No One Here But Monsters: What Born From a Wish tells us about the world of Silent Hill

The "Born From a Wish" additional scenario that was added on as bonus material to Silent Hill 2 when it was released on Xbox is a weird bird that has always been a bit tough for me to deal with on an analytical front. So many things about it seem at odds with the main story. For the longest time, it just felt to me like something the team was forced to tack on to appease the Old Gods of Microsoft. But, on a recent playthrough, something stuck out to me. Something that completely changes how I look at the overall worldbuilding of Silent Hill 2 as a whole. Like, in a "Holy shit, was Vincent right?" sort of way.

But, let's back up.

It is a given that Maria is a creation of the town and James's need for self-flagellation. Just like all of the monsters and, of course, our friendly neighborhood Red Pyramid Thing. The main game makes it clear that they all exist for no reason other than to punish James. 

This scenario, though, exists entirely divorced from James. We are, instead, placed in the head of Maria from the presumable moment of her birth. Her journey through the town and her interactions with Ernest help her find her purpose. We see her puzzle through moral and emotional quandaries. Most importantly, we see her as her own person.

Which brings me to that line Vincent kicks out in 3: "They look like monsters to you?" He says it is a joke. We can very easily take it as him being a manipulative jerkwad. But Maria certainly complicates that, doesn't she?

Born From a Wish confronts us with the idea that these creations within Silent Hill aren't just dolls or mindless husks. They have their own interior lives. Their own wishes. Their own desires. Their own will. They are their own beings.

Now, I'm picturing Pyramid Head in his little workshop way down deep below the prison way down deep below the Historical Society, tinkering with his scissors and trying to decide how to best get blood and rust out of his new apron. I'm thinking about those mannequins, just wanting to chill out in some fancy clothes. The patient demons must have it rough, hands tied up and only able to talk through squeals and bile. I feel like all they wanted was a Pepsi. Sure, the nurses are aggressive, but who wouldn't be with all these dicks staring at your tits all day?

It all adds a whole new complication to how I play the game. Now, can I be okay with swinging a board into the skull of everything I stumble across anymore? Even when they attack me. Aren't they just as confused and scared as I am? 

It also affects my understanding of James. Cemented in his mind, I never saw the depths of these beings. But maybe that is intentional. Maybe we are meant to see everyone he interacts with, even and likely especially both Maria and Mary as window dressing in his journey to enlightenment, because that is how he sees them. Or maybe that is another level of punishment he is putting upon himself: not allowing any connection because he is terrified of where that connection to others may eventually lead. It's all so dense.

Damn, do I love this game.

*Did you enjoy this bit of navel gazing? Then you might get a kick out of my in-depth analysis of the first Silent Hill and how it deals with trauma: Nightmares of Blood and Flesh: Trauma and Resilience in Silent Hill, available now through Dragons Roost Press.*