Star Wars EclipseandSilent Hill 2’s upcoming remake are both entering uncharted waters, despite both being parts of larger, well-known franchises. While each of these games are under a great deal of scrutiny, withStar Wars Eclipsesuffering particularly bad pressover the past few years, many hope that they will take their respective IP to exciting new heights, overcoming any potential obstacles in their way.
It’s interesting to look at the development teams behind both of these titles. Though originally developed by Team Silent, a subsidiary of Konami, the remake ofSilent Hill 2will be helmed by Bloober Team, a studio best known for its walking simulator horror games likeObserverandBlair Witch, which leverage atmosphere and visuals more than complex mechanics or player freedom.Star Wars Eclipse, on the other hand, is being led by Quantic Dream, a company renowned for games likeDetroit: Become HumanandHeavy Rain, which may be even less gameplay-focused than the titles in Bloober Team’s portfolio. With these upcoming games, both Bloober and Quantic Dream will need to expand their creative capabilities.
Bloober Team and Quantic Dream Will Need to Cut Their Teeth On Gameplay
Silent Hill 2 Is More Gameplay-Heavy Than Other Bloober Team Outings
Althoughthe originalSilent Hill 2is as much about atmosphereand storytelling than anything from Bloober Team’s oeuvre, it still places a premium on gameplay and robust interactivity. There’s reason to believe that Bloober Team will do at least a decent job of capturing the essential horror and unsettling nature ofSilent Hill 2’s setting, but recreating and, most importantly, modernizing the original game’s combat might pose some challenges.
Looking at the rest of Bloober Team’s games, it’s clear that many of them take clear inspiration from theSilent Hillfranchise, but only when it comes to themes, narrative, and certain aspects of visual design; Bloober isn’t known for having combat in its games, and theSilent Hill 2remake will be the most action-packedproject from the studio by a mile. Then there are other survival horror staples, like resource and health management, that Bloober will need to contend with, meaning that the company will have to step beyond its realm of familiarity.
Bloober Team might be a bit more comfortable adaptingSilent Hill 2’s puzzles, as the studio’s previous games feature puzzle sections far more than combat encounters.
Star Wars Eclipse Could Have Deeper Gameplay than Other Quantic Dream Projects
Allegations ofbeing in development hell aside,Star Wars Eclipsecould run into issues with its gameplay formula. The game is described as an “action-adventure” title on its website, which is a seemingly obvious signal that there will be a greater emphasis on gameplay;Eclipsecould be closer to a traditional action game than what Quantic Dream is known for. A focus on story, player choice, and branching narratives will surely factor into the final product, but the use of the term “action-adventure” hints at something far more interactive than the likes ofHeavy Rain.
Of course,noStar Wars Eclipsegameplay has been revealed, so it’s hard to say just how great of a departure it will be from Quantic Dream’s modus operandi. However, aStar Warsgame seems like an optimal venue to flex some game design muscles, implementing smoother, deeper mechanics instead of the quasi-visual novel format of previous QD releases.
These studios could be stepping out of their comfort zones withStar Wars EclipseandSilent Hill 2, and one can only hope that this will lead to solid results. Bloober andQuantic Dream may not have the best reputations, but they have both demonstrated strong creativity and talent in the past, so this could carry over to their upcoming, high-profile titles, leading to a potential evolution of established formulas.
Silent Hill 2
WHERE TO PLAY
Investigating a letter from his late wife, James returns to where they made so many memories - Silent Hill. What he finds is a ghost town, prowled by disturbing monsters and cloaked in deep fog. Confront the monsters, solve puzzles, and search for traces of your wife in this remake of SILENT HILL 2.High-end Graphics and SoundWith ray tracing and other cutting-edge technical enhancements, the world of SILENT HILL and its unsettling ambiance is even realer than before.And with the inclusion of new, immersive soundscapes, you’ll feel like you’re standing in the thick of it.Larger EnvironmentsExplore locations and buildings that were once inaccessible, or are newly added in the remake. Enjoy the same acclaimed story, even while you experience the town of Silent Hill with fresh eyes across an expanded map.Over-the-shoulder CameraThe remake moves from the original’s fixed-camera viewpoints to an over-the-shoulder perspective, putting you closer to what James sees, for a more thrilling, more immersive experience as you explore the town and come face-to-face with monsters.Evolved Combat GameplayFamiliar weapons like the steel pipe and handgun make their return, but now with an updated combat system. Avoid attacks with carefully timed dodges, aim down sights, and more, making monster encounters more engaging and nerve-wracking than ever.
