Endings

This section goes over the general requirements for each ending featured in the game. Keep in mind that the three main endings are not achieved through a black and white checklist, but rather a series of actions that will increase the outcome of receiving each specific ending. Therefore to ensure you get the desired ending, be vigilant and only perform actions for one specific ending while avoiding other actions meant for other endings if you can, and don't shy away from a little overkill by repeating certain actions over and over to lock into your desired ending.

Note that there will be a secret memo on the sewing machine table of room 205 of Wood Side Apartments in a New Game Plus, hinting at how to achieve another ending. We'll go over all requirements below, but feel free to read more in the Unlockables and Secrets section or the Memos themselves in the Memos section.

Main Endings Requirements

Exact requirements for the three main endings – Leave, Maria and In Water – were found by JokieW and described in his Silent Hill 2 Endings guide.

When reaching the end, the game will calculate points for 4 endings: Ritual (Rebirth), Leave, Maria and In water. You will get the Rebirth ending automatically if you collect all the four extra items needed for this ending. If you don't, the game will compare the points for the other three endings based on the conditions described below.

At the start of the game each of the endings has a certain number of points:

• Leave – 5 points
• Maria – 3 points
• In Water – 2 points

Every action listed below as Do gives you one point towards that ending, while every Do not removes one from the final count. Besides the actions you need to do for the ending you are aiming for, you need to be aware of all the actions that affect points to the other two endings so that you wouldn't accidently get one of those. Finally, when you get one of the three main endings that increases the chances of getting one of the other two during you next playthrough as you get one more point for each. For example, if you already got the Leave and Maria endings on your save file, you get two extra points towards the In Water ending at the end of the game.

Your ending is determined the moment you go through the very last door, after the hallway with the sickbed conversation. It will not change after that.

Leave Ending

To receive this ending, James must act as if he wants to survive and complete his journey while not showing too much focus or attention on Maria or the memory of Mary. This is the most likely ending you will achieve by playing the game normally or with a quick speed run.

Do:

• Recover your health as soon as it drops and in excess of 200% HP in total
• Listen to the entire sickbed conversation of Mary and James in the hallway before the final boss

Do not:

• Go east after meeting Maria in the Rosewater Park and have her remind you the way to the hotel

Avoid the Maria ending:

• Examine Mary's photo and/or letter at least twice
• Do not spend too much time with Maria
• Bump into Maria as often as you can
• Allow Maria to take damage both from monsters and James
• Go on Nathan Avenue instead of chasing Laura and have Maria remind you
• Do not check back on Maria in the Hospital Room S3
• Do not re-enter cell with dead Maria in the Labyrinth

Avoid the In Water ending:

• Do not keep your stamina in the red zone for too long
• Do not examine Angela's knife
• Do not read the suicidal diary on the hospital rooftop
• Do not read the new message to James on the wall of Neely's Bar after the hospital

Credits song: Overdose Delusion

Maria Ending

You will receive this ending if James shows a lot of attention and comfort towards Maria, thus developing a bond with her instead of holding onto Mary's memory.

Do:

• Spend 10 minutes or more near Maria
• Bump into Maria less than three times
• Protect Maria from monster attacks
• Check back on Maria in the Hospital Room S3
• Try to re-enter cell to see dead Maria in the Labyrinth twice

Do not:

• Examine Mary's photo and/or letter at least twice
• Spend 5 minutes or more far from Maria (you can mostly only get it when running outside)
• Attack Maria allowing her to take significant damage
• Bump into Maria 30 times or more
• Go on Nathan Avenue instead of chasing Laura and have Maria remind you

Avoid the Leave ending:

• Do not recover your health as soon as it drops and in excess of 200% HP in total
• Go east after meeting Maria in the Rosewater Park and have her remind you the way to the hotel
• Do not listen to the entire sickbed conversation of Mary and James in the hallway before the final boss

Avoid the In Water ending:

• Do not keep your stamina in the red zone for too long
• Do not examine Angela's knife
• Do not read the suicidal diary on the hospital rooftop
• Do not read the new message to James on the wall of Neely's Bar after the hospital
• Do not listen to the entire sickbed conversation of Mary and James in the hallway before the final boss

Credits song: Promise

In Water Ending

In order to receive this ending, James must act in a suicidal or reckless manner while also keeping a strong attachment to Mary.

Do:

• Keep your stamina in the red zone (below 50%) as long as you can
• Examine Angela's knife
• Read the suicidal diary on the hospital rooftop
• Read the new message to James on the wall of Neely's Bar after the hospital
• Listen to the entire sickbed conversation of Mary and James in the hallway before the final boss

Avoid the Leave ending:

• Do not recover your health as soon as it drops and in excess of 200% HP in total
• Go east after meeting Maria in the Rosewater Park and have her remind you the way to the hotel

Avoid the Maria ending:

• Examine Mary's photo and/or letter at least twice
• Do not spend too much time with Maria
• Bump into Maria as often as you can
• Allow Maria to take damage both from monsters and James
• Go on Nathan Avenue instead of chasing Laura and have Maria remind you
• Do not check back on Maria in the Hospital Room S3
• Do not re-enter cell with dead Maria in the Labyrinth

Credits song: Angels Thanatos

Rebirth Ending

To achieve the Rebirth ending, you must first complete the game once to unlock and collect four ceremonial items in a New Game Plus. The required items are as follows:

1. White Chrism: On the kitchenette counter in room 105 of Blue Creek Apartments.
2. Book: "Lost Memories": In the newspaper stand at the Texxon Gas Station in West South Vale (can be acquired at day or night).
3. Obsidian Goblet: Inside the smashed display case in the second exhibition room of the Silent Hill Historical Society.
4. Book: "Crimson Ceremony": On the bookshelf opposite the window in the Reading Room of the Nightmare Hotel.

Once all four items have been collected, complete the game normally by defeating the final two bosses and you will receive the Rebirth ending. Note that if you collect and use the Dog Key on the third floor of the hotel you will instead receive the Dog ending, regardless of having the items in your inventory.

Credits song: The Reverse Will

Dog Ending

To unlock this ending, you must first receive the three main endings (Leave, In Water, Maria) in the same save file, or just Rebirth. In a New Game Plus, find the Dog Key in the doghouse in the open lot across from the exit pathway of Rosewater Park in West South Vale. Then after you view the videotape in room 312 of the hotel, use the Dog Key to open the Observation Room in the third floor hallway. While Silent Hill 2 is a dark and serious game, this ending takes a different approach. Enjoy the images and credits song.

UFO Ending

Greatest Hits/Director's Cut versions only. Once you've beaten both the main and sub scenarios, you can pick up the Blue Gem in the restroom at the beginning of the main scenario. It's on the ground by the stalls at the opposite side of the exit. Once you have the Blue Gem, you must use it in the following three locations to receive the ending:

1. In the Nightmare Hospital's Garden, immediately after defeating the Flesh Lips boss creatures.
2. On the Toluca Lake dock, after defeating Eddie but before stepping in the boat.
3. Near the back window in room 312, Lake View Hotel, before watching the videotape.

Once you use the Blue Gem at these three places, the game will end and the ending will start to play. This is another joke ending so don't take it seriously.

Born From A Wish Ending

Greatest Hits/Director's Cut versions only. Achieve this ending by simply completing Maria's sub scenario. The ending is always the same every time and thus it is automatic, but it still counts as an ending in the main scenario's ranking screen (as the final +1 of 4/4(+3)).