Summary

The setting ofSilent Hill 2is one of the most iconic in all of gaming. When James Sunderland mysteriously receives a message from his late wife, he returns to the town of Silent Hill to visit the “special place” the two once shared. However, upon arriving in the small town, he finds it enveloped in a thick, unsettling fog that renders the once quaint town with an uncanny eeriness. From the fog comes the sound of footsteps and phantom whispers. Unfathomable creatures soon begin to lumber into sight from the darkness, otherworldly monsters that seem not of this Earth.

Silent Hill 2is considered a triumph of the horror genre, one that has remained relevant for decades. While a masterful work of fiction, the game’s story borrows from real-life horrors, as all good fiction does. Many of the manifestations plaguing James come from aspects of the writings of Swiss psychotherapist Carl Jung. When playing the game, it’s heavily implied that the creatures come from within, figments of James’ tormented mind made real. While many of the game’s monsters symbolize the character’s own turmoil,the forbidding mist that captures Silent Hill may be something all too real- Electronic Fog.

A collage of James, Angela, and a Bubble Nurse in screenshots from the Silent Hill 2 Remake.

Silent Hill 2 Remake: Release Date, Gameplay, Platforms & Changes

The Silent Hill 2 remake finally has a release date, with a new trailer having debuted at the May 30 PlayStation State of Play. Here’s what to expect.

Electronic Fog Has Been Blamed For Many Missing Persons, Planes, And Ships

Some Believe The Fog Is A Portal To Another Dimension

While this weather phenomenon known as Electronic Fog is certainly theoretical, many say it’s more paranormal in nature. Often, the mysterious mist is associated with the infamous Bermuda Triangle, a place known for numerous high-profile vanishings in the 20th century. Those who have encountered it say that the fog somehow induces a sense of dread, leaving those who experience the phenomenon feeling disoriented and confused. Pilots and ship captains have reported the strange electromagnetic effect the fog seems to have on the craft’s electrical and navigation equipment.

Some legends tell of unfortunate people who simply walked into the fog and were never seen again.

Silent Hill 2’s James Sunderland in a parking lot, looking down into the series' iconic fog.

In December 1945, a group of five U.S. Navy bombers were on a training mission off the coast of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, when they encountered a strange mist. Before disappearing forever, the crew radioed back, describing a strange electronic-like fog that was causing their navigation equipment to go haywire. Pilot Bruce Gernon is one of the few to have encountered the fog and lived to tell the tale. Flying from Andros Island to Palm Beach in December 1970, Gernon claimed that an electronic fog formeda sort of spinning tunnel in front of his craft that seemed to distort time.

Silent Hill 2 Remake: Pre-Order Bonuses & Edition Differences

The Silent Hill 2 remake has several bonuses for those who pre-order the game or purchase its Deluxe Edition.

Maybe The Monsters Of Silent Hill 2 Are Not All From James’ Mind, But Somewhere Else

The Mind Creates Monsters, Real And Imaginary

Seeing monsters in the fog may also be attributed to a real phenomenon often experienced by mountain climbers. The phenomenon is known as the “Broken Specter,” and it happens when the sun casts a person’s shadow onto a wall of fog. This can often give the appearance of a gigantic monster wandering through the fog. These specters are often associated with the myth of the “Grey Man of Ben Macdui,” a mythical entity said to reside on the Scottish mountain. “Broken Specters” are exactly what James is seeing inSilent Hill 2,as they are expressions from his own mind.

Not only is the game getting a remake,Silent Hill 2has been adapted for an upcoming live-action horror film.

James from Silent Hill 2 Remake with a monster

With the remake ofSilent Hill 2set for release this October, passion for the game has been reignited. Over two decades later, the game is still an immensely impressive character study. For all the monsters lurking within the game, the fog that swallows the town is a character all its own. In many ways,it’s a metaphor for the lengths James’ mind will go to protect itself from the horrible truth it tries to keep hidden.However, considering the possibly real phenomenon of electronic fog, the monsters ofSilent Hill 2take on a whole new level of terror.

A foggy street with a police car in front of a jewelry store in Silent Hill 2.

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