Are you looking for the best games like Silent Hill? If so, we got you covered.
Silent Hill is a classic game that many fans love. Its ability to create fear through deep storytelling and spooky atmospheres has left a lasting impact on the genre. However, there are many other horror games out there that capture the same horrific feelings and unsettling themes.
In this article, we will look at seven games that are similar to Silent Hill. These games will keep you on the edge of your seat as you wait to get your hands on the surprisingly well-reviewed Silent Hill 2 Remake.
Fatal Frame Series
When it comes to scripting for horror games or series, it's hard not to encounter a game influenced by rich Japanese horror folklore. Following that same tradition, developer Tecmo (now Koei Tecmo) introduced Fatal Frame in 2001, which became an instant success among PS2 users.
The gameplay is fairly streamlined and follows a plot set in the 1980s. Each edition of the series features a young female protagonist. To spice things up and set them up differently from existing horror titles, developer Tecmo decided not to introduce a gun or melee-based combat. Instead, you will be provided the Camera Obscura, a supernatural camera that can exorcise ghosts by capturing their images. In this case, there will be many head-on encounters with the horror element.
Until Dawn
Next on the list is Until Dawn launched in 2015 by Supermassive Games. On the surface, Until Dawn might seem you like a typical horror movie plot where eight friends reunite at a remote mountain lodge, one year after a tragic prank that claimed the lives of two of their friends. But as the night wears on, it becomes clear that something sinister is at play.
This game uses the butterfly effect which is a system where every decision unfolds different outcomes in the storyline. Will you play it safe or take a risk? Will you save a friend or yourself? These decisions shape the story in ways that can result in multiple endings, with countless variations that will ultimately decide whether you will survive the night.
Amnesia: The Dark Descent
Amnesia: The Dark Descent was developed by Frictional Games and got its official release at the end of 2020. Players will take the role of Daniel, a man who awakens in a dark and foreboding castle known as Brandenburg Castle with no memory of how he got there. the plot will explore the consequences of Daniel’s actions and the psychological toll when he has to confront his own past.
The game can be played from a first-person perspective. Navigating the dimly lit corridors, you have to find all the clues of various puzzles in the surrounding environment. This adds a layer of strategy where players must find light sources to maintain their sanity. Also, let’s not overlook the sound design—the true unsung hero of Amnesia. The latest addition to the series was Amnesia: The Bunker released in 2023.
Siren
While it is categorized as tedious, Siren still makes it one of the top-notch games in this genre thanks to the stealth feature and also how creepy it gets sometimes. This makes it even more intriguing when you come to know that it has been directed by Keiichiro Toyama, who also happens to be associated with the Silent Hill series.
The story revolves around surviving a remote village that becomes a curse after an ancient ritual went horribly wrong, leading to the resurrection of dead villagers. Much like the Fatal Frame series, Siren also empathizes less with gun or weapons combats and more with stealth and survivor. If a slow-burn horror experience steeped in psychological tension appeals to you, Siren is a must-play.
Outlast
Once again on the list of findings is a pure survival-cum-stealth based horror game, Outlast. You will find the combat narrative of Outlast much resembling 2010's Amnesia: The Dark Descent.
The Outlast puts you in the shoes of an investigative journalist Miles Upshur, who receives a tip about unethical experiments taking place within the asylum’s walls. But once he steps into it, all he can find is some violent and deranged creatures, mostly resulted from the failed experiment.
Since there is no fightback mechanism, you will find yourself much more vulnerable to the impending threat. All you can do is hide or run. Basically, your stealth capabilities will be on full display.
Alan Wake Series
Alan Wake is one of the few games on the list that combines third-person shooting mechanics with exploration and puzzle-solving. Plus, the narrative is heavily influenced by the works of Stephen King and other horror writers crafting a tale that plays with the conventions of the genre Excluding spin-offs and expansions, Alan Wake includes two editions mainly - Alan Wake(2010) and Alan Wake II(2023).
Shedding light on the plot, players step into the shoes of Alan Wake, who travels to the small mountain town of Bright Falls along with his wife, Alice. However, things start to get messy when his wife goes missing. He encounters clues about the dark forces at play.
Its sequel picks up where the original left off, diving deeper into the complex narrative and expanding the story with new elements. The storytelling is fragmented which also gives you episodic vibes.
Resident Evil Series
Without a doubt, the impact of Capcom's Resident Evil on the gaming industry cannot be overstated. It has not only shaped the survival horror genre but has also inspired countless developers, which can also be seen in Silent Hill or similar series.
As per the plot, the series often critiques the unethical practices of the Umbrella Corporation which conducts secret experiments to develop biological weapons. As a player, you have to uncover the corporation's experiments in a secret mansion surviving the relentless onslaught of enemies.
In its early edition, you will find a third-person perspective and fixed camera angles but with the latest editions such as Resident Evil Bio Hazard (2017) and Resident Evil Village (2021) Capcom moved to a first-person perspective.
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