Fans of theSilent Hillfranchise have been starved for content in the years sinceSilent HillsandPTwere scrapped and developer Konami put the series on ice. However, the recent announcements of aSilent Hill 2remake andSilent Hill: Townfallhave stirred the community back to life with the promise of some impressive returns to the series, especially with the help of No Code Studios.
While most fans might be more excited to revisit the town of Silent Hill through theSilent Hill 2remake, the developer that has been tapped forTownfallmight make it the better reintroduction to the series. Developer No Code Studios has previously received success withUntold StoriesandObservation, two games that use a confined setting to build some of the best atmosphere in the horror genre.
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No Code’s Catalog of Atmospheric Horror
No Code is a relatively new developerin the indie horror space, with two major releases under its belt. The first title from the developer isUntold Stories, which takes the player through a series of creepy vignettes that rarely allow for any kind of open exploration. Each of these stories keep the player confined in small spaces, with the claustrophobia only adding to the terrifying atmosphere of the different scenarios.
AfterUntold Stories,No Code then releasedObservation, which takes the confined setting to a new level by only allowing the player to control a limited series of cameras in a space station. Both of these games center on telling compelling stories and building atmospheric worlds. These dense worlds take the place of much of the gameplay. However, it shouldn’t be discounted how well No Code’s gameplay taps into the meticulous mechanics that have seen success in recent horror titles likeBrain Clarke’sMortuary Assistant.
Silent Hill’s Long Silence Since PT
On the flip side of development forSilent Hill: Townfall, the long-running franchise has been on what many fans assumed would be a permanent hiatus after the canceling of Hideo Kojima’sSilent Hills. While all that remains of the long-abandoned title is a few copies of thePTdemo floating around, the series as a whole is finally being revived with a slew of upcoming releases. This includes more than justTownfall, and will likely keep fans well supplied with content once these titles start releasing.
It has been a trying time for anyone looking for the tense atmosphere of theSilent Hillseries, but the disturbing body horror and tight, confined locales are coming soon. The future of the series isn’t necessarily in the hands of No Code withSilent Hill: Townfall, but the upcoming title could set the foundation that the next generation of the IP will build on. BetweenTownfalland theSilent Hill 2remake, this revival seems to be in good hands.
No Code’s Atmosphere Reviving Silent Hill’s Claustrophobic World
If Konami is looking to develop a newSilent Hill, then the developer should pay close attention to the way that No Code crafts the background of the iconic locale inTownfall. The best installments of theSilent Hillfranchise are the ones that keep players confined, either with the fog that limits the player’s view on the streets of Silent Hill, or the tight hallways of schools, churches, and hospitals that make up most game maps. In the case ofTownfall, it’s difficult to tell exactly what the setting will be from the initial trailer. However, fans of No Code can expect to be mostly immobile during gameplay.
The secret-filled pocket television shown in thereveal trailer forSilent Hill: Townfallcould be the center of gameplay. If this is the case, then No Code will have a perfect opportunity to use the limited scope of listening and watching over the small pocket television. Of course, this may be a step in a new direction for the developer, which could still open up for a unique view on the town ofSilent Hillas it begins to start falling to the mind-bending horror of the series.
Silent Hill: Townfallis currently in development.
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