Everything you need to know about how to get the Dog ending in Silent Hill 2, the prerequisites, key items, and more.
The Dog ending in Silent Hill 2 Remake is unlocked exclusively in the New Game Plus mode. Similarly to the original Silent Hill 2, the recently released remake features multiple endings. While the canonical endings (that make the most sense as the true conclusion to James’ story arc) are part of the standard playthrough, certain “special” endings only unlock in the subsequent playthroughs, i.e., New Game Plus. The Dog ending, which is arguably the most bonkers and strange of the bunch, can only be unlocked on your repeated visits to the town of Silent Hill.
While some of the endings like “In Water” and “Rebirth” are a bit complicated to figure out, the Dog ending is fairly straightforward. You essentially need to collect two parts of a “key item.” You obtain these parts in two different parts of the town, in two different story chapters. However, given the strictly linear progression of Silent Hill 2 Remake, it’s quite easy to miss out on picking up the key items needed for the ending. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to get the Dog ending in Silent Hill 2 Remake.
Do note that this article contains spoilers for Silent Hill 2 Remake’s main story and certain characters.
Prerequisites For the Dog Ending in Silent Hill 2 Remake
The primary requirement for the Dog ending is that you need to have finished Silent Hill 2 Remake at least once. After you complete the main story, you can start New Game Plus. Unlike other survival-horror games with a New Game Plus mode, a la the new Resident Evil remakes, Silent Hill 2 doesn’t tie your saves to a new playthrough. Instead, when you select “New Game” from the main menu, the game gives you the choice of a “Standard” or a “New Game Plus” playthrough. New Game Plus in Silent Hill 2 vastly differs from the Resident Evil titles.
Your previous playthrough’s inventory doesn’t carry over in Silent Hill 2 Remake’s New Game Plus. Instead, New Game Plus here simply adds new “key items” throughout the map which are used to unlock new endings. Once you head into New Game Plus, you will need to collect two Broken Key Parts. These key parts combine to form the Dog Key, which unlocks a special door in the Lakeview Hotel.
Here are all the prerequisites for the Dog ending:
- New Game Plus: New Game Plus unlocks after completing the game once, on any difficulty.
- Broken Key Part (1): The first Broken Key Part (Dog Paw) can be obtained near Nelly’s Bar, at the Pet Center. This key item can only be obtained the moment you enter Silent Hill, and before progressing to the Wood Side Apartments.
- Broken Key Part (2): The second Broken Key Part (Bone) can be obtained after exiting the Motel complex with Maria. This key can only be obtained before entering the Brookhaven Hospital.
- Observation Room (Lakeview Hotel): The Observation Room is accessible only with the complete Dog Key.
How to Unlock the Dog Ending
Once you have the Dog Key, you need to progress through the game’s main story until you arrive at the Lakeview Hotel. The Lakeview Hotel is a fairly small area with a couple of puzzles and a boss fight. After completing the majority of the puzzles in the Hotel, you will get the key to the locked 3F corridor. In a regular playthrough, your objective would be to unlock Room 312. However, for the Dog ending, you need to unlock the room adjacent to 312. It’s best to make a manual save before heading to the 3F corridor.
That way you can get other endings in the same playthrough, without having to go through the entire game again. Apart from a whacky and funny cutscene, getting the Dog ending also unlocks The Goodest Boi trophy/achievement.
Looking For More?
Thank you for reading this Silent Hill 2 Remake Dog ending guide. We provide the latest news and create guides for Baldur’s Gate 3, Starfield, ARK Survival Ascended, and more. Also, watch Deltia play games on Twitch or visit his YouTube channel!