Rumors are swirling about multiple upcoming Silent Hill games, and these plans risk following the Resident Evil franchise far too closely. The two survival horror franchises have always been considered rivals, with the launch of the first Resident Evil in 1996 being followed closely by the first Silent Hill in 1999. However, the Resident Evil series has been rejuvenated in recent years while the Silent Hill franchise has been dormant since 2012. Recent rumors suggest that multiple new Silent Hill games are currently in the works, but this plan runs the risk of following Resident Evil too closely.
The last five years has been something of a renaissance for Capcom’s Resident Evil franchise, with a series of successful games putting the survival horror series back on the map. 2017’s Resident Evil 7: Biohazard helped reinvigorate the brand by combining a brand-new first-person perspective with a return to the series’ original emphasis on horror. 2019 saw the release of a Resident Evil 2 remake, which was widely acclaimed for recapturing the original title’s atmosphere while delivering modernized third-person shooter gameplay. A Resident Evil 3 remake followed suit, as did a new first-person title called Resident Evil Village. A Resident Evil 4 remake has also been announced, suggesting that Capcom intends to stick to a schedule of remakes and brand-new games.
While Konami has yet to make any official announcements, rumors suggest that a few different Silent Hill projects are currently in the works. A modern remake of Silent Hill 2, which is widely considered the most iconic entry in the survival horror franchise, is a particularly popular suggestion among these supposed leaks. Rumors also suggest that another development team is working on a short demo titled Silent Hill: The Short Message, which is apparently similar to Hideo Kojima’s playable teaser P.T. Finally, a new full-fledged Silent Hill game is also purported to be in the works. While these new Silent Hill games are mere rumors, the series’ reported lineup will look very familiar to fans of Resident Evil.
Silent Hill Doesn’t Need To Become Resident Evil
While Capcom’s franchise has flourished thanks to its most recent games, Silent Hill doesn’t need to copy Resident Evil to find success. The two franchises are often compared, but they have always been very different and have thrived by embracing different principles. Resident Evil has always focused more on visceral horror and action, with players gunning down zombies and giant cartoonish bosses even in its scariest entries. Meanwhile, Silent Hill is at its best when it focuses on psychological horror and building intense atmosphere. The Resident Evil 2 remake was a success because it enhanced the original game’s gunplay, but a Silent Hill 2 remake that also focuses on third-person shooter controls risks ruining what made the original version scary in the first place. For the series’ first new entry in a decade, Konami would be wise to focus on a single Silent Hill project rather than attempting to deliver multiple different experiences in rapid succession.
Rumors surrounding Silent Hill remakes and brand-new titles sound incredibly similar to the way Capcom has been handling Resident Evil. This risks ruining Konami’s survival horror franchise by putting emphasis on action and spectacle rather than terrifying locations and oppressive atmosphere. While many fans want to return to Silent Hill, simply copying the Resident Evil formula will ensure a lackluster return.
