The Ultimate Survival Horror Experience: A Must-watch for Diehard Silent Hill Fans

Survival horror, a unique genre of game, is often overlooked by developers. Among the few who consistently contribute to this niche, Silent Hill stands out as one of the genre's most celebrated exemplars. However, the franchise experienced a prolonged period of silence. Despite its intriguing gimmick and intense scares, Siren has remained a lesser competitor. Both series have faced challenges in transitioning to the big screen, but Forbidden Siren, in particular, did not receive the attention it deserved.

Directed by Yukihiko Tsutsumi, a renowned TV and film director who has worked in Japan since the late 90s, Forbidden Siren showcases his talent. Tsutsumi has an impressive portfolio with notable projects like The Big Bee, The Sword of Alexander, and Sanada 10 Braves. The screenplay for the film was written by Naoya Takayama, who has also contributed to various Japanese TV shows. Though his anime adaptation of Supernatural is not widely recognized among fans, some argue that it offers the best way to experience season one.

What is the Siren series of games?

Siren, also known as Forbidden Siren in PAL regions, is a stealth survival horror game that was released in 2003 for the PlayStation 2. Developed by Project Siren, a team consisting of former members of Team Silent who worked on the Silent Hill series, the game received critical acclaim for its atmospheric setting but faced criticism for its slow gameplay.

Directed by Keiichirō Toyama, who made his directorial debut with the original Silent Hill, Siren is Toyama's second venture into the horror genre. Inspired by films from acclaimed director David Lynch, Toyama's creative direction shaped the game's scenario. He later returned to direct the 2006 sequel and the 2008 reimagining.

Siren's plot revolves around a group of survivors coping with the aftermath of a disaster. One of the game's unique features is the ability to take control of the senses of non-player characters and enemies to gain an advantage in detecting threats and planning attacks. The game introduces a cult known as the "Mana Religion" and a contagious red water that transforms victims into zombie-like creatures called Shibito.

The sequel, Siren 2, which later became the basis for the film adaptation of the same name, follows a group of shipwreck survivors who find themselves on Yamijima Island, a place that mysteriously experienced a mass disappearance nearly 30 years ago. The survivors become infected with the same red water and must confront the Shibito in order to survive. Siren 2 expands on the gameplay and introduces new features, though opinions on both games are mixed.

What is the Siren movie about?

How does Siren end?

Siren or Forbidden Siren debuted in 2006 alongside Siren 2, although their connection is tenuous at best. The plot unfolds on Yamijima Island, where the local population mysteriously vanished in the 1970s. Yuki Amamoto, a young woman whose father works as an investigative reporter, embarks on a journey to the island in 2006, accompanied by her mute brother. Despite not being completely abandoned, the island is inhabited by fearful isolationists who caution Yuki to never venture outside when the siren wails. Intrigued, Yuki explores an abandoned house and stumbles upon a diary that gradually unveils the island's secrets. When her father goes missing and eventually returns, he undergoes a shocking transformation. Yuki soon discovers that her father's altered state is a result of experiencing the siren, prompting her to delve deeper into research. In her inquiries, she unearths a peculiar mythology that poses a threat to all life on the island once again. With no comprehension of the entity she faces, Yuki must now find a way to rescue her father, protect her brother, and ultimately save herself.

Yuki stumbles upon a local myth revolving around a mermaid who emerges from the depths of the sea, commonly known as the woman in red. Legend has it that consuming her flesh bestowed immortality, prompting the island's residents to tear her apart. In a horrifying twist, her screams unleashed a curse that haunts the island to this day. The eerie echoes of her wails trigger a monstrous transformation within the locals, turning them into violent beings known as Shibito. Tragically, they attack and kill the man who had forewarned Yuki about the sirens. Determined to put an end to the chaos, Yuki ascends a towering structure, finally managing to destroy the siren. However, to her dismay, she continues to hear the haunting melody even after its demise.

Reaching out with compassion, the town's amiable doctor also scales the tower, delivering devastating news to Yuki. Unbeknownst to her, her brother and father had long passed away, and her visions of their presence had been nothing more than hallucinations. Overwhelmed by grief, she impulsively throws herself off the tower, yet miraculously survives the fall. The empathetic doctor tends to her injuries and carefully reconstructs an ancient diary. Through this harrowing discovery, he unearths the descent into madness of its author, who succumbed to the siren's fourth and final call, resulting in a merciless killing spree.

In a chilling turn of events, Yuki falls under the influence of the siren's call once again and attacks the doctor with a sharp scalpel. The film concludes with the haunting melody of the woman in red, as the once serene sky darkens and the tranquil sea drowns in a foreboding shade of crimson.

The captivating series, Siren, continues to captivate survival horror enthusiasts. With its intriguing storyline and gameplay, all three Siren games are definitely worth revisiting. Additionally, for fans of Japanese horror, the 2006 film, Forbidden Siren, offers a unique and somewhat elusive viewing experience. Embrace the eerie allure of Siren; while it may not be flawless, it never fails to captivate.