Siren’s PS5 Relaunch Should Be a Taste of Things to Come

by

Siren's PS5 Relaunch Should Be a Taste of Things to Come

As a dedicated horror gaming enthusiast who fondly remembers the days when Siren graced our consoles with its unique blend of fear and fascination, I can confidently say that this underrated gem deserves another chance at greatness. The recent re-release on the PlayStation 5 is like a beacon calling out to Sony, urging them to take the plunge and breathe new life into this captivating IP.

The Siren franchise, not often discussed today, was once a trailblazer in the horror genre, known for its excitement and subversion. With the re-release of Siren on PlayStation 5, there’s an opportunity for a more daring comeback, especially since Sony could potentially capitalize on this intellectual property (IP), moving it to the spotlight again as other series like Silent Hill are regaining popularity.

Following his role in creating the initial “Silent Hill” game, Keiichiro Toyama departed from Konami and shifted to Japan Studios, leading the development of “Siren”. Many fans see “Siren” as a kind of ghostly offshoot of “Silent Hill”, embodying similar eerie ambiance, supernatural narratives, and survival-horror gameplay. However, it’s essential to note that “Siren” is not just a replica of “Silent Hill”. The original “Siren” game stands out in numerous ways, from its unique ‘sightjacking’ mechanic to the confounding nature of its multi-character plotline. These distinct features combine to make “Siren” a rare horror adventure that deserves renewed interest, particularly as its re-release brings attention to some of its more vintage characteristics.

Siren Deserves a Sequel or Remake

Silent Hill 2’s Remake Suggests a Siren Remake Could Work

In the past, certain games were believed to be unattainable for remakes, and before Bloober Team’s revamp, “Silent Hill 2” was one of those hard-to-reach titles. The unique chilling atmosphere of the original game, its strange and disquieting elements that were largely shaped by the era and technical limitations, seemed like a magical phenomenon that couldn’t be replicated. To some extent, this still holds true—nothing can truly match up to the original “SH2″—but Bloober successfully grasped the essence of the game, enhancing it significantly through a contemporary perspective.

It’s possible that the same approach could be applied to the game Siren. While its PS5 re-release does feature some changes, such as image enhancement and the inclusion of quick-save options, these are relatively minor. However, these adjustments pave the way for something more substantial.

Given its success in crafting the chilling atmosphere of Silent Hill 2, Bloober Team might just have the skills necessary for a remake of the enigmatic game Siren.

Maybe a Remake Isn’t the Only Way Forward for Siren

Nowadays, remakes of horror video games are extremely popular. Some might argue that game developers think enhanced realism will boost immersion and fear levels, but this isn’t always true. For instance, Siren stands out as it manages to be eerie and fleeting despite its simpler graphics and peculiar character designs, a quality many modern games struggle to replicate.

Instead of trying to recreate the eerie visuals and vintage horror vibe of the original “Siren” by remaking it, maybe another studio should be entrusted with the franchise and given the freedom to create a brand new installment that honors its legacy. By doing so, they could introduce fresh concepts while keeping them consistent with the IP’s context. If the latest re-release of “Siren” gains sufficient interest, this could potentially become a reality.

Read More

2024-10-20 22:34