With the recent success of Bloober Team’sSilent Hill 2remake, speculation about what the studio could tackle next within Konami’s iconic horror franchise has been building. While the first and third entries are obvious choices as the other most popularSHtitles, the overall limited catalog of the series also includes one game that could be a far more compelling choice to breathe new life into following theSilent Hill 2remake.
Released in 2012,Silent Hill: Downpourremains one of the franchise’s most polarizing and downright poorly-received entries. With reception paling in comparison to its beloved predecessors due to narrative inconsistency and a lackluster feel to gameplay, it has largely fallen into obscurity over the years. Regardless of its shortcomings, however,Downpour’s unique premise highlights the opportunity it presents forBloober Team’s nextSilent Hillremaketo capitalize on a mostly clean slate through revisiting the title.
Silent Hill: Downpour Marked a Promising but Disappointing Chapter in the Franchise’s History
As a spontaneously-freed convict who finds himself in Silent Hill after a prison transport crash, Murphy Pendleton is a character with a strong foundation that wasn’t fully utilized compared to other protagonists of the series. His arc might also hinge on a major reveal and uncovering the darker side of his humanity, but Murphy’s psychological journey fails to resonate on the same level as that ofSilent Hill 2’s James Sunderland. While the connection to the atmosphere of the town was key to amplifying the tension of James' experiences, Murphy never navigates the same level of well-crafted symbolism across instances like mediocre chase sequences.
A Clunky Entry by Survival Horror Standards
Even in a genre where less responsive controls have been used as a stylistic way to heighten tension,Silent Hill: Downpour’s gameplay strugglesto meet the standard of previous entries when it comes to combat. When paired with upfront technical issues like frame rate drops and at-times murky visuals, repetitive enemy encounters and a lack of fluidity can make combat a slog that fails to inspire fear.
Bloober Team Could Be Ideal for Giving Silent Hill: Downpour a Second Chance
A Studio with a Varied and Divisive History in Survival Horror
With a solidified reputation following its success in revampingSilent Hill 2, Bloober Team has shown a knack for creating a classic survival horror experience in an updated context. However, the studio is also no stranger to less universally acclaimed projects, asLayers of FearandThe Mediumare examples of releases with mixed reception. These less-praised titles honed Bloober’s understanding of horror leading up toSH2, but also gave it insight into honing flawed horror games. Aspects like weaker monster designs leave far more room for experimentation and innovation, from which some of theSilent Hill 2remake’s best changeshave come. Due to there being far less hype and nostalgia around the creative choices inDownpour, Bloober could end up essentially free to alter as much as it desires.
The upgrades to the combat mechanics of theSilent Hill 2remake have managed to hit a sweet spot between challenge and tension in a horror scenario, making James' encounters manageable but more intense. A similar approach would be even more appropriate forSilent Hill: Downpour’s Murphy Pendleton, a convict with a violent past that doesn’t contradict the game’s more thoughtful psychological themes. It might not entirely make sense for an “everyman” like James or Harry Mason to be so adept at combat, but elevating Murphy’s journey through a new vision could leave the most room for thematically fitting, engaging action inSilent Hillhistory.
Silent Hill 2
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 SoundWith 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 EnvironmentsExplore 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 CameraThe 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 GameplayFamiliar 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.
