The Silent Hill 2 remake differs significantly from the original especially with its combat, but is it actually harder?
When it comes to remakes, gamers remain divided on what constitutes “good.” Some believe that sticking to the original vision and simply enhancing the graphics to modern times is more than enough for a remake. Others think they must shake up the game’s core to be considered even worth making.
Regardless of the reasoning, most remakes differ from the original in key ways; for better or worse. In the case of Silent Hill 2, critics are leaning towards good. The game has received stellar reviews, with wide praise for both its graphics and gameplay changes.
The biggest changes that sparked discussion before release were the completely overhauled combat and perspective. After the ill-conceived “combat trailer” for Silent Hill 2, fans worried the remake would be a Resident Evil ripoff. Fortunately, that is not the case.
Is the Silent Hill 2 remake’s combat hard?
The combat of the Silent Hill 2 remake is significantly harder than what was in the original game.
Although the series typically isn’t action-focused, outside the ill-fated Silent Hill: Homecoming, combat is still a major component in most Silent Hill games. Even so, Silent Hill 2’s combat was sluggish and janky, even among its contemporaries.
While that did play into the game’s atmosphere and how James was meant to be an everyman rather than an action hero, it was clearly limited. Silent Hill 2 Remake overhauls the combat entirely. Though James can still dodge and time attacks as before, the enemies he faces have become far more threatening.
The mannequins from Silent Hill 2, once easily avoidable fodder, have become menaces in the remake. If the player becomes too overzealous with attacks, mannequins will counter with a charge that deals moderate damage. The remake discourages direct combat, and there are usually no rewards for trying to empty Silent Hill of its monsters. But for those who want the heat, Silent Hill 2 Remake offers a hard mode.
How does hard mode work for Silent Hill 2 remake’s combat?
Enemies become faster and deal twice as much damage to James on the hardest difficulty of the remake.
Unlike other games, which typically raise difficulty by raising the health slider to bullet sponge levels, the remake opts for the glass cannon approach. Enemies still have the same health as before, but they deal more damage than before and seemingly become faster.
Mannequins will likely try to crowd James while Lying Figures spam spit attacks or dodge the second hit of a melee attack. For players looking for a challenge, hard mode offers a different layer of gameplay complexity to the classic story.