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Silent Hill 2features two fun endings as opposed to the psychological torment and horror that are expected from the main canon interpretations. With one of these fun ones featuring the Dog Ending, players will find out just how silly and wild the ending can be, and how Bloober Team lovingly recreates it for theSilent Hill 2remake.
Players who have already embarked on a journey throughSilent Hill 2can find new rewards awaiting them in New Game Plus, and the Dog Ending inSilent Hill 2is one of them. Faithfully recreated, along with its end-credits music, the Dog Ending isn’t one to miss out on.
Players must be in New Game Plus to get the Dog Ending.
Spoilers ahead for Silent Hill 2
All Requirements for the Dog Ending inSilent Hill 2Remake
There are a few requirements for the Dog Ending inSilent Hill 2, and they all involve collecting specific items.Players won’t have to worryabout examining items and healing or not healing like some of the other endings, as this ending simply requires two collectibles to be found in order to craft a key and use it on a secret door at the end of the game:
Start in New Game Plus
New Game Plus was acquired after playersbeatSilent Hill 2for the first time. When selecting New Game, players have the option between choosing Standard or New Game +, they should always select New Game Plus to obtain the secret endings ofSilent Hill 2.
Find the Broken Key Part (Dog Paw)
Once players have access to the East Side of South Vale after defeating their first enemy, players will want to head up Neely Street to Big Jay’s. Just on the left of Big Jay’s is the Pet Center, and the door will be unlocked. Entering inside and venturing to the back office will see them find the first part of the Broken Key, which has a plastic dog paw on the front. Take this key and continue on as normal through Blue Creek Apartments until meeting up with Maria on the West Side of South Vale.
Find the Broken Key Part (Dog Bone)
After escaping Blue Creek Apartments and meeting up with Maria on the West Side of South Vale, players will want to find the Gate Key and exit through the gate of Jacks Inn. Follow the road down Munsom Street and head right through to Katz Street. Keep your eyes on the abandoned houses and between the two houses closest to the right of the map, there will be a white fence with a dog bone symbol. Enter through the door and head to the back where there will be a Dog Kennel with the second Broken Key Part in the shape of a bone.
Combine the Broken Key Parts to Make the Dog Key
With both Broken Key Parts now found, players can simply head through until they reach the final chapter of Lakeview Hotel. Once at Lakeview Hotel, players can feel free to enter their inventory and locate their Key Items, where they will be able to combine the two Broken Key Parts to craft the Dog Key. All players need to do now is progress through Lakeview Hotel until they obtain the key from the Music Box.
After solving theMusic Box Puzzlein Lakeview Hotel, players will have the key that they need to open up 3F. Once players head up the stairs and into 3F, ignore Room 312 and instead turn left to the double doors that read Observation Room. Players can then use the Dog Key on this door to immediately trigger a new ending which will skip the final two boss fights and activate one of the weirder and wonderful endings ofSilent Hill 2.
Dog Ending, Explained
As James opens the door to the Observation Room, a handgun aimed at the perpetrator of his torment, he uncovers a dark secret: a Shiba Inu dog wearing a headset has been in control of everything that has transpired inSilent Hill 2. James Sunderland, upon seeing the reveal of this adorable dog, drops to his knees in despair and disbelief. The dog gives James a few adorable licks, and then the credits roll with a goofy and cute dog song.
James speaks Polish in the Dog Ending, a reference to how in the Dog Ending for 2001’sSilent Hill 2, he spoke Japanese. The reason for his Polish dialogue is due to Bloober Team’s development team being Polish.
The Dog Ending is just a joke ending that doesn’t have any deeper relevance, but if fans want it to be canon, then it’s their canon. However, the Dog Ending should be taken as a humorous ending that attempts to make light of a game where psychological horror and depressing themes are front and center.