Playstation fans are probably familiar with this horror game. Yes, it’s Silent Hill , Konami’s epic and highly sought-after game . A few days ago, they officially announced the Silent Hill 2 remake , developed by Bloober Team ( The Medium, Blair Witch ), along with four other installments, which were released via a livestream on October 19th.
When it comes to this franchise , there are certainly several series that fans and gamers have crowned as the best of all time. Which ones are they? Here, we present the 10 best Silent Hill games of all time that you must try!
The Best Silent Hill Games of All Time
Over the years, the Silent Hill games have spawned dozens of installments for the PlayStation . Some of these games were released on the PS1, PS2, and PS3, as well as games whose releases have been delayed. To help you stay informed, we’ve shared a list below.
1. Silent Hill 2
The first entry in the Silent Hill series is Silent Hill 2. Released in 2001, this game follows James Sunderland, who enters the foggy town of Silent Hill after receiving a letter from his deceased wife, Mary. Upon entering, he encounters a woman who resembles his wife, Maria.
In this game, players will follow James’ adventures solving story pieces, puzzles , and of course facing terrifying creatures throughout the game.
2. Silent Hill
The first Silent Hill series was released in 1999. The story focuses on Harry Mason, who goes on vacation with his daughter, Cheryl Mason, to the foggy town of Silent Hill. Unfortunately, during the trip, they both have an accident when a girl suddenly crosses the road, causing Harry to swerve and the car to fall, leaving him unconscious.
Upon realizing this, he panics because Cheryl Mason has left and disappeared. Eventually, he decides to enter the city to become his lost child alone. This is where you’ll encounter various puzzles and monsters that will relentlessly pursue you.
3. Silent Hill 3
This best Silent Hill game was released in 2003 and focuses on the story seventeen years after Harry Mason and his son’s journey. The difference is, players take on the role of Heather Mason, a daughter raised by the Mason family.
This game boasts features not seen in previous installments, given the lack of combat in the first two installments. Furthermore, the monsters encountered are incredibly powerful and, of course, terrifying.
4. Silent Hill 4: The Room
Another great Silent Hill game is The Room. It garnered a lot of attention from gamers at the time and received positive reviews upon its release in 2004. The game’s story, distinctly different from previous installments, finds Henry Townshend trapped in his apartment and discovering a mysterious portal filled with horror.
This series is full of disturbing scenes . Not to mention the monsters themselves, which are incredibly terrifying, and have certainly earned praise from both game critics and those who have played the games.
5. Silent Hill: Origins
Following the release of the 2006 film adaptation, Silent Hill: Origins emerged as a Silent Hill game , known as Silent Hill : Zero in Japan. The game’s main characters were inspired by the film and received positive reviews from critics and fans alike.
This game follows Travis Grady, the main character, who discovers Alessa’s body burned alive on a cult altar. From there, Grady is shocked by the terrifying world of Silent Hill , where he encounters many terrifying monsters and strange puzzles . While criticized for its predictable combat , it’s undeniably one of the best in the series to date.
6. Silent Hill: Shattered Memories
Shattered Memories is another excellent Silent Hill game , released in 2009, with a snow and ice theme. While the game retains the same formula, thanks to the work of Climax Studios, the series manages to deliver a variety of plot twists .
This game follows Harry Mason as he searches for his missing daughter and enters the town of Silent Hill. Unlike previous games, this game requires you to run and evade terrifying monsters. Why? Because this game doesn’t feature any weapons, and the only functional tools are Mason’s flashlight and cell phone.
Although this game was criticized for its story being too short, thanks to its excellent voice acting, atmosphere, and graphics, this game remains the best to date.
7. Silent Hill: Homecoming
Next up is Homecoming . This game was released in 2008 and was banned in Australia and its release in Japan was canceled. The game had a pretty rough start, presenting a disturbing horror experience for some, especially those with clausthrophobia (the fear of confined spaces).
In this game series, you play as Alex Shepherd, a soldier who suddenly has to deal with the mysterious disappearance of his younger brother, Joshua. When he asks his mother where he went, she simply replies, ” He’s gone… Everyone’s gone… ” This forces him to enter the town of Silent Hill and find out what caused his beloved brother’s disappearance.
This game was initially criticized for its complex puzzles and the lack of horror found in previous games. However, netizens later retracted this criticism due to the game’s terrifying bosses .
8. Silent Hill: Downpour
Downpour is another great Silent Hill game on our list . Released in 2012, this game tells the story of Murphy Pendleton, also known as David Boyd Konrad, who is imprisoned for attempting to cross the border on a stolen ship. Long story short, the prison bus he was riding in crashed and plunged into a ravine, leaving Murphy stranded in the town of Silent Hill not far from where the bus crashed.
Entering the town of Silent Hill, Murphy must confront a variety of terrifying nightmares. Strange occurrences abound, and monsters constantly pursue him. The game received criticism for its overly generic storyline and numerous interactions deemed unnecessary. Despite this, it remains a must-play entry in the Silent Hill series .
9. Silent Hill: Book of Memories
The next best Silent Hill game is Book of Memories . This spin-off series was released in 2012. The game follows the protagonist receiving a mysterious book on his birthday. The sender is Maine, a character from the previous installment, and the book is delivered by local postal courier Howard Blackwood.
Blackwood says the book is extremely important to the sender, and we, as players, must safeguard it. Curious, the protagonist tries to open the book, where he finds many strange memories that draw him to read the entire book until he falls asleep.
These memories lead the protagonist into a nightmare, following the formula of previous Silent Hill games . However, many criticized the series for its disappointing storyline and game mechanics. Furthermore, many said the game was poorly developed. Despite this, it remains a must-play game in the Silent Hill series.
10. Silent Hill PT
Even though it’s still a playable demo, PT is undeniably one of the best Silent Hill games in the series , still ringing in the minds of fans and gamers . The game was initially in development by Hideo Kojima before being axed by Konami.
The concept of PT is quite simple: you’re trapped in a small house. However, strange events suddenly add to the horror, as players find themselves trapped in an endless time loop . Once you reach the end of the loop , you’ll encounter something that will make your heart race.
Despite its simplicity, PT successfully terrified gamers because the apparitions it displays are no joke for a demo. Here, you’ll see many strange and unexpected objects that will send shivers down your spine. Furthermore, there are also strange and terrifying ghosts that will only add to your fear !
Conclusion
So, those are the 10 best Silent Hill games of all time, a must-try if you want to follow the story of this horror franchise . Which Silent Hill game do you think is the best ? Let us know in the comments!
