I may have to pinch myself because Silent Hill is officially coming back! After literally YEARS of rumours, Konami announced a full remake of the critically-acclaimed Silent Hill 2. But which consoles will it be released for? And is Silent Hill 2 remake coming to Xbox?
It’s the question on everyone’s minds. Not least because fans of the beloved series have been desperate for Silent Hill‘s resurrection for the last decade.
So, naturally, players want to know if the game will be available on their console of choice. But before we get into that, let’s delve into what Konami announced during their October 19th ‘Silent Hill Transmission’.
The last taste of a Silent Hill game fans got was 2014’s P.T., which was the ‘playable teaser’ for Hideo Kojima’s now cancelled Silent Hills.
And it’s safe to say Konami didn’t disappoint. The company announced not one, not two, but THREE Silent Hill games. They are…
- Silent Hill 2 (Remake)
- Silent Hill Townfall
- Silent Hill f
While we’re certainly excited to learn more about the new Silent Hill titles, it goes without saying that most fans will be keenest to get their hands on the Silent Hill 2 remake.
What is Silent Hill 2?
Silent Hill 2 is a survival horror game which was first released in September 2001 on PlayStation 2. It was subsequently released for Xbox and Windows.
It is not a direct sequel to the first Silent Hill game and its story isn’t connected to the plot of the original.
Silent Hill 2 tells the story of everyman James Sunderland. He travels to the abandoned town after receiving a letter from his dead wife Mary.
While exploring the eponymous town, James encounters mysterious characters and haunting creatures as he attempts to find his wife.
Who is developing Silent Hill 2 Remake?
The Silent Hill 2 remake is being developed by Blooper Team, the developers behind the recent Blair Witch and The Medium games. It is being remade using Unreal Engine 5.
On remaking Silent Hill 2, Creative Director & Lead Designer Mateusz Lenart said in a PlayStation Blog:
“One of our primary goals is to preserve the atmosphere that made Silent Hill 2 so exceptional, while also modernizing many aspects of the game’s overall gameplay. We are working closely with the original creators, including Akira Yamaoka and Masahiro Ito, to ensure we’re keeping that unique Silent Hill feel intact.”
Mateusz Lenart, Creative Director & Lead Designer, Blooper Team – PlayStation Blog
Silent Hill 2 Remake gameplay
Speaking of gameplay, Mateusz Lenart also shared some early details of what we can expect from the remade game.
Silent Hill 2 is now 21 years old, so significant improvements to the game’s core mechanics are to be expected.
Lenart confirmed the remake will feature an over-the-shoulder camera:
“One of the new elements that you could spot in the reveal trailer is the adoption of an over-the-shoulder camera. With that change we want to immerse players even deeper into the game, make them feel like they are a part of this unreal world, and deliver them a more visceral experience across the board.”
Mateusz Lenart, Creative Director & Lead Designer, Blooper Team – PlayStation Blog
You can watch the full teaser trailer shown during the Silent Hill Transmission here.
Blooper Team is also revamping the game’s combat system and making it fit for the current generation:
“We’re rebuilding the combat system and certain set-pieces, among other things. Now that you see basically what James can see, we could find new ways to keep the player on edge.”
Mateusz Lenart, Creative Director & Lead Designer, Blooper Team – PlayStation Blog
Fans of the original Silent Hill 2 will recall that its combat was criticised, so hopefully it’s significantly enhanced in the remake.
Is Silent Hill 2 Remake Coming To Xbox?
The Silent Hill 2 Remake has been officially confirmed for PlayStation 5 and PC. This was made clear during the game’s teaser trailer. However, many fans want to know “is Silent Hill 2 Remake coming to Xbox?”
Is Silent Hill 2 Remake coming to Xbox? The Silent Hill 2 remake is a timed PS5 and PC exclusive. Its exclusivity on those platforms will last for one year. This was confirmed in the teaser trailer, which noted “Not available on other formats for 12 months after release”.
Exactly which platforms Silent Hill 2 remake will come to 12 months after its PS5 and PC launch is unknown. Konami hasn’t confirmed this, however it’s likely the game will eventually be released for Xbox Series X|S.
If the game does get released on Microsoft’s console, hopefully players won’t have to wait much longer than a year to get their hands on it. 11 years without Silent Hill is quite enough.
Release Date
The release date of the Silent Hill 2 remake hasn’t been announced. However, it would be reasonable to expect the game to launch in late-2023 or early-2024.
Are you excited for the Silent Hill 2 Remake? Let us know in the comment section below and don’t forget to check out our other gaming articles…
