Hello everybody, welcome!
This is the first post of a new game I started; it’s another remake this time it’s Silent Hill 2. When you start a new game, you’ll be presented with several choices, two of which are Combat Challenge and Puzzles Challenge. I chose to play the game on its default settings because that’s what best represents the vision behind Silent Hill 2.
You start the game in a rest stop bathroom on the outskirts of South Vale. The character James is there looking for his wife after receiving a haunting letter from her. We get the gist of her letter dictated to us from Mary, his wife, and through his thinking out loud, you learn that his wife died three years ago, but he needs to know if it’s really her reaching out to him from beyond the grave.
Once the game has started and you have control of James, turn around and get the map that’s on the front seat of the car parked at the Observation Deck. The map indicates a path down the stairs to the left of the rest stop, but don’t go there just yet. Instead, take the road away from the Observation Deck. As you proceed, you’ll come across a no U-turn sign, at which point you’ll receive an achievement for attempting to leave the Observation Deck area.
With that out of the way, return to the Observation Deck, head down the stairs, and follow the path that leads you to the graveyard. This area serves as a pivotal moment in the story and sets the tone for the eerie atmosphere of the game.
Just before the graveyard on your right is a well illuminated by a faint red light; this is the first save point, a subtle nod to the game’s emphasis on survival and strategy. When you arrive at the graveyard, the gate will creak open as James opens them. A cut scene will play where James meets a girl who is staring at her mother’s headstone. It’s an emotionally charged moment, filled with the weight of grief and loss. During their conversation, James asks if he’s on the right track to reach Silent Hill. The girl cryptically responds that there’s only one road there and you can’t miss it. Her further warning to James not to go, claiming there’s something wrong with the town beyond just the fog, adds to the sense of dread. When James inquires if it’s dangerous, the girl simply replies with “maybe,” which further deepens the intrigue and tension surrounding the town.
Although there’s an obvious warning, James is resolute; he shows no fear and decides to venture towards Silent Hill regardless of the potential dangers lying ahead. When the cut scene ends, James exits the graveyard and resumes his journey toward the ominous town.
As you make your way, there isn’t much to explore initially, but the atmosphere is thick with suspense, hinting at the horrors that await. Eventually, you’ll reach the Auto Service & Tire shop, but you’ll find that the door in the gate is locked. Take a moment to investigate the auto shop, and you’ll notice a note posted to the left of the entrance door. The note reveals that the owner has gone to get a window fixed and mentions that the spare keys are in the drawer. This sparks your next move: go around the shop to your left and leap through the open window. Inside, the desk is illuminated, the keys are in the top right drawer. After grabbing the keys, exit the office and use them to open the door, bringing you closer to your destination.
The remainder of the way into town is clear, so feel free to run all the way. As you reach the town itself, a cut scene unfolds, depicting James walking up to a bulletin board and picking up a map of the East Side Of South Vale. When he opens the map, you’ll receive another achievement for officially reaching Silent Hill. When he closes the map, the game will save automatically.
Thanks for reading! Your support means a lot, and I truly appreciate each and every one of you for taking the time to follow this guide. May your adventures be thrilling and filled with victories in the unsettling world of Silent Hill. God bless, and I look forward to connecting with you in the next post!