Summary
The late 90s gave rise to one of the most influential psychological horror game series of all time:Silent Hill.Helmed by multiple developers over the course of its life, the series has had its fair share of ups and downs, with the original four usually cited as the strongest entries, though later games also have their devout fans.
But what is it exactly that makes theSilent Hillgames leagues above other game series? Is it the narrative at the heart of each game, terrifying monster design, or the absolutely stellar soundtracks in the background? All of these, and more, are what make playingSilent Hillgames an incredible experience.
1An Unparalleled Soundtrack
Akira Yamaoka is practically synonymous withSilent Hill, as he has composedmusic for almost every entry, with only a very few exceptions, such asSilent Hill: Downpour. He has a more novel approach to music than others in his field, as sometimes his tracks are less of a tune that can be listened to in almost every situation, and rather an eclectic collection of sounds that serves as chilling ambiance for some ofSilent Hill’smore scary segments.
But this is also part of Yamaoka’s genius, as these tracks, and all of them, are perfect fits forSilent Hilland are pretty damn enjoyable to listen to in everyday life, which every fan will admit to — even if no one else quite understands why listening to what sounds like a brick in a washing machine is enjoyable. And who can ever forget tracks such as “One More Soul to the Call,” “Laura’s Theme,” and “You’re Not Here,” which never grow old no matter how many times they are played on repeat?
2Balanced Gameplay
Exploration, Combat, And Puzzles Are Part Of The Experience
Games that are well-rounded in terms of gameplay tend to rise as the strongest, towering over titles that prioritize one particular aspect of gameplay or another.Silent Hillmanages to balance itself perfectly, as exploration is needed to solve puzzles to progress, and there are plenty of monsters standing between the player and their next objective. Though they can potentially skirt past most of these encounters, there is no escaping the inevitable boss fight.
This careful balancing of gameplay is something that is all too easy to never even take into account, but theSilent Hillfranchise does, continuing on with this formula in almost all of its entries. There is always something to do or see, keeping the games fresh and exciting for the players.
3The Characters
Flawed And Realistic, These Characters Prop Up The Narratives
Every game needs more than just monsters prowling the streets; it needs humans, people with their own personalities, strengths, flaws, complexities, and stories. They are essential for any horror game, as the players, at the very least, need a protagonist to play as, and additional characters help build the world around them as well as prop up the narrative. This is the truest aboutSilent Hill, as the games would just not be the same without their heroes andsupporting cast.
Side characters such as Maria, Lisa, Eileen, and Cybil all add to the main characters' experience inSilent Hill, adding tinges of tragedy or even moments of calm, as having a companion can do wonders to soothe the player’s intense fear. Not only that, but all these characters are excellently written, as they are grounded and realistic, with their own motives and personalities. Alongside the protagonists, the characters shapedSilent Hillinto the series fans know and love.
4Monster Design
Silent Hill Would Not Be The Same Without Its Creatures
Horror games are often only asscary as their monsters, which is whySilent Hillis so successful. Rather than just throwing in generic-looking monsters or hiding them under the guise of invisibility to get around actually designing something, Silent Hill delves fully into the weird, the wacky, and the downright unfathomable, creating creatures that look otherworldly and just wrong in the best way possible.
The monsters inSilent Hillare so well-designed that their influence spreads further than the games, as any gamer can easily identify Pyramid Head and the nurses from the visuals alone. Designers, such as Masahiro Ito, really went the extra mile when concocting the nightmares players would have to face off against during their explorations of Silent Hill.
5Iconic Endings
Certain Actions And Items Influence The Game’s Outcome
Not allhorror games have multiple endings, so this is just another aspect that setsSilent Hillapart. It has made quite a name for itself by involving multiple endings in their games, and more often than not, the ways to obtain a specific ending is never apparent. It could be something as small as looking closely at an inventory item, or having to go off the beaten path to obtain a key item. Without the help of guides, players might never achieve certain endings, and it’s just up to happenstance which one they get.
Alongside serious endings, there are also joke ones, such as the UFO or very famous dog ending, which completely shifts the tone of the entire experience in an unexpected yet hilarious way. Having multiple endings like this encourages multiple playthroughs, especially since some are only available if the player has already completed it once. No other horror game, or any other game series, has outdoneSilent Hillin this regard.
6The Stories
The Personal Tales Of Horror Immerse The Players
Allgreat psychological horror gamesneed a strong story at their heart. Though there areSilent Hillgames that are undoubtedly better written than others, the series overall consistently delivers good narratives that really draw the player into the world, as the main character is always at the heart of it.
These characters are all quite grounded and realistic, leading ordinary lives — before they start pummeling monsters with a steel pipe, of course. Even in the first and third games, which heavily involve the cult known as the Order, the stories remain very personal to thir specific protagonists and don’t overload the plot with tons of subplots that distract from the main narrative. As such, theSilent Hillfranchise stands out as one of the best written horror franchises of all time.
7The Town Itself
Silent Hill Established An Iconic Location
Locations are importantfor horror games, as they play a major part in establishing the tone. If the setting is not suited to the story of the game, and the vibe the developers want to create, then ultimately it will ruin the game in its entirety. Konami captured lighting in a bottle when establishing the eponymous location, as it is near perfect in most of its games.
Fog-obscured streets, ash rain, a siren that devolves the world into a tetanus-riddled nightmare — Silent Hill itself plays the role of an antagonist in the players' experience, as it hinders their efforts rather than helps, not even taking a neutral stance. Most of the time, the locations are made to be incorporated into an existing idea, but inSilent Hill, it almost feels like the inverse, as every protagonist finds themselves in this city one way or another. No other game location has ever managed to reach the levels of importance, and excellence, as the town of Silent Hill.
