Revamped Combat and Atmosphere: Silent Hill 2 vs Callisto Protocol

Silent Hill 2 is widely regarded as one of the greatest horror games ever created, thanks to its exploration of heavy themes such as trauma, guilt, and mental illness. Upon its initial release in 2001, it received instant critical acclaim, and fans have been eagerly anticipating its modern remake, which was announced in October 2022. However, one area that needs significant improvement is the game's combat system, which even at the time of its release was considered clunky. To address this issue, the Silent Hill 2 Remake will require a completely new combat system that takes inspiration from The Callisto Protocol rather than Resident Evil, which is known for its heavy emphasis on weapons.

During a dedicated Silent Hill event in 2022, developers Konami and Bloober Team shared their vision for the remake. While they plan to stay true to the original source material, they also intend to update its presentation by employing an over-the-shoulder third-person camera.

Silent Hill 2 Remake's Combat Could Learn From Callisto Protocol's Simplicity

The Silent Hill 2 Remake will maintain the original's unique vision but will enhance its environments and gameplay systems. One aspect that requires improvement is the outdated combat system in the original game. In contrast to Resident Evil, Silent Hill 2 encouraged players to choose between fighting or fleeing, with limited access to firearms. The melee system was clunky, requiring players to enter Fighting Stance and hit either the "Investigate" or "Run" button to attack or block. Once an enemy was defeated, players had to walk over and hit "Investigate" again to kick it.

Incorporating The Callisto Protocol's modern melee-heavy combat system would be advantageous for the Silent Hill 2 Remake. The Callisto Protocol's combat is immersive since players must confront many of the game's horrors in hand-to-hand combat. Players engage in combat when approached by an enemy, where they must anticipate incoming attacks and dodge or block accordingly, followed by their melee attacks. Dodging and blocking are controlled with the left stick or W/S/D on PC, while all attacks are mapped to a single button. Firearms can be used to face crowds of enemies, but just like in Silent Hill 2, melee combat takes priority.

Silent Hill 2 Remake Needs to Better Balance Atmosphere and Combat

The implementation of The Callisto Protocol's simple yet dynamic combat system could greatly enhance the intensity of survival horror elements in Silent Hill 2 Remake. The original game's slow combat mechanics hindered the experience, but utilizing a similar system would not only avoid this issue, but also introduce a new terrifying feature. With some of the scariest enemies in gaming history, modernizing their iterations and forcing players to engage in close encounters could create a truly horrifying experience for even the most seasoned fans. However, it is important for Bloober Team to maintain a delicate balance between the original's unique aesthetic and their modernized depiction. While updated visuals may improve the game, they must not detract from the dark and mysterious atmosphere that made the original such a masterpiece.

Silent Hill 2 is currently in development for PC and PS5.