Summary
- Players with the physical disc of Silent Hill 2 remake for PS5 can access a pre-release build of the game.
- The discovered 1.0 build reveals differences in character design, camera angles, and animations compared to the final version.
- Despite some changes made post-release, the 1.0 build showcases earlier versions of scenes and designs.
Silent Hill 2 remake players have discovered that there's an older build of the game available that dates back months before the release of the game. Those who own the game on disc for the PlayStation 5 can potentially access this version of the Silent Hill 2 remake.
The Bloober Team Silent Hill 2 remake has been a major success for the developer, Konami, and fans, but to many early on, it didn't seem like it would be. Early trailers for the Silent Hill 2 remake got some players excited, but many pointed out what they considered to be flaws with the title based on the footage shown. The final trailers showed some changes had been made, and it seems that this newly discovered build dates back before some of them went into effect.
Silent Hill 2 Remake Dev Open to Making More Games in the Series
The developer behind the hit Silent Hill 2 remake, Bloober Team, is reportedly open to the possibility of returning to the franchise in the future.
Twitter user Kempy161 has been exploring the data on the Silent Hill 2 remake disc and has discovered that there are some interesting differences between the build on the disc and the digital or patched version. Essentially, the Silent Hill 2 remake physical edition disc includes an older 1.0 build, but upon starting up the game with the internet enabled, the game will be patched to the newer, polished 1.03 version. The 1.0 version seems to date back to April 2024, seemingly indicating that shy of polish, the game was in a playable state long before its official release.
What's Different in the Silent Hill 2 Remake's 1.0 Build?
One of the first major differences pointed out by Kempy161 is that the unflattering camera angle and original design of Angela seen in the Silent Hill 2 remake State of Play trailer are present. Angela's eyebrows appear a bit thicker in the original version, and the camera angles match those seen in the early reveals. Furthermore, the scene where James hides from Pyramid Head has its animation timed differently, different lighting, and slightly altered camera angles.
It's worth noting that the first trailer and the 1.0 build are not the same. One of the other highly notorious remake scenes where James looks into a mirror at the start of the game doesn't match what was shown in the original trailer. In the 1.0 build, the lighting is significantly darker than that original reveal, with his eyes cast in shadow like in the original game. It matches the version of the scene in the Silent Hill 2 remake story trailer that launched about a month before the game's release. Many fans of the game balked when the scene was shown in the very first trailer, as James looked far more distraught and the lighting was quite different from the 2001 game's scene. The final release is seen as a significant improvement in tone, and the 1.0 build shows how Bloober kept fine-tuning the title as time carried on.
Silent Hill 2
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 87 /100 Critics Rec: 94%
- Released
- October 8, 2024
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Language, Sexual Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Bloober Team
- Publisher(s)
- Konami
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.
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 5
- Franchise
- Silent Hill
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PC
- PS Plus Availability
- Extra & Premium
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
