Why is this game so... weird?

[Delsin]

First of all, this game is beautiful. Props to the environmental artists.

Having said that, why is there is such little explanation for everything?
Why doesn't the main character have any dialogue as to things happening?
Why am I solving the most random puzzles?
Alot of this game doesn't make sense from a level design point of view.
Ok, so I randomly stumbled across a jukebox with a broken record in it. Why is it important to solve this puzzle? Why am I looking for a broken record to fix? It's so random and the game doesn't explain anything.
I am aware that it is a remake of an old game and thus subject to weird puzzles but this is just so bizarre to me. First I am solving random puzzles then left thinking, why am I doing this? Why is my character solving random puzzles instead of trying to escape?

[Rich Hard]

Silent Hill is supposed to be weird and full of unexplained things, even tho most of it was explained throughout the years

[stormtrooper2022]

I think you should have noticed James and the other characters are not... fine at all.

But the answer is a spoiler of the game on itself.

[Dropkick]

Think of it more of a Nightmare, and your memories are the game. Play through the nightmare, its fun!

[Wasted]

Because it's heavily influenced by Lynch's movies, you don't need any explanation, you'll get it once you see the ending (s)
Basically you're playing as a man who "forgot" things and you have to recollect your suppressed memories back.

[Mou bu]

Yes, there is not much coherence in navigating nightmares. Especially the most hellish ones.
Besides, James is keeping a lot of secrets from us and from himself. Each memory revealed directs him closer to his wife. So things get more and more disturbing

[Bankruptcy]

yeah keep playing the game... it'll reveal a bit more on why stuff is the way it is

[Zebedee]

Originally posted by Delsin:

I am aware that it is a remake of an old game and thus subject to weird puzzles but this is just so bizarre to me. First I am solving random puzzles then left thinking, why am I doing this? Why is my character solving random puzzles instead of trying to escape?

Good questions. Moving past the 'why does Link wake up from sleep every time he falls into lava?' aspect of gaming, ever played a game like Senua's Saga Hellblade?

Our personal reality is what we perceive it to be, and our perceptions are shaped not only by our senses but also by our experiences. This remake at least gives lots of strong clues as to what is going on, but it does rely on the player spotting them and/or piecing them together.

[Sassy Robot]

The song on the record is revealed to be nostalgic for James, reminding him of Mary. As for why he is not trying to escape... well he tells you in the beginning of the game: he doesn't care that the town is dangerous. He HAS to be in Silent Hill. It is beyond choice for him. He simply must be there.

[Dank_Raven]

Puzzle solving is (or was) a staple in survival horror games. As far as the explanations... things will make sense eventually. The storytelling in SH has always been on a deeper psychological level than most in the genre.

[Vinnolo]

Escape? are you even playing the game? and it doesnt have to make sense because the town itself doesnt make sense with all its monsters and blocked/destroyed streets

[GetUrAssToMars]

It will make more sense as you play. Even then most of it is up to interpretation.

Its a game that explores more than the next waypoint on your map.

Its also heavily inspired by the movie Jacob's Ladder. May or may not help understanding the concepts in the game.

[I Should Be Sleeping]

Originally posted by itzDerrio:

Because its anime nonsense with realistic graphics. this is one of the many reasons anime is awful

If this was the bar for anime I'd be watching the stuff much more often. Unfortunately the overwhelming majority consists of MC tripping into a woman's crotch every ep or he is OP because writing flawed characters who struggle through adversity and aren't the most powerful being in existence is hard I guess.

[Kennedy]

Most of the things going on are a parts of James psyche, which Silent Hill brings to "life". He is mentally ill, like most, who are called into the town. He is as clueless as you about what's going on, but he is there to look for his wife and I guess, to find her alive is more important to him than the weirdness around him.

[grimgary]

The truely awful thing here is that James put them there himself =)

[Karosu-Maker]

Originally posted by Delsin:

First of all, this game is beautiful. Props to the environmental artists.

Having said that, why is there is such little explanation for everything?
Why doesn't the main character have any dialogue as to things happening?
Why am I solving the most random puzzles?
Alot of this game doesn't make sense from a level design point of view.
Ok, so I randomly stumbled across a jukebox with a broken record in it. Why is it important to solve this puzzle? Why am I looking for a broken record to fix? It's so random and the game doesn't explain anything.
I am aware that it is a remake of an old game and thus subject to weird puzzles but this is just so bizarre to me. First I am solving random puzzles then left thinking, why am I doing this? Why is my character solving random puzzles instead of trying to escape?

Silent Hill has always supposed to feel dream like. In dreams some stuff makes no sense but you go with it most of the time. This is how the characters behave in the series, the more aware being Heather in SH3, but I always assume that has to do more with her own powers.

Twin Peaks was a big source of inspiration, from how the characters talk to how they go along with the craziest stuff like it's the most normal thing in the world.

One of the reasons people criticized the trailers of SH2 remake was because James seemed way to anguished, sad and depressed, when he's supposed to feel more like someone dreaming and in complete denial . Fortunately they fixed that in what I can only describe as an absolute Sonic movie moment from part of the developers.