Silent Hill 2 at 25: An Unshakable Legacy

Silent Hill 2 celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, and is something we’re still talking about all these years later. It’s perhaps not an exaggeration to say that survival horror hasn’t really been the same since. In fact, the entire series has etched itself into the annals of gaming history, offering scares that are more psychological, that get under your skin. Classic Resident Evil may seem similar on a surface level by comparison, but its stance as something of an original at the time meant it was easy to draw comparisons between it and Silent Hill . Both offered third-person horror experiences with fixed camera angles (mostly), puzzle solving, large bouts of exploration, and enemies to fight. But there the similarities ended. The former was a celebration of B-movie zombie flicks, with oodles of juicy cover-ups, secret labs, hulking biohazard monsters, and a smattering of campy dialogue. The latter encased everything in an oppressive fog (literally) and a darkness that latches onto the human psyche. The 2001 sequel only upped that, so let’s take a look at the ways Silent Hill 2 ‘s legacy endures to this day. It Wasn’t the First of Its Kind Although Resident Evil (1996) is often credited as being the progenitor of survival horror, the genre existed long before it came onto the scene. Some would argue 1992’s Alone in the Dark is where it all began, but it actually goes back further. This IGN article from 2008 – along with gaming scholar Bernard Perron – traces it to 1981’s Haunted House . That’s fifteen years before RE . But this isn’t about the history of survival horror or which game started it. The point here is that Silent Hill didn’t need to invent an entire genre to become an iconic addition to rising video game landscape. The framework was already there; it merely did something different thing with it. Perhaps, then, it’s not surprising that by the time Silent Hill 2 came out (just two years after the original), we were already starting to see how games could unsettle people beyond going “boo.” That’s not to say subtle scares didn’t exist beforehand, but the genre was still finding its feet at that time. Capcom may have popularised horror in gaming, but Konami and Team Silent were taking it to much darker, unnerving depths. The Art That Inspired It Study after Velázquez’s Portrait of Pope Innocent X by Francis Bacon(1953) Perhaps one of the game’s most striking features is its haunting imagery. The aforementioned fog – initially a means of compensating for slow rendering on primitive hardware – is probably the one visual that fans associate Silent Hill with. But that grey, eerie haze is just one aspect that makes it stand out. Artists such as the Irish-born Francis Bacon played a part in shaping the overall look of SH2 . Bacon’s horror artwork explored themes of human form, abstract figures, and religious iconography, such that they would not find themselves out of place in the second game. For an example, look at his 1962 painting Turning Figure . Is that not something you could see coming at James Sunderland down a dark corridor? Then there’s American artist Andrew Wyeth , who’s 1948 work Christina’s World could easily have inspired the in-game painting that depicts Toluca prison . If you still need further proof of how art inspired Silent Hill 2 , take a look at Hans Bellmer’s The Doll (“La Poupée”) series from the 1930s. Tell me it doesn’t remind you of the mannequin monsters from the game. This isn’t based on a textual reading or fan theories, either. In a 2001 interview with IGN , the game’s CGI director, Takayoshi Sato, said Francis Bacon, Andrew Wyeth, and Rembrandt were key influences. They even referenced the films of Alfred Hitchcock and David Lynch impacting the art style. It’s not hard to see how all these helped inspire the look and feel of SH2 . A Masterclass in Psychological Horror Silent Hill 2 has depth, something that wasn’t as prevalent in the first game and is unmatched in subsequent releases. At a time when horror gaming was becoming mainstream, there was something to be said about going beyond surface-level scares. James Sunderland is not a capable protagonist fighting evil monsters in t

Review: Silent Hill: Townfall

Horror game fans are currently experiencing a new golden age. Following Capcom’s successful back-to-basics approach with the revival of the Resident Evil series—refreshing the brand through both remakes and new entries —Konami is wisely following suit with its own flagship horror franchise. This revitalization is largely thanks to series producer Motoi Okamoto , who joined Konami in 2019 to help reboot and oversee the modern revival of Silent Hill . Following the critical and commercial successes of the Silent Hill 2 remake and Silent Hill f , the series has never been more popular or profitable, with both games selling a combined total of 8 million units. At this point, it’s Konami’s game to lose. The big question now is whether their latest release, Silent Hill: Townfall , will continue this upward trend for the franchise. The short answer is yes. This new game stays true to the series’ roots and succeeds as both a quality horror title and a worthy addition to the franchise. Story Silent Hill: Townfall opens with protagonist Simon Ordell crawling out of the ocean and onto the empty docks of the fogbound Scottish island of St. Amelia. As he gets up, he’s shocked to find an IV hooked up to him; when he tries to remove it, he’s hit with a sudden and intense wave of searing pain. When Simon arrives in town, he quickly sees signs of a terrible disaster. The town square is filled with protest signs, photos of lost loved ones, and calls for justice. Not long after, he goes to a nearby hotel and finds a handheld CRTV. A woman’s voice from the TV tells him he has “some very important work to do.” This message sets Simon on a path to uncover what happened to him and to St. Amelia. Along the way, he meets Zoe, a nurse, and Richard, both of whom are closely tied to Simon, the town, and the disaster. The story centers on the mystery of the disaster and Simon’s role in it. Without getting into spoilers, Townfall offers a timely, well-paced, sophisticated narrative that explores several compelling themes, such as guilt, corporate greed, and accountability. As the intricate, methodical storyline unfolds, Simon must confront the horrors lurking within his own psyche while also reconciling the consequences of his actions and the part he played in the disaster. Gameplay & Mechanics The most significant change in Townfall is how you experience the game. Instead of the series’ standard third-person view, developer Screen Burn Interactive has opted for a first-person view, similar to Silent Hill 4 and the PS5-exclusive game The Short Message . This shift in perspective effectively immerses you in Simon’s experience. There is also a much greater emphasis on stealth compared to earlier games in the series. Enemies are more dangerous and aggressive, encouraging players to avoid confrontations and hide whenever possible. This strategy helps conserve weapons and resources, such as health items, for when they are truly needed. The CRTV Simon finds early in the game is used similarly to how the motion tracker in Alien: Isolation and the analog C.A.T. tool in Routine are used, as is the phone-saving mechanic. Using the CRTV, players can detect enemies by tuning to specific frequencies and pinpointing their location through solid objects like walls. This capability is crucial for navigating the game and developing strategies to avoid enemy encounters. Additionally, players can save their progress using payphones and analog landline phones scattere d throughout town. You can also contact other numbers you find that provide further details about the town and its residents. Both mechanics reinforce the game’s emphasis on organic, real-world gameplay aesthetics. Combat & Puzzles Enemy encounters in the game are both spooky and intense. While there isn’t much variety in the enemy types, the ones that do appear pack a punch. There were many times when I found myself vocalizing my fear during these encounters, crying out in surprise or shock. The enemies generally have excellent hearing and can detect sounds like weapon usage, footsteps (if you’re too close), closing doors, and the slamming of shutters when hiding. As a result, there is a strong emphasis on

Silent Hill Movie Franchise Reportedly Planning A ‘Fresh Start’

Just as we recently covered how Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil movie is breaking franchise records and becoming a global hit, it seems the Silent Hill team may also want to return to theaters. According to Dread Central , they have heard that the Silent Hill movie series is gearing up for a fresh start following the massive success of the latest Resident Evil movie. The team reportedly wants to take a bold new approach to the franchise. Though not much has been revealed yet about the project, it already seems like pretty exciting news for horror fans. A new Wall Street Journal profile of Roy Lee also notes that Silent Hill is among his upcoming video game adaptations. The same producer has worked on the recent Resident Evil movie. This sounds exciting, but it’s best to take this news with a grain of salt and wait for an official announcement about the movie and its team, since nothing has been confirmed yet and most details remain speculative. Still, if it comes true, horror fans could be in for a treat. The series has received three movies so far, with the first one coming out in 2006, and  based on the original game. Christophe Gans directed it, and it remains the franchise’s most successful entry. Next came Silent Hill: Revelation in 2012, which focused on the story of Silent Hill 3 . The last movie in the franchise was released earlier this year, titled Return to Silent Hill , and focused on the story of the second entry in the franchise. Neither sequel matched the first movie’s box-office performance, and a fresh, bold take could potentially make a difference. [Source] The post Silent Hill Movie Franchise Reportedly Planning A ‘Fresh Start’ appeared first on Rely on Horror .

Review: Halloween: The Game

When Friday the 13th: The Game launched in 2017, it significantly transformed the asymmetrical horror genre, bringing it mainstream popularity and longevity it hadn’t really experienced before. In the years that followed, several other games were released in an attempt to adapt classic film franchises into the format. Such titles include Evil Dead , Killer Klowns , Predator , and The Texas Chain Saw Massacre , to name just a few. However, none of these reached the same level of success. And now, the next major entry in the asymmetrical genre inspired by classic horror franchises has arrived. After spending several hours exploring all the features that Halloween: The Game has to offer, here are my overall impressions. Familiar, yet different Similar to The Texas Chain Saw Massacre , Halloween: The Game is solely focused on one film’s aesthetics, events, and overall design, that being the original 1978 film. The game does a pretty great job of re-creating the locations, characters, and general ambiance in many ways. In most regards, it makes you feel like you truly are a character from Halloween , existing in moments you just didn’t see on camera during the runtime, whether it’s as Michael Myers himself or as one of the civilians trying to survive. The look, sound, and just about everything truly nails the late 1970s feel from top to bottom, while also having an interesting game loop as the foundation for what you’re seeing and hearing. The clothes, the music, the speech, the hobbies and pastimes, the methods of transportation and communication, and everything else play a huge part in what you experience here in a way that’s immersive and fun. Even though the game is centered on the 1978 classic, there are several interesting costumes to choose from or unlock for Myers. These include ones from both Rob Zombie’s Halloween reboots, as well as the 2018 reboots, plus a few other fun ones related to the first film. However, they’re mostly locked behind some high-level requirements, though their inclusion is a nice touch for fans of the series. On the side of aesthetics and fan service, the game nails everything horror fanatics could want, similar to the way the other games from these developers did. It feels good to be back in a space IllFonic has created that really succeeds at manifesting the look and feel of something so ingrained in our pop culture consciousness. Getting past the presentation itself, we can talk about the gameplay, which takes the form of two different modes currently. The first is single-player, while the other is multiplayer mode. In the single-player, you control Michael Myers, starting at the time of his escape from the Smith’s Grove Sanitarium and going all the way through the events of the original film. This mode not only re-creates all the iconic scenes, with you controlling the action, it also cleverly fills in many of the story gaps you never got to see in the film. For that alone, it all feels exciting and endearing to play. This mode also serves as a tutorial of how to play as Michael, showing you the ropes in being a psychopathic killer and preparing you to hop into multiplayer afterwards. While it does a good job of putting you in the shoes of Myers, there’s no tutorial for what to do as the civilian survivors, oddly. This leaves a bit of a gap and a steep learning curve when it comes to that side of the gameplay. This may be on purpose, perhaps to make you feel more hopeless, or taken by surprise in some way while playing as a civilian. But since there is a tutorial for Michael, it feels a bit missing. Become the killer The way Myers controls is pretty similar to Jason from the Friday game in many ways, but with a bit more of a focus on stealth, which is a nice change of pace. Myers also has a huge leg-up over Jason in terms of mobility, since his invisibility/fast-movement has nearly unlimited use. He can also phase right through solid walls and doors/windows, making it hard for civilians to keep up for very long. Using stalking abilities to drive up fear is a big part of being successful. Also, the fact that the game isn’t constantly throwing up music cues whenever you’re near a player makes

Remothered: Red Nun’s Legacy Deluxe Edition Announced for PC and Consoles

Maximum Entertainment announced today that Remothered: Red Nun’s Legacy , the modern survival horror developed by Stormind Games, will launch physically across major retailers in the EMEA region (Europe, Middle East and Africa), North America, Australia, and New Zealand on PlayStation 5 on October 27, 2026, followed by Nintendo Switch 2 on December 3, 2026. Alongside the physical release dates, Stormind Games also confirmed that both the Standard Edition and Digital Deluxe Edition will launch on consoles and PC platforms the same day. The Digital Deluxe Edition includes: The full game Digital artbook Full digital soundtrack, composed by Akira Yamaoka and Aram Shahbazians The Physical Deluxe Edition includes the same digital artbook and soundtrack, alongside the full game and an exclusive reversible coversheet. Remothered: Red Nun’s Legacy closes the trilogy and reveals the truth behind the Red Nun, uncovering the origins of the myth at the heart of the series. A mysterious recording rekindles the hope that Susan’s kidnapped daughter may still be alive, and the search leads her to a decaying noble residence isolated on the slopes of Mount Etna in Sicily. Legendary Silent Hill composer Akira Yamaoka scores the trilogy’s finale, alongside performances from BAFTA Games Awards winner Cissy Jones as Susan and The Game Awards winner Maggie Robertson as the Red Nun. Remothered: Red Nun’s Legacy releases across EMEA retailers on PlayStation 5 on October 27, 2026 and on Nintendo Switch 2 on December 3, 2026, and is coming soon to North American retailers. For more information, you can visit maximument.com or follow @MaximumEntmt on X. The post Remothered: Red Nun’s Legacy Deluxe Edition Announced for PC and Consoles appeared first on Rely on Horror .

Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil Movie Breaks Franchise Record

After much anticipation, the Resident Evil movie hit theatres on September 18, electrifying the box office. Zach Cregger, the director behind last year’s Weapons , has delivered the latest take on the RE franchise, breaking the opening weekend record worldwide. According to Variety, the movie grossed an estimated $60 million in the US and Canada alone. When combined with the $48.3 million from other markets, the total comes to a whopping $108.3 million. It’s gone down as the best opening of any movie adaptation under the Resident Evil umbrella. Before that, 2010’s Afterlife (directed by Paul W.S. Anderson) held the record, opening with $26.6 million in the US and Canada. The 2026 film represents a massive achievement for everyone involved, especially as the last entry , Welcome to Raccoon City , which released in 2021, opened with just $5.3 million and grossed $41.9 million worldwide. Although the new movie was expected to be a hit, estimated to make around $40-50 million, it’s more than surpassed expectations. The adaptation has also become a career best for Cregger, beating the strong run of Weapons , which earned $43.5 million during its opening weekend just over a year ago. It remains to be seen how the latest movie will perform in the coming weeks. Currently, the franchise’s highest-grossing instalment is 2016’s The Final Chapter (also directed by Anderson), which topped $312.2 million globally, a record still out of reach for Cregger’s to beat. [ Source ] The post Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil Movie Breaks Franchise Record appeared first on Rely on Horror .

Alien Isolation 2 is an ‘Intense Experience’ and a ‘Tough Game’

For fans of the 2014 game, it was a terrifying experience. As such, it comes as no surprise that Alien Isolation 2 could well be upping that tension, as many of us eagerly anticipate the long-awaited follow up. In a report over on TechRadar, Creative Assembly has been dangling little hints about what we can expect in the upcoming cat-and-mouse survival horror game. UI artist Laura Mouther has assured us that players will “have to think on their feet.” A new weather system, which will have an effect on sound, will encourage improvisation when it comes to avoiding the titular alien. Of course, if you’re familiar with the first game, you’ll already have some idea of how the Xenomorph will operate. Mouther goes on to say that Alien Isolation 2 isn’t “unfair.” This alien is also not cheating. If it can’t see you, it can’t see you, right? If it can’t hear you, it can’t hear you. We will give players enough time to get to grips with it. But that doesn’t mean it’s not “an intense experience and a tough game.” But what else did we expect?   However, for the sequel, players will be exploring a larger world than the Sevastopol where the original took place. Instead, we’ll be exploring a large colony, with elements of Weyland-Yutani to keep us firmly planted in the Aliens universe. Currently, Alien Isolation 2 doesn’t have a release date. The game is set to release on Steam, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation5, and Nintendo Switch 2. You can check out our hands-on preview at Gamescom 2026 , and you can also follow us on Facebook for more horror gaming news. [ Source ] The post Alien Isolation 2 is an ‘Intense Experience’ and a ‘Tough Game’ appeared first on Rely on Horror .

Hideo Kojima Shares an Update on OD as Development Moves Forward

Hideo Kojima has finally offered an update on the development of OD , his mysterious horror project developed together with Xbox . After a period in which part of the production had to stop because of the SAG-AFTRA actors’ union strike, recording resumed this year and the project is once again moving forward according to the planned schedule. The Japanese creator spoke about the status of OD during the Xbox broadcast at Tokyo Game Show 2026, explaining that both performance capture sessions and ADR recording had remained on hold during the strike. That situation has now been resolved, and the team has been able to continue its work. Kojima also highlighted the work done by Sophia Lillis and Hunter Schafer, two of the main actresses in the cast. According to the director, both of them, along with the rest of the team, have delivered especially intense performances that he is eager for players to see when more of the project is finally shown. As mentioned earlier, OD continues to be one of Kojima Productions’ most mysterious games. The studio is developing it in collaboration with Xbox and aims to experiment with new ways of creating fear, to the point that Kojima has previously spoken about trying to go beyond the traditional limits of the genre. The last important information about the project came in Juky, when it was said that OD was still moving forward despite the changes and adjustments made within Xbox . This new update confirms that production remains active and that, after overcoming the pause caused by the strike, development is once again continuing as normal. For now, OD still has no announced release date or release window. As more information about the game becomes available, we’ll make sure to let you guys know here at Rely on Horror. [Source] The post Hideo Kojima Shares an Update on OD as Development Moves Forward appeared first on Rely on Horror .

‘Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival’ Steam Demo Now Available Alongside New Trailer

Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival is an upcoming first-person survival horror action video game developed and published by Saber Interactive. Earlier in June, the developers officially confirmed that the title would finally be released on October 8 for PS5 , Xbox Series X|S , and PC via Steam . With less than a month until launch, the developers are sharing more information with fans to build anticipation. Saber Interactive has released a new “Scarlet Church” trailer, giving fans an even better look at the game, along with a new Steam demo. The team has confirmed that the brand-new Steam demo for Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival is already available to play. It includes the full prologue, where the main character, Aidan, enters the shifting Labyrinth, encounters the Scarlet Church, and tries to escape them. The demo won’t include the full range of Genesis Configuration powers, weapon upgrades, or more complex puzzles, as those are reserved for the full release. Players may also encounter bugs and performance issues since the demo build is a pre-release version. Still, it offers a taste of the psychological unease and extreme torture that awaits in the full game. Watch the latest trailer below and try Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival demo on Steam .  [Source] The post ‘Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival’ Steam Demo Now Available Alongside New Trailer appeared first on Rely on Horror .

Nightdive Studios May be Teasing An Eternal Darkness Remaster

Nightdive Studios has easily become the darling of the gaming world when it comes to reviving the classics. As well as remasters of Quake , Doom , Hexen , Star Wars; Dark Forces , and soon Thief: The Dark Project , it’s possible we might be getting another blast from the past. As noted by VGC, there’s a suggestion that Nightdive could be looking at a possible Eternal Darkness remaster. In a recent post over on X, studio head, Stephen Kick, responded to another user who asked whether the game could ever see the light of day again. While Kick didn’t confirm anything, he did say that it was one of his favourites that “deserves the treatment.” He then says to “keep an eye on your Deep Dives,” referring to Nightdive’s YouTube channel. Eternal Darkness is one of my all-time favorites and it deserves the treatment I know @NightdiveStudio is capable of. Keep your eye on our Deep Dives… https://t.co/vz038V7xLl — Stephen Kick (@pripyatbeast) September 14, 2026 Sanity’s return A revival of Eternal Darkness ( Sanity’s Requiem , to give it is full title) is one a lot of older games have been pining for for years. Released back in 2002, the original was a unique horror game, essentially introducing the idea of a “sanity metre.” With visual glitches, turning down the volume of the player’s TV, and even pretending to corrupt save files, it broke new grounds with its unsettling, fourth wall-breaking mechanics. Sadly, the game only released on one console: the long-defunct Nintendo GameCube. There it remained, never making the leap to other systems. A sequel was planned some time ago, but was eventually cancelled. It needs to be stated that Kick’s response on X is not an indication that a remaster of Eternal Darkness is definitely happening. However, many would be excited to see it make a triumphant return, especially after so long. We’ll be keeping an eye on this one, and we’ll update you once we hear more. For now, you can follow us on Facebook for more horror gaming news. [ Source ] The post Nightdive Studios May be Teasing An Eternal Darkness Remaster appeared first on Rely on Horror .