The GRAC is a South Korean association responsible for assigning ratings to video games, similar to the ESRB in North America. Ratings from such organizations typically indicate that a game’s release is imminent, as they provide insights into the game’s content to determine its age-appropriateness.
In the case of the Silent Hill 2 Remake, the GRAC rating, which was first applied in mid-February and classified as “Youth use not permitted” by the end of the month, sheds light on the game’s graphic content. According to a rough translation, the rating mentions excessive violence, with blood flowing after being hit or hitting an enemy, physical damage, and creatures with strangely formed limbs set against gloomy backgrounds. Some of these disturbing monster designs were showcased in the aforementioned combat gameplay trailer, including an enemy that appeared to be nothing more than two pairs of legs attached to a torso.
Significantly, the timing of the GRAC rating aligns with the development cycle of the Silent Hill 2 Remake. Konami producer Motoi Okamoto stated a month ago that the remake had entered its final stages of development. Considering these two factors, Silent Hill 2 fans are likely to receive another trailer or announcement regarding the remake’s release before the end of 2024.
However, despite the promising start, fans remain more cautious than excited about the future of the Silent Hill franchise. In addition to the concerns raised by the combat trailer, the recently released Silent Hill: The Short Message received overwhelmingly negative reviews upon its launch in February. Nonetheless, Silent Hill enthusiasts are hopeful that they won’t have to wait much longer to experience the remake for themselves and determine whether their fears were unfounded.
While the franchise has faced challenges in recent years, the timing of the GRAC rating suggests that the highly anticipated Silent Hill 2 Remake is nearing its release. Fans can look forward to additional updates and information in the coming months, allowing them to make an informed assessment of the remake’s quality and faithfulness to the beloved original.
