Summary
Silent Hill’s recent revival has resulted in a slew of new projects being in the works, but so far the results of this movement haven’t inspired unanimous hope in fans of the prolific PS2 era survival horror franchise. While theSilent Hill 2remake on the horizon has genuine potential to bring the IP up to the heights that contemporaries likeResident Evilhave reached, it’s also never been a series that thrived on the same kind of mainstream appeal. With multiple, seemingly disparate titles set to fill out a long-term release plan,Silent Hillmight be better off just sticking to one cohesive style.
The games released after Team Silent’s time with the series, which came to an end afterSH4,have hardly managed to achieve the same level of recognition as their predecessors, and this has also diluted the identity of the franchise over time. The likes ofHomecomingandDownpourare seen as contributors to a waning legacy, and thecancellation ofSilent HillsafterP.T.garnered mass appreciation is still puzzling. Between Konami’s precedent for confusing business decisions and the influence of Kojima’s previous effort on the current state of horror games, the future ofSilent Hillremains unclear despite two new projects already having been released.
The Short Message and Ascension Haven’t Established a Consistent Feeling for Silent Hill’s New Era
Leaving the Town of Silent Hill Behind Hasn’t Panned Out Yet
In a narrative shift that has been controversial among some fans, the “Silent Hill Phenomenon” is described as the fog of the titular town having appeared in other locations around the world. This has led to thepoorly-received web seriesSilent Hill: Ascensionbeing set in Norway, and free gameThe Short Messagetaking place in Germany, but this isn’t the only element that makes them stick out.Ascension’s larger cast and modular storytelling - along withThe Short Message’s usage of supplementary notes and live-action material - have caused both titles to feel likeSilent Hillin name only at times, giving fans little to predict when it comes to the likes offandTownfall.
The SH2 Remake Will Split the Franchise Even Further
Continuing with the trend of unrelated titles making up this franchise’s new era,theSilent Hill 2remake’s changesseem focused on updating the past with its own isolated vision. The story of James Sunderland is likely the most personal and separate of the entire series, but this game’s influence and popularity have seemingly motivated Konami’s decision to follow in Capcom’s footsteps.
One of Silent Hill’s Upcoming Releases Needs to Succeed
Silent Hill f Has the Most Potential to Define a Direction Moving Forward
The releases that have utilized the concept of the Silent Hill Phenomenon aren’t seen in the most hopeful light, butSilent Hill f’s 1960s rural Japan settingcould finally make it a worthwhile addition. Set before any other title in the franchise,fcould act as a prequel that recontextualizes existing games and sets the tone for new releases for years to come.Townfallis similarly set to prove itself with what could be a return to Silent Hill proper, but either of these games flopping could be dire for the future of the series.
Konami Needs to Tighten Its Scope
It’s somewhat understandable that the company investing in these games is seemingly experimenting and seeing what sticks, but it’s also important to recognize what putSilent Hillon the map to begin with. The peak of success came when the franchise was focused on one, solid title at a time, and each game was essentially a deep-dive into a character’s mind. Ifthe future ofSilent Hillbecomes centered around fewer games with a smaller scale emphasis on personal journeys, it could more easily please new and existing fans alike. With the direction that it seems to be headed in, however, at least tying these upcoming releases more closely together in terms of tone and mechanics might help keep the franchise on track.
Silent Hill 2
WHERE TO PLAY
Investigating a letter from his late wife, James returns to where they made so many memories - Silent Hill. What he finds is a ghost town, prowled by disturbing monsters and cloaked in deep fog. Confront the monsters, solve puzzles, and search for traces of your wife in this remake of SILENT HILL 2.High-end Graphics and SoundWith ray tracing and other cutting-edge technical enhancements, the world of SILENT HILL and its unsettling ambiance is even realer than before.And with the inclusion of new, immersive soundscapes, you’ll feel like you’re standing in the thick of it.Larger EnvironmentsExplore locations and buildings that were once inaccessible, or are newly added in the remake. Enjoy the same acclaimed story, even while you experience the town of Silent Hill with fresh eyes across an expanded map.Over-the-shoulder CameraThe remake moves from the original’s fixed-camera viewpoints to an over-the-shoulder perspective, putting you closer to what James sees, for a more thrilling, more immersive experience as you explore the town and come face-to-face with monsters.Evolved Combat GameplayFamiliar weapons like the steel pipe and handgun make their return, but now with an updated combat system. Avoid attacks with carefully timed dodges, aim down sights, and more, making monster encounters more engaging and nerve-wracking than ever.
