Silent Hill 2 Devs Go on a Rock & Rollin’ Road Trip

Masahiro Ito, left, and Masashi Tsuboyama, right, who were both involved in the road trip. In the middle is producer Akihiro Imamura. Many people know that the Silent Hill series began as an exploration of American culture and horror from the viewpoint of a Japanese development team. What they may not know is that the team was actually able to explore the United States, not once, but twice; and the second trip for the much-beloved Silent Hill 2 may have been more than just a boring business trip for the young game developers. Even in the early stages, the KCET (Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo) developers always felt they needed more experience with a real American town to make their game authentic. To that end, the father of the series, Keiichiro Toyama , took a trip to the United States back in 1998, when such a trip wasn’t the norm. Haruhiko “Harry” Inaba, translator and voice acting director, encouraged it, and Gozo Kitao, newly assigned producer to the team, eventually approved it. Keiichiro Toyama during the late 1990s, working on Silent Hill. It led to Toyama heading to E3 in Atlanta, followed by a short trip to Chicago, because of the location of Konami offices there. Toyama brought a camera and apparently recorded video as well. Unfortunately, it was a quick and rather lonely adventure, as Inaba was called away by work and Toyama, unable to speak English, had to explore on his own. (You can read all about it in my upcoming book, The History of Silent Hill Part 1 from Taylor & Francis!) It wouldn’t be the last time the team explored America; fans have known for years that parts of San Bruno, California were near identical to early versions of the streets in Silent Hill 2 , to the point it seemed impossible the team hadn’t seen them firsthand (this was very close to Konami offices in Redwood City). Lake Tahoe also appears in game resources. Confirmation of and details about this road trip were sparse, however, until a few fun pieces of information appeared online via a magazine interview and some Twitter/X posts. The article was actually an interview with former Western SH developers Sam Barlow and Neale Williams, in a 2020 discussion titled “Reinventing Silent Hill” from Retro Gamer UK magazine issue 214 . In the article, former lead artist of Origins and Shattered Memories comments on some data he received from Konami during development: Neale, however, does recall getting a hard drive with a dump of the Silent Hill 2 database on it. “Much of it was indecipherable, but there were also weird things like work trip photos,” he recounts. “There was this weird voyeuristic experience of looking for textures of [ Silent Hill 2 protagonist] James Sunderland only to find pictures of guys sitting in motel rooms in T-sħirts and underpants drinking beer.” That paints a fun picture! Back in 2000, the team behind Silent Hill 2 were all pretty young, probably in their early to mid 20s. Drinking with co-workers isn’t all that strange in Japanese culture either, where it’s seen as a way to lower social barriers and become closer without worrying about hierarchy or work problems. But what was this trip and who were the people in these photos? Masashi Tsuboyama as seen in the Making of Silent Hill 2 documentary. The answer is easy to find with a little digging. Only twice did the original KCET team – the folks behind the first four Silent Hill games – head to the United States. Toyama and Inaba, during the first game’s development; and a small team of Silent Hill 2 developers during the second game’s development, who went to visit San Francisco. The photos appearing on a drive with SH2 content reinforce the association: it must’ve been this team, on the second trip, who had a wild time. But who were they, and where did they go? We can piece some of that together, too. In fact, it’s not that hard since Masashi Tsuboyama, director of the game, appeared on twitter/x years ago and began talking about his experiences. One tweet mentions who was with him: Masahiro Ito, monster designer and art director, as well as Hiroyuki Owaku, writer and drama programmer: SH2/References/the Winchester Mystery House The mental state of the owner is r

First-Person Survival Horror Game ‘Black Lake’ Announced for PC and Consoles

Black Lake is a recently announced first-person survival horror game set in an abandoned orphanage beside an endless black ocean. Polydin Studio will develop and publish the game, due for release next year. The developers also released an announcement trailer built using a pre-alpha build, meaning certain visuals, animations, and audio remain in development. The final version of Black Lake could look and sound even better, but the current trailer isn’t half bad. In Black Lake , players take on the role of Elena, a girl who returns to the orphanage where she grew up after receiving a text from her missing twin sister, Rita. The orphanage should be empty, but its bells are ringing, and something seems to move inside the walls when Elena arrives. Soon after reaching the orphanage, Elena discovers that the place connects to a forbidden ritual, while the children who disappeared years ago may still be inside. To find out what happened to Rita, players must search for clues and solve puzzles while facing the supernatural horrors lurking inside the orphanage. The developers have also given players several tools to make Black Lake more interesting, including candles that they can place to create temporary safe places for recovery and item management. Players can also use a revolver, although it cannot kill the creature hunting them. Instead, it can give them enough time to escape. Elena’s phone also does more than provide light, as players can use it to uncover hidden clues and see threats invisible to the naked eye. Polydin Studio plans to release Black Lake on PC in Winter 2027 and bring the console versions to players in mid-2027. You can watch the announcement trailer below and wishlist the title on Steam.  [Source] The post First-Person Survival Horror Game ‘Black Lake’ Announced for PC and Consoles appeared first on Rely on Horror .

SOMBRAS: negative frames Launches This Winter, Physical PS5 Release Revealed

SOMBRAS: negative frames is a first-person narrative game that focuses on photography and light horror elements. The game was announced earlier this year and will finally come out in December. Maboroshi Artworks is the developer, while Entalto Publishing will publish. The developers put out a release date trailer, confirming that the game will launch on December 3, 2026. It will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC via Steam . In addition, SOMBRAS: negative frames will receive a physical “Special Frame Edition” for PS5. The special edition comes with the game disc, a physical artbook, a reversible cover, wallpapers, a download code for the soundtrack, and a digital version of the artbook. Meanwhile, the standard digital release will be available on all four platforms, while the physical version will only launch for PS5. In SOMBRAS: negative frames , you play as Shiomi Alterio, a Japanese-Spanish photography student who moves to Japan after her parents’ divorce. However, one night, she becomes trapped in a dark version of her town and encounters mysterious girls who look like different versions of herself. She also comes across frightening creatures and other strange events throughout the night. To return home, Shiomi must explore the world, take photographs to collect hints, face her fears, and collect the pieces of her own identity and mind to make it back to town. You can watch the release date trailer below. SOMBRAS: negative frames is currently available to be wishlisted on Steam .  [ Source ] The post SOMBRAS: negative frames Launches This Winter, Physical PS5 Release Revealed appeared first on Rely on Horror .

Capcom Wants Resident Evil to Become an Annual Series by Alternating New Games and Remakes

According to producer Masachika Kawata, Capcom has introduced a new strategy for the Resident Evil franchise: release an average of one game every year by alternating brand-new entries with remakes, including the highly anticipated Resident Evil Code: Veronica . Speaking in the latest issue of Game Informer, Kawata explained that “producing a new entry in the Resident Evil series every year would be quite an undertaking and a difficult task.” This is where remakes become an important part of the plan. He said that, for obvious reasons, rebuilding fan-favourite games takes less time than creating a completely new title from scratch. He explained: One of the reasons for creating remakes is producing a new entry in the Resident Evil series every year would be quite an undertaking and a difficult task. So, being able to revisit older games and remake them helps Capcom meet that goal of releasing a Resident Evil title each year, but it also allows the team to continually challenge themselves and hone their craft. Remakes have also proven to be a major commercial success. With fans responding positively to the high quality of these releases and the games generating strong revenue, Kawata said Capcom is able to continue investing in future Resident Evil titles while also supporting the development of completely new IPs such as Pragmata . He added: That’s not to say the remakes are any less important. In fact, they’re just as important as the mainline titles. Capcom is lucky enough to have found this cycle that can continue to provide us with the financial resources to create things like new entries in the Resident Evil series and completely new IP like Pragmata . So there is that relationship there. In other franchise news, Capcom currently has no plans to remake Resident Evil 5 or Resident Evil 6 , according to leaker Dusk Golem. [Source] The post Capcom Wants Resident Evil to Become an Annual Series by Alternating New Games and Remakes appeared first on Rely on Horror .

EONA Brings Its Horror Adventure to Gamescom 2026 With New Gameplay Trailer

EONA is a horror action-adventure game that was first announced last year, and the developers finally plan to release the title later this year. The developers, SUPER AC, just confirmed that the game will be playable at Gamescom 2026 at the SUPER AC booth (Hall 10.1 – Booth A043). To celebrate the announcement, SUPER AC have also released a gameplay trailer offering players their first look at the experience awaiting visitors at this year’s show. The trailer gives players a look at the game’s environments, exploration mechanics, puzzles, and the terrifying creatures lurking throughout EONA’s world. During the event, visitors can also meet the team and chat with them about the game’s development process. The story of EONA lets players take on the role of Eona, a young girl who enters a castle ruled by an evil fairy named Mélusine. She goes to the castle to steal a powerful magical item called the Puppeteer’s Cross to save her sick mother. However, the spell goes wrong, leaving Eona’s body connected to a puppet. To escape the castle and the evil fairy, she must use stealth, solve puzzles, and control souls while surviving the dangerous monsters and servants searching for her. While we don’t have a release date for EONA yet, SUPER AC has confirmed that the game will launch soon after Gamescom 2026. You can watch the gameplay trailer below, and wishlist the game on Steam.  [ Source ] The post EONA Brings Its Horror Adventure to Gamescom 2026 With New Gameplay Trailer appeared first on Rely on Horror .

The Sinking City 2 Releases 12+ Minute Gameplay Trailer

Today, Frogwares has released a new 12-minute gameplay trailer for The Sinking City 2 , its upcoming Lovecraftian survival horror game launching on August 18, 2026, for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. The new trailer features never-before-seen gameplay captured in the Arkham Fish Market, once a bustling waterfront hub alive with merchants, dockworkers, fishermen, and travelers. Today, it stands as a decaying monument to the evacuated city. Rusting ships sit abandoned in the harbor, empty storefronts line the flooded halls, and the workshops that once supported the local fleets have long since fallen silent. Eldritch monstrosities now stalk the market’s walkways, while only the most unhinged survivors remain, as the flood seeps further and further into their minds. The footage also offers a closer look at protagonist Calvin Rafferty in combat, showcasing more advanced weapons and the tougher encounters awaiting players as they face larger, deadlier, and increasingly unpredictable horrors. New Game+ Available at Launch, HDR Patch Planned as Free Post-Launch Support Frogwares has also confirmed that The Sinking City 2 will include a fully featured New Game+ mode at launch, giving players even more reasons to return to Arkham after completing the main story. New Game+ lets players carry over all their perk points, perks and items to the start of the game to better take on a range of challenges to unlock certain achievements as well as unlock various cosmetic and gameplay rewards. Alongside the announcement, the team confirmed that its planned HDR patch is now part of the game’s free post-launch support. As development enters its final stretch ahead of the August 18 release, the studio has prioritized completing the core game and launch features, with the HDR update following shortly afterward. With most of the groundwork for the patch already complete, Frogwares is optimistic it will be available very soon after launch. About The Sinking City 2 The Sinking City 2 is set in a Lovecraftian vision of 1920s America, in the infamous city of Arkham. A supernatural flood has driven out all but the most deranged residents, leaving decay and eldritch horrors that roam the streets. Players step into the role of Calvin Rafferty, an occult adventurer whose cavalier actions have led to devastating consequences. After a dreaming ritual goes wrong, his girlfriend, Faye, is left trapped in a mysterious sleep. Now Calvin must navigate the drowned streets of a derelict city in a desperate attempt to bring her back. On his quest, he’ll come face-to-face with a plague of otherworldly creatures, the Slither, who possess and twist the dead into lethal, walking puppets. Game Features Fight to Survive: Use an arsenal of 1920s-inspired weapons to fight against Eldritch abominations. Explore The Decaying City of Arkham: A world of rotting apartments, flooded markets, and abandoned hospitals that you’ll explore by foot and by boat. Find and Use What You Can: Scrounge for limited resources and balance a finite inventory as you decide what to bring and what to leave behind. Choose to Investigate Further: Explore your surroundings more deeply and solve optional cases and puzzles to uncover secrets, upgrades, and lore. A Twisted Lovecraftian Tale: Experience a captivating and morally gray story of personal loss, woven through the Lovecraftian mythos of occultism and incomprehensible creatures The Sinking City 2 launches August 18, 2026, for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. Be sure to check out the brand-new ‘Meat for the Grindmaws’ extended gameplay trailer below.  The post The Sinking City 2 Releases 12+ Minute Gameplay Trailer appeared first on Rely on Horror .

Silent Hill: Townfall Will Feature 5 Endings, Including 2 Secret Ones

Silent Hill: Townfall is the next entry in the iconic franchise, and during a recent media preview, writer and director John McKellan at developer Screen Burn Interactive confirmed that the latest title will continue the recent tradition of Silent Hill games featuring multiple endings. According to the director, Silent Hill: Townfall will feature five endings. Three are considered main endings that players can unlock during their first playthrough, while the other two are secret endings reserved for NG+. McKellan said: Silent Hill: Townfall features 5 endings, including the types of secret endings that players have come to love and expect. There are 3 main endings to the story and 2 secret endings. There’s no point in the game where you’re choosing left or right to get a new ending. When asked about a correct or canon ending, McKellan confirmed that none of the endings are canon, and players should not expect Konami to declare one as the definitive conclusion, explaining: We are aware that a lot of players personally take to heart that a certain ending is canon… but we take care not to signal that any one ending is more canon than the other. It is interesting to see that there are no canon endings, and the developers expect players to see every ending as correct based on the choices and decisions they make throughout their playtime with the game. Silent Hill: Townfall is shaping up to be another great entry in the franchise. The developers have already confirmed that the game will receive a new trailer at Gamescom 2026 . Follow us to stay updated on all the latest information about the title and other horror games. [Source] The post Silent Hill: Townfall Will Feature 5 Endings, Including 2 Secret Ones appeared first on Rely on Horror .

Silent Hill: Townfall Unveils 5 Endings, Including 2 Secrets

Silent Hill: Townfall is poised to take the iconic horror franchise to haunting new depths, offering players a narrative experience as unsettling as it is unpredictable. In an exclusive reveal, John McKellan, writer and director at Screen Burn Interactive, confirmed that the game will feature five distinct endings. Three of these are main story paths that players can explore in their initial playthrough, while two are deeply hidden secret endings reserved exclusively for those brave enough to tackle New Game Plus.

Fans of the series will be thrilled to know that Silent Hill: Townfall continues the tradition of psychological horror and layered storytelling. McKellan emphasized that the paths to these endings won’t be as simple as choosing between binary options. Instead, the outcomes will be deeply intertwined with the choices players make throughout their journey, ensuring a deeply personal and chilling experience. What’s more, none of these endings are canon. McKellan explained, “We are aware that a lot of players personally take to heart that a certain ending is canon… but we take care not to signal that any one ending is more canon than the other.” This approach invites players to fully immerse themselves in the morally ambiguous, choice-driven world of Silent Hill without the pressure of a definitive conclusion.

The decision to avoid a single canonical ending reinforces the series’ hallmark of psychological complexity, leaving players to wrestle with the consequences of their actions long after the credits roll. This philosophy not only deepens the narrative but also ensures that every playthrough feels unique and deeply unsettling in its own way. For those who dare to uncover the game’s darkest secrets, the two hidden endings promise to deliver shocks and revelations that will leave even the most seasoned horror fans reeling.

Silent Hill: Townfall is shaping up to be an unforgettable entry in the franchise, blending atmospheric terror, intricate storytelling, and the allure of uncovering every last mystery. The developers have also teased a new trailer set to debut at Gamescom 2026, promising fans a deeper glimpse into the horrors that await. Stay tuned as we bring you the latest updates on this highly anticipated title and other spine-chilling horror games.

The Sinking City 2: 12-Minute Gameplay Trailer Unveiled

Dive into the haunting depths of Arkham as Frogwares unleashes a spine-chilling 12-minute gameplay trailer for The Sinking City 2, their highly anticipated survival horror sequel. Set to launch on August 18, 2026, for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S, this Lovecraftian nightmare promises to plunge players into a decaying 1920s city where eldritch monstrosities lurk around every flooded corner.

The new gameplay footage immerses viewers in the Arkham Fish Market, a once-thriving waterfront now reduced to a desolate wasteland. Rusted ships rot in the harbor as eldritch abominations prowl the flooded walkways, leaving only the most unhinged survivors clinging to their fractured sanity. Protagonist Calvin Rafferty takes center stage, wielding an arsenal of 1920s-inspired weaponry against the relentless horrors. The trailer also teases tougher enemy encounters, a variety of grotesque new monsters, and unpredictable combat sequences designed to keep players on edge.

Frogwares has confirmed the inclusion of a fully featured New Game+ mode at launch, ensuring players can push deeper into the game’s secrets with enhanced perks, items, and challenges. For those who crave more, a free HDR patch is planned post-launch, promising to drench Arkham’s eerie streets in even more atmospheric dread.

Set in a Lovecraftian vision of 1920s America, The Sinking City 2 follows Calvin Rafferty, an occult adventurer whose reckless actions have unleashed devastating consequences. After a botched dreaming ritual leaves his girlfriend trapped in a mysterious coma, Calvin embarks on a desperate quest to navigate the city’s flooded ruins and face off against the Slither—unspeakable creatures that possess and twist the dead into grotesque puppets. Players will scavenge for limited resources, solve intricate puzzles, and uncover hidden lore as they unravel the city’s malevolent mysteries.

With its haunting atmosphere, morally ambiguous narrative, and intense survival gameplay, The Sinking City 2 is shaping up to be a must-play for horror fans. Watch the extended ‘Meat for the Grindmaws’ gameplay trailer now and prepare to descend into madness on August 18.

EONA Unveils Dark Gameplay at Gamescom 2026: A Haunting Adventure

Prepare to enter a world of dread and mystery with EONA, the highly anticipated horror action-adventure title from SUPER AC. First revealed last year, this spine-chilling game promises to deliver an unforgettable experience, and now fans can finally get their first taste at Gamescom 2026. SUPER AC has confirmed that EONA will be fully playable at their booth (Hall 10.1 – Booth A043), offering attendees a rare opportunity to immerse themselves in its dark, haunting atmosphere.

Accompanying this announcement is a gripping new gameplay trailer that reveals the eerie environments, intricate exploration mechanics, and unsettling creatures that define EONA’s world. From shadowy corridors to cryptic puzzles, every aspect of the trailer teases the tension and terror that await players. The trailer also highlights the game’s innovative mechanics, including stealth-based survival and soul manipulation—key tools Eona must use to evade her monstrous foes. SUPER AC’s booth promises more than just gameplay; fans will have the chance to meet the creative minds behind EONA and learn about the meticulous process that brought this chilling tale to life.

At the heart of EONA lies a rich, dark narrative. Players step into the shoes of Eona, a brave young girl desperate to cure her ailing mother. Her journey takes her to Mélusine’s castle, a cursed domain ruled by an evil fairy. Eona’s goal is to steal the Puppeteer’s Cross, a magical artifact with the power to heal—but her plan goes terribly wrong. A failed spell leaves Eona’s body tethered to a puppet, forcing her into a horrifying predicament where survival demands wit, courage, and cunning. To escape Mélusine’s grasp, players must navigate the castle’s perilous halls, solve challenging puzzles, and outsmart relentless monsters and servants who lurk in the shadows.

EONA expertly blends psychological horror with immersive gameplay, crafting a story that is as haunting as it is captivating. The game’s atmospheric design and chilling soundtrack pull players deeper into its twisted world, ensuring that every step feels like a heartbeat away from danger. SUPER AC’s attention to detail shines in the trailer, showcasing the foreboding beauty of Mélusine’s castle and the eerie precision of its inhabitants. Fans of horror games and dark fairy tales alike will find themselves enthralled by EONA’s unique blend of stealth, strategy, and suspense.

While the exact release date remains under wraps, SUPER AC has promised that EONA will launch shortly after Gamescom 2026. For those who can’t make it to the event, the gameplay trailer offers a tantalizing glimpse into the nightmare that awaits. Make sure to wishlist EONA on Steam and prepare to venture into the unknown—if you dare.