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Episode 669: Silent Hill 2 Remake
🕑 Added 2025-02-03 12:00:08 +0000 UTCDear Retronauts listeners, I hope this letter finds you well.
In recent years I've done my best to explore the horror genre more in all its forms, and whenever possible I've channeled that energy into writing my weekly columns and hosting podcasts about horror games. So when Konami invested in a big-budget remake last year of one the company's most famous creations—Silent Hill 2—I knew we needed to talk about it on the program.
However, I also knew that if we're talking about Silent Hill on Retronauts, I had to get Jess O'Brien on the horn as she has forgotten more about this series than I'll ever know. Jess joins us this week along with her husband Josh Stinson, a prolific streamer in his own right making his debut on our show. Together we dive into Silent Hill's sudden disappearance from the market, the state of the series leading into this remake, and why we came away impressed by the all-new Silent Hill 2.
Also it doesn't come up on-air because we recorded this in 2024 but obviously the passing of David Lynch looms over any and all Silent Hill conversations, now and forever. RIP.
Waiting for you,
Diamond Feit
Cover art by Maddie Copp and edits by Greg Leahy. Music heard in this episode:
00:02 - White Noise (Actual Noise)
07:47 - Theme of Laura II
18:23 - Promise of the Forgotten | What Lurks in the Forest
26:04 - Veil of Forgotten Dreams
42:33 - After Daddy | Anam Cara
51:06 - Transcendental Bonds
58:46 - Lament of Heavens Night
1:07:14 - Ephemeral Solipsism
1:17:31 - Unhinged Betrayal
1:28:45 - Theme of Laura (Repetition)
1:39:30 - Dog Ending
Closing - Theme of Laura (Laura's Emotions)
Comments
shea dewar
No Bob? Diamond and VB will fill my special place.
Jason J
What Jess said about fandom is very insightful. I totally agree that understanding the specific circumstances under which a game is made can help temper both our effusive praise and our harsh criticism. Fandom is so often toxic these days and I love that the Retronaughts continue to have thoughtful, nuanced and fun discussions. Thank you.
KendoHead
My favourite part is when Pyramid Head got vicious over an acorn, and when Mary manifested as a saber-toothed squirrel, representing James' repressed tendencies to hoard. So deep.
Diamond Feit
*I* was saying Ice Age 2
Wood Duck
Go the whole hog on the intro skit next time Diamond, this pattial effort was an 8/10 for hilarity (and that's from someone who only has secondhand knowledge of the game in question!
KendoHead
Got really confused about why everyone suddenly started talking about Ice Age 2 at the end, then realised they were saying "SH2".
littleterr0r
Just heard "More Polish to this version", very good.
littleterr0r
It's okay, I can't pronounce them either.
Diamond Feit
also I tried looking for every name on YouTube to hear it said out loud
Diamond Feit
I APOLOGIZED in ADVANCE
littleterr0r
Also, I'm Polish and judging every pronunciation 🧐
Emily K (EmK Ultra 64)
Always exciting to hear another Jess episode
Kormakur Gardarsson
Yay, Iceland represent! Great episode. I really have to go play this don’t I? 24 years later and the original still haunts me.
Patrick McClafferty
Didn't even mind them as much in the hotel. It's just that prison section.
Diamond Feit
honestly on my second trip through the prison I found just hauling ass as much as possible made the spider mannequins a lot less threatening
littleterr0r
As I've said many times before, Silent Hill 2 is my wife's favorite game of all-time and she got me into the series, proving once and for all that a Resident Evil boy can get with a Silent Hill girl.
Patrick McClafferty
The SH2 remake was my first experience actually playing a Silent Hill game. (The franchise has been a long time blindspot). I enjoyed the gameplay and the atmosphere but...I gave up with only getting one ending. I just can't get past dealing with the spider mannequins. It's a shame as I wanted to experience actually getting the dog ending.
