Summary
- Bloober Team seems to have updated James Sunderland's look in the Silent Hill 2 remake, addressing fan concerns about the protagonist's appearance.
- The new game icon on Steam reveals subtle changes in James' hair and under-eye area, aligning more with the original Silent Hill 2.
- With an ESRB rating already live, a release date announcement for the Silent Hill 2 remake might be just around the corner.
The developer behind the Silent Hill 2 remake, Bloober Team, has apparently updated the look of James Sunderland ahead of an expected launch later this year. The Silent Hill 2 protagonist's new look features some minor but noticeable tweaks that set it apart from the previous one.
Ever since Konami made a surprise announcement revealing the Silent Hill 2 remake, fans have been eagerly waiting for it. The fact that it is the first main series game in the popular horror franchise since 2012's Silent Hill: Downpour justifies the high levels of anticipation. While Bloober Team has described the remake as a faithful recreation of the 2001 original, fans have been apprehensive about the game, especially since the Silent Hill 2 remake's gameplay trailer attracted criticism for its focus on combat. Recently, the developer seems to have addressed a different criticism from long-time fans regarding the protagonist's appearance in the remake.
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As per a recent database entry on SteamDB, the Silent Hill 2 remake has received a new game icon on Steam, revealing an updated look for protagonist James Sunderland. Comparing the image with the character model from the trailer, it isn't too hard to notice that certain aspects, such as the hair and the area under the eyes, seem to have been changed somewhat. However, it's worth noting that the icon file itself is a low-resolution image and, hence, may not accurately show the finer details of the updated look.
On Reddit, players have overall welcomed the change and praised how James' new appearance falls more in line with that in the original Silent Hill 2. A user mentioned, "His face got a cleaner shave, and the lighting became the same as in the original." Another added, "Weird how the new one is so much better despite being very very [sic] similar."
Silent Hill 2 Release Date Announcement May Arrive Very Soon
Back in March, the Silent Hill 2 remake's ESRB rating went live. Taking note that games often receive age ratings when they are just a few months away from release, there are high chances that the remake is quite close to its arrival at retailers. To put things into perspective, Marvel's Spider-Man 2 got its ESRB rating in June 2023 before it launched a few months later in October. Similarly, Starfield received its rating in May 2023 before releasing in September that year.
Based on how close the release of Silent Hill 2 seemingly is and the fact that Sony has a PlayStation Showcase reportedly planned for May, it won't be surprising if fans get to hear of an official release date during the stream. Regardless, Silent Hill 2 remake will likely set the tone for the future of Konami's returning franchise when it rolls out.
Silent Hill 2
- Released
- October 8, 2024
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 Sound
With 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 Environments
Explore 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 Camera
The 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 Gameplay
Familiar 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.
- Developer(s)
- Bloober Team
- Publisher(s)
- Konami
- Franchise
- Silent Hill
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PC
