I get that but I'd rather a remake be done by someone, in turn introducing new fans and excitement to franchise, rather than nothing be done for the ip at all.
Most people who haven't already played it aren't going to go and pick up a $500 copy on eBay and play on ps2, or deal with the multi step headache that is sourcing a copy on pc that is likely pirated then modding said copy to make it playable, or even setting up ps2 emulation again sourcing files from around the internet and using a likely dubiously procured iso of the game.
At least this way with a remake (good or bad) people can pay and play in a few minutes. Enjoy the game for version they get and then say hey I enjoyed that let me get more, then doing all of the above or showing Konami hey we want new stuff now. Or saying hey this sucked, then going and doing all of the above or forgetting about an already dead ip.
I don't think this argument works for
Silent Hill, honestly. Most gamers and studios are stuck in this blockbuster entertainment "digital toy" mentality, but
Silent Hill 2 is a nuanced creator-driven work of art with mature themes, an abstract narrative, symbolism, and character study. It's not a Capcom-style horror game with fog. The story, art direction, creature design, sound design, and music are basically untouchable.
Bloober remaking
Silent Hill 2 is the video game equivalent of Paul W.S. Anderson remaking
2001: A Space Odyssey and that's not even an exaggeration. If this were a faithful remake or a full reimagining that stands on its own (a la
Siren: Blood Curse,
Silent Hill: Shattered Memories, and
Suspiria), it would have a chance. However, they're going the
Resident Evil 2 route and adding endings while changing the gameplay and narrative, which is nothing short of hubris.
When even
minor design details and
scissors hanging from a table have a deeper symbolic meaning, you're basically fucked. Believe me, no mid-tier developer like Bloober Team wants to be compared to Team Silent.
rather than nothing be done for the ip at all
It's worth pointing out that four separate
Silent Hill projects are currently in development, including a main revival from Masahiro Ito (which is probably coming out first), an episodic spin-off from Annapurna Interactive, and another film adaptation from Christophe Gans. It won't be a dead series for long. The resources being poured into the remake could also be better spent on a proper remaster collection, or a faithful remake of the first game from a more competent developer.
The fate of the series doesn't rest on Bloober Team taking a dump on
Silent Hill 2. Although personally, I would prefer nothing over a failed remake of a masterpiece that isn't available in 2022, which defines it moving forward and tarnishes its legacy by creating a bunch of false ideas about
Silent Hill 2 in the minds of newcomers and modern gamers.
