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At the time of writing, it’s spooky month, with Halloween very close, as close as a maniacal killer lurking in the shadows as you and a group of pals hang out by the campfire. So what better time to discuss , the grandfather of all , and the series that has offered more than any of the top-tier titles combined?
has lain dormant as a series for some time, ever since the unfortunate breakdown between Konami and , and the eventual cancelation of Silent Hills, a sequel that was teased through P.T., A demo that is now the stuff of legend. However, as recently as yesterday, at the time of writing, we have received the news via the Showcase, that the series will be revived, with a number of new projects now revealed to be in the pipeline.
It’s incredible news that comes with the caveat that and all others involved have a monumental task on their hands. We can only hope that they take their time, and work tirelessly to do and his story justice. The issue with that for the consumer is, with this time needed to incubate these projects, we still have a huge wait time ahead of us for new content.
Waiting is never fun; take it from me, I live in the UK, and man, do we love to queue for things. However, I aim to ease this burden with a list of titles that are similar to , allowing players to get their next fix of spooky, unsettling while they wait for the new titles as they take shape.
Now, obviously, there aren’t many that can truly replicate the cinematic, psychologically deep narrative, and intentionally clunky gameplay that offers. However, there are a lot of games that have some key similarities, take inspiration from the juggernaut, or simply offer a experience that rivals this gaming goliath. So with that in mind, it’s time to get into the action. is closing in, so let’s get moving through the fog!
Selection Criteria
Wait, hold your horses just a second. We need to lay down some ground rules. For you see, if we don’t, this list could end up as a generic list of titles, and as much as I love modern horrors like Outlast, Alien: Isolation, and , they aren’t exactly in the same ballpark as . So here are the criteria I will be working with to compile this list:
- All games must have a Metacritic aggregate score of 65% or more. We can’t be listing flops on this list
- All games must have at least one core similarity that ties it to the
- All games must have a element
- Only one entry per franchise
Okay, grab a flashlight, and a handgun if you can spare the bullets, and let’s get going!
The Best Games Like You Need to Try!
P.T. Playable Teaser
- Developer: Konami
- Metacritic Score: N/A
Okay, we kick things off with a bit of a cheat/wildcard entry, but it would be criminal, not to mention the playable teaser for the sadly canceled Silent Hills. This was a demo released in 2015, which was the brainchild of and legend Guillermo Del Toro.
This seen the player continually travel through a looping corridor, with each loop changing ever so slightly, offering new, spooky beings in the shadows, flickering lights, ominous sounds, and a radio playing in the background reporting a grizzly murder, which we can only assume you had a hand in.
The demo had an incredible ability to lull players into a false sense of security with the repeating loops, only to send you spiraling with a spine-tingling new development, or something a little more sudden and terrifying. The setting was simple yet fascinating, the tension was palpable, and personally, I still rank it as one of the most cohesive and enthralling experiences within gaming, despite it being merely a demo.
Sadly, those who missed it then will never play it as it has been removed from all marketplaces, but if you are super keen, there are Youtube playthroughs and remakes in titles like Dreams that you can try out!
Interesting Read: Silent Hill P.T. Explained.
- Developer: Capcom
- Metacritic Score: 91%
The modern scene has been one that has been crying out for new AAA IPs to break the mold and fill the void left by the giants of old, but one series still holding down the fort is . While the series has had its ups and downs, it’s currently on a high, and it has captured the same lightning in a bottle that was present when they made the original , the title that I feel has the most in common with the .
Thanks to the set camera angles, the elements, and the clunky combat that made encounters all the more tense and panicked, this is cut from the same cloth as Team Silent’s best work. Many will say that the shoddy voice acting, the unrefined visuals, and the clunkiness hasn’t aged well, but to those guys, I say, go play the remaster then.
You’ll still get the same claustrophobic feel. However, you won’t get that famous ‘Jill Sandwich’ line from Barry, and for that, you only have yourself to blame.
Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare
- Developer: Darkworks
- Metacritic Score: 77%
This is one for you OG gamers out there, as this harks back to the days of the Playstation X and the Dreamcast. Many modern gamers will know Alone in the Dark for its most recent outing, which by all accounts, was a shambles. However, before that trainwreck, there was the that set the wheels in motion. A New Nightmare was a that relied upon set camera angles, similar combat to Silent Hill, and a creepy setting to deliver its admittedly rather average narrative.
The appeal of this is that it offers a slightly more action-heavy format, and it almost feels like this was a blueprint for the Devil May Cry games that would come around years later, minus the hack-and-slash elements. However, you still get to play detective by solving puzzles and surviving the horrors of Shadow Island. This is actually set to get a remake in 2023, so now is as good a time as any to reacquaint yourself with Edward Carnby’s story.
- Developer: Remedy Entertainment
- Metacritic Score: 83%
Now for something that feels like it was lifted right out of the mind of Stephen King. What is it with him and writing protagonists as struggling writers, usually with alcoholism? Has anyone checked in on that man? I digress. is a title where you, , have removed yourself from the hustle and bustle of city life and moved to a remote village called in the hope of curing your writer’s block, or at least, that’s your wife Alice’s motive.
This leads to an argument; you storm off, and, long story short, she goes missing, and the very monsters you brought to life through your novels are those that intend to stop you from finding her. Lost wife, monsters that are a manifestation of his mental anguish. Sound familiar?
Through the power of light, you must fend off The Taken, find your wife, and try to understand why these supernatural occurrences are taking place. Will you manage to escape the dark place? Or will you see the ink run dry as your novel brought to life reaches a tragic end? Also, we recently found out that this universe is tied to that of Control, so that’s some extra homework for you.
- Developer: Tecmo
- Metacritic Score: 74%
We could have gone for just about any of the , or Project Zero titles, as all of them have a similar format to the thematically, aesthetically, and in terms of gameplay, but it’s always good to go with the original. Just as Pokemon Snap implemented photography mechanics into gaming, did so also, but with much more terrifying results.
In this title, you must search for your lost brother in the haunted Himuro Mansion. Well, it turns out that some pretty grim stuff happened in there many moons ago, and the spirits that lurk in there that were part of a chillingly brutal ritual are still a little miffed.
Luckily, you discover that by capturing their picture, you can vanquish the spirits and continue to explore this spooky setting. It’s a that definitely leans more on traditional Japanese rather than to tell its compelling story, but through its camera work, claustrophobic areas, and tense combat, we think this one belongs on this list.
Visage
- Developer: Sad Square Studio
- Metacritic Score: 80%
We have already mentioned P.T. on this list, but how about the that is its spiritual successor and aims to finish what started? Visage is a psychological where you play as the reanimation of Dwayne Anderson, who murdered his wife and child, before committing suicide.
However, it seems that the paranormal forces that be aren’t going to allow you to escape the realm of reality that easily, and aim to make you suffer for your crimes against nature. Your goal is to navigate this 1980’s suburban home and find a way to escape the nightmare that you have created.
This offers a sort of reverse approach to 2, as you are immediately convinced that Dwayne is a horrible man, but as you play through this , attempt to control your sanity levels, and explore this suburban home, you find out that there is more to this story than meets the eye. Maybe there’s something in the water. If you love the narrative aspects of , this is a must-play!
The Medium
- Developer:
- Metacritic Score: 75%
Now, I want to preface this entry by stating that, I would much rather include Layers of Fear if I have to choose a IP, or The Vanishing of , as it is a better version of what The Medium tries to do. However, it seems that this is the reason that has been handed the keys to the , so it’s hard to look past this one.
The Medium is a where you play as, you guessed it, a medium, and you must use your powers to uncover the lost stories hidden in this post-communist Poland setting, and try to make sense of your recurring dreams that seem all too real.
As much as I have my gripes on this , it is still a very good piece of storytelling. The setting is chilling, and the gameplay is good for the most part, with the puzzles being the main highlight. Plus, the visuals and sound design are superb, which I imagine led to their eventual call-up for the . If you can get past the annoying, one-note performance of the protagonist and the crowbarred-in medium-powers, then you just might come to love this .
Darkwood
- Developer: Acid Wizard Studio
- Metacritic Score: 80%
What if was a top-down experience and had a State of Decay style, survive-the-night format? Well, then you would be playing a hidden gem called Darkwood. This sees the player take control of a stranger who is kidnapped and beaten by a plague doctor, in a huge forest within the Soviet Bloc.
Your goal is to survive, and eventually escape, but escape is only possible if you explore, interact with others, and find those that have harmed you, as they have the key you need to escape, and that’s just the first chapter.
This marries together exploration, expert storytelling, and tactical planning wonderfully to offer a truly unique experience. Yet all the while, you can see the subtle hints of ‘s impression seeping through. It’s a modern that goes back to the old methods of scaring players. There isn’t a reliance on jump-scares. Just a creepy setting and ever-looming threats around every corner.
Deadly Premonition
- Developer: Access Games
- Metacritic Score: 70%
This is probably a little controversial as Deadly Premonition is like the Marmite of the world, you either love it, or you hate it. I find myself in the first camp, but I fully understand why others might find it slow-paced, and monotonous. However, much like games like Pathologic, that’s part of the charm.
Deadly Premonition is, in my opinion, one of the most comprehensive detective games ever made, allowing the player to live the life of a detective to the letter. Including having to maintain basic hygiene, control hunger, thirst, and sleep, and perform well at your job to boot. Its traditional meets .
The narrative of this story is very much within the realm of supernatural , linking it nicely with . The setting is also a foggy, sleepy town where evil resides, and when you strip back all the punishingly realistic simulation aspects of the gameplay, there are clear similarities to be found there too. I would say this is easily the hardest sell on this list, but I would say give this one a chance; it may surprise you.
Maid of Sker
- Developer: Wales Interactive
- Metacritic Score: 69%
When opting to include a first-person adventure of this nature, I was torn between a few options, with The almost featuring. However, when push came to shove, I couldn’t overlook Maid of Sker. Now, just to be clear in terms of its themes and story, it’s very different from . Still scary, Still psychologically gripping, but different all the same.
However, this steeped in Welsh folklore has some similarities that are hard to look past. The first is the attention to detail when it comes to sound design. Sound plays a huge role in this as it is closely linked to stealth mechanics, making this an auditory masterclass.
Then also, the puzzles within this are cut from the same cloth as the repertoire of puzzles. Admittedly, this one may appeal to more modern fans, but for the unique sound mechanics alone, I reckon this is worth a shot for all you fans.
Madison
- Developer: Bloodious Games
- Metacritic Score: 75%
If you liked Visage, then you just might appreciate this one too. Well, as much as you can truly appreciate a harrowing experience. MADiSON sees you play as Luca, a sixteen-year-old who has received a retro-instant camera for his birthday. The catch is that it belonged to a serial killer, now 30 years dead. The camera is this killer’s link to the real world, and with Luca as his vessel, you will be at their mercy and commit atrocious and abominable acts as they introduce the world to their evil ways once again.
This feels a lot like P.T. due to its setting and overall aesthetic, but it also feels like the games of old thanks to the use of puzzles, much like the older SH titles. Plus, the delivers a psychological story like no other that will make you question if you are, in fact, the evil that must be stopped. In short, this is a that fans need to witness for themselves.
- Developer: Dual Affect, Abstract Digital
- Metacritic Score: 79%
We are right back in the land of fixed camera angles, narrow hallways, and clunky combat. is a love letter to games like , , and the like. In this title, you play as Caroline Walker, a detective investigating the disappearance of two girls. However, after waking up next to come bloodied, crude medical equipment in a bathtub, within a strange old mansion. You are then set the task of finding these twin girls, and, more importantly, escaping with your life.
I have to concede that graphically the is a little underwhelming as it looks rather rubbery and cartoonish at times. Not to mention that the voice acting is questionable at best. However, thanks to the sitting, the monsters, the story, and the more action-heavy gunplay, a lot of these issues blend into the background, giving way to a truly gripping, close-quarters adventure.
Siren
- Developer: SCE Japan
- Metacritic Score: 72%
If you want a link to , then you can’t do much better than the Creative Director of Team Silent, , who led this project. Siren, or Forbidden Siren, is a where a town has succumbed to a supernatural illness of sorts that affects cognitive function and makes those afflicted bleed from their eyes, heal rapidly, become immortal, and, most importantly for the player, become extremely hostile.
These monsters called Shibito serve as the evil you must avoid as you try to escape the town of Hanuda.
This plays very much like as you are completely vulnerable to these monstrosities and must use the power of sight jacking, stealth, and distraction to avoid these monsters and discover who to reverse the curse, which was the result of a failed religious ritual.
It’s a compelling narrative, a tense adventure, and has loads of moments that will leave the hairs of your neck standing at attention. What are you waiting for? Go and witness this hidden gem dreamt up for you.
Detention
- Developer: Red Candle Games
- Metacritic Score: 83%
Our penultimate entry is Detention, this set in 1960’s Taiwan unsurprisingly takes place in a haunted school. You play as Ray and Wei as they find themselves trapped in this school secluded in the mountains, and must avoid ‘The Lingered’ and solve a series of puzzles to escape this terrifying campus. However, with so much intrigue and mystery waiting in these hallowed halls, you may just want to stick around and uncover the full story of Greenwood High School.
This manages to deliver a -Esque in a 2D side-scrolling format, and makes use of cultural pastimes and references to keep the rooted in Taiwanese culture. The format may be a little removed from SH, but the puzzles, the need for stealth and preservation, and the unraveling supernatural all ring true with SH. Plus, the visuals and OST are surprisingly refined. All in all, a hidden gem that you should check out.
Slitterhead
- Developer:
- Metacritic Score: TBA
Oh, would you look at that? It’s back again, this time with a that, while not released just yet, promises to be a compelling experience, which blends ‘, Siren, Gravity Rush, and more.’ Slitterhead is a much-anticipated from the minds of some former Team Silent members.
This title will see us travel to a dystopian Japan where events have transpired where evil insect creatures disguise themselves as humans, using their bodies as shells to walk among humans and prey on the weak.
This will clearly have ‘s brand of terror laced through its story and world design. However, this is reportedly going to be a title that blends RPG elements, as well as fast-paced action, to deliver an overall title that transcends just one genre.
However, for those looking for that psychological aspect, promises that Paranoia will play a huge role in this title and will make every decision a challenge. So if you trust that Toyama can come up with the goods again, keep an eye on this one.
Honorable Mentions
There are a lot of out there that offer incredibly tense and atmospheric experiences, but not all of these were great fits for this particular list. However, if you want some further examples to extend your playtime, these games may tickle your fancy:
- Outlast
- Until Dawn
- Amnesia: The
- The
- The Mortuary Assistant
FAQ Section
Question: Is Silent Hill 2 Being Remade?
Answer: Yes, as of a recent announcement, we learned that Bloober Team will be overseeing a project that will completely remake Silent Hill 2, arguably the magnum opus of the series, from the ground up. This also came with the news that we will also be gifted a new movie in the Silent Hill series, and games Silent Hill Townfall and Silent Hill F, new projects we know very little about, are in production. So lots to get excited about if you are a Silent Hill fan!
Question: How Many Silent Hill Games are there?
Answer: Excluding all the recently announced projects, and mobile games, there are a total of eleven titles in the Silent Hill franchise, the Silent Hill game roster is as follows:
Silent Hill
Silent Hill 2
Silent Hill 3
Silent Hill 4: The Room
Silent Hill Homecoming
Silent Hill Shattered Memories
Silent Hill Downpour
Silent Hill: The Escape
Silent Hill: The Arcade
Silent Hill; Book of Memories
P.T. (Playable Teaser)
Question: Who Made Silent Hill?
Answer: Silent Hill was made by a team aptly named Team Silent. This was a team of workers at Konami who were banded together due to a series of failed projects. However, against all odds and with fewer resources than all other projects within the company, they managed to make one of the most influential horror games of all time.
That is not bad for a group of failed developers. Most of this team would leave Konami, with some joining Hideo Kojima at Kojima Productions, others going to Nintendo, and others forming their own development companies.
Spooky Titles to Tide You Over!
As we mentioned at the top of the article, the new Silent Hill projects are still quite a long way off, but thanks to the abundance of amazing horror titles out there, you’ll have more than enough content to fill the void until then.
Silent Hill is a series that will perhaps always be regarded as the king of horror, but as you can see, there is a great supporting cast waiting in the wings waiting for their starring role. We hope that this guide is everything you were looking for, and as always, thank you for reading Ready Game Survive!