While it might not quite be the same mainstream force as it was 20 years ago, the survival horror genre is where some of the most recognizable names in the industry originate.Capcom’sResident Evilhas maintained a consistent presence and impressive numbers across mainline releases and spin-offs alike, but Konami’s recent remake ofSilent Hill 2has instead served to spark a resurgence of that IP. Coming after a decade of obscurity and a questionable future compared to its most notable counterpart, new hope forSilent Hilldidn’t feel possible until the success of the remake.
As a full-fledged return to form after the detours taken after the end of Team Silent’s tenure, theSilent Hill 2remake has managed to achieve a similar level of appreciation as the original. It’s also true thatREhas similarly cashed in with its own ongoing set of remakes that tend to net notable sales of their own, but the differing circumstances of these two series make it so aResident Evilremake could never feel like such a major step forward.
The Silent Hill 2 Remake Has Seemingly Revived a Dormant Series
Finally Sharing in the Success of What Used to Be Survival Horror Contemporaries
WhenRE5was continuing the strong presence of Capcom in the horror market of the late 2000s,SHis typically seen to have been bogged down by titles that didn’t live up to its first four titles. The freshness ofRE7’s soft rebooting came after noSilent Hilltitles had landed with players in years, even though it was potentially informed byP.T.prior to that project fizzling out. It genuinely seemed thatSilent Hill: Downpourcould have been the endof the IP, as it had moved too far from the nuance of its starting point in a decline reflected in sales and critical reception alike.
Now that theSilent Hill 2remake has managed to achieve the status of a commercial success, however, the lull seems to officially be over. IfBloober Team continues withSilent Hillremakesand Konami is able to understand the core appeal of the series in a way that encourages similar projects, there’s a chance that it could one day rise up to match the status ofREonce again.
The Hype of Silent Hill Remakes Wouldn’t Be Possible if the Franchise Shared the Prolific Status of Resident Evil
A Return to Form Following the Departure from Team Silent’s Vision
The degree of success that theSH2remake has achieved is telling of interest in the franchise as a whole, as many of its sales can likely be attributed to fans who have been waiting over a decade for an authentic series experience. It came less than two years after theResident Evil 4remake marked another hitin the forefront again, but that project didn’t necessarily carry the same weight as Bloober Team’s sole effort at revival so far.
Resident Evil’s Largely Unbroken Streak Casts a Large Shadow
With a set of eight mainline numbered entries that have existed across every console generation since its debut,REhas never fallen into a similar dark period. Remakes have technically been present since the 2000s, with them possibly setting the precedent thatSHfollows. Theenthusiasm behind theSilent Hill 2remakeand what it means for the future might be telling of just how much bigger of a brandResident Evilhas managed to be overall, but this current level of excitement might not even be possible if it wasn’t for the prominent decline thatSHhas appeared to recover from.
Silent Hill 2
WHERE TO PLAY
Investigating a letter from his late wife, James returns to where they made so many memories - Silent Hill. What he finds is a ghost town, prowled by disturbing monsters and cloaked in deep fog. Confront the monsters, solve puzzles, and search for traces of your wife in this remake of SILENT HILL 2.High-end Graphics and SoundWith ray tracing and other cutting-edge technical enhancements, the world of SILENT HILL and its unsettling ambiance is even realer than before.And with the inclusion of new, immersive soundscapes, you’ll feel like you’re standing in the thick of it.Larger EnvironmentsExplore locations and buildings that were once inaccessible, or are newly added in the remake. Enjoy the same acclaimed story, even while you experience the town of Silent Hill with fresh eyes across an expanded map.Over-the-shoulder CameraThe remake moves from the original’s fixed-camera viewpoints to an over-the-shoulder perspective, putting you closer to what James sees, for a more thrilling, more immersive experience as you explore the town and come face-to-face with monsters.Evolved Combat GameplayFamiliar weapons like the steel pipe and handgun make their return, but now with an updated combat system. Avoid attacks with carefully timed dodges, aim down sights, and more, making monster encounters more engaging and nerve-wracking than ever.
