Resident Evil Needs Silent Hill 2’s Melee: Here’s Why

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The re-make of Silent Hill 2 from last year is intriguing to examine for multiple reasons, one of which is its striking resemblance to modern Resident Evil games. It appears that history has repeated itself, as Silent Hill originally served as Konami’s counterpart to Resident Evil, and similarly, the Silent Hill 2 remake mirrors Capcom’s Resident Evil remakes, both in small details and overall structure.

In terms of overall game design approach, the remake of “Silent Hill 2” mimics the blueprint of the 2019 overhaul of “Resident Evil 2”. This remake is a fresh take on the original horror masterpiece, leveraging contemporary technology to deliver an aesthetically striking and mechanically distinct experience compared to its predecessor. Familiar locales and sequences from the original “Silent Hill 2” have been significantly expanded in the remake, with boss fights and enemy interactions more in line with modern gaming trends. The gameplay dynamics in the remake are smoother and more refined, while the combat remains as gratifying as any contemporary survival horror game. Although it may not match the gunplay excellence of the flawlessly designed “Resident Evil 4” remake, its melee options could potentially outshine its contemporaries.

Resident Evil Should Focus On Melee, Learning from the Silent Hill 2 Remake

How Melee Functions in Silent Hill 2

Describing the melee combat in “Silent Hill 2” as mechanically complex or robust might not be accurate. In reality, attacking monsters with items like a wooden plank or metal pipe is generally a simple one-or-two-button action, similar to the limited melee options found in “The Callisto Protocol”. However, it’s important to note that while “Silent Hill 2” doesn’t offer the intricate combat of games like “Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance” or “Sekiro”, its melee system effectively adds variety to combat encounters and broadens the range of player decisions.

In the style of many classic survival-horror games, such as Silent Hill 2, the gameplay revolves around the scarcity of resources. Managing ammunition and healing supplies is crucial for victory. Engaging in melee combat, however, is less efficient and riskier because it forces players to get close to monsters, dealing less damage per blow than firearms. Melee combat, on the other hand, can be a smart move, allowing players to take calculated risks to save ammo. It’s also useful in emergencies when all ammunition is depleted. Essentially, it serves as part of a larger tactical approach rather than being a powerful or intricate playstyle by itself.

In different Resident Evil games, melee options can change, but they’re rarely as gratifying or potent as those found in the Silent Hill 2 remake. While some might argue that Silent Hill 2 simplified melee combat, the knifeplay in Resident Evil often feels weak and aggravating, which could be more problematic. Swinging a small knife at a zombie, especially on higher levels of difficulty, is almost pointless, making melee less tactically beneficial than it is in Silent Hill 2.

How Resident Evil’s Distinct Premise Could Make for Great Melee Combat

Characters in the game Silent Hill tend to be ordinary people, such as troubled alcoholics (James Sunderland) and sullen teenagers (Heather Mason). In contrast, most main characters in Resident Evil are highly skilled combatants, with exceptions like Ethan and Rose Winters. A character like Chris Redfield would likely possess immense strength, whether armed or not, dealing with zombies as effectively as Abby from The Last of Us does.

Through the bold portrayal of its characters as action heroes, the Resident Evil series could deliver a unique interpretation of Silent Hill 2’s close combat, making it a meaningful and gratifying choice in battles instead of a weak alternative or quicktime event. Given the RPG-lite elements found in games like Resident Evil 4, future installments might even accommodate specialized melee builds—a significant enhancement for replay value and creative player expression.

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2025-01-18 01:53