The writer of Silent Hill: Shattered Memories and Silent Hill: Origins, Sam Barlow, has remarked on the difficulty of remaking Silent Hill 2, an undertaking developer Bloober Team is reportedly close to achieving.
In an interview with PCGamesN during GDC 2023, Barlow wasn't shy about sharing his feelings on the subject, describing the task as "the biggest poison chalice in video games, doing a remaster of Silent Hill 2”.
Long-time fans can be hard to please, with modern games sometimes requiring a modern facelift, which Barlow recognises, remarking: "I mean, good luck to them because I don’t know how you can do that without upsetting people.”
Barlow is looking forward to fresh entries in the series, like the still-in-development Silent Hill F and Silent Hill: Townfall, noting that "personally, I’m less excited about playing a remaster”. It's worth noting that Barlow refers to Bloober Team's project as a remaster several times, but Silent Hill 2 is a complete remake of the 2001 cult-classic.
What do you think of Barlow's comments? Do you think it's a damned-if-you-do, damned-if-you-don't the situation with Silent Hill 2? Face the ghosts of your past in the comments section below.
[source pcgamesn.com]
Comments 17
The original was so bad, it only can get better. Sure, the story was interesting and good but as a game... Boringly running through empty sterile rooms ..
Is…. Is Barlow throwing shade…?
Yet Capcom have just released a remake of an even more highly regarded game from the time to near universal appraise 🤔
"Long-time fans can be hard to please". This is true which is why the reveal trailer threw me off in very particular aspects I didn't like at all, subtle details in the character voices, their intonations etc. Graphically, it looks impressive though. That said, I am hopeful, will definitely play it and I am looking forward to it but I am extremely skeptical. The good thing is: The original will still always be there as well.
He’s not exactly wrong, but the same can be said about Resident Evil 4.
Seems to be a wise opinion. Even if it's a good remake, that won't be good enough. It needs to be amazing because that's how people remember the original. And coming from a studio like Bloober, it seems unlikely it'll be amazing.
If there is one constant outcome for a creation of any kind, is that it won't please everybody.
Fans of any game only need the slightest reason nowadays to complain of a Remaster or Remake of said game. Even if a dev pours their hearts and souls into it, even if the allocate the greatest care in the world and try to implement the biggest fan-desired features, there's still gonna be backlash after the launch... because there are either too many to implement, or some of them are mutually exclusive, etc...
Just like in the very old story of the Man, the Boy and the Donkey... whatever you do, there are always gonna be people that are unhappy with your decision or the path you chose. Unfortunately it still applies even today, and will continue to for thousands of years more...
So choose a path, make a decision and stick with it through the consequences - it's the best anyone can do.
It's usually a hand full of diehard "fans" who are the most outspoken when displeased, though that crowd I feel are more fans of being perpetually bitter and not enjoy anything except bathing in their mislead nostalgia.
The graphics of the day are very intertwined with the feel of RE4 and Silent Hill 1.
However, Silent Hill 2 looks much easier to remake and maintain the feel of than RE4. I'm actually far more excited for this one.
Looking forward to a next Gen release. Haven’t played it since it first released. Love this violent, disturbed town. The siren for the transition echoes in my head.
I'm still looking forward to this, but odd choice not to do Silent Hill 1 first
He seems salty that Origins is a "lesser" Silent Hill game.
@johncalmc "And coming from a studio like Bloober, it seems unlikely it'll be amazing."
My exact same thoughts. Nothing aganist Bloober, but I am yet to see an amazing game from them.
@HarmanSmith They're a studio that on their best day makes a 6 or a 7 and we need a 9 or a 10. It's like letting Michael Bay remake Die Hard.
@VatoLoco47 I keep seeing this comment. SH1 has already been remade. Check Silent Hill Shattered memories. It wouldn't make sense to remake it a 3rd time before doing SH2.
Actually, it's what the guy in the article is complaining about. He was involved with the remake of the first one and didn't get the biggest of receptions.
@Nem Heard about that one but that was back on PS2
@VatoLoco47 Fair, but RE remake was also back then.
Maybe a remaster would be in order. 😅
Show Comments
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...