It looks like each time Konami reveals off the upcoming Silent Hill 2 remake, one thing doesn’t sit proper with followers. It began with the sport’s announcement when it was revealed Layers of Concern and The Medium developer Bloober Group can be helming the reimaging of the seminal survival horror title, which didn’t instill confidence in lots of followers. Now, after new footage debuted through the newest PlayStation showcase, State of Play, followers are upset once more—this time, it’s in regards to the character fashions, which can or might not butcher the unique designs, relying on who you ask.
Through the Silent Hill Transmission, the quick showcase that instantly adopted the Could 30 State of Play, Konami gave us a have a look at 13 minutes of gameplay within the remake. In it (and the State of Play trailer), we see protagonist James and supporting characters Maria and Angela. Let’s begin with James, as he’s our main man. Those that are followers of the redesign level out that it appears to be like noticeably higher than when first proven through the remake’s reveal.
These within the dissenting camp, nonetheless, level out that James’ new design appears to be like a tad bit acquainted—he has a Leon Kennedy vibe to him, right down to the swooping blond haircut that simply feels somewhat off compared to the unique sport.
Then there’s Maria, a personality James crosses paths with all through the sport who is understood for her confidence and overt sexuality. Followers are criticizing her new outfit, which is decidedly extra demure (and fewer trendy, TBH.
As individuals with a familiarity with the unique sport have identified, Maria’s costume design is extraordinarily vital to her character in addition to a few of the sport’s bigger narrative beats. What’s disappointing is that Bloober doesn’t seem to have tried to recreate the enduring particulars of the outfit in a contemporary means, dropping the leopard print and gold jewellery in favor of a bland black gown and a jacket that seems to be the identical pinkish shade of the unique outfit. As many have stated, she simply isn’t serving within the remake and that seems like a misstep. Much more complicated is that the quick have a look at Return to Silent Hill, a film adaptation of the second sport additionally in manufacturing, confirmed that Maria shall be sporting her authentic outfit.
However the greatest backlash concerning the footage from the Silent Hill 2 remake facilities round Angela, a 19-year-old lady who additionally crosses paths with James in Silent Hill whereas they each seek for their lacking family members. Some gamers are suggesting that she appears to be like uncanny, and bizarrely completely different, and that her face has misplaced one thing hard-to-place that was there within the authentic sport. However the outcry is generally targeted on a couple of screenshots that present Angela from an unflattering angle.
After all, there’s a vocal minority of individuals suggesting Angela has been ruined due to woke and compelled DEI (or range, fairness, and inclusion, the newest buzzword amongst reactionaries). It’s an unfounded declare that’s all too widespread in gaming these days and removes any likelihood for precise followers of the collection to debate the deserves and downsides of the remake.
Whereas the remake does change her design barely with an up to date face mannequin, Angela appears to be the character who receives essentially the most minimal rework. Her outfit and coiffure stay remarkably unchanged versus each Maria and James. It appears to be like good outdoors of the selection screenshots persons are circulating on-line. But some are arguing that slight adjustments to a 19-year-old online game character are a serious offense, all whereas flinging round horrible insults whereas they’re at it.
The redesigns look high quality! I believe Maria’s is essentially the most disappointing because of the beforehand acknowledged outfit change, however none of that is indicative of gameplay. We’ll have to attend until the Silent Hill 2 remake releases on October 8 to really understand how Bloober Group’s imaginative and prescient holds up towards the unique.
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