Devin explained a bit how it looks in new Silent Hill concerning weapons durability and balance.
"One thing I’d like to mention is Downpour’s weapons break, but in different states, so often times what once was a 2 handed weapon, now becomes a 1 handed weapon upon breaking. Oh and some of the broken parts are still usable as well.
As for metal weapons it’s a tricky dilemma, obviously we didnt want to only create wooden objects, as that would seem like a cheap design “solution”. And we also didnt want to constantly have to “strategically” take away players weapons via design points (as in your water slide example), because that can come across as forced after a few times. So some metal weapons with wooden handles (EG axes or shovels, etc.) will break, and maybe only the handle is left as a functional weapon. Or in cases of an all metal weapon (such as a crow bar or pipe), it’s more durable, but doesnt have the reach that some other weapons do, and it also will eventually bend to the point where it’s not functional anymore."
Shatsky added that firearms can break like any other melee weapon and can be used as melee weapons when necessary when you'd like not to waste ammo. He also noticed that since the team is going for realism in the game, Murphy is not going to have an unlimited inventory system like in the previous games and will be able to carry only one melee weapon in his hand and one firearm holstered at the same time.