The Silent Hill 2 remake has just been released after much anticipation. And it marks the return of one of gaming’s most iconic survival horror titles. Made by Bloober Team, known for other thrillers like Layers of Fear and The Medium, the remake has received praise from fans, including the original game’s director, Masashi Tsuboyama.
In a series of X (formerly Twitter) posts, Tsuboyama expressed his satisfaction with how the remake introduced Silent Hill 2 to a new generation of players. He also acknowledged his problems with the remake and the original title, which he was a big part of.
According to Tsuboyama, one of the biggest upgrades in the Silent Hill 2 remake is the switch to an over-the-shoulder camera. He noted that this modern perspective improves the way players experience the game and allows them to connect more deeply with the eerie atmosphere of the world and setting.
🟥The thing to note is the change in camera (perspective). The change in playable camera has a significant impact on many aspects,combat,level design, art creation,etc. While the impact on the story may be relatively small, it brings a big change to the playfeel of the game.
— 坪山 優史/Masashi Tsuboyama (@tsuboyama2024) October 4, 2024
In contrast to the fixed camera angles of the original, which were necessitated by the PlayStation 2’s processing limitations, the new perspective offers a more fluid and dynamic gameplay experience, improving everything from combat to environmental interactions.
However, not all aspects of the remake received the same level of praise. Tsuboyama was critical of Konami’s marketing strategy, particularly the decision to include cosmetic DLCs like the Mira the Dog Mask and the PS5-exclusive Robbie the Rabbit Mask as preorder bonuses.
🟥To be honest, I’m not satisfied with the playable camera from 23 years ago.
Depth and angle were limited by the processing load. It was a continuous process of hard work that was not rewarded. But that was the limit.#SilentHill2
— 坪山 優史/Masashi Tsuboyama (@tsuboyama2024) October 4, 2024
Another area where Tsuboyama expressed dissatisfaction was with the original game’s camera system. He echoed his praise for the new camera and candidly admitted that he was “not satisfied” with the limitations they faced 23 years ago.
Tsuboyama reflected on how the evolution of gaming technology has affected the remake. He noted that developers today have far greater freedom to realize their creative visions. When Silent Hill 2 was first released, they faced a lot of challenges in terms of camera depth and visual design.
🟥I think the value of the remake is that a new generation can play it. As a creator, I’m very happy about it. It’s been 23 years! Even if you don’t know the original, you can just enjoy the remake as it is. Whether it’s good or bad doesn’t affect the original.#SilentHill2
— 坪山 優史/Masashi Tsuboyama (@tsuboyama2024) October 4, 2024
Despite their best efforts, the original game couldn’t achieve the immersive realism that is now possible with modern gaming hardware. The remake’s upgraded visuals, including 4K graphics, photorealism, and performance capture, are a big leap forward from what was possible back then.
Despite his criticisms of certain aspects of the remake, Tsuboyama’s overall reaction has been positive. He noted that while the changes may not have a massive impact on the story itself, they certainly influence the “playfeel” of the game.
The Silent Hill 2 remake has been a success, with early reviews praising Bloober Team’s respectful modernization of the classic. Long-time fans of the series, as well as newcomers, can appreciate how the developers have stayed true to the original while also making it feel modern.
Have you played the new release of this remade classic? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
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