In this part , we guide you through Silent Hill 2 Toluca Prison, one of the eeriest locations in the game. This comprehensive guide is designed for a playthrough on the Standard difficulty setting for both Combat and Puzzles challenges. We'll walk you through step by step, covering all collectibles and puzzles, as well as how to solve key challenges like the Witness Room Generator puzzle and the Gallows puzzle in the Yard.
After jumping down into Toluca Prison from the Historical Society, James finds himself trapped in a nightmarish setting that demands patience and courage to overcome. Here’s everything you need to know to survive and escape.
Dropping Into the Depths of Toluca Prison
After using the Spiral-writing Key to open the big grate in the Historical Society, James drops down into the dark and claustrophobic Canteen of Toluca Prison. The first thing you should do is grab the Health Drink behind where you land. Before engaging with Eddie (who seems increasingly unhinged), you can explore the Canteen for your first collectible.
Glimpses of the Past #1
As soon as you land in the Canteen, take a moment before speaking with Eddie. Walk over to the wooden tables on the right side of the room, and you'll find a wooden slab you can interact with. This unlocks the first Glimpse of the Past in this area.
Once you've explored and interacted with Eddie, it’s time to press on. Head through the double doors and step into the room directly ahead. Here, you'll find a save point, the Toluca Prison map, some Handgun Ammo, Rifle Rounds, and a Memo. You'll also notice a locked cabinet containing a powerful Rifle, but you’ll need to solve a puzzle later to unlock it.
Exploring the Prison and Key Items
After grabbing the memo, step back into the hallway and explore the Chapel. At the altar, you'll find The Heaviest Weight, a key item that will play a role in an upcoming puzzle. In the adjacent Vestry, you can also read a book extract that adds more depth to the eerie atmosphere of Toluca Prison.
Now that you’ve gathered all the essentials from this area, it’s time to proceed deeper into the prison. The only path forward leads you into Block A and Block B, where the true horror of the prison begins to unfold.
Block A and Block B: Finding the Rifle and Glimpses of the Past
In Block A and Block B, you’ll encounter rows of prison cells, and at both the beginning and end of each row, there are levers you can pull to temporarily turn on the lights. While not strictly necessary, the lights make it easier to see your surroundings, including enemies lurking in the shadows. You can also open most of the cell doors manually, even without using the lights.
Inside cell A3, you’ll discover another Glimpse of the Past along with some Rifle Rounds. The prison is filled with similar collectibles, so take your time exploring each cell to ensure you don’t miss any crucial items.
Solving the Witness Room Generator Puzzle
As you progress through Toluca Prison, you'll encounter the Witness Room Generator puzzle, a key challenge that you must solve to advance. To solve this puzzle, you’ll need to activate the generator by aligning a series of switches correctly. Make sure you have all the necessary clues from earlier in the prison to guide your decisions.
The Gallows Puzzle: An Ominous Challenge in the Yard
One of the most memorable moments in Toluca Prison is the Gallows puzzle, which takes place in the Yard. This puzzle involves a set of gallows with hanging nooses and is tied to clues scattered around the prison. Solving it will require keen observation and logical thinking. Once you solve the puzzle, you’ll be rewarded with access to further areas of the prison.
Collectibles to Watch Out For
- Memos: Scattered throughout the prison, providing important clues and lore.
- Glimpses of the Past: Hidden in various locations, these collectibles offer insights into the story and setting.
- Strange Photos: Unique and eerie collectibles that tie into the game's themes.
Reaching the Labyrinth
Once you’ve solved all the key puzzles and collected the necessary items, the path to the Labyrinth will open up, leading you to the next stage of Silent Hill 2's psychological terror.
Silent Hill 2: Unlocking the Secrets of Toluca Prison
In this portion of Silent Hill 2, you'll delve into the eerie depths of Toluca Prison, a maze of unsettling puzzles, mysterious objects, and haunting encounters. Following James’ descent into the Historical Society, this guide will walk you through the prison area and provide detailed steps to collect key items like memos, glimpses of the past, and strange photos while solving puzzles to unlock new areas.
Glimpses of the Past #2: Cell A3 and A Block Exploration
Once you reach Block A, head to Cell A3 on the first floor (1F). In the back corner, you’ll find a shrine—interact with it to unlock another Glimpse of the Past. Continue your exploration into Cell A5, where you’ll find Handgun Ammo. Afterward, make your way to Cell B1, where a Health Drink awaits. In Cell B3, you'll be able to break down a wall that connects to Cell A8, which contains Shotgun Shells. This search of the cells ensures you're well-armed and prepared for the upcoming challenges.
Solving the Scale Puzzle in the Yard
After clearing the cells, move east into the Yard, where strange noises hint at lurking dangers. You’ll notice a set of Scales in the center of the yard, which require proper weight distribution to unlock new areas. By now, you’ve come across sculptures of four strange creatures: an Eyeless Boar, Hornless Ox, Headless Serpent, and Wingless Dove.
First, use The Heaviest Weight on the Scales. To unlock the Headless Serpent door, place the heavy weight on the right and the lighter weight on the left. Once unlocked, head towards Death Row/1F Serpent Section, marking your map as you go.
Exploring Death Row and Witness Room: Memos and More
As you proceed through Death Row, head into Cell E4, where you’ll find the Memo of a Family Photo, an eerie reminder of the prison’s past. Afterward, move towards the Witness Room to interact with the Generator, which powers the locked doors. Be prepared, as unlocking the door will trigger alarms and release enemies from their cells.
Strange Photo #1: Four Months to Go
After powering the generator, re-enter the cell block and head to the far end of the corridor. In Cell E1, you can create a hole in the wall that allows you to return to the previous area. From here, go to Cell E13—inside, on a shelf, you’ll find the first Strange Photo, titled Four Months to Go. This photo provides further insight into the prison’s cryptic past.
Acquiring the Rifle: Armory Key and Puzzle Solution
Next, enter Cell E10, where a narrow gap in the wall leads you to the Armory Key along with ammo and health supplies. Return to the Witness Checkpoint and unlock the door to the Main Section of floor 1F. Now that you possess the Armory Key, you can unlock the cabinet containing the Rifle, a powerful weapon that will help you in the upcoming challenges.
Solving the Hornless Ox Puzzle
To proceed further, return to the Scales in the Yard and adjust the weights once more. Place the Heavy Weight and the Small Weight on the left, and the Medium Weight on the right. This opens the Hornless Ox door in Block A. After opening the door, take the stairs up to floor 2F.
Memo #3: Guard’s Letter and Block D Exploration
Upon reaching floor 2F, take a Memo off the left-hand wall. This Guard’s Letter provides crucial background information and hints at what lies ahead. Continue along the corridor to the Guardroom, where you’ll find the Block D Key in a desk drawer. Use the key to access Block D and follow the path to Cell D5.
Discovering the Shiv Key and Threatening Note
In Cell D5, inspect the wall to find a Shiv Key hidden away. Nearby, you’ll also come across a Threatening Note, adding another layer of mystery to the unsettling atmosphere of the prison. These items and clues will prove essential as you navigate further into the labyrinthine depths of Toluca Prison.
Memo #4: The Threatening Note in Block D
Once you have obtained the Block D Key, enter Block D and make your way to Cell D5. On the wall in front of you, you’ll find the Threatening Note pinned. This memo hints at some ominous events that have taken place inside the prison.
Next, use the Shiv Key to unlock Cell C4, also located on this floor. This cell leads to a crawlspace that takes you into the hidden sections of the prison. As you navigate through, you’ll come across another memo—Memo #5: Paranoid Note—attached to one of the pipes.
Memo #5: The Paranoid Note in the Crawlspace
After unlocking Cell C4 with the Shiv Key, make your way through the crawlspace. On the other side, you’ll find the Paranoid Note placed on a pipe. This adds more unsettling context to the events unfolding inside Toluca Prison.
From here, squeeze through the pipes on your left and descend through another crawlspace, which will lead you to the Toilets. While there isn’t much to find in the Toilets themselves, continue onward into the Changing Room, where you’ll locate some Rifle Rounds, a Syringe, and another memo—Memo #6: Crumpled Note.
Memo #6: The Crumpled Note in the Changing Room
Shortly after picking up the Paranoid Note, pass through the Toilets and enter the Changing Room. On a bench, you’ll find the Crumpled Note, offering more details about the prison’s dark history. Make sure to search the area thoroughly, as it’s packed with useful supplies for the next challenges.
Next, head to the Showers area, where you can stock up on a significant amount of ammo. As you enter, check the right-hand wall for another Glimpse of the Past. On the back wall of the Showers, James can interact with a mysterious hole—accept the prompt three times to retrieve the Heavy Weight. Be prepared, as enemies will attack the moment you acquire it.
Glimpses of the Past #3: In the Showers Area
When you enter the Showers on floor 2F, follow the right-hand wall from where you enter. Near a moldy section of the wall, you’ll find Glimpses of the Past #3 lying on the ground. Once you’ve gathered the item, retrace your steps back through the Toilets and Block C to return to the Scales in the Yard.
The Final Showdown with Abstract Daddy
In the next area, you’ll encounter a third static TV. Destroying it will transport you to a location filled with breathing fabric walls and machinery blowing out smoke. Climb through the fan, and you’ll enter a larger room for the final showdown with Abstract Daddy.
Here, use your Shotgun or Rifle to continually blast the boss, dodging its grabs as much as possible. Keep up the pressure, and eventually, the Abstract Daddy will fall. A cutscene will play, marking the end of the battle.
Solving the Eyeless Boar Puzzle
Now it’s time to unlock the Eyeless Boar door. To do so, place the smallest weight on the left side of the Scales, and all the others on the right. This will unlock access to the Boar Section on floor 1F. Proceed down the corridor to the Warehouse, where you’ll need to take down two enemies before collecting a Strange Photo from the desk.
Strange Photo #2: The Old Man's Always Prepared
After opening the Eyeless Boar door and entering the Warehouse, you’ll find the Strange Photo titled The Old Man's Always Prepared on the desk. This peculiar photo adds more mystery to the story unfolding within the prison.
Once you’ve collected the photo and some ammo, head for the Visitation Room. In the final booth, you’ll find another memo titled Memo #7: Prisoner's Letter.
Memo #7: Prisoner's Letter in the Visitation Room
Inside the Visitation Room in the Boar Section on floor 1F, search the last booth to find Memo #7: Prisoner’s Letter. This memo provides more insight into the inmates’ grim fates and their deteriorating mental state.
Climb through the nearby window and follow the corridor surrounding the Break Room. In the southwest corner of the corridor, you’ll find another Glimpse of the Past, with more clues to the eerie events that took place. Enter the Break Room to gather ammo and read the note found in the smaller room by the desk.
Glimpses of the Past #4: Southwest Corridor
In the Boar Section, near the Break Room on floor 1F, head to the southwest corner of the corridor. There, you’ll find Glimpses of the Past #4 on the ground, near some chairs and beds stacked against a door. With this item collected, head into the Break Room to grab supplies and read another note.
Memo #8: Unfinished Report in the Infirmary
Your next destination is the Infirmary, where you’ll need to take down several enemies. Once cleared, search the area for ammo and health supplies. In the back room, you’ll find the Upper Floor Key and Memo #8: Unfinished Report on a desk opposite the key. This memo provides more hints about what’s happening behind the scenes.
Use the Upper Floor Key to unlock the door back in the corridor surrounding the Break Room and proceed upstairs.
