When thinking of great horror experiences on the PlayStation 2, one of the first games that will come to any hardcore PS fan's mind is Siren. Published by Sony Interactive Entertainment and developed by Team Siren, a subsidiary of the now-defunct Japan Studio, this 2003 survival horror classic was one of the many gems hidden within PlayStation's diverse first-party portfolio during the sixth console generation. While Siren wasn't a smash hit sales-wise and didn't receive glowing reviews from critics in the West, the PlayStation 2 exclusive drew the attention of many horror aficionados at the time of its release. The title was successful enough to spawn a Japanese movie adaptation, two mangas, and a sequel. Siren even received a reimagining of sorts with Siren: Blood Curse on the PlayStation 3, a loose remake of the first game in the series. Sadly, despite Blood Curse's positive reception, the Siren series was ultimately thrown into Sony's chest of unutilized franchises and never heard from again.
Recently, though, rumors have circulated about a potential Siren revival. In September 2024, the original Siren game was re-rated by the Game Rating and Administration Board of Korea for PS5, leading some to speculate that a remake or remaster of the cult classic 2003 title was in development for Sony's current-gen console. However, a recent leak from the PlayStation backend seemingly indicates that this rating is not for a modernized re-release of Siren, but rather an emulated PlayStation 5 port of the PS2 horror game. The leaked listing for this port suggests that it'll be released on October 15, 2024, presumably as part of this month's PS Plus Premium Classics lineup. If this is indeed the case, then Sony may have chosen the perfect time to bring Siren to the PS5.
Sony May Have Chosen the Perfect Time to Launch Its Rumored Siren Re-Release
Horror Games like Siren Fit Right In During the Month of October
October is the month of Halloween, and it's a time when horror games shine brightest. Titles like Siren, in particular, are a perfect fit for the spooky season. The original 2003 game is widely regarded as one of the most frightening experiences on the PlayStation 2, and for good reason. The title, which centers around a remote Japanese village called Hanuda and the dangerous, zombie-like affliction that's infected its residents, was directed by Keiichiro Toyama, the famed creator of Silent Hill. This likely won't surprise those who have played the game, as the influence of Konami's iconic franchise runs deep within Siren's veins.
The Siren PS5 Port Has the Potential to Be a Big Deal
Its gameplay may not have aged all that well, but Siren's story, tone, and grungy atmosphere are still fairly unique and worth experiencing to this day. That's why a PS5 port of the game is a big deal because, if the title is re-released as part of PS Plus Premium later this month, then it'll finally be brought back into the spotlight after languishing in obscurity for several years.
That being said, Siren is technically already playable on PS5; however, the version of the game that's currently available on the console is the 2016 PS4 re-release, which pales in comparison to some of Sony's recent PS2 ports feature-wise. These days, Sony uses an updated emulator for its PlayStation Plus Premium Classics catalog that adds various quality-of-life improvements to its PS2 games, such as quick saves, up-rendering, rewinding, and custom video filters. A new Siren PS5 port will presumably include all of these features, making it far superior and easier to play than the outdated PS4 version.
Siren Being Re-Released on PS5 May Lead to More Ports of PS2 Horror Games in the Future
The fact that this unannounced Siren re-release is probably just a port instead of a remake or a remaster will likely disappoint some. Even still, if the rumors are true, this does show Sony's willingness to bring some of its extensive library of iconic PS2 games to modern PlayStation consoles. While a new installment in the Siren franchise may never come to fruition, at the very least, the chances of Siren, Siren 2, and other PlayStation 2 horror games receiving enhanced ports on PS5 are higher than ever before.
- Brand
- Sony PlayStation
- Original Release Date
- November 7, 2024
- Original MSRP (USD)
- $749.99
- Storage
- 2TB SSD
- VR Support
- PlayStation VR2
- Resolution
- Up to 8K
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- App Store
- PlayStation Store
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 7
- Ports
- Power In, Ethernet, HDMI 2.1, 2x USB Type-A, 2x USB Type-C
- HDR Support
- Yes
- Dimensions
- 10.3 x 35.8 cm
- Processor
- AMD Ryzen Zen 2 (8 cores, 16 threads, 3.5GHz)