Silent Hill 2 is one of the most beloved horror games of all time, so when Konami announced that Bloober Team would be remaking it, many fans—including myself—were skeptical. The original Silent Hill 2 was a landmark title that helped shape the modern horror gaming landscape, not just through scares but with a deeply unsettling atmosphere that lingered long after you put down the controller. Its clunky combat and dated visuals were part of its charm, enhancing the sense of unease.
With all that in mind, no matter how the game turned out, there was bound to be a group of people who wouldn’t be happy. When I dove into this review, I felt a bit of pressure—if I liked it, some could say I wasn’t doing justice to one of the best horror games ever made, and if it didn’t live up to expectations, others would claim Bloober Team tarnished a great experience, much like the Silent Hill HD releases on the PS3 and Xbox 360. But I’ll be honest: Bloober Team has pulled off something remarkable with this remake. They’ve managed to stay true to the original’s spirit while crafting an experience that feels fresh and relevant in 2024. This is Silent Hill 2, as you remember it, but better in nearly every way.
This Silent Hill 2 release is a masterclass in how to revive a classic franchise. It takes the best aspects of the original, improves on the areas that could frustrate new players, and gives a fine polish to the elements that made the game so iconic and beloved. Much like Bluepoint’s work with Demon’s Souls, Silent Hill 2 feels like a nostalgic journey, now looking and playing as you remember it, with all the rough edges smoothed out. What remains is a fantastic, truly unsettling experience that recaptures the magic while making it more accessible to a modern audience.
“This is Silent Hill 2, as you remember it, but better in nearly every way.”
Bloober Team clearly did their homework and has a deep love for the Silent Hill franchise. This remake feels like it was built with care for the source material. From the moment you step into James Sunderland’s shoes and enter the fog-shrouded town, it’s obvious that the elements that made the original so compelling have been carefully preserved. The oppressive atmosphere is ever-present, with fog curling around your ankles as you navigate the empty streets.
Given that the original launched on the PS2, there was plenty of room for improvement, and the Silent Hill 2 remake truly delivers. The visuals have received a dramatic overhaul courtesy of Unreal Engine 5, yet they still retain the grimy, lived-in feel of the original. The richly detailed textures breathe new life into iconic locations like Blue Creek Apartments and Brookhaven Hospital. Despite all the changes, the game never feels overly different; the core of Silent Hill 2 remains intact in every broken window and fog-covered alleyway.
Bloober Team used the Unreal Engine expertly in this remake, making the most of new technology to recapture what made Silent Hill 2 so memorable. The flashlight casts dynamic shadows that dance across walls and floors, creating a constant sense of unease. You’ll find yourself peering into dark corners, never quite sure what might be lurking just out of sight. It’s genuinely unnerving in a way that few modern horror games manage to achieve.
“Given that the original launched on the PS2, there was plenty of room for improvement, and the Silent Hill 2 remake truly delivers.”
That’s not to say Bloober Team didn’t change many aspects of the game to align with modern sensibilities. While some might worry about changes to a classic, trust me, the game is better for it. The original clunky tank controls have been replaced with fluid third-person movement and camera control. Combat feels weightier and more impactful, though still intentionally awkward—after all, James Sunderland isn’t a hardened warrior.
A new dodge mechanic adds much-needed mobility to combat, allowing you to narrowly evade attacks if your timing is right. Aiming your weapons is more precise now as well. However, even with these updates, Silent Hill 2 still ensures that James never feels like a killing machine. Every fight is a calculated risk, with limited ammo and health requiring careful decision-making. Rushing into battles can lead to death, especially if you’re not cautious. During my playthrough on the normal difficulty, I often felt overwhelmed and had to reload saves, but the game never felt unfair. It always gave me the tools I needed to push forward, even when things seemed overwhelming.
While Bloober Team has preserved the core of the puzzles, you won’t be able to rely on a 2001 walkthrough and expect to breeze through the game. The developers struck a good balance between maintaining the original’s obtuse logic and making the puzzles more intuitive for modern players. You’ll still need to think carefully, but the solutions tend to make more sense within the context of the world. Additionally, new environmental interactions, like smashing through certain walls or windows, add welcome variety to the exploration.
Bloober Team has managed to stay true to the original story while treating the characters and core experience with the respect they deserve. The core narrative follows James Sunderland as he searches for his supposedly dead wife in the eerie town of Silent Hill, only to find a nightmarish reflection of his own psyche, filled with grotesque monsters and deeply troubled individuals. The developers have expanded on certain aspects, which feel like welcome additions. Some characters are more fleshed out but without the typical exposition dumps that many games resort to. It all feels natural, like something the original developers would have done if they’d had the opportunity.
Many of the improvements in Silent Hill 2 are subtle, but they make it easier to connect with the characters while maintaining just the right level of unease as the world unravels around you. Bloober Team has avoided the common pitfalls that remakes often suffer from, and while the voice acting and character models have been completely redone—which initially caused some concern—the new performances strike a perfect balance of stilted unease.
There’s still that “off” quality in how characters speak and move, preserving the dreamlike atmosphere that made the original so impactful. James, in particular, is exceptionally well-realized, with his inner turmoil visible in ways that weren’t possible on the PS2. These enhancements make the experience feel more personal and immersive without losing the eerie tension that defines Silent Hill.
It’s not just the horror elements that impress. Silent Hill 2 has always been a deeply emotional story, dealing with themes of guilt, grief, and the lies we tell ourselves. The remake preserves—and even enhances—these quieter character moments. Conversations with Angela, Eddie, and Maria hit just as hard as they did 20 years ago, perhaps even more so now with the improved performances and facial animations. I wanted to help these characters, but knowing that there’s no true happy ending in Silent Hill makes the experience all the more heartbreaking.
Even the monsters and enemies in Silent Hill 2 have received the same level of care as the main cast of characters. Pyramid Head, arguably the series’ most iconic monster, is more terrifying than ever, with malice in every action and movement. His towering frame looms over James, and the scraping of his massive blade echoing through empty hallways adds an extra layer of tension as you solve puzzles. Encounters with him are true white-knuckle moments that had my heart pounding. Other creatures, like the nurses and mannequins, have also been given unsettling makeovers, with their jerky, unnatural movements making them especially disturbing to witness.
I do feel that Bloober Team may have overdone it with the monsters in some sections. While you’re still not meant to fight head-on with every new encounter, some areas felt a bit overcrowded with enemies. It doesn’t detract too much from the overall experience, but I wish the dev team had shown a little more restraint here. Silent Hill is meant to build tension through unease, and too many creatures at once can take away from that. Thankfully, it’s not a huge issue in the game as a whole, so I can forgive them for this misstep.
This attention to detail extends to the town itself, giving the areas you explore a new sense of place and expanding the environmental storytelling. Silent Hill feels like a more fully realized location now, with additional areas to explore that flesh out the town’s dark history. Notes and collectibles provide new insights into the characters and events surrounding James’ journey. None of this changes the core story, but it adds a welcome layer of depth for both newcomers and returning fans alike.
The audio design also deserves special praise. Akira Yamaoka’s iconic score has been remastered, retaining its industrial edge while sounding crisper and more immersive than ever. The ambient sound design is masterfully crafted, surrounding you with unsettling noises that keep you on edge. The crackle of James’ radio as monsters approach still sends shivers down my spine. This is also one area where the PS5’s DualSense controller shines, with its built-in speaker delivering just the right level of tinny unease, perfectly setting the tension as you explore. It’s an unexpected but highly effective use of the hardware—and I am here for it.
I’m genuinely impressed with how well the Silent Hill 2 remake turned out. From the start of my playthrough, I kept making notes about things I loved. I’ve always adored Silent Hill 2 since I first played it on the PS2, so seeing it lovingly rebuilt from the ground up was an amazing experience. Bloober Team has crafted a remake that stands alongside recent triumphs like Resident Evil 2 and Demon’s Souls. They’ve modernized Silent Hill 2 without losing what made it special in the first place, resulting in a game that feels both comfortingly familiar and excitingly fresh.
More than just a nostalgia trip, this remake proves that Silent Hill 2‘s psychological horror still has the power to disturb and captivate modern audiences. It’s a true testament to what atmosphere, storytelling, and genuine unease can bring to an experience, even in a retelling that countless people already know. Whether you’re a veteran of the series or a curious newcomer, Silent Hill 2 demands to be experienced. Bloober Team has honoured the legacy of this landmark title while crafting something vital and relevant for 2024. Silent Hill 2 was always a journey into the darkest corners of the human psyche, and this remake ensures that journey remains as haunting and unforgettable as ever.
