Silent Hill 2 remake’s opening movie contains a hint to the game’s shocking twist, but you probably missed it
One of the best things about the Silent Hill 2 remake’s improved graphics is how they immerse players in a horrific world created more than 20 years ago. However, James Sunderland’s updated character model in the opening cutscene has the potential to spoil the game’s biggest plot twist, provided players are willing to do a bit of skincare research. (Note that this article contains MAJOR SPOILERS for Silent Hill 2 and its remake).
Silent Hill 2 opening.
James’s ring finger tells it all
When players start a new game, they are treated to a modernized version of Silent Hill 2’s somber opening. Standing in front of a public bathroom sink, James Sunderland inspects his updated character model before walking out to an overlook with a view of Silent Hill.
As James looks at himself in the mirror, some players may notice that he has a tan line where his wedding ring is supposed to be. This cool attention to detail supports the fact that he is a widower, but it also calls into question the statement in his internal monologue that Mary Sunderland died three years ago.
Tan lines don’t last for three years
In general, tan lines last for ten days to a month before they fade away. This tells us that James took off his wedding band recently, and casts doubt on James’s statement that Mary passed away years ago (assuming that he removed the ring shortly after her death).
The tan line is a subtle hint at the truth- that Mary died recently and James is visiting Silent Hill shortly after he murdered her. At first glance, James simply seems like a grieving widower (which he is). But by removing the ring he has symbolically freed himself from the pain that Mary caused him during her final years when she was sick.
Both the original Silent Hill 2 and the remake thrive on subtle details and storytelling, and the tan line on James’ ring finger is just one of the many ways Bloober Team was able to add more depth to the emotionally layered game. Silent Hill 2 remake’s initial cutscene shows just how much one small addition can add to the experience.
