Horror Games Inspired By Silent Hill

Horror Games Inspired By Silent Hill

Key Takeaways

  • Silent Hill continues to influence the horror genre with its twisted world and creatures.
  • Now is a great time to pay tribute to the games that carried on the spirit of the franchise.
  • Games like Lone Survivor, Hollowbody, Lost in Vivo, and others offer a unique horror experience akin to Silent Hill.

As someone who’s spent countless hours navigating haunted corridors and battling nightmarish creatures in various horror games, I must say that these titles seem to be cut from the same cloth as the iconic PT. It’s fascinating to witness how the haunting atmosphere of a small suburban home can inspire so many creators to weave their own chilling tales.


The iconic horror game series, Silent Hill, continues to be one of the most impactful in gaming history due to its innovative take on the genre. By crafting a haunting ‘otherworld’ teeming with grotesque and twisted entities that barely resemble humans, and populated by rusted metal and grotesque flesh, Silent Hill has earned acclaim from gamers and critics worldwide.

After nearly a decade since the cancellation of Silent Hills, it’s exciting to see new Silent Hill games on the horizon. Now is the perfect moment to honor the games that maintained the essence of the series throughout those years.

16 Lone Survivor

Survive in a City Haunted by Monsters

In this chilling psychological survival game, you control a mute character struggling to stay alive in a city overrun by a devastating illness. The afflicted transform into grotesque creatures, leaving you with dwindling resources and a deteriorating mental state. As you grasp at the fading embers of hope in this seemingly hopeless scenario, there’s no indication that things will improve, leading you to believe that this bleak existence is your destiny.

“Hallucinations, shambling monsters, fragile mental state, and feelings of loneliness in a city inhabited by strange creatures are essential elements found in any Silent Hill video game. However, Lone Survivor uses these elements without appearing overly derivative. This game maintains its unique identity, offering a sense of familiarity yet novelty to fans of Konami horror games.

15 Hollowbody

Captures the Essence of Old School Survival Horror Games with a New Concept

Hollowbody is a game designed to replicate the essence of timeless classics on modern equipment, featuring stationary camera angles, item management, and limited resources. This title skillfully achieves this goal, offering an experience that evokes memories of gaming’s golden era, a nostalgic period that some players continue to yearn for.

In a dystopian future, large portions of Britain are isolated due to a devastating illness. Despite the strict quarantine measures, our brave protagonist decides to venture beyond these walls in search of someone. Unfortunately, she becomes ensnared in a terrifying ordeal instead. The setting harks back to classic horror games such as Silent Hill, with static camera angles, laborious combat, intricate environmental riddles, and once-human monsters that now resemble grotesque creatures.

14 Lost in Vivo

A Close Comparison to the First Silent Hill

Experiencing the loss of one’s beloved dog is every owner’s dreadful fear, but it becomes unbearably frightening when the dog gets trapped in an unfamiliar structure, as depicted in the story Lost in Vivo. In the midst of a storm, the protagonist’s pet dog slips away and is swept down a storm drain, causing the owner to venture into the sewers in a desperate search. Instead of the usual underground labyrinth, they encounter something far more terrifying – shadowy passageways, feelings of intense claustrophobia, and strange creatures that challenge comprehension.

In a similar vein to the initial ‘Silent Hill’, Harry navigates a city teeming with monstrous creatures in search of his daughter. Not unlike him, players will equip themselves with weapons to fend off the fearsome entities they encounter throughout their journey.

13 Tormented Souls

Draws Clear Inspiration with its Gameplay

As a devoted fan, I can confidently say that playing Tormented Souls felt like a breath of fresh air, even with obvious influences from iconic series like Resident Evil and Silent Hill. It’s as if an independent studio had the opportunity to create these games instead of being part of a triple AAA company. This game, set in a chilling fixed camera horror setting, puts you in the shoes of character Caroline Walker, who is on a harrowing journey to uncover the truth behind her sister’s mysterious disappearance within the confines of a hospital that once stood as a mansion.

This game shares many features with beloved horror titles like Resident Evil (RE) and Silent Hill (SH), making it particularly appealing to fans. It offers challenging puzzles, terrifying creatures, and a chilling atmosphere that will captivate anyone who enjoys the horror genre, even those not specifically fans of Konami’s horror games.

12 Detention

Brave a Nightmare World Full of Monsters

In the tumultuous ’60s White Terror era of Taiwan, I found myself plunged into a chilling blend of real-world terror and spectral horrors. My comrade Wei and I were students at Greenwood High School, but after a fierce storm severed our connection to the city, we were left stranded within its walls. At first, it seemed like just another nightmarish school day. But as the hours ticked by, things took a sinister turn, and my friend Ray and I found ourselves hunted by monstrous entities lurking in the shadows of our once-safe sanctuary. Now, I must navigate this terrifying labyrinth to find a way out, not just for myself, but for Ray as well.

In the vein of Silent Hill, Detention frequently unveils a terrifying dreamscape, a grim mirror image of our reality overrun with monstrous entities. Unlike my experience in Silent Hill, I find myself sneaking past these threats rather than engaging them directly. Yet, the eerie world of dread and grotesque creatures in this game shares an undeniable resemblance to the haunting landscapes of that classic horror series.

11 Deadly Premonition

A Refreshing Horror Comedy Experience

One of the most notorious games ever made is “Deadly Premonition,” known for its content veering towards the absurdly funny instead of instilling fear and dread, which horror gamers typically anticipate. However, it remains a game worth playing due to the comedic respite it provides amidst the overwhelming amount of horror that usually accompanies October.

Drawing influence from the distinctive style of David Lynch and the eerie atmosphere of Silent Hill, this game immerses you in a town that feels unsettlingly off-kilter, where monstrous creatures lurk on its streets. As a player, you have the option to skirt past these beasts or engage them in somewhat awkward combat sequences.

10 The Sinner (Prologue)

Provides Some Moments of Suspenseful Horror

Horror Games Inspired By Silent Hill
elease DateSeptember 22nd, 2022
Developer(s)Bubblegum Home Entertainment
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows

The opening segment of “The Sinner” shares similarities with well-known titles like “Beyond: Two Souls,” “Resident Evil,” “The Evil Within 2,” and “Silent Hill.” In essence, it borrows so heavily from these games that it uses elements without proper authorization, even appropriating brands such as Apple. This led to legal complications, resulting in the removal of the game from Game Jolt.

In an attempt to create a chilling, psychological gaming experience similar to others, the developer aimed to deliver a haunted house theme. While many players found delight in the game’s ominous settings and frightening elements, the flagrant violation of copyright diminished the overall enjoyment for some, as it took away from the immersive experience.

9 Dementium: The Ward

Originally Pitched to Konami as a Silent Hill Title

Release DateOctober 31st, 2007
Developer(s)Renegade Kid
Platform(s)Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Switch

Unearthed gem from the past, Dementium: The Ward, a first-person horror game set in an old hospital on the Nintendo DS, has you stepping into the shoes of William Redmoor. Waking up disoriented in its dilapidated corridors with no recollection of your past, you quickly realize you’re not the only one lurking within these walls. Navigate through the pitch-black hallways and confront the perils at hand if you hope to find a way out.

Dementium: The Ward shares strong similarities with Silent Hill, as it was initially proposed by the developers as a potential sequel to that series. However, Konami declined the proposal. Undeterred, Renegade Kid transformed their concept into an original game, which received high praise upon its release.

8 Cry Of Fear

The Terrifying Monster and Claustrophobic Corridors are Remiscent to Early Silent Hill

Made with the same renderer as “Half Life”, the game titled “Cry of Fear” is a psychological survival horror title that shares its origins with “Silent Hill”. Players step into the shoes of Simon Henriksson, a man who suffered a tragic car crash and finds himself in a terrifying dream-like state. He must traverse the deserted streets of a town and its structures, solve mysteries and confront the creatures lurking in the narrow corridors, which resemble those seen in the first three installments of “Silent Hill”.

Additionally, during specific stages of the game, the setting transforms into horrific dreamscapes reminiscent of Silent Hill town, as a siren wails, unleashing a realm of decay and flesh.

7 Layers Of Fear

A Mysterious Narrative Spun by an Unreliable Narrator

In simpler terms, the game “Layers of Fear” by Bloober’s team is known for popularizing the controversial genre often referred to as ‘walking simulators’. Instead of emphasizing traditional gameplay elements, this game focuses more on creating a captivating atmosphere and narrative. The player takes on the role of an artist grappling with personal struggles, leading to his wife’s tragic suicide following a severe burn accident that altered her appearance, causing him to lose affection for her.

Though the story of a man losing his wife is hardly original, it does still harken back to the troubled Silent Hill 2 protagonist James Sunderland, who murdered his sick wife to be free of her. The protagonist being tortured by his own actions and sins definitely seems derivative of the city in Silent Hill 2 itself, as it pushes James to remember what he did and pay for his misdeeds. With Bloober now the team entrusted with the remake of Silent Hill 2, it certainly wouldn’t be a stretch to say they took inspiration from there.

6 The Mortuary Assistant

Masterfully Crafts a Smothering Atmosphere

Title hints at a chilling setting: the game unfolds within a morgue, where players assume the role of a mortuary worker, often working solo to enhance the eerie ambiance. The gameplay involves tending to deceased bodies as usual, but with an added twist – discerning which corpses are inhabited by demons through specific rituals.

Although it doesn’t continue the saga of the Silent Hill series like Cry of Fear or Infliction, The Mortuary Assistant still captures the unsettling ambiance and suspense reminiscent of locations in Silent Hill games such as the spooky apartment buildings from Silent Hill 2. It also delves deep into intricate narratives and psychological horror that are characteristic of the Silent Hill franchise.

5 The Evil Within 2

Explore the Sprawling City, But Beware of Monsters

The initial “Evil Within” may have borrowed certain elements from “Silent Hill,” but it’s in the second game where you can clearly see the resemblances. This includes encountering numerous distorted and dangerous creatures, as well as navigating a twisted, warped environment reminiscent of the eerie dreamscape that “Silent Hill” is known for.

In this title, Sebastian delves into the realm of Union via his daughter Lily’s STEM-connected device, as she’s fallen silent. This world appears as a grimier, riskier counterpart to our own, featuring an expansive metropolis for exploration and battles against menacing creatures.

4 Alan Wake

Takes Place in a Fictional City not too Dissimilar to Silent Hill

One could argue that Stephen King tales and Twin Peaks significantly influenced Alan Wake, but it’s also essential to acknowledge Silent Hill as another source of inspiration for this game. In Alan Wake, players assume the character of the eponymous author, a successful thriller writer, who embarks on a quest to solve the enigma surrounding his wife’s vanishing, only to find himself in a terrifying real-life horror/thriller scenario.

In the fictional town of Bright Falls, reminiscent of Silent Hill, lies a place equally plagued by monstrous entities that Alan must neutralize. The combat mechanics bear resemblance to the chunky action of Silent Hill games, incorporating rudimentary firearm use and deliberate, weighty strikes with melee weapons.

3 Visage

PT was a Strong Source of Inspiration

In the chilling first-person psychological horror game, you step into the shoes of Dwayne Anderson, who has just lost his family in a murder-suicide tragedy. As you traverse the corridors of a sprawling suburban house filled with vengeful spirits and demons, your task is to keep your composure, for if you lose it, you become more susceptible to their attacks.

The game called “Visage” was inspired by the playable teaser for the widely anticipated horror game PT, as acknowledged in an interview with WCCFTech. Its design is heavily influenced by the claustrophobic and oppressive atmosphere created in that teaser.

2 Infliction

Borrows Eerie Elements from PT

Frequently considered as a spiritual sequel to PT, Infliction stands out as another psychological horror game that unfolds in the backdrop of a small suburban town. Players assume the role of Gary Prout and navigate through a house that bears an uncanny resemblance to the one explored in PT, while also delving into disturbing themes. In this game, the core narrative revolves around domestic violence, offering a unique and chilling experience for players.

The game, Infliction, effectively creates a chilling ambiance in its long, dimly lit corridors. It draws upon aspects from PT, enhancing the fear factor. This includes a spooky radio host conducting an unusual late-night talk show, the soft, ominous sway of a hanging lantern, and the unsettling sounds of something lurking just beyond the player’s shoulder – gurgling, choking noises. For those yearning for the era of PT, Infliction, though not entirely unique in its concept or appearance, is still an impressive game to play.

1 Allison Road

An Anticipated Inspired Game That Never Saw the Light of Day

Release DateCancelled/unreleased
Developer(s)Lilith Ltd, Far From Home
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows

Among all ‘PT‘ copies, Allison Road is arguably the best known one. This Kickstarter venture was strikingly similar to Silent Hills, leading to an identical outcome. Regrettably, the game development halted in 2016; however, before its cancellation, it gave fans a glimpse of the potential held within this indie endeavor through a 13-minute pre-alpha gameplay video.

In the game preview, an unidentified character wakes up in a puzzling town, plagued by a severe headache and memory loss. They meander into a house resembling PT, learning about the town’s past misfortunes through the surroundings. The teaser concludes dramatically as a spectral woman assaults the player, much like the ghost of Lisa haunting the corridors in PT. Despite never being released, it’s noteworthy due to its striking similarities to the legendary Silent Hill series.

Read More

2024-10-03 00:55