Summary
Remakes have become a popular aspect for video games, allowing older games to be reimagined via modern and updated technology. They can create a more accessible experience for those who do not wish to go back and play a title with potentially more awkward gameplay, or aged graphics. Remakes can allow for changes to be made to the older game, sometimes for good, and sometimes not.
The characters of any remake will most likely go through design changes, at times quite drastically. TheSilent Hill 2 Remakeremained loyal to the original, but did bring forth differences, and the designs of the characters were indeed altered. Though most characters had their physical appearance changed in some way, some only had minor alterations, or none at all.
7Pyramid Head
The Same As He Was Back In 2001
James' journey into Silent Hill to face the sins of his past leads him to meetPyramid Head.This monster was specifically created from James' unconscious desire for punishment, and antagonizes him throughout the game. Pyramid Head hasn’t changed much, still keeping the same appearance as in the original game. His purpose in the story is also very much the same.
There is a slight upgrade to his antagonistic nature, givenSilent Hill 2 Remake’savailability in providing cutscenes to make Pyramid Head more menacing. Given his popular reputation, Bloober has placed a bit more emphasis on making him threatening, but not to the point where it goes overboard.
6Mary Shepard-Sunderland
Appears Briefly, But Stays Similar To The Original
Maryis the catalyst for the story ofSilent Hill 2.Without her and her relationship with James, he wouldn’t have ventured into the town in an attempt to find her. Mary mostly stays the same as in the original, but with an updated appearance, and is present in thenew endings.
Given the improved visuals of theSilent Hill 2 Remake, Mary’s appearance is different, but remains in line with how she was represented in the original. The remake’s design feels like a natural update. Her character and personality aren’t different, as she is shown to be gentle and loving wife in the videotape, and then a scared and terrified dying woman in her final bedridden monologue to James.
5Angela Orosco
A Slightky Different Face, But The Same Character
James' venture into Silent Hill leads him to meet multiple characters. The first of these isAngela, found very early at Toluca Graveyard. Appearing throughout the game, Angela hasn’t changed much. She is the same character and holds animportant role in the story, especially given that her knife can influence an ending.
The most change comes with her appearance. While her clothing resembles what she wore in the original, her face is different. It isn’t the biggest change, as she still looks similar to how she did in the original, but there is still a difference nonetheless.
4James Sunderland
Some Differences, But Mainly Stays The Same
As the main character ofSilent Hill 2,James’design is the most obvious to show slight differences as well as notable changes. His character is very much the same as itwas in the original, but there are some differences in his personality in correlation with experiencing the horrors of Silent Hill, as well as in his appearance.
He looks similar to how he did in the original, except now in upgraded graphics. His clothing appears to be the same as what his 2001 self wore. The changes in voice acting also help to show off his kinder side when talking to Angela, Eddie, and Laura, and portrays his conflict when interacting with Maria. It also helps to show how terrified he is, with screams of panic when attacking enemies, or fearfully breathing in shallow breaths.
3Maria
A Different Set Of Clothes
As one of the most important characters inSilent Hill 2’sstory,Maria’scharacter didn’t exactly change, remaining similar to what she was like the original. The thing that did change was her outfit, as she wears different clothes compared to her 2001 counterpart.
After players make their way through theBlue Creek Apartmentsand solve the various puzzles within, Maria will be found at Rosewater Park. This time, she wears a black dress and a red jacket, compared to her red top and pink and black splotchy skirt in the original. Her face hasn’t changed too much, looking similar to how she did in the original, but with improved visuals.
2Eddie Dombrowski
A Creepier Appearance
The characters in theSilent Hill 2 Remakedon’t change too much regarding their personalities compared to the original, but their appearances can differ.Eddieis a prime candidate for such a notion. His character remains the same, but his appearance has changed more than most others.
In the remake,Eddie looks a lot creepier, and appears deeply unsettling. Usually surrounded by darkness, players never quite get to see him in full view in light. This makes his appearance even more unnerving, especially given his murderous tendencies. The cutscene in the theater shows how unsettling his new appearance is, with Eddie covered in grease while eating popcorn. The improved graphics allow for more disturbing imagery compared to the original game.
1Laura
A Different Facial Appearance
Laurais arguably the most unique character inSilent Hill 2’sstory. She is the only innocent person in the town, who thus sees a regular town and not the horrors that James, Angela, and Eddie are subjected to. Her personality has remained the same: an initially bratty girl that warms up to James in the later hours of the story, after chasing her throughout thegame’s various sections.
What has changed is Laura’s face, appearing quite different from how she looked in the original game. This time, her face fits her bratty personality more, but it also shows more of the youthful innocence that belongs to an eight-year-old girl. Her clothing isn’t different, but remake Laura’s face could pass as a separate character to someone who’s never playedSilent Hillbefore.
