Game news Silent Hill 2 Remake: as scary as the original game? Developers reassure and express themselves
Published on 05/01/2023 at 18:18
Silent Hill 2 is an absolutely cult game that many consider to be one of the best ever made. Inevitably, the idea of a remake seems as alluring as it is dangerous and it is Bloober Team who will bear this heavy responsibility. One of the members of the studio rightly expressed himself on the subject.
Bloober Team, big winner
It’s been rumored for quite some time that Silent Hill 2 will see the light of day again in the form of a remake; similarly, rumors went that Bloober Team had been chosen by Konami to carry out the work. Two things made official a few months ago! In reality, it is a terrible slippery slope since the legacy of such a title is massive and if the modernization effort is attractive, we should not break the precious codes of the 2002 game.
Anna Jasińska, Chief Marketing Officer at the Polish studio, recently spoke with DreadXP and discussed Silent Hill 2. She notably returned to the origins of the project, and the way Konami had approached the team.
Anna Jasinska
The idea of working on this project haunted us for many years, and in 2019 we received an invitation from Konami to participate in the Tokyo Games Show. To our delight, Konami asked us to prepare a concept for a remake of the second installment of the original game in exchange for the opportunity to bring this concept to life.
Obviously, the developers had to show their fangs. Opposite, other studios were also present to develop the remake, without it being known which ones.
Of course, we weren’t the only ones competing. Many other studios were also vying for cooperation, but in the end, it was our concept that won over Konami.
They recognized our commitment and our passion for horror and that was a huge reward for us. Our company was shocked when we received this euphoric information, as many Bloober Team employees are die-hard fans of the title. As for apprehension, yes, the pressure is on as we’re dealing with one of the best psychological horror games ever made.
No worries expected?
The first trailer for the game (to be found below) seduced, but also rushed the hardcore fans. The fear of getting an experience (too) different from the original one is indeed present, in particular by the presence of a camera on the shoulder or a revised colorimetry: in order to reassure the community, Anna Jasińska specifies that the team “wants to stay close to the original (of the game, editor’s note)”.
We are focusing on bringing back the distinct and visceral atmosphere in this modernized Silent Hill 2.
Long-time fans needn’t worry about us “missing the boat.” We stick faithfully to the traditional story while revamping the gameplay and updating the graphics from the beginning.
Besides, if Konami chose Bloober Team, it’s because the firm intends to respect the original material.
These are the reasons Konami gave us the remake in the first place. One of the big visible changes is the adoption of an over-the-shoulder camera, which changed the perspective of a few iconic scenes, but also resulted in an overhaul of the combat system. The latest technological advancements work wonders when it comes to making images pop.
As you can see, we’re not straying from the original concept of this great classic: we just have a few ideas on how to make the horror levers more appealing to modern audiences. (…)
We take a confident approach to any changes. We stay true to the original title. However, we are applying adjustments to some areas where things need to be modernized because time is still taking its toll.
Alas, when the media asks him if the story has been changed, like some cult scenes, Anna Jasińska kicks in touch. “We’re starting to get into the details, so I’ll save my answer for later.” Shame.
Silent Hill 2 is expected for 2023 on PlayStation 5 and PC.
