Silent Hill: 20 years of terror

Silent Hill is and will be the first videogame to set the scene for the horror genre

Silent Hill is for many the videogame that changed the game in the horror genre. The universe of suspense and mass of monstrous visions shocked the public for the first time exactly 20 years ago.

Many of us remember the phrase “The fear of blood tends to create fear for the flesh.” The slogan that initiated the first installment of the saga launched by Konami and Team Silent.

The sinister atmospheres charged with constant fear; in addition to the fragmented and somber surroundings, made this thriller a must for any true gamer. Hence, all of these elements set the benchmark for all horror/suspense videogames.

The Story

Silent Hill immerses us in the story of Harry Mason and his adopted daughter Cheryl, who disappears after a car accident. Harry then enters the bloody nooks of the town of Silent Hill, where once he is in, there is no turning back.

For instance, if we combine the foundations that Silent Hill lay with another of the sagas of the horror genr,e such as Resident Evil, there are many discrepancies.

On the one hand, the protagonist of Resident Evil embodies the prototype of the conventional hero in charge of eradicating the zombie plague that is killing life on Earth. In contrast, in Silent Hill, Harry Mason is a conventional man in distress.

The atmosphere in Silent is completely desolate, with Gothic elements, occultist even. In Resident Evil, the scenarios are more conventional. However, the upside are the characters that are in a kind of metamorphosis state.

In addition, Harry looks for clues to find his daughter, making the character run into strange inhabitants. In Resident Evil, the mission is clear: exterminate the zombies and find the cure for the pandemic. Furthermore, sound is another important factor. In Resident Evil, everyday life sounds were added, while in Silent Hill, Harry discovers a portable radio that emits static whenever a monster approaches.

Lastly, there are many differences between the two games, however, what is worth noting is the great influence that Silent Hill had on titles like Resident Evil. Not for nothing has it been around for 20 years! And that’s because once you enter the depths of the game, there is no turning back.