Few other video game horror franchises have had as much of an impact as the Silent Hill series. Drawing inspiration from classic psychological horror films such as The Shining and Jacob's Ladder, the original title first hit the scene on the PlayStation in 1999. Despite a rabid fanbase and great reviews, the series fizzled out over time after a few lackluster entries and a failed reboot from Hideo Kojima. However, with the video game landscape always in flux, nothing is ever truly gone, and always has a chance to make a comeback.
Over the last several months, rumors have begun doing the rounds that Konami may be planning a revival of many of its long-dormant franchises. This includes the supernatural terrors of the Silent Hill series, which hasn't seen a mainline entry since 2012, almost ten years ago. Just the possibility alone is enough to excite fans, but without much information to go on, this potential return to the Silent Hill franchise could take any form. Nothing has been confirmed, but based on recent rumors as well as current industry trends, the following options are possible routes the series can take.
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Silent Hill Remake
The first option would be for Konami to revisit a pre-existing title and give it the remake treatment. The original Silent Hill game and even its PS2 sequels still look good today, but there is definitely room for improvement with the leaps and bounds made with technology since their release. Gamers need to look no further than the unbelievable transformation the Resident Evil 2 remake had in comparison to the original. Especially considering these are games so heavily reliant on their visuals to create mood and atmosphere, boosts to the graphics would be a welcome addition.
Revival of Silent Hills/PT
It still stings to bring up how quickly Hideo Kojima's Silent Hills project fell apart back in early 2015. After the brief yet terrifying demo, PT sent waves through the gaming industry, many were eagerly anticipating the full experience. This desire can still be felt to this day, as many spiritual successors such as Allison Road clearly took a few notes from its immersive take on first-person horror. Hideo Kojima went on to direct Death Stranding, a game that retained many horror themes, indicating that the acclaimed developer still has an interest in the genre.
Over the course of the year, a puzzling internet mystery surrounding a developer called Blue Box Game Studios has led many to believe that Silent Hill is very much alive. Small details and coincidences have led people to believe it's all a ruse led by Hideo Kojima himself, building to an eventual announcement that he will be getting another crack at the Silent Hill franchise. While this would surely be an incredible moment if true, it remains to be seen what the future brings.
Brand New Silent Hill Game/Concept
While remastering old classics and reviving canceled games would be exciting, something entirely new would be just as worthwhile. It is important for every series, no matter what medium, to try new things now and then to keep the franchise fresh. To once again return to the Resident Evil series, it has undergone multiple facelifts and tonal changes over the course of its lifetime. From campy survival horror to over-the-top action and now settling into first-person thrills similar to PT above.
This is not to suggest that the next Silent Hill game needs to include more action elements, as that many feel out of place, but perhaps a stylistic or environmental change might be a good decision to surprise fans. The original game dealt with paranormal forces and a cult, whereas Silent Hill 2 instead focused on more cerebral horrors. A new game can follow a similar tactic, perhaps tapping into the concepts of alternate dimensions or even ghosts to shake up its established horror formula.
A new Silent Hill game is rumored to be in development.
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