Reviving Silent Hill: Unleashing True Terror in the Gaming World
Silent Hill's highly anticipated return faces initial setbacks To revive the franchise, upcoming titles must prioritize delivering genuine survival horror experiences, ensuring the true essence of the series is captured and cherished
Highlights
With new gaming titles, a remake, and a movie, the much-anticipated return of the Silent Hill series is finally here. Unfortunately, the initial offering, Silent Hill: Ascension, has left fans feeling let down, as it resembles more of an interactive movie rather than a true horror game.
The Silent Hill franchise has been licensed to various unrelated projects in recent years, which has worried fans. While the news of the series returning to its original concept initially generated excitement, the lack of updates on the Silent Hill 2 Remake and the disappointing reception of Ascension have caused this excitement to fade. In order to truly revive the franchise, it is crucial for the upcoming original titles, Silent Hill: Townfall and Silent Hill f, to prioritize delivering a truly terrifying survival-horror experience that stays true to the essence of the series' beloved classics.
Silent Hill, a revered series in the horror genre, has made a significant impact across various forms of media, including video games, movies, novels, and comics. However, it has been over a decade since the franchise released a new gaming title, with the cancellation of Silent Hills in 2015 due to internal issues at developer Konami. In October 2022, the Silent Hill Transmission created buzz by announcing multiple new gaming titles, including a Silent Hill 2 Remake and a movie, which thrilled fans. Yet, disappointment has already set in with the release of the first game, Silent Hill: Ascension, as it offers little beyond an interactive movie. If Silent Hill truly wants to make a successful comeback, it must focus on delivering proper horror games rather than mere interactive experiences.
The classic Silent Hill titles are widely regarded as some of the scariest games in the industry, leaving a lasting impression with their psychological slow-burn horror. However, in recent years, the IP has been licensed out to unrelated projects like Bomberman R, Monsters and Mortals, and Silent Hill-themed slot machines, much to the surprise and excitement of fans. This excitement is now fading due to the upcoming release of Ascension and the lack of updates on the Silent Hill 2 Remake.
Silent Hill's Return is Off to a Rough Start
Silent Hill: Ascension is gearing up for its highly anticipated return this Halloween. However, some fans are expressing concerns about the franchise's future due to its unique approach to interactive storytelling. In this new installment, fans will have the opportunity to actively participate in shaping the narrative across multiple episodes. The developers assure that fan interaction will play a pivotal role in the development of each episode, creating an unpredictable and captivating experience.
Despite the potential promise of Ascension's concept, a recent announcement has left fans feeling limited in their ability to participate. The official website for Silent Hill: Ascension disclosed that the experience will solely be available through mobile apps and the official site, excluding consoles. This revelation has further disappointed fans, who not only expected a new "title" but also a more immersive gaming experience. As a result, many fans are now more reserved in their expectations for the future of the franchise.
However, there is a glimmer of hope amidst this disappointment. Sony recently announced that the completed version of Silent Hill: Ascension will be accessible on the PS4 and PS5 through the Sony Pictures Core app. This news has provided a small ray of light in the midst of the darkness, offering fans the opportunity to indulge in the game on their preferred gaming consoles.
Silent Hill's Upcoming Original Titles Need to Double Down on Horror
Silent Hill: Townfall and Silent Hill f were announced by Konami alongside Silent Hill: Ascension. While Townfall remains mysterious, Silent Hill f will take fans to 1960s Japan in the franchise's first mainline title in over 11 years. After the disappointment of Ascension, Silent Hill f holds the responsibility of reviving the franchise. To succeed, it must deliver a terrifying survival-horror experience that stays true to the series' acclaimed past. With Ascension failing to meet expectations, both Silent Hill f and Townfall must provide fans with a genuine third-person horror experience in order to make an impact.
Whether Silent Hill f and Silent Hill: Townfall will truly embody survival horror remains to be seen. The limited information about Silent Hill f suggests a return to the series' early formula, but after more than a year since its announcement, no concrete details have confirmed this. Silent Hill fans have eagerly awaited the full return of the series since 2012, and with multiple projects in development, there seems to be exciting new experiences on the horizon. However, fans remain cautious and eagerly anticipate more updates on the proper titles of the series, as the disappointment of Silent Hill: Ascension still lingers.
