Bloober Team's Silent Hill 2 remake, which defied expectations to critical acclaim and commercial success, may soon be heading for Xbox consoles in the future.
This is because the ESRB, an organization that assigns age and content ratings for games released in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, recently gave an Xbox Series X|S rating for Silent Hill 2 on its official website.
Silent Hill 2 is currently locked behind PlayStation 5 and PC via Steam, so the fact that the ESRB has given it an Xbox Series X|S rating is potentially great news for Xbox fans. There is already precedent for PlayStation exclusives coming to Xbox.
For example, the third-person adventure game, Kena: Bridge of Spirits, launched in 2021 exclusively for PlayStation 5 and PC via Epic Games Store. Then, in 2022, it came to Steam, and in April 2024, Kena was given an Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One rating before launching for those systems three months later on August 15, 2024.
This means we'll likely see Silent Hill 2 launch on Xbox consoles sometime in the future, possibly even in a few months.
Xbox fans may soon get a taste of the melancholy horror and beauty of the Silent Hill 2 Remake
Silent Hill has been enjoying a well-deserved revival this past year.
Not only did the Silent Hill 2 remake end up being a great remake that sold 2.5 million copies, but the unexpected and equally beloved spin-off, Silent Hill f, also did well, selling over a million copies.
We've even given Silent Hill f's Xbox version a near-perfect 4.5/5 star review for making the franchise frightening again while standing on its own merits for its engaging, horrifying story, oppressive atmosphere, and engaging combat system.
Now, if only we can get the Silent Hill 2 remake on Xbox, that would be a true Halloween treat, as currently, the only way to experience Silent Hill 2 on modern Xbox consoles is through the Silent Hill HD Collection.
Without going into too much detail, the Silent Hill HD Collection remaster of Silent Hill 2 was controversial to say the least.
While it retained the original game's iconic gameplay and music, it removed tons of the atmospheric fog and dark lighting that Silent Hill was famous for.
Plus, the HD collection replaced the original game's voice actors with a new cast that rubbed many fans the wrong way, especially those who appreciate the PS2 version's stilted but appropriately creepy voice work.
The Silent Hill 2 remake by Bloober Team changed a lot of aspects of the original game, like revamping the game's combat and bosses, having another new voice cast, having a third-person camera, and even rewriting the dialogue here and there.
However, it managed to succeed in the places that mattered. It remained faithful to the original Silent Hill 2's grim and tragic story and had improved graphical fidelity while being appropriately rusty, dusty, foggy, and dark enough to maintain Silent Hill's iconic atmosphere, much more than the HD Collection.
So, I hope that the Silent Hill 2 remake eventually comes to Xbox, as it's the best way to experience one of the finest horror games in the genre.
Well, aside from scouring eBay for a second-hand PlayStation 2 or OG Xbox and a still-working physical copy of the original Silent Hill 2 for those systems. It is a classic that still holds up today in my opinion.
FAQ
What is the ESRB?
The ESRB (a.k.a. Entertainment Software Rating Board) is a self-regulatory organization whose purpose is to assign age and content ratings to video games released in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
The ESRB's goal is to help customers determine if a video game's content, i.e., levels of violence or bad language, is age-appropriate for them or their children.
What is Silent Hill 2 (2024)?
Silent Hill 2 (2024) is a survival horror game remake based on the original 2001 classic of the same name. In it, the player guides a man named James Sunderland seeking to find his Mary in the mysterious and cursed town of Silent Hill.
What platforms is the Silent Hill 2 remake currently on?
The Silent Hill 2 remake is available for purchase on PlayStation 5 and PC via Steam.
Is the PC version Steam Deck Verified?
No. The Silent Hill 2 remake has not been verified for Steam Deck, so it may have controller and performance issues while running on the handheld.
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