Summary
InSilent Hill 2,there is a lot of exploring to do in theseemingly empty town. While much of it is mandatory to progress the story, there are also plenty of places that the game will not explicitly direct players towards. Sometimes, these are larger locations found around town, while other times, they are just smaller rooms within a larger area. Regardless, these areas often contain items to help James on his journey, or offer players a unique moment that they would not encounter otherwise.
The remake clearly considers the satisfaction that many players get from seeing locations filled in and crossed off by the red pen on James' map. There is even a little animation to show him adding notes as players make discoveries. As with the original game, it is well worth indulging this particular habit toget the most out of a playthroughand see all there is to be seen. Here are a few missable areas that are worth seeking out.
6Toluca Prison 1st Floor Men’s Room
Never Leave A Cubicle Unchecked
TheSilent Hillfranchise has a special relationship with toilets. The first save point ofSilent Hill 3is in the mall bathrooms. InSilent Hill 4,Henry enters the town of Silent Hill through a hole in his bathroom wall. And, of course,Silent Hill 2itself begins in a toilet. Alongside this, there is something of a tradition of some of the mostuniquely terrifying momentsin Silent Hill games taking place in bathrooms.
It would be unfair, of course, to tell players what happens in this particular bathroom. Perhaps nothing happens at all, and it’s only advisable to take the trip there because there is a plethora of helpful items. There’s only one way to find out.
5Motor Home
A Safe Spot With Important Information
The Motor Home is a small location remade from the original game. There is no save point within this time (at first anyway), and no memo directing the player towards Neely’s Bar. However, it does contain a note of importance for newcomers, letting them know how to make sure monsters aren’t going torise up after they have been put down.
This spot is a fun early optional example of how Bloober Team have mixed up the formula in remakingSilent Hill 2,while almost always keeping some reference to what came before. It’s both helpful to new players, and a fun Easter egg for franchise veterans.
4The Flower Shop
First Stop On A Sightseeing Tour Of Town
This location is quite hard to miss, as it is straight ahead on the initial road in to Silent Hill. There is certainly novelty to be found for those who have played the original, who may have seen this location on their way into town, but never been able to enter. Only the outside of this building was present in the original game. In many respects, this quiet, sad first stop on James' return to Silent Hill sets the tone going forward.
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While players can only find a single note in this location, that note could well refer to James himself and also an obscure detail of one of thesecret endings. That is the fun of the extra exploration inSilent Hill 2.There is always something more to collect or see, and muse upon its greater meaning to the bigger picture.
2Happy Burger
A Health Drink And Bullets To Go
Though it is anoften referenced fast-food chainwithin theSilent Hillfranchise, Happy Burger has rarely been anything more than an observable location. InSilent Hill 3,it is where Heather wakes from a nightmare, beginning her ownSilent Hilladventure. However, players can only visit it after completing the Mall location for a quick save point and some extra dialogue.
In the originalSilent Hill 2,Happy Burger is present as well. However, only the car park is accessible, where players can grab a first aid kit. In the remake, the area has been made fully explorable. It’s worth investigating Happy Burger for some extra ammo and health. It also provides an extra nostalgic kick for players of the original series who have so often passed the sign and pondered what might be inside.
1Pete’s Bowl-O-Rama (The Far End of Nathan Avenue)
Take A Break And Go Bowling
After meeting Maria, the player gets the chance to explore a little before moving on with the story and heading to Jack’s Inn. To the far end of Nathan Avenue lies Pete’s Bowl-O-Rama. In the original version of the game, this was a required location to progress the story, but in the remake, it is entirely up to the player whether they decide to visit this location.
Though it’s optional, the area is worth checking out. Not only does a visit provide somefun Easter eggsand deja-vu moments, but by taking the time to journey along Nathan Avenue, players can find an easy-to-miss note. Some extra dialogue between James and Maria will also occur, giving some extra insights into their characterization that would otherwise be missed.
