Silent Hill 2 Remake Devs Want to Prove That They've Evolved

Bloober Team's successful Silent Hill 2 Remake has ignited their ambition to prove their capabilities extend beyond a single triumph. This article delves into their future plans and their journey toward solidifying their position in the horror game landscape.

Bloober Team's Redemption Arc: Building Trust and Exceeding Expectations

More Than a One-Hit Wonder

The overwhelmingly positive reception to Bloober Team's Silent Hill 2 Remake, from both critics and fans, has been a resounding success. Despite significant changes from the original, the remake impressed, silencing much of the initial skepticism. However, Bloober Team acknowledges the doubts that surrounded the project and are determined to prove their competence isn't a fluke.

At the Xbox Partner Preview on October 16th, Bloober Team unveiled their next horror title, Cronos: The New Dawn. Game Designer Wojciech Piejko emphasized a departure from their previous work, stating in a Gamespot interview, "We don't want to make a similar game [to Silent Hill 2]." Development on Cronos began in 2021, shortly after The Medium's release.

Director Jacek Zieba described Cronos: The New Dawn as their "second punch" in a two-hit combo, with the Silent Hill 2 Remake being the "first." He highlighted their underdog status, acknowledging the initial doubt and pessimism surrounding their involvement in the Silent Hill project. Zieba reflects, "Nobody believed we could deliver, and we delivered. That was a big honor, that we, as Bloober, could work with Silent Hill and Konami. As horror creators, we love Silent Hill, like, I think, most horror fans [do]." The studio even publicly requested patience from fans during development.

Ultimately, Bloober Team's efforts culminated in an 86 Metacritic score. As Piejko notes, "They made the impossible possible, and it was a bumpy road because of all the hate on the internet. The pressure was big on them, and they delivered, and for the company, it's an amazing moment."

Bloober Team 3.0: Evolution and Innovation

Piejko positions Cronos: The New Dawn as a testament to their ability to create compelling original IP. The game features a time-traveling protagonist, "The Traveler," navigating the past and future to save individuals and alter a dystopian future ravaged by pandemic and mutants.

Bloober Team leverages the experience gained from the Silent Hill 2 Remake to evolve beyond their earlier titles like Layers of Fear and Observer, which featured less developed gameplay mechanics. Zieba explains, "the basis [for Cronos] when we started in pre-production was there [thanks to] the Silent Hill team."

The Silent Hill 2 Remake marks a significant turning point, signifying "Bloober Team 3.0." The positive response to the Cronos reveal trailer further bolsters their confidence. Piejko expresses encouragement from the success of both Cronos and the Silent Hill 2 Remake, which have significantly improved the studio's reputation.

Zieba's vision for Bloober Team is clear: to be recognized as a leading horror developer. He states, "We want to find our niche, and we think we found our niche, so now we just--let's evolve with it. [...] And how that happens is more complex, but it also happens organically in a way, like with [2016's] Layers of Fear, people in the studio were like, 'Okay, we made some shitty games before, but we [can] evolve.'"

Piejko concludes, "We gathered a team that loves horror. So I think, for us, it would not be easy to switch [to other genres], and we don't want to."