PS2’s Scariest Game Had an Unbelievable Secret Ending

September 21, 2025, 11:00am

It may feel like horror games are having a moment in 2025, but there have always been some truly terrifying titles out there. In particular, the Silent Hill franchise is known and beloved for delivering compelling psychological horror. And in the PS2 era, few games were as scary as 2001’s Silent Hill 2. But for all the horror infused in this game, it also has a surprising sense of humor when it comes to secret endings.

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Silent Hill 2 takes you through a town full of terrifying monsters, puzzling your way through the dark and haunting Silent Hill. This game leaned more into psychological horror and torment than the first, with strong themes of guilt and grief that make it scary on several levels. The game has six different endings that players can unlock, three of which can only be experienced in New Game+. And one of those endings, the so-called Dog ending, is at odds with the tone of the game in the best way.

Silent Hill 2‘s Dog Ending, Explained

A standard playthrough of Silent Hill 2 will result in one of three main endings. But entering a New Game+ playthrough opens up more options, including the hilarious off-brand Dog ending. This bizarre twist in the psychological nightmare of Silent Hill 2 is so well-loved by fans, Bloober Team made sure it returned in the 2024 remake of Silent Hill 2.

Beware spoilers ahead for those who haven’t yet had the pleasure of unlocking the Dog Ending in Silent Hill 2. But this unique bonus ending puts a surprising culprit at the center of all the horrors James has faced throughout his journey. In this ending, our protagonist finds a Shiba Inu in a headset. This adorable dog has apparently been in control of everything, and it offers up some apologetic kisses before the credits roll. You can check out the cuteness yourself in this fan video of the original Silent Hill 2 dog ending:

Compared to the overall tone of Silent Hill 2, this surprising twist conclusion is a lighteharted take that lightens the mood after so much torment. After the dog offers its apologetic kisses, the credits roll with a cute dog sound in the background. Generally speaking, this surprise conclusion isn’t considered canon for obvious reasons. But it does exist in the original and the remake, so if you want to believe a Shiba Inu was the true mastermind, you’re well within your rights.

Unlocking Silent Hill 2’s Bonus Endings Takes Worth, But It’s Worth It

Each Silent Hill 2 ending depends on what you do in-game. But while the three original endings can be unlocked through a standard playthrough, the bonus endings will require a second run through the torments. New Game+ is only unlocked after you beat Silent Hill 2, which means you’ll need to begin again to earn the special bonus ending. In the case of the Dog Ending, it’s got a cute payoff with relatively little extra effort, second playthrough aside.

Getting this special ending requires a few key steps during your playthrough of Silent Hill 2. In both the original and the remake, you’ll need to play New Game+. Then, as you progress through the adventure, you’ll want to collect the two parts of the Dog Key that will unlock the Observation Room in Lakeview Hotel. Doing this earns you the Dog Ending as opposed to what awaits in Room 312.