The Labyrinth in Silent Hill 2 Remake is a tense, claustrophobic section beneath Toluca Prison. It is filled with dim corridors, maze-like trails, and fierce enemies, making it one of the most bewildering areas of the game.
And to add to the dread, Pyramid Head stalks James throughout this area as well. Here’s how to navigate the twists and turns in the Labyrinth area without getting lost in the maze.
How To Complete The Labyrinth Area in Silent Hill 2 Remake
After the Abstract Daddy boss fight, you’ll begin the Labyrinth sequence by receiving a partial map.
James updates it as you move through the area, so you’ll constantly map out your path.
The first task is to deal with the central rotating cube puzzle, which is key to unlocking different labyrinths.
Each side of the cube has symbols, and rotating it correctly creates bridges leading to various sections of the Labyrinth.
There are three main sections of the Labyrinth that you need to explore in sequence: Rotten Labyrinth, Desolate Labyrinth, and Ruined Labyrinth.
However, before exploring these sections, James finds Maria alive in a jail cell, even though she had previously died. She appears unharmed but imprisoned, and her memory seems fragmented.
Rotten Labyrinth
This is the first area you’ll unlock by correctly aligning the cube to show the symbol of an upside-down triangle with a cross beneath.
Once inside, your main goal is to collapse a suspended cage in the center of the labyrinth.
To do this, you’ll need to gather three items: a Lighter Gas, a Broken Lighter, and a Lighter Wick, which are hidden in various parts of the maze.
- Lighter Gas - After entering the Rotten Labyrinth, head east from the central room. Pass through the enemies to find a room with a fridge. Inside the refrigerator, you will uncover the Lighter Gas.
- Lighter Wick - Travel south from the central room into a large corridor. Pass through a series of doors to reach a smaller room. Here, search a hole in the wall for the Wick.
- Broken Lighter - This item is hidden in another room. It can be accessed after retrieving the Iron Key from a nearby hallway. The key unlocks a door leading to the Broken Lighter.
These are hidden in different rooms, so you’ll need to explore while avoiding Mandarins. These enemies are often hiding beneath metal grates and can ambush you.
It’s recommended to avoid them as fighting them head-on can be resource-draining. If you choose to fight, aim downward through the grates. Once you’ve collected all the necessary items, combine them to create a working lighter.
Burn the rope that holds the cage, causing it to drop and break the floor. You’ll then be able to jump through the newly created hole to proceed.
Desolate Labyrinth
To access this section, rotate the central cube to reveal a symbol resembling an infinity sign with a line through it.
The Desolate Labyrinth is a multi-leveled, dark, and water-filled maze. You’ll face enemies and need to solve additional puzzles involving ladders, gates, and locked doors. Upon entering, you’ll need to find a Small Key that unlocks a handcuffed gate at the top of a ladder.
This key is hidden in the Flooded Labyrinth section, connected to the Desolate area by ladders. As you explore the lower areas, be cautious of Pyramid Head, who returns to chase you.
The tight, waterlogged corridors make maneuvering tricky, so stay alert and use the map to track your movements. After retrieving the key, climb back up, unlock the gate, and proceed deeper into the labyrinth. Another major task in this section is finding Wire Cutters.
These are needed to break through a fence that blocks your path forward. The Wire Cutters are in a room behind Pyramid Head’s Inner Sanctum, where he will actively pursue you.
Mannequins are creepy, multi-limbed creatures that also appear in certain areas. It’s best to use a shotgun or rifle to dispatch them from a distance before they can overwhelm you. Once you have the Wire Cutters, backtrack to the fence and use them to progress.
Ruined Labyrinth
The Ruined Labyrinth is straightforward but more combat-focused than the previous two sections.
James faces multiple waves of enemies, which can be overwhelming in tight spaces. Mandarins return in this section, but this time, they come out of the walls and are even more aggressive. Use your shotgun to target them quickly, as they tend to attack in groups.
As for the mannequins, keep your distance and take them out the same way as you did in the Desolate Labyrinth. Use rifle or shotgun fire to prevent them from overwhelming you in tight spaces.
As you go through the labyrinth, Pyramid Head will again chase you. You’ll need to lure him down a long corridor toward a receding wall this time. Keep your distance, dodge his heavy attacks, and focus on survival rather than trying to fight him.
Combat here is intense, so use health items and ammo strategically. After clearing these enemy-filled rooms, you’ll eventually reach Room 208, where Maria’s fate is revealed in a cutscene.
She is found dead, and this discovery leads to the final stages of the game, where James must continue confronting his inner demons. As it turns out, Maria wasn't alive earlier, and her existence represents James's guilt, wishes, and unresolved feelings regarding his wife, Mary.
This psychological projection is meant to force James to confront the guilt he feels for Mary’s death. Afterward, James heads toward Toluca Lake, eventually arriving at the Lakeview Hotel.
How do you feel about the pacing of the Labyrinth section in terms of tension and gameplay? Comment down below!