As companies dig into back catalogs looking for the hits of yesteryear, there are a few games that truly deserve a revisit.Remasters and remakes are usually a safe betfor companies. Instead of investing in an unproven IP, relying on the classics that already have stature is often the play. This is why it is all the more confusing that Konami hasn’t decided to bring back one of the true horror classics,Silent Hill 2.
Silent Hill 2was well received when it released in 2001. This was still early in the PS2’s lifecycle, and a number of big developers were just starting to get their big name franchises onto the new hardware. At the time, Team Silent was a dedicated studio at Konami, and its sole focus was on developing theSilent Hillfranchise. That intense focus, and passion for the game, shines through, asSilent Hill 2is a masterclass in writing, direction, and atmosphere that is still revered to this day. Because of this and a devoted fanbase, the game should be a candidate for a full-scale remake.
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Remaking Silent Hill 2
It has been well documented that the source code forSilent Hill 2(andSilent Hill 3) has been lost, and what Konami still has is an incomplete, earlier version of the final code from before the game went gold. That incomplete code was used for theSilent Hill HD Collection, the remaster ofSilent Hill 2and3released on PS3 and Xbox 360. Unfortunately, theSilent Hill HD Collectionfeatured a number of bugs, and due to both contract disputes and claims of lost audio files, the voice work was completely redone with a new cast. This did not sit well with fans. So for a game that has such enduring appeal,withSilent Hill 2figures being released to this day, any attempt at a remake would have high expectations.
While games have only become more cinematic in nature since 2001,Silent Hill 2isn’t bombastic and should not attempt to be aResident Evil-style thrill ride. The game is a tight, focused psychological drama about a man trying to cope with his personal trauma. There is no need to bloat the game with additional lore, or turn the game into a blockbuster, when it’s an indie at heart. The gameplay is merely a vehicle used to get the player from one narrative beat to the next, so while a tune up to gameplay mechanics is necessary, getting the story, tone, and atmosphere right should take priority in aSilent Hill 2remake.
Will It Be Remade?
The stumbling block, with regard to anySilent Hill 2remake, is Konami. The publisher has an unfortunate history of neglecting its storied franchises. TheCastlevaniafranchise has been all but abandoned, despite the resurgence of the action exploration genre. When a genre is named (in part) after an iconic franchise, fans would assume that said iconic franchise would still be alive and well.Fans cries for remakes ofCastlevaniatitleshave also gone unanswered, andSilent Hillis more niche than those titles, putting the idea of aSilent Hill 2remake pretty far out of reach.
Konami has recently restructured its operations, and there are persistent rumors that Sony is trying to purchase the company, so there could be some hope for theSilent Hillfranchise, and a possibleSH2remake.
This, coupled with morerumors thatSilent Hillgames are in development, could mean that Konami is looking to revitalize some of the properties the company owns. ASilent Hill 2remake would be something that a number of fans would like to see, but Konami would have to get it right. There would be a great deal of pressure, but a ground-up remake that pays homage to the original with a faithful update would be a hit. After theFinal Fantasy 7 Remakeshowed fans that a game can feel both new and completely faithful to its source, the idea that aSilent Hill 2remake could follow a similar path doesn’t seem so farfetched.
Silent Hill 2is available on the PS2, or in theSilent Hill HD Collectionfor PS3 & Xbox 360.
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