The Silent Hill 2 Remake brings back the rich and complex endings of the original, each shaped by your decisions throughout the game. Here’s a guide on how to achieve every ending, from the emotionally charged main conclusions to the quirky joke endings.
1. Leave Ending
This is considered the best possible outcome, where James Sunderland comes to terms with his actions and moves forward. To unlock the Leave ending:
- Inspect Mary’s photo and letter in your inventory a few times.
- Heal regularly and avoid staying at low health.
- Don’t interact with Angela’s knife or obsess over it.
- Listen to the full sickbed conversation in the hallway right before the final boss fight.
These actions show James’ acceptance of his guilt and his desire to leave the past behind. He ultimately leaves Silent Hill with Laura, seeking a fresh start.
2. Maria Ending
In this ending, James rejects his search for Mary and becomes attached to Maria, a look-alike who represents his desire for redemption. To achieve this:
- Engage in optional conversations with Maria and stay close to her whenever possible.
- Protect Maria from harm, particularly during encounters where she is vulnerable.
- Do not inspect Mary’s photo or letter, and avoid looking at Angela’s knife.
- Skip the conversation in the hallway before the final boss.
These choices show James’ shift in focus from Mary to Maria, leading him to choose her instead.
3. In Water Ending
This ending is often seen as the darkest, where James succumbs to his grief and ends his life. To unlock this:
- Stay at low health for extended periods and avoid healing often.
- Inspect Angela’s knife frequently to emphasize James’ growing despair.
- Ignore Mary’s photo and letter, distancing yourself from her memory.
- Listen to the entire hallway conversation before the final boss.
The game ends with James driving into Toluca Lake, suggesting that he has given in to his guilt and pain.
4. Rebirth Ending
This ending is only available in New Game Plus and revolves around James’ desire to resurrect Mary through a dark ritual. To unlock this:
- Start a New Game Plus.
- Collect four special items: the Crimson Ceremony, the White Chrism, the Obsidian Goblet, and Lost Memories.
- Proceed to the end of the game as normal.
This ending reveals that James, rather than moving on, is now determined to bring Mary back to life using the occult.
5. Dog Ending
A beloved joke ending where it is revealed that Mira, a Shiba Inu dog, has been controlling all the events in Silent Hill. To unlock this ending:
- Start New Game Plus.
- Collect two broken key parts from different locations in the game.
- Combine them to form the Dog Key.
- Use the Dog Key to unlock the Observatory Room in Lakeview Hotel.
The lighthearted reveal of Mira controlling the town offers a humorous break from the dark tone of the other endings.
6. UFO Ending
Another joke ending, this time involving an alien abduction. To get this ending:
- Start New Game Plus.
- Find the Blue Gem in a jewelry box near Big Jay’s store.
- Use the gem at specific locations in the game to trigger the UFO sequence.
The UFO ending is a nod to the classic, quirky tone that the Silent Hill series occasionally adopts, making it a fun side note to the heavier main story.
7. Serenity Ending (New)
The Serenity ending is a new addition in the remake. Here, James seems to come to a calm resolution about his past, hearing Mary’s voice and finding peace. Achieving this ending involves making more emotionally reflective decisions throughout the game, though the exact conditions are tied to how you interact with key items like Angela’s knife and Mary’s letter.
8. Bliss Ending (New)
This new, dream-like ending features James and Mary together on a videotape, suggesting an alternate reality where James never killed Mary. This ending gives a surreal and possibly redemptive twist to the story, though it may leave players wondering if it’s just a comforting illusion.
Tips for Unlocking Multiple Endings
Since some endings are only available in New Game Plus, and others depend on specific conditions, it’s smart to make a manual save near the final boss fight. This way, you can reload and adjust your choices to trigger different endings without playing the entire game again. If you want to experience all the endings, focus on different behaviors in each playthrough—such as inspecting key items, engaging with Maria, or healing less often.
By exploring all the endings in the Silent Hill 2 Remake, you’ll uncover the full depth of James’ emotional journey and the varying fates that await him depending on the choices you make.
