In the Silent Hill 2 remake, James Sunderland’s journey gets a fresh look with updated technology.
Bloober Team, the creators, shared in a dev diary how they revamped James’ appearance to reflect his grueling journey. They wanted to keep the classic design but use new tech to show how an average guy faces crazy situations. “We wanted to stay true to the original design, but we also wanted to use modern technology to expand on the concept of an ordinary man pushed into extraordinary situations,” said creative director Mateusz Lenart. As the game goes on, James’ beard grows, his clothes get dirtier, and his face looks more exhausted. On
, someone even spotted dirt building up on his nails. People often love when tiny details tell a bigger story.
Pablo Poliakov, the lead character artist, shared how they resisted the urge to make James too flashy. Instead, they kept his “not too cool, not too good looking” vibe, which also influenced how he moves. His posture is slouched, and his actions, like jumping through windows, seem untrained.
Jakub Zych, the senior 3D animator, added that James isn’t a combat expert or parkour enthusiast. To capture his movements, they watched videos of regular folks and sometimes even recorded themselves.
If you’re curious about James looking more worn out as the game progresses, Silent Hill 2’s remake is now available. For tips on puzzles or to explore different endings, our guide hub can help you navigate the eerie world.
