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One of the 8 endings in theSilent Hill 2remake involves Maria, Maria, and more Maria. It’s one of the most pivotal endings ofSilent Hill 2, and Bloober Team has faithfully recreated it with their own set of instructions in order to get the ending to trigger, andobtain the trophyfor doing so. To obtain the Maria ending inSilent Hill 2Remake, players need tobe aware of some essentialsfirst.
With an abundance of requirements for one of the eight endings, players might want to prepare a fresh playthrough or make sure that they have only just met Maria to begin the journey with her and trigger the necessities for a finale that focuses more on Maria than it does Mary.
Spoilers ahead for Silent Hill 2
All Requirements for the Maria Ending inSilent Hill 2Remake
The Maria ending has quite a few requirements to keep track of throughout a playthrough ofSilent Hill 2, and to list them, here is what players are going to need to look out for:
Some of the steps, like specific triggers from puzzles, are unconfirmed, but for a guaranteed way of obtaining the Maria ending, it’s best to follow the instructions listed.
Do Not Examine Mary’s Letter, Photo of Mary, Handkerchief, or Angela’s Knife
When startingSilent Hill 2, players can enter into their inventory to examine some Personal Items. It is essential that players ignore all Personal Items, and simply refuse to examine the Photo of Mary, Handkerchief, Mary’s Letter, and Angela’s Knife. Ignoring these items will ensure that conflicting triggers won’t happen, as if players examine Angela’s Knife, they will be on the track for the In Water ending, and if they examine Mary’s items, they will be on track for the Leave ending. By ignoring these items, the game is essentially informed of James’ ignorance of Mary’s condition.
Immediately Heal Every Injury
It’s imperative that players find as manyHealing Itemsas they can so that anytime they take damage, they can immediately heal the wound. Staying fully healed will ensure a response in the game to ensure that players are on the right path for the Maria ending, as it shows James’ determination to live since he is always taking care of himself and making sure he is not wounded throughout his journey. Players can tell if they need to heal based on any bloodstains on James’ jacket.
Use the Woman Coin in the Wood Side Apartments Coin Puzzle
While a controversial step, for this guide, we elected to use the Woman Coin during the final riddle when the Coin Box reads “Now unto you falls a grievous chore, who carries blame for what fate had in store?” By placing the Woman Coin on the top center of the box, players register blame with the woman, and perhaps this step alludes to the fact that James voids himself of responsibility for killing Mary through arrogance and excuses, which is why the Woman Coin seems to be a good place to start for the Maria ending.
Keep Maria Safe
Once players meet up with Maria in Rosewater Park, they are going to want to do their best to keep an eye on her. Pay close attention to her, check and ensure she is tagging along, and avoid startling her or rushing into her. Players will want to keep her safe, as enemies can and will attack Maria, so it’s best to focus on enemies and ensure that they don’t get too close to Maria and injure her. This will showcase James’ protective nature of Maria and help the game understand that players care for her more deeply than Mary.
Interact with Maria at Jacks Inn and Baldwin Mansion
Maria has a few secret dialogue trades with James that can be found on the West Side of South Vale. The first can be found once players arrive at Jacks Inn, where if they head up the stairs, break the window to Room 108, and open the door to let Maria in, players can trigger optional dialogue with her and discuss her original outfit from 2001’sSilent Hill 2. By interacting with her in this optional dialogue, the game registers James paying attention to Maria instead of ignoring her.
Players can also get another set of extra dialogue for some bonus points after they find the Gate Key in Jacks Inn and head to Baldwin Mansion. James can ask Maria if she is right, thus triggering more optional dialogue that showcases further care.
Activate Two Maria Cutscenes in Brookhaven Hospital
Once players are inside Brookhaven Hospital, there are two secret cutscenes that they can activate once Maria lies down in Room C5 of 2F. These cutscenes will showcase James’ care for Maria and tell the game that James has a bit of a soft side for her if they repeatedly check in on her. Here’s how to activate both cutscenes:
While seemingly not essential, we also checked in with Maria in the Labyrinth chapter after completing each puzzle and returning to the Labyrinth Center.
Use the Ripe Apple in Lakeview Hotel’s Mirror Puzzle
Once players reach Lakeview Hotel, they will want to progress through as normal until they reach theMirror Puzzle. Players will want to pick up the Ripe Apple which is located in the bottom left area of the Hall in 2F and then use the Ripe Apple in the Mirror Puzzle found in Room 206. Using the Ripe Apple further showcases James’ desire and illusion of things that are fresh and pure, free from any corruption or illness, which reflects his desire for the healthy Maria over the sick Mary.
Go Through the Scarlet Egg Door
Afterdefeating the two Pyramid Headsafter the Lakeview Hotel section, they will each be holding an Egg. The Scarlet Egg and the Rust-Colored Egg must be placed in either door, but it’s essential that players venture through the Scarlet Egg door to once again showcase James’ desire for purity and things that are not burdened by withering. Once through the door, simply head to the end of the corridor and just ignore Mary’s narration, and exit as soon as players are able.
If done correctly, Mary should be bedbound when James meets her, and the cutscene will play a little differently with their meeting turning sour before the classic boss fight begins.
Maria Ending, Explained
In the Maria ending, James is able to leave the town of Silent Hill and also leaves behind any guilt that he may have over the murder of his terminally sick wife. James leaves Silent Hill with Maria and proves that this journey has been for nothing. He has not changed, he has not repented, he simply chooses Maria to escape from guilt and to embrace his sexual urges for companionship with Maria.
Even when Maria coughs, James responds coldly and uncaringly, “You better do something about that cough.” Shows that even when presented with a sickness that mirrors that of his deceased wife, he is doomed to repeat a vicious circle of bitterness and hatred with no guilt in tow.
