Silent Hill 2: Maria Ending Guide

As a seasoned Silent Hill fanatic who’s seen more than my fair share of creepy nurses and twisted pyramid heads, I must say that the optional dialogue with Maria in the 2019 remake is a delightful addition to the game. It offers a deeper insight into James’ character, showing that beneath his tough exterior lies a soft spot for Maria.

In the remake of Silent Hill 2, one of the eight conclusions revolves around the character Maria, and it’s a significant ending. The creators at Bloober Team have meticulously recreated this ending with their own guidelines to activate it and earn the trophy. To unlock the Maria ending in Silent Hill 2 Remake, it’s crucial for players to familiarize themselves with some key aspects first.

To ensure a storyline centered more around Maria in the final act, players may find it beneficial to either start a new game or verify that they’ve recently encountered Maria at the beginning of their adventure, as this will set the stage for events leading towards a climax predominantly featuring Maria.

Spoilers ahead for Silent Hill 2

All Requirements for the Maria Ending in Silent Hill 2 Remake

Silent Hill 2: Maria Ending Guide

During your adventure through Silent Hill 2, the Maria ending involves several key factors to monitor. Here’s a summary of what you should keep an eye on:

Always stay fully healed, no matter how minimal the damage
Do not examine any Personal Items, especially not Mary’s Letter and the Photo of Mary
Select the Woman Coin as the final answer in the Coin Box Puzzle in Wood Side Apartments
Pay attention to Maria through secret cutscenes and optional dialogue
Keep Maria safe from enemies
Use the Ripe Apple in the Lakeview Hotel’s Mirror Puzzle
Enter through the Scarlet Door after the Pyramid Heads’ boss fight

To achieve the Maria ending, it’s recommended to adhere to the provided guidelines as some crucial steps, such as certain puzzle triggers, have yet to be definitively confirmed.

Do Not Examine Mary’s Letter, Photo of Mary, Handkerchief, or Angela’s Knife

When embarking on the journey in Silent Hill 2, players should avoid delving into their inventory to scrutinize Personal Items such as the Photo of Mary, Handkerchief, Mary’s Letter, and Angela’s Knife. Skipping these items is crucial because it prevents conflicting events from occurring. For instance, examining Angela’s Knife leads to the In Water ending, while investigating Mary’s belongings steers players towards the Leave ending. By choosing not to examine these items, the game understands that James remains unaware of Mary’s health status.

Immediately Heal Every Injury

It’s crucial that players collect as many healing resources as possible throughout the game, because whenever James takes damage, he needs to be able to quickly restore his health. Keeping James fully healed will help guide him towards the Maria ending, which demonstrates James’ strong will to live, as it shows he prioritizes his own well-being and avoids injuries during his journey. Players can determine when healing is needed by looking for any bloodstains on James’ jacket.

Use the Woman Coin in the Wood Side Apartments Coin Puzzle

Instead of using the “Woman Coin,” we’ve chosen to employ it in the final riddle where the Coin Box displays “Now unto you falls a grievous chore, who carries blame for what fate had in store?” By positioning the Woman Coin at the box’s center top, players assign responsibility to the woman. This move might hint at James relinquishing accountability for Mary’s death through arrogance and excuses. Consequently, the Woman Coin appears to be a suitable starting point for the Maria ending scenario.

Keep Maria Safe

When players encounter Maria in Rosewater Park, their goal should be to closely monitor her. They should pay attention to where she is, ensure she’s with them, and take care not to surprise or hurry her. The priority is to keep her safe because enemies might attack Maria, so it’s essential to concentrate on the enemies and maintain a safe distance between them and Maria to prevent injury. This will underscore James’ protective feelings towards Maria and demonstrate that players value her more than Mary.

Interact with Maria at Jacks Inn and Baldwin Mansion

In summary, there are hidden conversations between Maria and James on the western part of South Vale. The initial exchange can be discovered when gamers reach Jacks Inn. Upon climbing the stairs, breaking the window of Room 108, and entering the room to let Maria in, players can activate optional dialogues with her. These dialogues allow discussion about Maria’s original costume from Silent Hill 2 (2001). Engaging in this optional dialogue indicates that James is paying heed to Maria, rather than disregarding her.

As a devoted player, I found myself on a quest to locate the elusive Gate Key within Jack’s Inn. Once secured, I made my way towards Baldwin Mansion with curiosity piqued. Intriguingly, I could engage in additional banter with James, asking him to confirm if Maria was correct about something. This interaction would then unlock extra dialogue, offering a heartwarming glimpse into their relationship and earning me some bonus points. What an engaging experience!

Activate Two Maria Cutscenes in Brookhaven Hospital

Within Brookhaven Hospital, two hidden scenes become accessible when players find Maria in Room C5 on the 2nd Floor and she lies down. These scenes demonstrate James’ affection for Maria, hinting at his tender feelings towards her if he frequently checks on her. Here’s how to trigger both scenes:

After acquiring any of the three bracelets for the Director’s Office Bracelet Puzzle, head into C5 to trigger a cutscene with Maria.
After completing the Director’s Office Safe Puzzle and acquiring the Rooftop Key, head into C5 to trigger a cutscene with Maria.

In addition to our usual routine, we made sure to consult Maria at the end of every puzzle within the Labyrinth, right before leaving the Labyrinth Center.

Use the Ripe Apple in Lakeview Hotel’s Mirror Puzzle

Upon arriving at Lakeview Hotel, players should continue their journey as usual until they encounter the Mirror Puzzle in Room 206. To solve this puzzle effectively, players must first locate the Ripe Apple hidden in the lower left corner of the Hall on the second floor. Once obtained, use the Ripe Apple within the Mirror Puzzle to demonstrate James’ yearning for things that are unspoiled and untainted, symbolizing his preference for healthy Maria over sickly Mary, which mirrors his overall character.

Go Through the Scarlet Egg Door

Following the battle with the two Pyramid Heads post Lakeview Hotel, you’ll find each of them carrying an Egg – one Scarlet and one Rust-Colored. These eggs need to be inserted into either door, but it’s crucial for players to choose the Scarlet Egg door to underscore James’ longing for purity and things untouched by decay. Once you’ve passed through this door, just navigate to the end of the hallway and disregard Mary’s narration. Leave as soon as possible after that.

If executed properly, Mary will likely be confined to bed when James encounters her. This change in circumstances might subtly alter the scene, making their initial encounter more tense and less amicable, setting the stage for the iconic boss battle that follows.

Maria Ending, Explained

In the “Maria” conclusion, James manages to depart from the town of Silent Hill and discards any remorse linked to the murder of his ailing spouse. Accompanied by Maria, he exits Silent Hill, indicating that this experience has been futile. He hasn’t undergone transformation or shown regret; instead, he selects Maria as an escape from guilt and to satisfy his emotional needs with her companionship, expressing his sexual inclinations.

When Maria coughs, James reacts in a frosty and unfeeling manner, saying “Perhaps you should address that cough.” This implies that despite being faced with a condition similar to his late wife’s illness, he is trapped in a vicious cycle of bitterness and hostility, devoid of any guilt or empathy.

2024-10-14 18:34