TheSilent Hill 2 Remakeis an incredible entry for theSilent Hillgames, packed with fear and secrets to discover.Bloober Teamdelivered a full, horrifying experience, one thatleft veteran fans absolutely stunned.
The game also has a decent handful of different collectables for players, ranging from archives to photographs, but one stands out just for the fans:Glimpses of the Past.
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Version 1.00 discs have an early version Bloober Team eventually scrapped.
At first, the game isn’t clear about what Glimpses to the Past are supposed to be. Players find something that can be interacted with, the screen focuses on the object with a soft melody, and that’s it.
If players don’t know what they’re looking at, it’s not clear—but for those in the know, it’s suddenly something special.
Glimpses of the Past are collectibles that directly reference something from the originalSilent Hill 2game, whether it be a location or an object. They’reEaster Eggs, in a sense, but built into a game mechanic, leaving room for nostalgia and pure reminiscence.
10The Typewriter’s Purple Bull Key
Typewriter, Hospital Medical Records
One Glimpse of the Past can be found in theBrookhaven Hospital, specifically in theMedical Recordsroom — it’s a typewriter.
While it may seem like a nod to the classicResident Evilgames, it references theLouise Boxpuzzle from the original. In the remake,this puzzle is still a chained boxthat needs a couple of codes to unlock and only one key.
In the original, two different keys were needed: theLapis Eye Key, which is in the remake, and thePurple Bull Key, which is found next to the typewriter.
9The Horseshoe Puzzle
Horseshoe Hatch, Boar Block of Toluca Prison
Navigating the horrifyingToluca Prison, making their way to theBoar Block, players can find another Glimpse of the Past. This one is a hatch, covered in white paint and has a horseshoe resting on it.
This is a reference to theHorseshoe Puzzlein the original game. The puzzle required protagonistJames Sunderlandto essentially MacGyver a handle for the trap door, using a candle, lighter, and a horseshoe.
The puzzle was particularly tedious, requiring a rather extensive hunt, so thankfully, the remake just references it rather than adding it back.
8The Classic Clock Puzzle
Scratched Wall, Woodside Apartments
The Clock Puzzle, located inBlue Creek Apartments, is one of the first main puzzles players must genuinely think through in theOtherworld.
Up to this point, everything else had been relatively simple — and the Otherworld hadn’t been introduced yet.
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In the original game, however, the Clock Puzzle was located inWoodside Apartments, and it’s referenced in this Glimpse to the Past.
On a wall in one of the rooms, there’s a ton of scratches that don’t immediately stand out. However, once players imagine a clock in that spot, it’s suddenly very clear why it’s important.
7Eddie’s Pizza
Pizza, Pete’s Bowl-O-Rama
Sometimes, nerves cancause people to have some hardcore munchies—that seems to be the case forEddie, who is frequently seen snacking on something. In the original game, one such snack ispizza.
How he got it to Silent Hill remains a genuine mystery, but it seems to outrage James indescribably. He yells, “This town is full of monsters! How can you sit there and eat pizza?!”
This is referenced in the remake when players interact with the pizza box atPete’s Bowl-O-Rama. It’s a Glimpse of the Past and grants players theLeftoverstrophy.
James also says the line, so it’s just a funny reference overall, a nice bit of humor to blot out the horrors.
Broken Fence, Hospital Roof
Running along the rooftops of the hospital, players can come across another Glimpse of the Past: this time, it’s a broken fence.
It seems odd, especially since the hospital is mostly in decent repair until reaching the Otherworld. Veteran players, however, immediately whipped around to attack an approachingPyramid Head— only to not see him there.
In the original game, Pyramid Head throws James through this fence and sends him plummeting below. He still throws James off the roof in the remake, but in a different location instead.
How he survives either ordeal adds to the mystery, but it’s Silent Hill. It’s best not to ask questions and to just escape with your life.
5The Fateful Cassette Recorder
Cassette Recorder, Otherworld Hotel Reading Room
The last possible Glimpse of the Past that players can find is in theReading Roomof theOtherworld Hotel. This time, it’s a cassette recorder.
Unfortunately, unlike in the original game, it’s just a little collectible and not a game-changing find.
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In the original game, listening to this recorder (or at least, listening to the full thing) heavily influenced which ending players could get,since there are several ones to obtain.
It would have been pretty neat to listen to something from this cassette recorder, though.
4The Original Gallows Puzzle
Hanging Rope, Labyrinth Rotten Area
The Gallows Puzzleis one of the most notorious puzzles in the game, including in the remake. Many don’t even realize it until they play, but the noose James interacts with in the trailers is directly from this puzzle.
In the remake, this puzzle is located in theToluca Prison, following many puzzles and fighting monsters. It’s not until players get into theRotten Areaof the Labyrinth that they find a broken, hanging rope.
This Glimpse of the Past is where the original Gallows Puzzle was located, complete with all the Otherworld’s rusted fencing and gore.
3OG Heaven’s Night Entrance
Building, Western South Vale
Mariais undoubtedly one of the most important characters in the game. From her relationship with James to her overall status as a torturous literary device, the game would simply not be complete without her.
When players meet Maria, she offers to take James to a “special place,” which also involves cutting through her workplace,Heaven’s Night.
Heaven’s Night was a strip club and bar, but it’s been relocated in the remake. In the original, it’s a building tucked away and up some stairs, one that can be stumbled upon as a Glimpse of the Past.
Encountering this building with Maria, she actually comments on it, unsure about what she’s feeling before settling on having déjà vu.
2First Encounter
Blocked Tunnel, Nathan Avenue
The first ever Glimpse of the Past that players can encounter is off of Nathan Avenue, and it should feel strikingly familiar right away.
In the remake, this is just a blocked-off area with no other major importance, but this couldn’t be further from the truth in the original.
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This location is where players first encounter aLying Figure, the first enemy of the game. This is also where James picks up the Wooden Plank as a weapon, and the first enemy encounter begins.
This is moved indoors in the remake, but it was wonderful seeing the original location maintain existence.
1The First Boss Room
The most nostalgic Glimpse of the Past, without a doubt, is located on the 2nd Floor of the Blue Creek Apartments. Players have to interact with a dead Lying Figure on the ground to discover it.
This stairway is the original location where James fought the iconic Pyramid Head for the first time. In both the remake and the original fight, no shots have to be fired, as all players have to do is avoid him until the sirens start blaring.
It’s immediately recognizable, especially for those who remember running for their lives in the original game. It also works to build a new fear: if the fight with Pyramid Head isn’t happening here, when and where will he finally attack?
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