Summary
For years, there was nothing but radio static from Konami in regard toSilent Hill, leaving fans in a limbo to rival the eponymous town as they waited and hoped for a return of the beloved franchise. The eventual announcement ofSilent Hillsand the phenomenalPTseemed to be a second wind for the series, but it was canceled, and Kojima left Konami to start his own gaming company.
This was for many the final nail in the coffin forSilent Hill, and many let their last ember of hope burn away to dust. But in a surprising twist no one saw coming, new projects were announced, including aSilent Hill 2remake. This is one of the most beloved horror games of all time from the PS2 era of gaming, but there are many more gems from this console that deserve a second lease of life too.
Obscurein name and nature, this diamond in the rough has all the ingredients one would expect of a classic PS2 era horror game: an eerie school after hours, mutated monsters stalking the classrooms, a plot involving experiments and gone wrong…and multiplayer?
WhileObscureis not the forefather ofmultiplayer games, it was exceedingly rare for horror games to involve more than one player, and that is exactly what this title did. The games market today is saturated in multiplayer games because there is such a demand for it. As such, a new and remadeObscurewould find a vast market in gamers of the modern day, and though it may never touch current consoles, it is still deserving nonetheless.
Rule of Roseis a classic game that is unfortunately surrounded by controversy. This rare PS2 horror gem was banned in the UK due to unsubstantiated rumors that it contained inappropriate imagery surrounding the underage characters, which while false, the ban remained in place. Even in countries where this game was never banned, it isan exceedingly rare find, resulting in sky-high asking prices for those that are lucky enough to have a copy.
There is much to admire about this game, from the canine companion that is a vital part of Jennifer’s story of survival, the horrifying enemies such as the imps and the Mermaid Princess, and a beautiful, somber soundtrack to accompany every moment of this game. For the sake of game preservation,Rule of Roseshould be at the top of the list for game remakes, and this time should not be withheld from gamers of any country due to content that never even existed in the first place.
Set in theimposing and foreboding Belli Castle,Haunting Groundhas players stepping into the boots of Fiona Belli, who awakens inside its walls after an accident that stole most of her memories. As she explores her surroundings, seeking an escape route, she meets the castle’s inhabitants, including Debilitas, Daniella, Riccardo and Lorenzo, who each chase down Fiona for their own nefarious reasons. Hewie, running and hiding are Fiona’s only defenses against the villains that mercilessly chase and taunt her.
Having a vulnerable horror game protagonist has lost its popularity over the years, as there was an uptick in enhancing the survival part of survival horror, and providing the player with the means to in the form of weaponry, but there is something undeniably terrifying when players are denied the means to fight back. It is a terrifying game that not only shows some of its age but is upwards of $100 in today’s market. A remake is not only deserved, but needed for players to feasibly experience one of Capcom’s more forgotten and overlooked titles.
The Ambitious Plot Deserves a Revitalized Game
Clock Tower 3
Behind Every Shadow Lie Your Darkest Fears…Alyssa Hamilton. An ordinary girl with ordinary dreams who is about to discover a side of herself that she never knew she possessed. Only she has the power to destroy the evil that threatens to plunge the world into darkness.Her destiny is to confront the brutal crusade of the Evil Servants - foul spirits who thrive on the trapped life force of their murdered victim’s souls. To save herself and these tortured innocents, Alyssa must unlock the mysteries surrounding the death of each soul. However, the legions of the dark world won’t succumb easily. Alyssa must summon the sacred weapons necessary to banish these demonic creatures to the nightmare realms that spawned thembefore the clock tower strikes midnight.
Clock Towerhas become an iconic game series with legendary status, and one gamers might not realize is part of Capcom’s hallowed horror game hall of fame. This franchise birthed the terrifying Scissorman, an infamous horror game villain who chases his unfortunate victims down with a set of alarmingly oversized scissors definitely capable of chopping people to bits. As luck, or misfortune, would have it, he returns to reprise his role inClock Tower 3.
Protagonist Alyssa Hamilton willtraverse erasto save the souls of those that have fallen victim to the antagonist in a plot with ambitious and impressive scope. Now hampered by outdated technology, it is high-time Clock Tower 3 was rescued from the shackles of obsoletion, and remade so fans new and old can enjoy this masterpiece with overhauled graphics and gameplay to better tell the story.
Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterly
Fatal Frame, orProject Zerodepending on which corner of the world one is from, is the quintessential ghost hunting game, each title introducing new characters but the same equipment: the camera obscura. This camera is said to be able to capture and exorcise ghosts, while also snap-shotting hints about what the player should do next. The second installment sees twins Mio and Mayu exploring the lost village, with Mio taking up the camera to try and save her sister.
Crimson Butterflyis often seen as the best, and it is easy to see why. Sae is nothing short of terrifying, but the story of her and her twin Yae is tinged by tragedy, with this new set of twins doomed to repeat their fate. This combination of visceral terror and a tale of sad sisterly love is why this game tops thelist ofFatal Frametitles, and why this one deserves a remake above all others.
Resident Evilfans have been treated over the years with a succession of amazing original releases that have brought the series back into the world of horror, alongsideremakes of classic favorites.Resident Evil 2,3, and4were given not only facelifts but an entire makeover, bringing these classic titles to newer hardware with updated gameplay, graphics, and minor tweaks to enhance the overall experience.
One of the most requested titles to be next in line isCode: Veronica, a not numbered but nevertheless mainline entry starring Claire Redfield still on the tail of her brother. Her search leads her to become a prisoner of Rockfort Island, but as a Redfield and Raccoon City survivor, she has the means to free and defend herself. Set after the events ofResident Evil 2, fans have expected and waited to see this remade, but as of yet there has been no official announcement. One of the more overlookedResident Evilgames that is still fantastic in its own ways, Capcom definitely should add this one to their to-do list.
Another Beloved Silent Hill Title
Silent Hill 3
EVERYTHING YOU NEVER WANTEO TO SEE…Heather Morris lived a carefree existence until her world was suddenly turned upside down. Trapped and alone in the mystenious town of Silent Hill, Heather must fight sickening monsters to survive and uncover a terrifying connection between her past and her darkest fears.Featuring shockingly realistic graphics andra cinematic storyline,Silent Hill 3 brings unparalleled horror to lifes
All-new, terrifying adventure featuring a new female lead character
High resolution PC graphics possess even more disturbing detail
Breakthrough sound technology brings the chilling sounds to life
Frightening new environments to explore, including the Amusement Park, Subway Station, and Shopping Mall Battle grotesque monstrosities with all-new weapons, including a sub-machine gun and katana
Save at any point during the game
WhileSilent Hill 2might be the most universally adored title in the series, there is another that has its own base of dedicated and passionate fans:Silent Hill 3. Picking up on the plot threads laid down in the first game, the grown up Cheryl, called Heather in this iteration, finds herself sucked into the land of rust and monsters on her way home, and saddled with the expectations of a cult to rebirth their god. The leader, Claudia, orders the execution of her father to lure Heather out, ending the life of the very firstSilent Hillprotagonist.
It was a decidedly bold move by both Konami and Claudia, but for Konami it paid off, as it was a gut-wrenching moment that would make the players sympathize with Heather, and want to kill Claudia just as much. As the game that followsSilent 2sequentially, even if not in terms story, this game is equally deserving of a remake, and it would be surprising if Konami never made the choice to remaster this classic for newer hardware.
