Silent Hill 2 developers Bloober Team are preparing to launch the much-anticipated remake of the 2001 title, but first, they’ve sent the franchise faithful into a frenzy after releasing a clip showing off a “90s filter” for the game—and plenty of fans feel like the developer’s dedication is showing.
Bloober team released the clip on Sept. 4, showing Silent Hill 2 protagonist James Sunderland walking around with a plank and making his way through an empty, fog-filled street. The UI is off and it leaves a clearer depiction of what the studio’s going for; the colors are more dialed down in comparison to gameplay without the filter. That desaturation is in service of a grungier look evocative of 90s hits and chiaroscuro cinematography. “Everything about this is amazing,” one fan said, and most seem to agree.
Much of Silent Hill 2’s audience is showing appreciation for a visual that shoots for the aesthetic of the original game. This “90s filter” includes film grain, color grading, and screen adjustments to match the vibe of the old game. Some excited gamers believe Bloober Team is finally listening and doing something to quell anxieties that the remake won’t be able to compete with its predecessor. Still, some fans pointed out what feels like an oversight: The game came out in 2001, which technically isn’t in the 90s.
Some people think being upset about that timeline inconsistency is a nitpick; after all, if something was in development in 1999 and conceptualized before that, calling it a product of the 90s isn’t necessarily incorrect. Team Silent’s members have gone on the record saying SH2 is set during the late 70s or 80s and specifically distancing it from the 90s, but artifacts from the game’s files suggest it may have been set in 1993. A clear date for Silent Hill 2’s events is hazy, and it may not be so egregious to call the result of these clashing perspectives a “90s aesthetic.”
Other fans think Bloober has had this one in the bag from day one. It’s likely that this game has had the filter for some time now and the developers just didn’t get the chance to show it. Some gamers believe that if nothing else, it shows they understand the game’s atmosphere. If something like this is compelling to the series faithful, they may find even more to like in the final product.
The Silent Hill 2 remake has faced an upward battle under the scrutiny of the original’s fans. Some of that stems from gamers who question the necessity of a remake for the game in the first place. Other people who were interested in the prospect have been turned off by some of the design changes, believing that changing character outfits, the original game’s fixed camera angle, and the looks of environments mess with the spirit of Silent Hill 2.
A 90s filter comes as somewhat of a compromise between fan demands and what some understand Bloober Team’s vision for this remake to be, but we’ll know for sure the impact its inclusion has when the Silent Hill 2 remake lands on Oct. 8.
