Today in Gaming History: Silent Hill 2
September 24th marks Silent Hill 2's birthday, an amazing horror title that made its debut on the [...]
After wandering through the desolate and fog-filled woods, Sunderland eventually finds himself face to face with a woman named Angela in a graveyard. The dynamic between these two characters very obvious that it is substantially off. In the beginning of the game, it was almost like they were having two completely different conversations - Angela never really giving any straight answers, and Sunderland not really realising that.
Immediately upon entering the outskirts of town, it is immediately apparent something is not quite right with both the main protagonist and this Angela woman. Eventually they divert paths, only to meet up later in the game. As the events begin to unfold, it is learned that Angela is suicidal, suffering from a twisted past filled with childhood abuse. It is also learned that her abusive father later was killed by Angela herself, which added a strange new underlying current to the future relationship between herself and Sunderland.
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Eventually the player finds themselves in the middle of the town, the very same one from the first title. Also like the first Silent Hill, the game is riddled with puzzles and places to explore before the narrative picks back up again.
Through a series of crazy twists and a plethora of strange characters, like guts-out Eddie and the young Laura - who is there to visit Mary - Sunderland eventually finds his wife. Or ... at least a woman that could be her twin: Maria. Instantly players see that there is a vast difference between this doppleganger and his mourned wife. This new woman is racy, outlandish, and a little left of center; a huge antithesis to the reserved impression given of Mary.
After a little confusion (and offense on Maria's part), the pair eventually sync up to continue the search for his dead wife. Just like everything else in this game, nothing is how it seems and reality continues to diverge. Eventually, Sunderland is forced to witness the brutal death of Maria, only to run into her again later in the game where she is just fine. This happens quite a few times, which is terrible when thinking that this woman looks just like his deceased wife.
As the events progress, Maria continues to intertwine memories of Mary, even confusing herself as the widower's spouse. Eventually Sunderland moves on, with sparse encounters with both Angela and Eddie, to a hotel - one of the few remaining places left to search within Silent Hill. While there, there is one final confrontation with Eddie where the he is forced to kill the younger boy in self-defense. For this final meeting, it is clear that Eddie is demented and killing people simply for making fun of him. When he accuses Sunderland of doing the same, he is left with no other option that to take him out.
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Now that Sunderland has defended himself and arrives at the hotel, something strange happens. When looking into the player's inventory, Mary's letter is now completely blank - there's no more message at all. This brings all of the strange events, the mismatched realities, and confusing conversations to a head. Once in the room untouched by grime, mold, or death - he finds a television with a tape already in the VCR.
As the video plays, Sunderland is forced to witness yet again his wife as she lays in her sick bed awaiting death. As the events unfold, something frightening happens: instead of the doting husband, the player sees him in the role of a killer. As Sunderland watches himself walk in, he gives her a kiss gently on her head before mashing a pillow over her face. She struggled, but ultimately passes - then the video cuts out.
The little girl from earlier, Laura, walks in and asks if he has found his wife yet. He then admits that he killed her and all of the confusion shifts into a glaring focus. It's then that the player learned that she didn't die from her illness, not technically. She was sick, but ultimately it was Sunderland himself that was responsible for her final breath. That was the reason behind the message bringing him to the fateful town of Silent Hill, he was brought there to face his demons.
After coming to the realisation that not only was he responsible for her death, but that the illness made Mary unrecognizable both physically and emotionally, Sunderland faces Angela one last time. Upon the final meeting, she chooses suicide and ends her life for good.
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There were several choices made throughout the events of Silent Hill 2, which resulted in several possible endings.
- After the final fight with the evil incarnation of Mary/Maria (depending on the player's actions throughout the game), Sunderland confesses to his wife that he killed her from a place of mercy and desperation. She forgives him, and he leaves Silent Hill safely with Laura.
- Sunderland, overcome with guilt, drives into a lake to "be with Mary."
- Sunderland reunites with Maria and the two of them leave Silent Hill together. The twist is that Maria is plagued with the same illness that Mary was, and he is forced to relive the struggles faced with his deceased wife. This ending was considered an act of penance from players.
Because of this elaborate storyline, thoughtful character progression, and meaningful endings; Silent Hill 2 remains a staple in horror gaming history.
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