Silent Hill 2 has always been a game about perspective—how James sees himself, how he treats the people around him, and how he responds to the weight of guilt. The remake stays true to that philosophy, but expands the ending system with new interactions, hidden checks, and two exclusive NG+ finales.
How Endings Work in Silent Hill 2
The game quietly tracks what kind of person James is based on how you play. It isn’t about kill counts or difficulty settings; it’s about the choices you make in quiet moments.
Your behavior—how long you stay injured, whether you check certain items, how you treat Maria—slowly steers you toward one of three endings on a fresh run. The remaining endings unlock only in New Game+.
All Silent Hill 2 Endings
(3 Standard Endings + 5 New Game+ Endings)
STANDARD ENDINGS (FIRST PLAYTHROUGH)
1. Leave Ending
This is the outcome most players naturally reach. It reflects a version of James who tries to stay focused, take care of himself, and face the truth rather than wallow in guilt.
How to Get the Leave Ending
To push James toward emotional stability, prioritize:
- Keep James healthy — heal often and avoid letting him linger in critical condition.
- Check Mary’s Photo and Mary’s Letter multiple times.
- Do NOT examine Angela’s Knife.
- Avoid extended time with Maria and do not overly involve yourself in protecting her.
- In Lakeview Hotel, use the Rotten Apple on the mirror.
- During the Coin Cabinet puzzle, blame the Snake.
- After the dual Pyramid Head fight, exit through the Rust-Colored Egg door.
- In the final hallway, listen to the entire conversation before leaving.
Following these behaviors typically locks you into Leave, unlocking the achievement “Making Peace.”
2. Maria Ending
This path reveals a James who ignores reality and clings to Maria as an escape, no matter how unhealthy that choice may be.
How to Get the Maria Ending
This is the hardest ending to get intentionally. You must consistently show preference for Maria:
- Don’t inspect Mary’s Photo, Letter, or Angela’s Knife.
- Spend at least 10 minutes near Maria when she accompanies you.
- Protect her from damage in chase sequences and ambushes.
- Take Maria to explore Nathan Avenue before entering Jack’s Inn.
- Visit her repeatedly in the Hospital and the Labyrinth.
- Interact with everything inside Heaven’s Night (posters, the booth, the bottle, etc.).
- Place the Ripe Apple on the mirror plate in Lakeview Hotel.
- After the dual Pyramid Head fight, leave via the Scarlet Egg door.
- In the final hallway, do NOT listen to Mary’s full monologue.
If Mary appears sitting on the bed during the finale, you’re on track. This ending unlocks “Vicious Circle.”
3. In Water Ending
This is the darkest of the standard endings. James spirals into guilt, self-harm, and emotional collapse.
How to Get the In Water Ending
You must push James toward despair:
- Inspect Angela’s Knife at least twice (mandatory trigger).
- Do NOT inspect Mary’s Photo or Letter.
- Keep James at critical health for at least 10 minutes.
- Kill 350+ enemies and stomp at least 30 corpses.
- Spend minimal time with Maria.
- View the writing above the jukebox in Neely’s Bar.
- Place the Rotten Apple on the mirror plate.
- Kill the hotel’s monsters before they burn.
- After the dual Pyramid Heads, use the Rust-Colored Egg door.
- Listen to the entire final hallway monologue.
This ending unlocks “Only Way Out.”
See also: Silent Hill 2 Xbox Physical Edition: All Editions and Prices
NEW GAME+ ENDINGS
After your first full clear, five new endings become available. Some require special items; others trigger instantly under specific conditions.
4. Rebirth Ending (NG+)
A ritual-focused ending tied to four occult items. Once all four are collected, the game automatically overrides every standard ending.
Required Items
All four must be in your inventory:
- Crimson Ceremony — lakeside graveyard
- White Chrism — Baldwin Mansion
- Obsidian Goblet — Silent Hill Historical Society
- Lost Memories — Lakeview Hotel Lost & Found (NG+ only)
Finish the game normally and Rebirth triggers. Unlocks “Defy Even Death.”
5. Dog Ending (NG+)
The beloved joke ending returns with its own steps.
How to Get the Dog Ending
- Collect Broken Key Part 1 in the Pet Center.
- Collect Broken Key Part 2 in the doghouse on Katz Street.
- Combine to form the Dog Key.
- Use it on the Observation Room in Lakeview Hotel.
The ending triggers immediately. Unlocks “The Goodest Boi.”
6. UFO Ending (NG+)
Another classic joke ending involving alien visitors.
How to Get the UFO Ending
- Retrieve the Blue Gem from the jeweler’s window.
- Use (inspect) the gem at four locations:
- Saul Street Apartments rooftop
- Rosewater Park pier
- Lake shoreline after docking the boat
- Room 312 at Lakeview Hotel
Triggering the fourth location instantly activates the ending, unlocking “Tinfoil Hat.”
7. Bliss Ending (Remake Exclusive, NG+)
A dreamlike new finale added in the remake.
How to Get the Bliss Ending
- Open the Bowl-O-Rama safe (code: 1887) to get a key.
- Use that key to open the Small Chest in Brookhaven Hospital’s garden to obtain White Claudia.
- In Room 312, drink the White Claudia, then watch the tape.
End immediately triggers.
8. Stillness Ending (Remake Exclusive, NG+)
A more severe variation of “In Water,” available only after previously obtaining the In Water ending.
How to Get the Stillness Ending
- After starting NG+, obtain the Chainsaw.
- Break the green car window on Wiltse Road to collect the Key of Sorrow (only appears if you have previously completed “In Water”).
- In the Otherworld Lakeview Hotel, use the key + code 314 on the Manager’s Office safe to get the Toluca Postcard.
- Examine the postcard and finish the game.
Ending overrides all others.
Tips for Trophy Hunters – Get All Endings in Only Two Playthroughs
Because the game tracks ending completion at the profile level rather than per-save, you can manipulate endings using manual saves. The file confirms this strategy works reliably.
Playthrough 1:
- Aim for Maria Ending
- Make a final manual save before the dual Pyramid Head fight
- Reload that save for Leave and In Water
Playthrough 2 (NG+):
- Collect all Rebirth/Dog/UFO/Bliss/Stillness items
- Use your manual save near Room 312 to trigger several endings quickly
This path unlocks every achievement in the minimum number of runs.
Related Guides You Might Like:
- Silent Hill f Trophy Guide: All Trophies & Platinum Unlocks
- Silent Hill f Mural Puzzle Solution – All Endings Guide
- Silent Hill f Scarecrow Field Puzzle Solution Guide
- Silent Hill f Shrine Altar Puzzle Solution Guide
- Megabonk All Characters: How to Unlock Every Playable Character
- How to Solve the Silent Hill f Light Puzzle in the Worship Hall
- Silent Hill f Game Length: How Long to Beat & Endings
- Best Settings for Silent Hill f on PC to Boost Performance
- All Silent Hill f Hinako Costumes and Outfits
- How to Heal and Restore Sanity in Silent Hill f | Full Survival Guide
- Silent Hill f Consumables Guide: All Items and Effects
- Silent Hill f New Game Plus: Unlockables, Endings & Weapons
- Shimizu Residence Silent Hill f: All Puzzles, Crests & Boss Guide
- Silent Hill f All Endings List: How to Unlock All 5 Endings
- Silent Hill f Sacred Sword Guide – How to Find All Jizo Statues and Offerings
- Silent Hill f Middle School Locker Puzzle – All Codes & Rewards
- How to Solve Shrine Vault Puzzle Silent Hill f (All Difficulties)
- Silent Hill f Memories Puzzle: Shu’s Possessions Locations
- Silent Hill f Locker Puzzle Solution and All Locker Codes
Silent Hill 2’s endings work because none of them feel random. Every outcome reflects the way you guided James through the fog—whether he fought to heal, embraced denial, or slipped deeper into guilt. The remake preserves that emotional weight while adding new layers for returning fans.
Use this guide to explore every possible conclusion and see how Silent Hill judges the choices you made along the way. Buy Now!
