Silent Hill 2: South Vale Walkthrough - All Collectibles: Glimpses of the Past, Memos, Strange Photos

Hello and welcome to our Silent Hill 2 Walkthrough, which presents a step-by-step guide to completing the entire game on PS5, including Collectibles. At times, our Walkthrough will link out to dedicated Puzzle Solutions pages to provide a more in-depth description of particular sections and sequences. Using our Walkthrough, you'll be able to see everything the PS5 remake from Bloober Team has to offer, and clear any difficult parts you might be having a tough time with.

This Walkthrough is intended for a playthrough where the Combat Challenge and Puzzles Challenge are both set to the Standard option. For more information covering Combat and Puzzles difficulty options, click the link. This first page of our Silent Hill 2 Walkthrough covers the very start of the game through until the Wood Side Apartments, and it includes How to Solve the Jukebox Puzzle in Neely's Bar and How to Get the Grand Market Keypad Code.

Note: The game returns to the South Vale area on a few occasions throughout a normal playthrough, with it starting in East South Vale and later working through West South Vale. This means spoilers are present for a specific part of the game despite this page being first in our Silent Hill 2 Walkthrough. Please browse carefully and don't scroll too far down the page if you're at the beginning of the game.

Silent Hill 2: East South Vale Walkthrough - All Collectibles: Glimpses of the Past, Memos, Strange Photos

Having started a new game, you'll be introduced to the protagonist James Sunderland and why he has returned to Silent Hill. Despite his wife's death three years ago, he's received a letter from her, telling him she's waiting in their "special place" in the town. You'll gain control after his monologue inside a dirty bathroom, which is taken outside to a viewpoint near to Silent Hill. Start by going to your car, and on the driver's side, on the seat, you'll find the Map of South Vale. Now, if you want to immediately earn a Trophy, head up the road you're on past the bathroom and simply walk away from the situation at hand. You'll earn the No Turning Back Now Trophy for your efforts.

Now, let's actually get to the game! Next to the white van that's parked near your car is a set of stairs you can take down to the Graveyard. It's a long, ominous path covered in fog that sets the tense atmosphere for the game ahead. Along the way, you'll reach a well, which introduces the save game feature. Continue along the path into the Graveyard, where a cutscene will introduce a woman looking for her family.

You can get some additional dialogue if you talk to her after the cutscene, but to progress, follow the path west through a second gate and past a cornfield. You'll pass through Silent Hill Ranch, and at the end will be an "Auto Parts" garage. Enter and you'll find a note pinned to a notice board telling you of the key you need to progress being inside. Go around the outside of the garage to the left and enter through the open window. Inside, approach the desk with the lamp and open the drawer to find the Auto Parts Key. Exit out the front door and you can use the key on the door built into the red shutter blocking the road ahead.

Continue down the road, and before following the path to the right, approach the blocked tunnel for your first Glimpse of the Past. This is one of the game's Collectibles, in a sense.

Glimpses of the Past #1

After passing through Silent Hill Ranch by unlocking the door blocking the road with the Auto Parts Key, there will be a blocked tunnel ahead of you. Approach it and use the interaction prompt to unlock the first of the Glimpses of the Past.

After interacting with it, continue along the path to the right and you'll end up on Wiltse Road after pushing through the metal grate. At the very end, a cutscene will see James pick up a second Map of the East Side of South Vale as Silent Hill properly comes into view. From here, the eastern side of town is open for you to explore, but the first thing you will want to do is cross the street and head into the flower shop to find your first Memo on the counter.

Memo #1: Flower Shop Message

Having entered Silent Hill after picking up the two maps of its eastern and western side, cross the street and enter the flower shop. On the counter will be the Flower Shop Message.

Head right and you'll notice a blood stain leading out of the flower shop. Interact with it, then head outside to the intersection between Sanders Street and Lindsey Street to spot more of it. Head north up Lindsey Street and eventually a short cutscene will play in which James spots a strange figure up ahead.

Continue further north, and as you start to notice cracks appearing in the road, you should be at the intersection that can turn off to Vachss Road. The main path takes you between the row of houses to your left, but if you approach the gate with the "Do Not Enter" sign, you'll find the second of the Glimpses of the Past.

Glimpses of the Past #2

When you're following the strange figure James spotted along Lindsey Street, you'll start to spot small cracks appearing in the road. When you reach the intersection leading off to Vachss Road, head right to the gate with the "Do Not Enter" sign and trigger the second Glimpse of the Past.

Having interacted with that, head left through the gap in the houses. Pass through the two gardens, then the fence gate towards the source of the strange noises. James very briefly spots the figure again, then tails it into a small hole in the first garage door on the left. Squeeze through the gap in the wall, save your game, then search the kitchen drawer to find a Health Drink. You can use this by pressing Triangle when you're low on health either during or after an enemy encounter — you may need it shortly.

Go into the room with the cracked open door to find a Radio... and an enemy. James will grab a Wooden Plank to fight with, and this scenario introduces combat. You'll dodge the enemy with Circle and you can fight back with R2. We'll recommend dodging first to get a feel for things, then attack back when you're ready and prepared. You can trigger a bit of dialogue by pushing the interact prompt hovering over the enemy after the fight.

You can exit the house through where the enemy appeared from, but be sure to grab the Syringe off the desk to the right before you leave through the window. Syringes are an even more powerful healing item than Health Drinks. Once outside after smashing the glass, James will very briefly hear what sounds like his wife calling out to him over the Radio, and control picks back up on Martin Street. As soon as you do, turn to your immediate right and look for the blood splatter in the corner. This is another one of the Glimpses of the Past.

Glimpses of the Past #3

After fighting your first enemy and obtaining the Radio, you'll leave the building you're in and return outside on Martin Street. Turn to your immediate right and interact with the blood splatter to find this Glimpse of the Past.

A short way down Martin Street, James will spot what looks like a human corpse, with a Matchbook next to it for Neely's Bar. If you check your Map of the East Side of South Vale, you'll now see the location is circled. The Matchbook also counts as a Memo, and so too does the Martin Street Note just ahead.

Memo #2: Matchbook

After your first enemy encounter, you'll exit the house and go down Martin Street until you spot what looks like a human corpse on the ground. Right next to it is the Matchbook.

Memo #3: Martin Street Note

Immediately after the Matchbook, the Martin Street Note can be found on the ground.

You can save your game in the yard to the right, then head out onto Katz Street. You can actually enter the dry cleaners and Andy's Bookstore by climbing through each one's window, but there's nothing of note in them besides an article to read. Neely's Bar is where we need to head next, so go west along Katz Street and then south down Neely Street when you reach the intersection. You'll encounter a few enemies along the way, so either avoid them or take them down. Once you get there, head through the front door and pick up the Memo for Neely's Bar Note.

Memo #4: Neely's Bar Note

Once you arrive at Neely's Bar on the intersection between Neely Street and Sanders Street, pick up Neely's Bar Note off the counter in front of you.

You can save your game if you wish behind the bar, then approach the covered-up jukebox in the corner. Pressing Cross/X will break the jukebox and give you a piece of a Broken Vinyl Record. This begins the Jukebox Puzzle in Neely's Bar, and you can find a full breakdown and guide to that through the following link:

During the stretch of gameplay related to the Jukebox puzzle, you'll find further Collectibles, which are detailed below as well as in our dedicated Jukebox puzzle guide:

Memo #5: Small Note

Once you arrive at Saul Street Apartments, push the cupboard on the first floor blocking your path just to the left of the building's map. In the office, on the desk, you'll find the Small Note.

Memo #6: Tenant's Note

On floor 2F of Saul Street Apartments, there's a crawlspace next to Apartment 7. Use it and on the desk next to the open window is the Tenant's Note.

Memo #7: Old Map

Just beyond Saul Street Apartments, out on the street, you'll find a yard with a campervan inside. Just before it, out on the street, is a corpse. The Old Map is next to it.

Memo #8: Saul Street Note 1

Immediately after the Old Map, still on the ground, is the Saul Street Note.

Memo #9: Saul Street Note 2

Right after Saul Street Note 1 is a second on the ground.

Memo #10: Saul Street Note 3

In front of the campervan door, you'll find another Saul Street Note.

Memo #11: Motor Home Note

Inside the campervan on the table, you'll find the Motor Home Note.

Memo #12: Record Store Note

When you reach Groovy Music, you'll find the Record Store Note on the counter to your immediate left inside.

After solving the Jukebox Puzzle in Neely's Bar, you'll be rewarded with Neely's Bar Key. This can be used to unlock the door next to the save point. Important: If you choose to continue along the main path through South Vale, you'll be locked off from a lot of its buildings for a period of time. Therefore, we recommend making a save and performing a sweep of the Collectibles you may have missed. The following aren't encountered along the main narrative path through South Vale, so here's a round-up of the other Collectibles left in South Vale:

Strange Photo #1: I've Been Happy

Where Sanders Street and Neely Street meet at the intersection, on the left-hand side of the road is the Silent Hill Fresh Meats shop. Smash the glass on the left and you'll find the Strange Photo in the front display area.

Memo #13: Sanders Street Note

About halfway down Sanders Street, you'll find a semi-trailer truck left abandoned off to the side. There's a corpse on the passenger's side, and Sanders Street Note is next to it.

Memo #14: Code Note

On the other side of the corpse along Sanders Street, you'll find the Code Note. This is used to work out the Grand Market Keypad Solution.

Memo #15: Texan Cafe Flyer

At the entrance to Wood Side Apartments along Katz Street, you'll find the Texan Cafe Flyer pinned to a wooden board.

Glimpses of the Past #4

To the right of the entrance to Wood Side Apartments is a dumpster. Approach it for this Glimpse of the Past.

Strange Photo #2: So Many People Here!

To the left of the Wood Side Apartments entrance, next to the rubbish and wooden boards, is this Strange Photo on the ground.

Memo #16: Barrier Note

At the very end of Katz Street on its western side is the Barrier Note placed next to an enemy corpse. As soon as you pick this one up, it'll come alive and start attacking you so be careful.

Glimpses of the Past #5

At the very end of Katz Street, approach the white material covering the wall blocking your road. There's a small gap you can look through to get this Glimpse of the Past.

Memo #17: Big Jay's Note

Enter Big Jay's on the intersection between Katz Street and Neely Street to find Big Jay's Note on the table in front of you.

The main story Walkthrough continues here: On the other side of the door you used Neely's Bar Key on, push the cart up against the wall so you can climb through the vent space. In the bathroom is a Health Drink, and in the office on the desk is a Memo called Back Room Letter.

Memo #18: Back Room Letter

After solving the Jukebox Puzzle in Neely's Bar, you'll get Neely's Bar Key. This opens up the back area, where pushing a cart up against the wall lets you reach an open vent space. On the other side in the office is the Back Room Letter.

After reading the Back Room Letter, a "greenish blue car" will be marked on your map, east of your position. You can exit out the white door in the room and you'll be on the side street leading to the question-marked area. You can reach into the green car on your right for a Health Drink, then go through the open gate to find the car you're looking for on your immediate right. Next to it is a bloody shirt, which you can interact with to find the Wood Side Apartments Key. You'll be attacked by 3 enemies as soon as you pick it up, which presents a very dangerous situation for you. It might be best to simply run away, through the opening in between the dumpsters.

At this point, a storm appears to be kicking up in Silent Hill and much of the buildings you have previously been able to explore are locked off to you. Your main objective now is to reach the Wood Side Apartments, since you just got the key to head inside. It'll be west of your position along Katz Street. Once there, use the Wood Side Apartments Key to enter.

Silent Hill 2: West South Vale Walkthrough - All Collectibles: Strange Photos, Memos, Glimpses of the Past

After working your way through the Wood Side Apartments and Blue Creek Apartments, you'll re-enter South Vale on its western side. Follow the road down its linear route until a cutscene plays with the young girl you previously met. She'll run off after mentioning James' wife Mary, and then you regain control and can enter Rosewater Park. Besides picking up Handgun Ammo and a Syringe, all you can do is stroll through the park and exit out the other side onto the dock area next to the water. Walk to the end of the pier and you'll have your first encounter with Maria.

When you regain control, she'll be accompanying you. Head right into a new section of Rosewater Park, and take an immediate right to follow the path down to a small seating area on the right with a Strange Photo.

Strange Photo #1: So Far from Home

When you meet Maria for the first time and she joins you, head into the new section of Rosewater Park and take an immediate right. In a little seating area on your right will be a Strange Photo.

From the direction you enter this part of Rosewater Park, the exit is in the back-right corner, beyond some chess tables. You'll be back on the streets — on Nathan Avenue to be specific — where Maria points out the motel called Jacks Inn. Enter the open outside area, then take an immediate left into the office. Underneath the cash register is a Safe, then pinned to the noticeboard is a Memo called Reception Desk Note.

Memo #1: Reception Desk Note

When you leave Rosewater Park with Maria, she'll point out Jacks Inn. Enter the open outside area, then take a left into the office to find the Reception Desk Note pinned to a noticeboard in the office.

Leave the office and head up the stairs to the second row of motel rooms, smashing the glass next to Room 108 so you can climb inside. There's then a piece of the wall you can break down on the left, allowing you to enter Room 107. A bedside cabinet contains a Health Drink, there's Handgun Ammo in the wardrobe, and then a Memo called Toolbox Memo can be found on the desk. Use it to work out the Jacks Inn safe code, or use our guide through the link to get the answer.

Memo #2: Toolbox Memo

On the second row of motel rooms up the stairs, break the glass next to Room 108 and then destroy its left-hand wall to access Room 107. The Toolbox Memo is on the desk inside. This is used to work out the Jacks Inn safe code.

You'll earn the Gate Key for unlocking the Safe, which can be used to unlock the...well... gate in the back-left corner of the yard in Jacks Inn. Before passing through the gate onto Munson Street, we strongly recommend heading west first along Nathan Avenue, as there are places you can still explore. If you continue along the main path, you'll soon become locked off from this area.

Start by visiting Octantis Fuels. Go behind the garage to find a Garage Jack Lever. Next, cross the street and head towards Pete's Bowl-O-Rama. First, go past it, heading south to where the white material wall blocks your path. Look to the right and you'll spot a staircase leading up to a door. Approach it for one of the Glimpses of the Past.

Glimpses of the Past #1

When you can roam about West South Vale, head for Pete's Bowl-O-Rama. When you get to its entrance, head south down Carroll Street until you reach the wall blocking your path. Look for a staircase to the right here and approach the door at the top for the Glimpse of the Past.

Now head inside Pete's Bowl-O-Rama, and on the left-hand side of the bowling lanes is a pizza you can look at for a Trophy. It's also one of the Glimpses of the Past.

Glimpses of the Past #2

When you're free to roam West South Vale along Nathan Avenue, head west up to Pete's Bowl-O-Rama. On the left-hand side of the bowling lanes is an open pizza box you can interact with for this Glimpse of the Past. This is also a Trophy.

Head back outside and next go all the way to the end of Nathan Avenue, beyond the Historial Society. At the end of the road will be a Memo to pick up off a corpse.

Memo #3: Bloody Note

Go to the very end of Nathan Avenue when you can freely explore the area, beyond the Historical Society. You'll find a corpse in the middle of the road, and you can take this Memo off it.

Now we have the Garage Jack Lever, double back to the building opposite Jacks Inn and use it to open the garage door around the back. Crawl inside to find Handgun Ammo, a Health Drink, a Syringe, and a Strange Photo next to the raised car.

Strange Photo #2: Made It!

When you're able to freely explore Nathan Avenue in West South Vale, head west to Octantis Fuels to find a Garage Jack Lever behind the fuel pumps. Take this to the back of the building opposite Jacks Inn and use it to enter. Next to the raised car inside is the Strange Photo.

You'll notice the Silent Hill Historical Society is also a marked location on your map, but right now, we don't have the key needed to enter. Feel free to return to the gate we now have the key to in Jacks Inn and continue your main progress.

You can't do anything at the Baldwin Mansion except trigger a bad memory for Maria if you try to enter, so head south down Munson Street and turn right onto Katz Street. Follow it along until a cutscene plays in which James and Maria discover the road has disappeared, at which point they double back to the house where you might have heard a car engine running. In order to hold off the enemies following them, James lodges his Wooden Plank into some metal gates and swaps it for a Steel Pipe. This is your new melee weapon.

You'll end up in a few connecting side streets between the rows of houses, where a lot of enemies must be killed. Do so carefully, following the path between and around the houses until Maria points out a gap in the fence you can climb through. If you're having trouble finding it, refer to the map image below. You can either cut through a garage or push a cupboard to one side to access it.

On the other side of the fence, approach the red door to enter Heavens Night. Go through the kitchen into the dressing room, where on the back wall of mirrors you can find a Strange Photo.

Strange Photo #3: Ready to Kill It!

Having entered Heavens Night with Maria, walk through the kitchen area into the dressing room, and scan the back wall of mirrors to find this Strange Photo.

There's also some Handgun Ammo to the right, then you can swing further right to enter the backstage area. There's a Health Drink and Handgun Ammo in this little area, then you can continue onto the main floor for a drink with Maria. When you regain control of James the spoilsport, there are a few things you can look at more closely around the bar area, then approach Maria once you want to leave.

Back outside, most of the roads will be blocked, leaving the only path you can take being north back onto Katz Street and into Moonlight Grove. There's a tight path through the buildings to get there; refer to the map image below for help finding it.

In the Moonlight Grove garden, follow Maria to the statue for a cutscene. You'll hear a scream at the end of it, ushering James to investigate. However, once you gain control, turn around and follow the path in front of you to a fountain area with a Strange Photo.

Strange Photo #4: Church Entrance

After the cutscene with Maria in the Moonlight Grove at the statue, turn around once you regain control of James and follow the path in front of you through the garden. You'll come to a small clearing with a water feature on your left. You'll find this Strange Photo on it.

The northern path out of Moonlight Grove will lead you to Reverie Theater, where climbing on a box to access an open window lets you inside — Maria waits outside while you take a look around. Inside, there's Handgun Ammo in the drawer, and you can look through a hole in the wall to find Eddie and the young girl in the cinema room. Push the cupboard opposite to one side to access the corridor to the main entrance area, where you'll find Handgun Ammo in the bathrooms. Enter the main cinema room next, through the door underneath the green exit sign. Approach Eddie on the front row for a cutscene in which he reveals the young girl's name to be Laura. When you regain control, return to Eddie and go behind him where the popcorn is on the floor. Sitting on one of the chairs on the left is a Strange Photo.

Strange Photo #5: Best Flavor!

When you're in Reverie Theatre, you'll approach Eddie in one of the cinema rooms to trigger a cutscene. Afterwards, return to him and go behind him along the row where there's popcorn on the floor. On one of the chairs on the left is this Strange Photo.

Afterwards, there's a set of double doors at the front of the cinema room on the right-hand side you can use to cross into a second screen. Laura will turn the projector on when you enter, so exit the room through the door with the exit sign above it. Head up the stairs into the projector room and climb through the window, looking for a gap you can squeeze through in between the racks of film reels. It's marked with white rags on the right-hand side. Interacting with it triggers a short cutscene in which James spots Laura before she runs off.

Follow her through the second projection room, down the stairs, and into the main entrance area with the popcorn machines, where she'll run outside. Maria will tell you she ran south in the direction of Brookhaven Hospital. You'll notice Laura run inside when you approach the hospital, and our Silent Hill 2 Walkthrough continues in there.

Did you find our Walkthrough covering South Vale in Silent Hill 2 and all its Collectibles useful? Our Silent Hill 2 Walkthrough continues in our Wood Side Apartments Walkthrough, and we have even more guidance and information in our overall Silent Hill 2 guide.