If you've been keeping up on my Instagram posts this year, you know that I've been having some problems with my hands and I had surgery to fix one of them. But I still have one more surgery to go... so that has SEVERELY impacted my ability to play games. Sadly, I wasn't able to spend as much time as I wanted to on the latest Silent Hill game personally, but my brother-in-law was more than happy to play with me. He's relatively new to survival horror gaming, but is familiar with the films and so there's a bit of perspective from a new Silent Hill gamer, along with my feedback, having played the original games.
We haven't made our way through the entirety of the game (yet!), but what we did play was excellent survival horror and a welcome return to Silent Hill. While Resident Evil and Silent Hill frequently come up in the same conversation, Silent Hill is a different beast. So what I'm looking for is the psychological terror and dreamlike quality of the world as much as I am looking forward to disturbing character designs, and this game has definitely been delivering across the board.
My preference of third or first person really depends on the game, but I feel like first person in Townfall really adds to the level of immersion. Graphically, the game is exceptional, and, at times, feels more like an interactive movie than a survival horror game (complimentary). It's no surprise that we're thrust in the middle of a location and mystery that we know very little about. Of course, we know very little about ourselves too, but as the descent into madness continues, the layers begin to peel back. What I've seen feels like a very thoughtful, character-driven approach to the horrors that unfold.
As expected, you're somewhat confined to the location the game wants you to spend time investigating, but there's enough freedom of movement that it doesn't feel completely on rails. Townfall is also very well structured to optimize tension, unease, and terror... all at the right times. You have nothing at your disposal when you first start—not even a flashlight, which when you get it doesn't even come with batteries!!!!—so don't expect excessive running AND gunning. It will be mostly a lot of running... in terror. This game, smartly, even gives you spots within the town to hide if you want to avoid a direct monster encounter. But, don't worry. There are some great, intense combat moments.
So far, I've been loving my time in Silent Hill: Townfall. It feels VERY Silent Hill, while also being a fresh take on the material. It's very different than Silent Hill f, but Silent Hill fans have been blessed with two new titles within the same year, and I hope this is just the start for a Silent Hill renaissance. I'm definitely ready for more Silent Hill terrors!
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From the Press Release: "Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. (KONAMI) today announced SILENT HILL: Townfall is available now on PlayStation®5, Steam®, and the Epic Games Store. Developed by Scottish studio Screen Burn Interactive and co-published by Annapurna Interactive and KONAMI, SILENT HILL: Townfall is the first psychological horror title in the SILENT HILL series (a series which has sold over 17.8 million copies worldwide*) to feature a fully first-person perspective.*As of the end of June 2026*Includes units shipped, store downloads and subscription services
Watch the launch trailer here: https://youtu.be/9CBPCzYSdiM?
Players begin their journey as Simon Ordell, an outsider who has washed onto the icy-cold marina of “St. Amelia,” a remote island off the coast of Scotland. The town is shrouded in deep fog and silence where the presence of those who once lived there and fragments of memory create an unsettling world. Boundaries between reality and fiction blur.
While staying true to the series’ core “psychological horror” theme, this title is the first in the series to be a full-length game presented entirely from a first-person perspective. Players can explore the town with a deeper sense of immersion and experience puzzles closely intertwined with the story.
Tension is elevated as players hide from looming threats, life-or-death combat, and puzzles intricately woven into the narrative."
After more than a decade as a consultant in the entertainment industry, Jonathan James launched Daily Dead in 2010 to share his passion for horror. He takes immense pride in Daily Dead's talented team of writers, who passionately explore and celebrate horror as a respected art form capable of telling complex, character-driven stories with deep emotional and cultural impact.
Over the course of his career, Jonathan has written more than 10,000 articles and hosted panels at major conventions, including New York Comic Con and San Diego Comic-Con. He is also consulted with as an expert on horror and pop culture, offering insights on horror history and the latest trends through media outlets, film festivals, and conventions.
After more than a decade as a consultant in the entertainment industry, Jonathan James launched Daily Dead in 2010 to share his passion for horror. He takes immense pride in Daily Dead's talented team of writers, who passionately explore and celebrate horror as a respected art form capable of telling complex, character-driven stories with deep emotional and cultural impact.
Over the course of his career, Jonathan has written more than 10,000 articles and hosted panels at major conventions, including New York Comic Con and San Diego Comic-Con. He is also consulted with as an expert on horror and pop culture, offering insights on horror history and the latest trends through media outlets, film festivals, and conventions.
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