 2 Remake director has pitched a Lord of the Rings horror game, and suddenly I’m hunched over growling ‘my precious’ at the thought of itLatest26 years later, Codemasters' Chris Southall talks Colin McRae Rally: “We wanted to do something that was an authentic rally experience for the hardware of the time"See more latest► More about silent hill 2Silent Hill 2 Remake’s reinvention of its most underrated character means so much 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2 Remake’s reinvention of its most underrated character means so much more in 2024 The Silent Hill 2 Remake director has pitched a Lord of the Rings horror game, and suddenly I’m hunched over growling ‘my precious’ at the thought of it The Silent Hill 2 Remake director has pitched a Lord of the Rings horror game, and suddenly I’m hunched over growling ‘my precious’ at the thought of it Latest26 years later, Codemasters' Chris Southall talks Colin McRae Rally: “We wanted to do something that was an authentic rally experience for the hardware of the time"See more latest► Latest 26 years later, Codemasters' Chris Southall talks Colin McRae Rally: “We wanted to do something that was an authentic rally experience for the hardware of the time” 26 years later, Codemasters' Chris Southall talks Colin McRae Rally: “We wanted to do something that was an authentic rally experience for the hardware of the time” 26 years later, Codemasters' Chris Southall talks Colin McRae Rally: “We wanted to do 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tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' 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forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS 1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1 Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2 Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3 Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4 Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5 Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1 Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2 Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3 Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4 The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5 Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 1 Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2 Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3 Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4 Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5 Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”