Following on from the PlayStation State of Play, the highly anticipated Silent Hill Transmission has brought a number of updates to give fans a closer look at the upcoming projects.
It was made clear early on in the stream that the star of the show would be Blooper Team’s Silent Hill 2 Remake. This reimagining of the beloved psychological horror classic is set to haunt PlayStation 5 and PC on October 8, a fitting release month given its disturbing history. The brand-new trailer showcased the game’s stunning visuals, seamless gameplay, and the return of iconic monstrosities in a next-gen way, something that is sure to excite Silent Hill veterans.
The showcase featured a look at more of what fans can expect from the game when it finally ships this October. From the new voice talent to how the game actually plays, it was the most deep look we have gotten of the game, and despite some minor rough edges, the game is looking great. It is hard to know how well it will play from a video, but it brings with it many of the parts that made the game a classic. However, we will reserve judgment until we have hands-on time with the game.
The show, although short, took some time to hear from the team behind Silent Hill 2 Remake and how they are trying to strike a balance between improving many aspects of the game that may not work for modern audiences, while not forgetting the key aspects that made it a classic when it first hit consoles over 20 years ago. The team seems excited to finally show it off, and I don’t blame them, it looks like it carries many of the key aspects that resonated so well with the original.
The broadcast also touched on the big screen, with director Christophe Gans returning to helm the upcoming Return to Silent Hill. Closely following the plot of Silent Hill 2, the film will see Jeremy Irvine and Hannah Emily Anderson bring James Sunderland and his beloved Mary, as well as her mysterious doppelganger, Maria, to life. Fans were treated to a behind-the-scenes look at the process of bringing the movie to life. Even if it was limited in what it showed, at least this is being made by someone who truly loves the series, so here’s hoping it can live up to those lofty expectations.
But don’t worry, in the modern gaming landscape, there are plenty of different versions of the game for fans to purchase. There are four editions in total, starting with the base version, which is just the standard game. The editions go up from there, offering a variety of goodies, including 48-hour early access, Silent Hill masks featuring the dog, Robbie, and Pyramid Head, and the soundtrack. The early access is perhaps the strangest inclusion, especially for a single-player game when everyone wants to stream their playthroughs, and I would hate to see the core of the game spoiled before the average gamer has a chance to dive in and play.
Amidst all the excitement, it’s worth noting that not every Silent Hill project has been a resounding success. Silent Hill: Ascension, an interactive streaming series, was released in 2023, but failed to live up to fans’ high expectations. At least we learned that Silent Hill: The Short Message managed to get over 2.5 million people to download the game on PS5, and even for a free game, it’s great to see that there is still excitement for a franchise that has had some rough years over the past few decades. Still, the future looks bright for the franchise, with a wealth of content on the horizon.
At the end of the stream, we still have plenty of questions about these new Silent Hill projects. Konami does seem to be putting time and money into these concepts, but it is still too early to tell if it is a bet that will pay off. With Silent Hill 2 Remake leading the way and a host of other projects waiting in the wings, it’s clear that the series is far from dead.
So, gather your courage, stock up on all the healing items you can find, and prepare to face your deepest fears once more. Silent Hill is calling, and it’s time to answer.
