It seems the protagonist of Konami's Silent Hill 2 remake, currently in development at Bloober Team, has received a quiet redesign or perhaps had a face-lift. It's unclear whether this change comes in response to fan feedback from the trailer shown during the State of Play showcase held earlier this year, the negative response to which Bloober subsequently blamed on Konami.
According to eagle-eyed observers, protagonist James Sunderland has had a quiet overhaul and, to our eye at least, seems younger and less careworn. It's quite a subtle change and was only detected when the publisher updated the Steam backend, which left a tell-tale trail on SteamDB. Redditor Trem45 has compiled a handy comparison from a thread over on r/GamingLeaksAndRumours.
As Eurogamer rightly reminds us, we've seen several iterations of Sunderland since the game was first announced (even before), so it's difficult to say whether this suggests a change of direction or simply an unseen, pre-existing asset. Whatever the case, it seems at least a small cohort prefers this new, more chiselled James.
What do you think of James Sunderland's apparent face-lift? Are you looking forward to any remaining happiness leaching away when the Silent Hill 2 remake launches, supposedly still some time in 2024? Let us know your preference in the comments section below.
[source twitter.com]
Comments 12
Really big improvement. Sure some parts might appear less detail but the shot from the original reveal made James look honestly a bit whiny(? I think that’s how I would describe it). The newer shot looks a lot closer to the quiet, broken despair that the original game had for that shot. Still think the art direction in the original looks the best but I would much rather take this than what they should a year or two ago.
Genuinely looks way better and I feel it conveys how he should be reacting in the mirror compared to the original Remake look.
Much better and closer to the original where he looks guiltless
Better than before but man, the original is tough to beat. It's hard to read a definitive expression off the PS2 James in that scene, which I think was intentional. It's a bit sinister. But props to the updated face for the remake, he doesn't look like a crying wojak anymore.
It’s better than the other trailer but wow, putting those three side by side does just emphasises how perfect the art style of the original is. It’s a bit like that MGS3 remake, the push for photo realism just wipes character away.
Didn't mind the previous version but now it kinda looks like Leon Kennedy's older brother.
It's just different lighting and he's making slightly different faces in both pictures but there's no change whatsoever. It's the same model. Contrast is just blown out in one of the screens.
@Loamy but it isn't konami's style to succeed at anything other than failure.
He looks like a Ken doll. Guy lost his wife, despair brought him to SH, I’d think he’d have worry lines and be a bit more unkempt.
But... Someone that had been through what he's been through and done the things he's done (you know what I'm talking about) would look very worn. Haunted, even. This makes very little sense.
"Yeah, he's a tortured soul, but he never forgot to eat properly and moisturise, kids. Don't let the death of your wife and tormented mind put you off that second burger!"
Ya got da cutest littel buhyby face
Holy hell that first photo is actually frightening. That's such an improvement!
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