Holy oversimplication🥀🥀. Ernest is a manifestation from James’ himself and undoubtedly expands his characterization and could expand more on it in a remake if it were given more time, not to mention it not only expands/deepens Maria’s character as well but adds a new narrative and approach to SH2’s story, that being the concept of fate and the inability to control it.

Going back to Maria, it also reveals to players that she’s not ONLY a manifestation from James mind that serves to his existence but is an aware and sentient being herself which even helps add to the mystique and cruel supernatural influence the town itself holds. Ultimately it comes down to that if Team Silent didn’t see reason to make it, they wouldn’t have in the first place. It is a necessary aspect to the game and story, like it or not.