Silent Hill 2 Remake’s Playtime is a Double-Edged Sword

As Bloober Team wraps up work on the upcoming Silent Hill 2 remake ahead of its October 8 release, many fans of the franchise are waiting to see if it lives up to the original game’s legacy. Capturing the macabre magic that made Silent Hill 2 so special could be difficult, but so far the remake looks to be a carefully crafted homage to the game that inspired it. But even as recent trailers have soothed fans’ fears that it would stray too far from its source material, news of the Silent Hill 2 remake’s short runtime could serve to keep some players away.

Bloober Team has released plenty of details about Silent Hill 2’s gameplay throughout the lead-up to its October launch, but only recently has the developer divulged how long players can expect to spend with the game. The Silent Hill 2 remake’s reported runtime of roughly 16-20 hours clocks in at nearly twice the length of the original, but this could still come as a disappointment for those hoping for a lengthier experience. And while this short runtime could appeal to players tired of titles that require dozens of hours to complete, it may make others wary to open their wallets.

Bloober Team’s Silent Hill 2 Remake May Be Too Short for Some

Now over two decades on from its initial release, the original Silent Hill 2 has come to be regarded as a milestone in the survival horror genre. Receiving praise for everything from its foreboding atmosphere to the innovative ways in which it examines themes of trauma and loss, it is seen by many as the high point of the Silent Hill series. One thing Silent Hill 2 has never been known for, though, is having a long runtime, taking only around 8 hours to complete. This is something the remake hopes to change.

The Silent Hill 2 remake’s 16-20 hour length is sure to be welcomed by gamers eager to spend more time in the titular town, but could still be seen as too short by some. Especially for those used to devoting dozens of hours to completing other AAA titles, the abbreviated runtime of Bloober Team’s remake may make it hard to justify paying full price for Silent Hill 2. But even though its comparatively brief campaign may deter some potential players, the Silent Hill 2 remake’s short length may make it more appealing to others.

Its Short Runtime Could Be the Silent Hill 2 Remake’s Biggest Strength

While some players may bemoan the fact that the Silent Hill 2 remake can be completed in a little under one full day, this condensed campaign could work in the game’s favor. As shown by the success of recent AAA games like Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, which was praised for featuring a campaign that could be completed without a massive time commitment, there’s a market for shorter, more approachable titles. The short length of the Silent Hill 2 remake could even convince players unfamiliar with the survival horror franchise to give the game a chance.

A short campaign could also work in the remake’s favor when it comes to Silent Hill 2’s storyline. The tight pacing of the original game remains one of its biggest strengths, so padding out the story with additional content just to fill time could leave the game feeling unfocused. At nearly twice the length of its predecessor the Silent Hill 2 remake could still potentially face this problem, but its brisk runtime should hopefully help keep unnecessary exposition to a minimum.

Remaking a title as revered as Silent Hill 2 was always going to come with risks, but so far Bloober Team appears determined to do right by gamers. And while its campaign may not be quite as long as some players may have hoped for, the relatively short runtime of the Silent Hill 2 remake could end up being its biggest strength.