Bloober Workforce and Konami’s remake of Silent Hill 2 has impressed us in a mess of how, and excessive on that record is the thorough and complete consideration to element that the sport continually displays, from starting to finish. Scattered all through the expertise are considerable, tiny particulars, the type that many could not even discover, however find yourself appreciating that rather more while you do lastly see them. Right here, we’re going to speak about a number of such particulars which have caught our eye and impressed us.
Earlier than we go forward, remember the fact that we’re going to enter some important spoilers for Silent Hill 2 right here, so proceed at your personal threat.
THE BACK OF JAMES’ CAR
Silent Hill 2’s massive twist is, in fact, that Mary didn’t die of a illness three years in the past as James has been claiming, however was killed by James himself shortly earlier than his arrival in Silent Hill, one thing that his damaged psyche made him neglect. Her physique is, actually, lined underneath a sheet within the backseat of James’ automobile, and you may spot that utilizing the filters that you simply unlock for New Sport Plus.
JAMES REFUSES TO READ THE WORD “GUILT”
James not having the ability to come to phrases with what he did to his spouse – to the extent creating a wholly completely different fiction to avoid wasting himself from the reality – is an enormous theme in Silent Hill 2, and it reveals up continually, typically even within the tiniest of how. At a sure level, for example, gamers will come throughout a flyer that’s meant to unfold consciousness associated to psychological well being points, and although the phrase “guilt” is clearly seen on the flyer, while you press the button to learn the textual content in-game with the UI introduced up, that phrase is not proven, implying that James merely refuses to learn it.
LAKEVIEW HOTEL’S “WELCOME BACK” SIGN
Although Bloober Workforce’s remake of Silent Hill 2 is many individuals’s first time enjoying this recreation, an excellent chunk of its playerbase additionally consists of returning followers who’re already a lot accustomed to the unique, and positive sufficient, the remake has easter eggs aplenty for these gamers. The Lakeview Lodge, for example, has changed the “Welcome” signal at its entrance within the remake with a “Welcome Again” one, which is a neat contact.
LEARNING THE TRUTH
What actually makes the enemies and creatures in Silent Hill 2 iconic and terrifying as they’ve been for over twenty years isn’t solely what they seem like (which is nightmarish sufficient in and of itself), but in addition what they characterize narratively, with it being revealed near the top that the creatures scattered throughout the city are representations and manifestations of the traumas, ache, and problems with the individuals within the town- like Pyramid Head being how James is subconsciously punishing himself for killing Mary. As soon as that’s found, nonetheless, and James turns into conscious of what the enemies are and what they imply, you’ll discover the enemies that you simply run into changing into considerably weaker, which is an effective way of marrying gameplay and storytelling.
JAMES’ REACTION
James wanting instantly into the digital camera by means of a red-tinted lens is one thing you’ll develop used to seeing at each save level in Silent Hill 2, however as soon as James does come to phrases with what truly occurred to Mary, that adjustments. As soon as he’s confronted with the reality, at save factors, as a substitute of wanting instantly on the digital camera, James will as a substitute refuse to satisfy your eyes.
JAMES’ RING MARK
One other element you could spot at varied factors over the size of Silent Hill 2 is the ring mark you could see on James’ ring finger, for which you’ll, in fact, have to actually zoom in and pay shut consideration. The mark reveals that the ring was clearly very lately eliminated, which is one more tiny element that factors to the reality of precisely how a lot time has handed since Mary died.
ANGELA’S NAILS
Angela is without doubt one of the highlights in Silent Hill 2’s wonderful forged of characters, along with her traumatic story including a lot to the sport on narrative and thematic ranges. Her traumas and anxiousness present up in quite a lot of other ways, too, with some being extra delicate and tough to see than others. Zoom in on her palms, for example, and also you’ll clearly see that she has been constantly biting her nails.
JAMES’ NAILS
Angela’s nails aren’t the one ones you ought to be listening to. James’ fingernails are sometimes seen all through the expertise as he holds issues as much as learn and have a look at. Pay shut consideration to them, and also you’ll see that they progressively get dirtier over the course of the sport.
JAMES’ CLOTHES
We’ve grown used to seeing blood spattered over characters in video video games, however very not often do you see it with the extent of element that’s exhibited in Silent Hill 2’s remake. Slightly than solely remaining seen for some time earlier than vanishing into nothingness as you’ll count on in most video games, in Silent Hill 2, the blood on James’ garments will get visibly darker, dryer, and crustier with time.
JAMES GETS INCREASINGLY TIRED
It’s not simply James’ fingernails and garments that get dirtier and crustier over the course of Silent Hill 2– no, you’ll be able to visibly see the toll that every part is taking over him on his face as effectively. From the baggage underneath his eyes to the traces and dirt throughout his face, James appears to be like noticeably extra haggard in the direction of the top of the sport in comparison with how he seemed on the outset.
ANALOG TAPE DISTORTION VISUAL EFFECT
Noticed by Reddit consumer PresidentWeevil, although this element may simply be mistaken as common chromatic aberration – one thing that could be very generally seen in video games – Silent Hill 2 appears to be utilizing this system very, very consciously. Components on the sides of the display screen look visibly distorted, attaining an analog tape distortion impact so as to add to the sport’s old-school aesthetic.
SHINING A LIGHT IN MARIA’S FACE
This may not be one thing we’ve by no means seen in video games earlier than, however particulars equivalent to this one are at all times good to search out in video games. Whenever you’re travelling in Maria’s firm, in case you shine James’ flashlight in her face, she’ll attempt to defend her eyes utilizing her hand. A reasonably miniscule element, sure, however one which positively contributes in its personal option to floor gamers within the recreation’s actuality.
MARIA’S DISTRACTIONS
The push and pull between James’ personal need to come back to phrases with the reality about Mary and Maria representing the a part of himself that wishes to show away from that could be a very important cog in Silent Hill 2’s story, and Bloober Workforce’s remake provides loads of its personal little nods and particulars to hammer all of that residence. Throughout a dialog between James and Maria at Rosewater Park, James appears to be staring within the course of Lakeview Lodge, which he subconsciously appears to know is the place he’ll be taught the reality about everything- just for Maria to distract him and divert his consideration to one thing else.
LYING FIGURES AND THEIR ACID
Mendacity Figures are the primary enemies that you simply discover in Silent Hill 2, which is nice, as a result of with them, the remake is ready to immediately flex its degree of consideration to element and visible constancy. Their our bodies boast unbelievable element, particularly as they deteriorate with every hit, whereas the acid and bile that they spew out can also be a sight to behold, particularly in the way it swimming pools and bubbles on the bottom, and the way it doesn’t merely dissipate afterwards in a matter of seconds.
DUALSENSE LIGHTING
Builders don’t at all times handle to search out the fitting methods to make use of the DualSense’s many gimmicks and options, and whereas Silent Hill 2 isn’t the most effective on that entrance in lots of regards, it does make actually cool use of the controller’s LEDs, which change color based mostly on James’ well being degree. If you wish to flip off all UI components associated to James’ well being to additional immerse your self within the recreation and as a substitute simply depend on the DualSense’s LEDs, Silent Hill 2 allows you to do exactly that.