Even the most die-hard Silent Hill 2 fans gotta admit that Bloober totally nailed it by keeping everything from the OG—like, literally everything. Every puzzle, every situation, every enemy is still there. But they definitely spiced things up with some changes and extras. It’s the kind of remake that respects the source material while giving it a fresh coat of paint. And hey, if anyone needs a break from all the psychological horror, they can always buy Xbox games to mix it up—but something tells me this remake will keep players glued to their screens. Sometimes stuff happens in a different order, and a lot of the sequences have more steps or bonus levels. Take Maria's new outfit, for instance. People were mad about it before, but her old look is still in the game as a little Easter egg in a new spot. And remember the bowling alley where we met Eddie and Laura? Now, those characters are in a different area, but the bowling alley is still around. You can explore it if you want, and it hides a trophy, plus it gives James some serious déjà vu vibes. He’ll be feeling those moments a lot because they added collectibles called “glimpses of the past.” They’re throwbacks to the 2001 version, so even if things have changed or been swapped out, you’ll always find little hints and nods to the classic as a tribute. Talk about loving the source material!
SH2: Subtle and Classy
Some people might be throwing up their hands yelling "spoiler" about the suit and the bowling alley, but those examples are just tiny drops in the ocean of what Bloober has done. The studio has found this sick balance that keeps players constantly amazed and intrigued. It’s a masterclass in reimagining a classic—though if you’re looking for more games that deliver this level of innovation and creativity, it’s definitely worth considering buy PS5 games that push boundaries and offer unforgettable experiences. As you play the remake, you’ll be recognizing familiar stuff and guessing what’s coming next, but you’ll also get surprised over and over by how it’s all presented—thanks to the major glow-up and those little tweaks along the way. So, while the OG fans will definitely feel at home, they'll have to check it all out with fresh eyes. Like we said before, we spent 14 and a half hours diving into the remake. We’ll admit we were cruising through and didn’t explore every nook and cranny, so it wouldn’t shock us if you could stretch it to a few more hours. There’s even a speedrun trophy for finishing it in under 12 hours, just to give you some perspective. We had just replayed the original and wrapped it up in only 6 hours. But don’t worry; they didn’t stretch things out in a lame way. “Filler” and “boredom” were totally absent from our experience. There are only a couple of spots where you can feel their touch, but for the most part, Bloober’s additions are subtle and classy. They really nailed the vibe and made it all fit perfectly.
Encouraging Thorough Exploration
Since the original Silent Hill 2, players could explore certain parts of the town, and Bloober Team brings that back with a twist, adding more objectives and areas to discover. You can now enter several buildings that contain helpful items for your journey, but you'll need to weigh the risk versus reward. There are also some optional puzzles scattered throughout that you might easily overlook. It’s highly recommended to explore when you can, but it’s riskier than in the original. There seem to be more monsters now, and as I mentioned, dodging them is tougher. Inside the enclosed spaces, the darkness is intense, creating a sense of unease about what might be lurking in the shadows. Even with your flashlight, which only lights up a small area, you have to be super careful with your movements to avoid any nasty surprises. Silent Hill 2 isn’t a game about running around or non-stop action. Instead, it’s a solid experience for horror fans, as every moment is filled with tension, thanks to an incredible sound design, impressive visuals, and the haptic feedback of the DualSense, making it a truly immersive experience.
Silent Hill 2 is truly a dream come true
Combat can get a bit repetitive and lack challenge, which might turn some players off. While there are more enemy types than in the original, they can all be taken down using the same strategy. When it comes to hand-to-hand combat, it feels like a simple cycle of landing two hits, dodging, and then repeating that until the enemy goes down. I also feel like the combat is really designed for one-on-one encounters, which can be pretty frustrating when you're swarmed by multiple enemies. Especially as you progress further into Silent Hill 2, you encounter more creatures, and the spaces get tighter, making it tough to manage fights effectively. The lofi PS2 aesthetic that the original game naturally had back then has become a nostalgic beacon for indie developers who grew up playing classics like Konami's Silent Hill 2. This art direction brings a certain quality that’s hard to define and arguably more intriguing than the typical triple-A look. Any studio tackling such a project faced a Sisyphean challenge, forever chasing its essence like a moth caught in a net. However, by staying true to the original game in crucial ways and taking calculated risks that stem from a deep understanding of the source material—while also being backed by some of the original team—Bloober Team has accomplished what many deemed nearly impossible. The remake of Silent Hill 2 is truly a restless dream come true.