Welcome to our Silent Hill 2 Walkthrough, a comprehensive guide for completing the PS5 game, including all Collectibles. Our Walkthrough links to specific Puzzle Solutions pages for detailed explanations of certain parts. With this guide, you'll experience everything the Bloober Team remake offers and overcome any challenging sections.
This Walkthrough assumes Standard settings for both Combat Challenge and Puzzles Challenge. For info on different difficulty options, check the linked page. This first part covers the game's beginning through the Wood Side Apartments, including solutions for the Jukebox Puzzle in Neely's Bar and the Grand Market Keypad Code.
Note: The game revisits South Vale several times, starting in East South Vale and later exploring West South Vale. This means some spoilers appear on this page despite it being the first in our Walkthrough. Browse carefully and avoid scrolling too far if you're just starting.
The game opens with James Sunderland explaining his return to Silent Hill. Though his wife died three years ago, he's received a letter from her, saying she's waiting at their "special place" in town. You take control after his monologue in a dirty bathroom, then move to a viewpoint near Silent Hill. First, go to your car and find the Map of South Vale on the driver's seat. For a quick Trophy, walk up the road past the bathroom, away from town, to earn No Turning Back Now.
Now, let's begin the main story. Near the white van parked by your car, take the stairs down to the Graveyard. A long, foggy path creates a tense atmosphere for the game ahead. You'll reach a well that introduces the save feature. Keep following the path into the Graveyard, where a cutscene shows a woman searching for her family.
After the cutscene, you can chat with her for extra dialogue. To move forward, head west through another gate and past a cornfield. You'll go through Silent Hill Ranch, ending at an "Auto Parts" garage. Inside, you'll spot a note on a board about a key you need. Go left around the garage and climb in the open window. At the desk with the lamp, open the drawer for the Auto Parts Key. Leave through the front door and use the key on the red shutter door blocking the road.
As you continue, before turning right, check out the blocked tunnel for your first Glimpse of the Past, one of the game's Collectibles.
Keep going north. As you notice cracks in the road, you'll reach the turn for Vachss Road. The main path goes between houses on your left, but if you check the "Do Not Enter" gate, you'll find the second Glimpse of the Past.
After interacting with it, go left through the gap between houses. Cross two gardens, then pass through the fence gate towards the strange sounds. James briefly sees the figure again, then follows it into a small opening in the first garage door on the left. Squeeze through the wall gap, save your progress, then check the kitchen drawer for a Health Drink. You can use this by pressing Triangle when your health is low during or after fighting enemies — you might need it soon.
Enter the room with the partially open door to find a Radio... and an enemy. James will pick up a Wooden Plank to fight with, introducing combat. Dodge with Circle and attack with R2. We suggest dodging first to get used to it, then counterattack when you're ready. You can trigger some dialogue by pressing the interact prompt over the enemy after the fight.
You can leave the house through the enemy's entry point, but make sure to grab the Syringe from the desk on the right before exiting through the window. Syringes heal more than Health Drinks. Once outside after breaking the glass, James briefly hears what sounds like his wife calling through the Radio, and you regain control on Martin Street. Immediately turn right and look for the blood splatter in the corner. This is another Glimpse of the Past.
A bit further down Martin Street, James spots what appears to be a human body, with a Matchbook for Neely's Bar next to it. If you check your Map of the East Side of South Vale, you'll see the location is now circled. The Matchbook counts as a Memo, as does the Martin Street Note just ahead.
During the Jukebox puzzle segment, you'll find more Collectibles, detailed below and in our Jukebox puzzle guide:
Main story Walkthrough continues: After using Neely's Bar Key, push the cart to the wall and climb through the vent. Find a Health Drink in the bathroom and a Memo called Storage Room Letter on the office desk.
After reading it, your map will show a "teal vehicle" east of you. Exit through the white door to the side street leading to the marked area. Check the green car on your right for a Health Drink. Go through the open gate to find the target car immediately right. Interact with a bloody shirt nearby to get the Wood Side Apartments Key. Beware: 3 enemies will attack when you take it. Consider running away through the gap between the dumpsters.
A storm now brews in Silent Hill, locking many previously accessible buildings. Your goal: reach Wood Side Apartments west along Katz Street. Use the Wood Side Apartments Key to enter.
When you regain control, Maria will join you. Go right into a new part of Rosewater Park, then take another right to find a small seating area. There, you'll spot a Strange Photo.
Begin your journey at Octantis Fuels. Behind the garage, you'll find a Garage Jack Lever. Next, head across the street towards Pete's Bowl-O-Rama. Go past it, heading south until you hit a white wall blocking your path. Look right to spot a staircase leading to a door. Approach it for one of the Glimpses of the Past.
Enter Pete's Bowl-O-Rama. On the left side of the bowling lanes, you'll see a pizza you can interact with for a Trophy. This is also one of the Glimpses of the Past.
Exit and head to the end of Nathan Avenue, past the Historical Society. At the road's end, you'll find a Memo on a corpse.
Now that you have the Garage Jack Lever, return to the building across from Jacks Inn. Use it to open the garage door at the back. Crawl inside to find Handgun Ammo, a Health Drink, a Syringe, and a Strange Photo next to the raised car.
The Silent Hill Historical Society is marked on your map, but you can't enter without the key. Head back to Jacks Inn where you can now use the key you've found.
The Baldwin Mansion only triggers a bad memory for Maria if you try to enter. Instead, go south on Munson Street and turn right onto Katz Street. Follow it until a cutscene plays where James and Maria find the road has vanished. They backtrack to a house with a running car engine. James uses his Wooden Plank to block pursuing enemies, then swaps it for a Steel Pipe - your new melee weapon.
You'll navigate connecting side streets between houses, fighting numerous enemies. Follow the path carefully until Maria spots a fence gap to climb through. Use the map image below if you're lost. Access it through a garage or by moving a cupboard.
Beyond the fence, enter Heavens Night through the red door. Go through the kitchen to the dressing room, where you'll find a Strange Photo on the mirror wall.
Outside, most roads are blocked. Head north back to Katz Street and into Moonlight Grove. Use the map image below to navigate the tight path through buildings.
In Moonlight Grove, follow Maria to the statue for a cutscene. After hearing a scream, James wants to investigate. However, when you regain control, turn around and follow the path to a fountain area with another Strange Photo.
The north path from Moonlight Grove leads to Reverie Theater. Climb a box to enter through an open window while Maria waits outside. Inside, find Handgun Ammo in a drawer. Look through a wall hole to spot Eddie and a young girl in the cinema. Move a cupboard to access the main entrance area, where you'll find more Handgun Ammo in the bathrooms. Enter the main cinema room through the door under the green exit sign. Approach Eddie in the front row for a scene where he reveals the girl's name as Laura. After, go behind Eddie where popcorn is on the floor. On a left chair, you'll find another Strange Photo.
Next, use the double doors at the front right of the cinema to enter a second screen. Laura will turn on the projector as you enter. Exit through the door with the exit sign and go up to the projector room. Climb through the window and look for a gap marked with white rags on the right to squeeze through. This triggers a short scene where James spots Laura before she runs off.
Chase her through the second projection room, down the stairs, and into the main entrance with popcorn machines. She'll run outside. Maria will tell you Laura went south towards Brookhaven Hospital. As you approach the hospital, you'll see Laura run inside. Our Silent Hill 2 Walkthrough continues there.
Did you find our Walkthrough for South Vale in Silent Hill 2 and its Collectibles helpful? Our Silent Hill 2 Walkthrough continues in the Wood Side Apartments Walkthrough. For more guidance, check our full Silent Hill 2 guide.
PlayStation Buttons image credit: VictorPines, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
There's a health drink in the green car's back window on the left side of the street. You can get it after the first encounter and collecting Glimpse #3 in East South Vale.
P.S. Thanks for this guide! It's boosting my confidence as I play through the game.
This Walkthrough assumes Standard settings for both Combat Challenge and Puzzles Challenge. For info on different difficulty options, check the linked page. This first part covers the game's beginning through the Wood Side Apartments, including solutions for the Jukebox Puzzle in Neely's Bar and the Grand Market Keypad Code.
Note: The game revisits South Vale several times, starting in East South Vale and later exploring West South Vale. This means some spoilers appear on this page despite it being the first in our Walkthrough. Browse carefully and avoid scrolling too far if you're just starting.
Silent Hill 2: East South Vale Walkthrough - All Collectibles: Glimpses of the Past, Memos, Strange Photos
The game opens with James Sunderland explaining his return to Silent Hill. Though his wife died three years ago, he's received a letter from her, saying she's waiting at their "special place" in town. You take control after his monologue in a dirty bathroom, then move to a viewpoint near Silent Hill. First, go to your car and find the Map of South Vale on the driver's seat. For a quick Trophy, walk up the road past the bathroom, away from town, to earn No Turning Back Now.
Now, let's begin the main story. Near the white van parked by your car, take the stairs down to the Graveyard. A long, foggy path creates a tense atmosphere for the game ahead. You'll reach a well that introduces the save feature. Keep following the path into the Graveyard, where a cutscene shows a woman searching for her family.
After the cutscene, you can chat with her for extra dialogue. To move forward, head west through another gate and past a cornfield. You'll go through Silent Hill Ranch, ending at an "Auto Parts" garage. Inside, you'll spot a note on a board about a key you need. Go left around the garage and climb in the open window. At the desk with the lamp, open the drawer for the Auto Parts Key. Leave through the front door and use the key on the red shutter door blocking the road.
As you continue, before turning right, check out the blocked tunnel for your first Glimpse of the Past, one of the game's Collectibles.
Glimpses of the Past #1
After using the Auto Parts Key to pass Silent Hill Ranch, you'll see a blocked tunnel. Go up to it and interact to unlock the first Glimpse of the Past. Then, take the right path and push through a metal grate to reach Wiltse Road. At the end, a scene shows James finding another Map of the East Side of South Vale as Silent Hill comes into view. The east side of town is now open to explore, but first, cross the street to the flower shop for your first Memo on the counter.Memo #1: Flower Shop Message
Once in Silent Hill with both east and west side maps, go into the flower shop across the street. You'll find the Flower Shop Message on the counter. Look right to see a blood trail leading out. Follow it outside to the corner of Sanders Street and Lindsey Street. Head north on Lindsey Street until a short scene plays, showing James spotting a strange figure ahead.Keep going north. As you notice cracks in the road, you'll reach the turn for Vachss Road. The main path goes between houses on your left, but if you check the "Do Not Enter" gate, you'll find the second Glimpse of the Past.
Glimpses of the Past #2
As you follow the odd figure James noticed on Lindsey Street, you'll notice small cracks forming in the pavement. At the junction leading to Vachss Road, turn right towards the gate marked "Do Not Enter" to activate the second Glimpse of the Past.After interacting with it, go left through the gap between houses. Cross two gardens, then pass through the fence gate towards the strange sounds. James briefly sees the figure again, then follows it into a small opening in the first garage door on the left. Squeeze through the wall gap, save your progress, then check the kitchen drawer for a Health Drink. You can use this by pressing Triangle when your health is low during or after fighting enemies — you might need it soon.
Enter the room with the partially open door to find a Radio... and an enemy. James will pick up a Wooden Plank to fight with, introducing combat. Dodge with Circle and attack with R2. We suggest dodging first to get used to it, then counterattack when you're ready. You can trigger some dialogue by pressing the interact prompt over the enemy after the fight.
You can leave the house through the enemy's entry point, but make sure to grab the Syringe from the desk on the right before exiting through the window. Syringes heal more than Health Drinks. Once outside after breaking the glass, James briefly hears what sounds like his wife calling through the Radio, and you regain control on Martin Street. Immediately turn right and look for the blood splatter in the corner. This is another Glimpse of the Past.
Glimpses of the Past #3
After defeating your first enemy and getting the Radio, you'll exit the building and find yourself on Martin Street. Turn right immediately and interact with the blood splatter to discover this Glimpse of the Past.A bit further down Martin Street, James spots what appears to be a human body, with a Matchbook for Neely's Bar next to it. If you check your Map of the East Side of South Vale, you'll see the location is now circled. The Matchbook counts as a Memo, as does the Martin Street Note just ahead.
Memo #2: Matchbook
After your first enemy encounter, you'll leave the house and walk down Martin Street until you see what looks like a human body on the ground. Right beside it is the Matchbook.Memo #3: Martin Street Note
Just after the Matchbook, you'll spot the Martin Street Note on the ground. A save point awaits in the yard to your right. Venture onto Katz Street, where you can enter the dry cleaners and Andy's Bookstore through their windows, though they only offer an article to read. Our next stop is Neely's Bar, so head west on Katz Street, then south on Neely Street at the intersection. Watch out for enemies - dodge or defeat them as needed. Enter the bar through the front door and grab the Memo for Neely's Bar Note.Memo #4: Neely's Bar Note
At Neely's Bar, located where Neely Street meets Sanders Street, pick up Neely's Bar Note from the counter. Save your game behind the bar if you like, then approach the covered jukebox in the corner. Press Cross/X to break it, yielding a piece of a Broken Vinyl Record. This kicks off the Jukebox Puzzle in Neely's Bar. For a complete walkthrough, check out our dedicated guide:During the Jukebox puzzle segment, you'll find more Collectibles, detailed below and in our Jukebox puzzle guide:
Memo #5: Small Note
At Saul Street Apartments, push aside the cupboard blocking your path on the first floor, left of the building map. In the office, you'll find the Small Note on the desk.Memo #6: Tenant's Note
On 2F of Saul Street Apartments, use the crawlspace next to Apartment 7. The Tenant's Note is on the desk by the open window.Memo #7: Old Map
Past Saul Street Apartments, you'll see a yard with a campervan. Just before it, on the street, lies a corpse. The Old Map is nearby.Memo #8: Saul Street Note 1
Right after the Old Map, still on the ground, you'll find the Saul Street Note.Memo #9: Saul Street Note 2
Another Saul Street Note follows immediately after the first one.Memo #10: Saul Street Note 3
You'll spot another Saul Street Note in front of the campervan door.Memo #11: Motor Home Note
Check the table inside the campervan for the Motor Home Note.Memo #12: Record Store Note
At Groovy Music, find the Record Store Note on the counter just left of the entrance. After completing the Jukebox Puzzle in Neely's Bar, you'll get Neely's Bar Key. Use it to unlock the door near the save point. Note: Continuing on the main path through South Vale will temporarily block access to many buildings. We suggest saving and gathering missed Collectibles. Here's a list of Collectibles in South Vale not on the main path:Strange Photo #1: I've Been Happy
At the corner of Sanders Street and Neely Street, find Silent Hill Fresh Meats. Break the left window to get the Strange Photo from the display.Memo #13: Sanders Street Note
Midway down Sanders Street, spot an abandoned semi-trailer. Find the Sanders Street Note next to a corpse on the passenger side.Memo #14: Code Note
The Code Note is on the other side of the corpse on Sanders Street. It helps solve the Grand Market Keypad.Memo #15: Texan Cafe Flyer
Find the Texan Cafe Flyer on a wooden board at the Wood Side Apartments entrance on Katz Street.Glimpses of the Past #4
For this Glimpse of the Past, approach the dumpster right of the Wood Side Apartments entrance.Strange Photo #2: So Many People Here!
Spot this Strange Photo on the ground left of the Wood Side Apartments entrance, near some trash and boards.Memo #16: Barrier Note
At the west end of Katz Street, find the Barrier Note by an enemy corpse. Be careful - it'll attack when picked up.Glimpses of the Past #5
At Katz Street's end, look through a small gap in the white wall blocking the road for this Glimpse of the Past.Memo #17: Big Jay's Message
Locate Big Jay's Message at the corner of Katz Street and Neely Street. It's on a table inside Big Jay's.Main story Walkthrough continues: After using Neely's Bar Key, push the cart to the wall and climb through the vent. Find a Health Drink in the bathroom and a Memo called Storage Room Letter on the office desk.
Memo #18: Storage Room Letter
After solving the Jukebox Puzzle in Neely's Bar, use Neely's Bar Key to access the back area. Push a cart to the wall to reach an open vent. Find the Storage Room Letter in the office beyond.After reading it, your map will show a "teal vehicle" east of you. Exit through the white door to the side street leading to the marked area. Check the green car on your right for a Health Drink. Go through the open gate to find the target car immediately right. Interact with a bloody shirt nearby to get the Wood Side Apartments Key. Beware: 3 enemies will attack when you take it. Consider running away through the gap between the dumpsters.
A storm now brews in Silent Hill, locking many previously accessible buildings. Your goal: reach Wood Side Apartments west along Katz Street. Use the Wood Side Apartments Key to enter.
Silent Hill 2: West South Vale Walkthrough - All Collectibles: Unusual Photos, Memos, Echoes of the Past
After exploring Wood Side Apartments and Blue Creek Apartments, you'll re-enter western South Vale. Follow the linear road until a cutscene plays with the young girl you met earlier. She'll mention James' wife Mary before running off. You can then enter Rosewater Park. Collect Handgun Ammo and a Syringe, then stroll through the park and exit to the waterfront dock area. Walk to the pier's end for your first encounter with Maria..When you regain control, Maria will join you. Go right into a new part of Rosewater Park, then take another right to find a small seating area. There, you'll spot a Strange Photo.
Strange Photo #1: Far From Home
After meeting Maria for the first time, enter the new section of Rosewater Park and turn right immediately. You'll find a Strange Photo in a small seating area to your right. The exit is in the back-right corner, past some chess tables. This leads you back to the streets, specifically Nathan Avenue, where Maria points out Jacks Inn motel. Enter the open area, then go left into the office. Look under the cash register for a Safe, and check the noticeboard for a Memo called Reception Desk Note.Memo #1: Reception Desk Note
After leaving Rosewater Park with Maria, she'll show you Jacks Inn. Enter the open area and go left into the office to find the Reception Desk Note on a noticeboard. Exit the office and climb the stairs to the second row of motel rooms. Break the glass by Room 108 to get inside. Break down the left wall to enter Room 107. Check the bedside cabinet for a Health Drink, the wardrobe for Handgun Ammo, and find a Memo called Toolbox Memo on the desk. Use it to solve the Jacks Inn safe code, or follow our guide for the answer.Memo #2: Toolbox Memo
On the second floor of motel rooms, break into Room 108 and then break its left wall to access Room 107. Find the Toolbox Memo on the desk inside. This helps you figure out the Jacks Inn safe code. Opening the Safe gives you the Gate Key, which unlocks the gate in the back-left corner of Jacks Inn's yard. Before going through the gate to Munson Street, we strongly suggest exploring west along Nathan Avenue first. If you continue on the main path, you'll soon be cut off from this area.Begin your journey at Octantis Fuels. Behind the garage, you'll find a Garage Jack Lever. Next, head across the street towards Pete's Bowl-O-Rama. Go past it, heading south until you hit a white wall blocking your path. Look right to spot a staircase leading to a door. Approach it for one of the Glimpses of the Past.
Glimpses of the Past #1
When you can freely explore West South Vale, head to Pete's Bowl-O-Rama. From its entrance, go south down Carroll Street until you reach the blocking wall. Find a staircase on your right and approach the door at the top for the Glimpse of the Past.Enter Pete's Bowl-O-Rama. On the left side of the bowling lanes, you'll see a pizza you can interact with for a Trophy. This is also one of the Glimpses of the Past.
Glimpses of the Past #2
When you're free to roam West South Vale along Nathan Avenue, go west to Pete's Bowl-O-Rama. On the left side of the bowling lanes, you'll find an open pizza box. Interact with it for this Glimpse of the Past and a Trophy.Exit and head to the end of Nathan Avenue, past the Historical Society. At the road's end, you'll find a Memo on a corpse.
Memo #3: Bloody Note
When you can freely explore the area, go to the very end of Nathan Avenue, beyond the Historical Society. You'll spot a corpse in the middle of the road. Take this Memo from it.Now that you have the Garage Jack Lever, return to the building across from Jacks Inn. Use it to open the garage door at the back. Crawl inside to find Handgun Ammo, a Health Drink, a Syringe, and a Strange Photo next to the raised car.
Strange Photo #2: Made It!
When you can freely explore Nathan Avenue in West South Vale, head west to Octantis Fuels. Find a Garage Jack Lever behind the fuel pumps. Take it to the back of the building opposite Jacks Inn and use it to enter. Next to the raised car inside, you'll find the Strange Photo.The Silent Hill Historical Society is marked on your map, but you can't enter without the key. Head back to Jacks Inn where you can now use the key you've found.
The Baldwin Mansion only triggers a bad memory for Maria if you try to enter. Instead, go south on Munson Street and turn right onto Katz Street. Follow it until a cutscene plays where James and Maria find the road has vanished. They backtrack to a house with a running car engine. James uses his Wooden Plank to block pursuing enemies, then swaps it for a Steel Pipe - your new melee weapon.
You'll navigate connecting side streets between houses, fighting numerous enemies. Follow the path carefully until Maria spots a fence gap to climb through. Use the map image below if you're lost. Access it through a garage or by moving a cupboard.
Beyond the fence, enter Heavens Night through the red door. Go through the kitchen to the dressing room, where you'll find a Strange Photo on the mirror wall.
Strange Photo #3: Ready to Kill It!
In Heavens Night with Maria, go through the kitchen to the dressing room. Check the mirror wall for this Strange Photo. Grab Handgun Ammo to the right, then enter the backstage area for a Health Drink and more Handgun Ammo. Join Maria on the main floor for a drink. After regaining control, explore the bar area before approaching Maria to leave.Outside, most roads are blocked. Head north back to Katz Street and into Moonlight Grove. Use the map image below to navigate the tight path through buildings.
In Moonlight Grove, follow Maria to the statue for a cutscene. After hearing a scream, James wants to investigate. However, when you regain control, turn around and follow the path to a fountain area with another Strange Photo.
Strange Photo #4: Church Entrance
After the scene with Maria at the Moonlight Grove statue, turn around and follow the path through the garden. You'll reach a small clearing with a water feature on your left. Look for the Strange Photo there.The north path from Moonlight Grove leads to Reverie Theater. Climb a box to enter through an open window while Maria waits outside. Inside, find Handgun Ammo in a drawer. Look through a wall hole to spot Eddie and a young girl in the cinema. Move a cupboard to access the main entrance area, where you'll find more Handgun Ammo in the bathrooms. Enter the main cinema room through the door under the green exit sign. Approach Eddie in the front row for a scene where he reveals the girl's name as Laura. After, go behind Eddie where popcorn is on the floor. On a left chair, you'll find another Strange Photo.
Strange Photo #5: Best Flavor!
In Reverie Theatre, after the scene with Eddie, go behind him along the popcorn-strewn row. Look for this Strange Photo on a left chair.Next, use the double doors at the front right of the cinema to enter a second screen. Laura will turn on the projector as you enter. Exit through the door with the exit sign and go up to the projector room. Climb through the window and look for a gap marked with white rags on the right to squeeze through. This triggers a short scene where James spots Laura before she runs off.
Chase her through the second projection room, down the stairs, and into the main entrance with popcorn machines. She'll run outside. Maria will tell you Laura went south towards Brookhaven Hospital. As you approach the hospital, you'll see Laura run inside. Our Silent Hill 2 Walkthrough continues there.
Did you find our Walkthrough for South Vale in Silent Hill 2 and its Collectibles helpful? Our Silent Hill 2 Walkthrough continues in the Wood Side Apartments Walkthrough. For more guidance, check our full Silent Hill 2 guide.
PlayStation Buttons image credit: VictorPines, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Player Feedback
A hidden glimpse exists south of the bowling alley. Look for stairs on the right when heading that way. This wasn't mentioned in the guide.There's a health drink in the green car's back window on the left side of the street. You can get it after the first encounter and collecting Glimpse #3 in East South Vale.
P.S. Thanks for this guide! It's boosting my confidence as I play through the game.
