:Silent Hill

{{Timeline of release years

| subtitle = Main series in bold

| range1 = 1999 -

| range1_color = #5F5F5F #ccc

| 1999 = Silent Hill

| 2001a = Play Novel: Silent Hill

| 2001b = Silent Hill 2

| 2003 = Silent Hill 3

| 2004 = Silent Hill 4: The Room

| 2006a = The Silent Hill Collection

| 2006b = Silent Hill (mobile game)

| 2007a = Silent Hill: The Arcade

| 2007b = Silent Hill: Orphan

| 2007c = Silent Hill: Origins

| 2007d = Silent Hill: The Escape

| 2008a = Silent Hill: Orphan 2

| 2008b = Silent Hill: Homecoming

| 2009 = Silent Hill: Shattered Memories (reimagining)

| 2010 = Silent Hill: Orphan 3

| 2012a = Silent Hill: Downpour

| 2012b = Silent Hill HD Collection

| 2012c = Silent Hill: Book of Memories

| 2014 = P.T.

| 2023 = Silent Hill: Ascension

| 2024a = Silent Hill: The Short Message

| 2024b = Silent Hill 2 (remake)

| TBAa = Silent Hill f

| TBAb = Silent Hill: Townfall

}}

{{Main|Silent Hill (video game)}}

The first installment in the series follows Harry Mason as he searches for his missing adopted daughter in the mysterious New England town of Silent Hill. Stumbling upon a cult conducting a ritual to revive a deity it worships, Harry discovers his daughter's true origin. Multiple game endings are possible, depending on the in-game actions taken by the player. The game was released in 1999 for the PlayStation. In 2009, it became available for download from the European PlayStation Network store for the PlayStation 3 and the PlayStation Portable, and later, in the same year, from the North American PlayStation Network store.{{cite web|url= http://kotaku.com/5177681/pal-playstation-store-update-silent-hill|title= PAL PlayStation Store Update: Silent Hill!|author= Plunkett, Luke|date= March 20, 2009|work= Kotaku|publisher= Gawker Media|access-date= December 25, 2010|archive-date= June 15, 2011|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110615100025/http://kotaku.com/5177681/pal-playstation-store-update-silent-hill|url-status= live}}{{cite web|url= http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/10/psn-thursday-in-time-with-turtles-silent-hill-and-george-takei/|title= PSN Thursday: In time with Turtles, Silent Hill and George Takei|author= Sliwinski, Alexander|date= September 10, 2009|work= Joystiq|publisher= AOL Inc|access-date= December 25, 2010|archive-date= March 12, 2011|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110312131050/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/10/psn-thursday-in-time-with-turtles-silent-hill-and-george-takei/|url-status= live}}

{{Main|Silent Hill 2}}

The second installment in the series follows James Sunderland as he searches for his deceased wife in Silent Hill after receiving a letter from her, informing him that she is waiting for him there. After searching and exploring the mysterious town, he ultimately realizes the true nature of her death. The game was released in September 2001 for the PlayStation 2. An extended version of the game was released for the Xbox in December of the same year as Silent Hill 2: Restless Dreams in North America and Silent Hill 2: Inner Fears in Europe, and for the PlayStation 2 in 2003 as Silent Hill 2: Director's Cut, with a port of Director's Cut to Microsoft Windows released in February 2003.{{Cite web |title=Silent Hill 2 Versions - Silent Hill Memories |url=https://www.silenthillmemories.net/sh2/versions_en.htm |access-date=2022-08-24 |website=www.silenthillmemories.net}}

====Silent Hill 3 (2003)====

{{Main|Silent Hill 3}}

The third installment in the series follows a teenage girl named Heather as she becomes caught in a conflict within Silent Hill's cult and discovers her true origin. It was released in May 2003 for the PlayStation 2, with a port to Microsoft Windows released in October of the same year. Silent Hill 3 is a direct sequel to the first installment in the series.{{cite web | url = http://uk.ps2.ign.com/articles/432/432151p1.html | title = IGN: Silent Hill 3 Review (PS2) | work = IGN | publisher = IGN Entertainment, Inc | first = Douglass | last = Perry | date = August 5, 2003 | access-date = August 30, 2008 | archive-date = June 29, 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120629065821/http://uk.ps2.ign.com/articles/432/432151p1.html | url-status = dead}}

{{Main|Silent Hill 4: The Room}}

The fourth installment in the series follows Henry Townshend, who finds himself locked in his apartment as strange phenomena begin to unfold around him and the other residents of the building. It was released in 2004 for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and Microsoft Windows, and it also marked the end of Team Silent's contributions to the series.

{{Main|Silent Hill: Origins}}

The fifth installment in the series is a prequel to Silent Hill that follows trucker Travis Grady, who becomes trapped in Silent Hill after rescuing a girl from a burning house. During his quest to discover the fate of the burned girl, he encounters characters from the first game and is forced to face his own past.{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/silent-hill-origins-interview|title=Interview – Silent Hill: Origins|first=Kristan|last=Reed|publisher=Eurogamer|date=April 30, 2007|access-date=October 23, 2007|archive-date=March 2, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090302151330/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/silent-hill-origins-interview|url-status=live}} It was developed by Climax Studios and released in 2007 for the PlayStation Portable, with a port for the PlayStation 2 released in 2008. This was also the first Silent Hill title developed outside Japan.{{cite web|url=http://spong.com/article/14723|title=Silent Hill Origins Bound For PS2|date=February 1, 2008|publisher=SPOnG|access-date=April 13, 2010}} It is known as Silent Hill Zero in Japan.

{{Main|Silent Hill: Homecoming}}

The sixth installment in the series follows Alex Shepherd, a soldier who has returned from a war overseas. Upon his arrival, Alex discovers that his father has gone missing, his mother has become catatonic, and no one can provide the whereabouts of his younger brother, Joshua. The game chronicles Alex's search to find his missing brother.{{cite web | publisher = GameSpot | url = http://www.gamespot.com/news/6174357.html | title = Konami's 15-minute press event raises eyebrows | first = Brad | last = Shoemaker | date = July 12, 2007 | access-date = November 10, 2007 | archive-date = October 24, 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071024171917/http://www.gamespot.com/news/6174357.html | url-status = live}} It was developed by Double Helix Games and released in 2008 for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, and in 2009 for Microsoft Windows.

{{Main|Silent Hill: Downpour}}

File:Silent Hill logo.png

The seventh installment in the series follows Murphy Pendleton, a prisoner who becomes stranded in Silent Hill after his prison transport vehicle crashes. Announced in April 2010{{cite web|url=http://uk.ps3.ign.com/articles/108/1082806p1.html|title=Konami Teases New Silent Hill Title|last=Reilly|first=Jim|date=April 9, 2010|publisher=IGN|access-date=April 13, 2010|archive-date=March 18, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120318154758/http://uk.ps3.ign.com/articles/108/1082806p1.html|url-status=live}} and developed by Vatra Games for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, the game was released on March 13, 2012. It is the only game in the series that can be played in stereoscopic 3D.

{{Main|Silent Hill f}}

A new mainline game, entitled Silent Hill ƒ, was announced in October 2022. It is being developed by NeoBards Entertainment , with creative contributions from writer Ryukishi07, character designer "kera," and producer Motoi Okamoto.{{Cite web |last=McWhertor |first=Michael |date=2022-10-19 |title=Silent Hill f, Konami's first main-series game in a decade, brings the franchise to Japan |url=https://www.polygon.com/23413471/silent-hill-f-announcement-trailer-konami |access-date=2022-10-19 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}} The game is set in the rural Japanese town of Ebisugaoka during the 1960s and follows high school student Shimizu Hinako.{{Cite news|first=Matt|last=Wales|date=2025-03-14|title=Konami's Japan-set Silent Hill f resurfaces with eerie new trailer and fresh details |language=en |work=Eurogamer|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/konamis-japan-set-silent-hill-f-resurfaces-with-eerie-new-trailer-and-fresh-details |access-date=2024-03-14}} The story is being written by Ryukishi07, who also wrote the When They Cry visual novel series. It is in development for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.

{{Main|Silent Hill: Shattered Memories}}

Shattered Memories is a reimagining of the first installment, developed by Climax Studios for the Wii and released in December 2009, with ports for the PlayStation 2 and PlayStation Portable released in January 2010.{{cite web|url=http://uk.ps2.ign.com/articles/969/969866p1.html|title=Silent Hill Re-imagining Official|last=Wales|first=Matt|date=April 6, 2009|publisher=IGN|access-date=April 13, 2010|archive-date=March 10, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120310150905/http://uk.ps2.ign.com/articles/969/969866p1.html|url-status=dead}} The game retains the premise of the original—Harry Mason's quest to find his missing daughter in the American town of Silent Hill—but is set in what appears to be a different fictional universe, following a different plot, with characters from the first game appearing altered alongside new ones.

Gameplay takes place in two parts: a framing, first-person psychotherapy session with an unseen patient, and an over-the-shoulder perspective of Harry's journey through Silent Hill, which is periodically interrupted by environmental shifts where he is pursued by monsters.

Shattered Memories' gameplay focuses on the completion of psychological tests, which alter in-game elements in the first setting, and exploration, puzzle-solving, and monster evasion in the second setting. The game's developers avoided integrating combat into the second setting's gameplay, centering instead on a weaponless player character attempting to rescue himself from powerful opponents, as they considered this to be more fear-inducing. The game received generally positive reviews, with its graphics, storyline, voice acting, soundtrack, and use of the Wii Remote as the controller for the Wii version praised by reviewers. However, Shattered Memories' chase sequences were criticized by some reviewers, who deemed them potentially frustrating and short.

{{Main|Silent Hill 2 (2024 video game)}}

A remake of Silent Hill 2 was announced in October 2022 for the PlayStation 5 and PC. It will be a console exclusive on the PlayStation 5 for the first 12 months but will also be released for PC.{{Cite web |last=McWhertor |first=Michael |date=2022-10-19 |title=Silent Hill 2 remake coming to PS5, PC |url=https://www.polygon.com/23413363/silent-hill-2-remake-release-date-ps5-pc-konami |access-date=2022-10-19 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}} Akira Yamaoka, the original composer, returned to write the score. The remake was released in October 2024.

Play Novel: Silent Hill is a visual novel adaptation of the original Silent Hill, released exclusively for the Game Boy Advance in Japan on March 21, 2001.{{Cite web |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/2010/10/silent_hill_play_novel_retro |title=Review: Silent Hill Play Novel (Game Boy Advance) |date=October 30, 2010 |access-date=August 14, 2020 |archive-date=September 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190911165149/http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/2010/10/silent_hill_play_novel_retro |url-status=live}} It has been fan-translated into English.

Silent Hill (mobile game) is a mobile adaptation of the original Silent Hill. It was released in Japan for the FOMA phone on July 5, 2006, and for Java on January 17, 2007.

The Silent Hill Collection is a re-release of the first four mainline video games in the series for the PlayStation 2. The European release contains Silent Hill 2, Silent Hill 3, and Silent Hill 4: The Room, while the Japanese release also includes the first Silent Hill.{{cite web |url=http://www.siliconera.com/2006/08/03/a-look-inside-the-silent-hill-complete-set/ |title=A look inside the Silent Hill Complete set // Siliconera |access-date=2010-12-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100430212159/http://www.siliconera.com/2006/08/03/a-look-inside-the-silent-hill-complete-set/ |archive-date=2010-04-30 }}

{{Main|Silent Hill HD Collection}}

Silent Hill HD Collection is a high-definition re-release of Silent Hill 2 and Silent Hill 3 for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, featuring high-resolution visuals, new sounds, new voices, and Trophies/Achievements for both games. Silent Hill 2 includes the option to use both the old and new voices; however, Silent Hill 3 features only a new voice track, as the old voices were unavailable for legal reasons. Silent Hill 2 also features both the main scenario and the Born from a Wish sub-scenario, as seen in later re-releases such as the Director's Cut.

This collection marked the first time Silent Hill 3 was playable on an Xbox console. The collection received mixed to negative reviews due to severe issues with both games, such as significant framerate problems, lockups, and more. While the PlayStation 3 version was patched, the Xbox 360 patch was canceled, and Konami offered refunds to all Xbox 360 owners of the game.{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/08/08/silent-hill-hd-patch-hits-ps3-canceled-for-360|title=S|date=January 12, 2012|author=Makuch, Eddie|work=GameSpot|publisher=CBS Interactive Inc.|access-date=January 15, 2012|archive-date=August 11, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120811002015/http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/08/08/silent-hill-hd-patch-hits-ps3-canceled-for-360|url-status=live}}

{{Main|Silent Hill: The Arcade}}

Silent Hill: The Arcade is an arcade game that follows two characters, Eric and Tina, who have entered the town of Silent Hill and must battle monsters while uncovering the mystery behind Eric's nightmares about a girl and a steamship.{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/305023/silent-hill-the-arcade-hands+on-impressions|title=Silent Hill: The Arcade Hands-On Impressions|publisher=Kotaku|access-date=August 31, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015015307/http://kotaku.com/305023/silent-hill-the-arcade-hands+on-impressions|archive-date=October 15, 2012|df=mdy-all}} The game has a multiplayer element, where each player can choose to be either Eric or Tina.{{cite web|author=Epperson, Justin|url=http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?cId=3157304|title=Previews: Silent Hill: Arcade|publisher=1UP.com|date=February 17, 2007|access-date=August 22, 2007|archive-date=September 27, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927193141/http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?cId=3157304|url-status=live}} A second player can join the game at any time.{{cite web |url=http://www.konami-asia.com/en/am/silenthill/game_howto.html |title=SILENT HILL THE ARCADE Official WebSite |access-date=2015-04-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101023011946/http://www.konami-asia.com/en/am/silenthill/game_howto.html |archive-date=October 23, 2010 |df=mdy-all}}

{{Main|Silent Hill: Orphan}}

Silent Hill: Orphan is a mobile game set in an abandoned orphanage, featuring first-person, point-and-click gameplay.

{{Main|Silent Hill: The Escape}}

Silent Hill: The Escape is a mobile game released in Japan for the FOMA phone on December 19, 2007, and internationally for iOS in 2009. The goal of the game is to guide the player through ten stages by finding a key and opening the locked door. It is played from a first-person perspective. The game received mixed reviews due to its lack of storyline and poor execution.{{Cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/01/07/silent-hill-the-escape-iphone-review |title=Silent Hill: The Escape iPhone Review - IGN |date=January 7, 2009 |access-date=October 29, 2015 |archive-date=October 12, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151012064409/http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/01/07/silent-hill-the-escape-iphone-review |url-status=live}}

Silent Hill: Orphan 2 is a mobile game and a sequel to Silent Hill: Orphan.

Silent Hill: Orphan 3 is a mobile game and a sequel to Silent Hill: Orphan 2.

{{Main|Silent Hill: Book of Memories}}

Silent Hill: Book of Memories was released for the PlayStation Vita.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/silent-hill-creeps-up-on-march-6348553|title=Silent Hill creeps up on March|date=January 12, 2012|author=Makuch, Eddie|work=GameSpot|publisher=CBS Interactive Inc.|access-date=January 15, 2012|archive-date=October 25, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025125353/http://www.gamespot.com/news/silent-hill-creeps-up-on-march-6348553|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesradar.com/silent-hill-book-of-memories-premise-explained-in-new-gamescom-trailer/|title=Silent Hill: Book of Memories' premise explained in new Gamescom trailer|date=August 19, 2011|author=Bradford, Matt|work=GamesRadar|publisher=Future US, Inc.|access-date=May 19, 2012|archive-date=December 19, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219141404/http://www.gamesradar.com/silent-hill-book-of-memories-premise-explained-in-new-gamescom-trailer/|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/10/silent-hill-book-of-memories-developed-by-wayforward/ |title=Silent Hill: Book of Memories developed by WayForward |date=June 10, 2011 |author=Kietzmann, Ludwig |work=Joystiq |publisher=AOL Inc |access-date=July 22, 2011 |archive-date=July 15, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120715122114/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/10/silent-hill-book-of-memories-developed-by-wayforward/ |url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://uk.ps3.ign.com/articles/117/1172284p1.html|title=Silent Hill Collection, NGP Title Announced|date=June 2, 2011|author=Eykemans, Peter|work=IGN|publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc|access-date=June 4, 2011|archive-date=June 7, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607044022/http://uk.ps3.ign.com/articles/117/1172284p1.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://e3.gamespot.com/story/6316506/silent-hill-downpour-delayed-book-of-memories-opening-on-ngp/?tag=newsfeatures%3Btitle|title=Silent Hill: Downpour delayed, Book of Memories opening on NGP|date=June 2, 2011|author=Magrino, Tom|work=GameSpot|publisher=CBS Interactive Inc|access-date=June 4, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120328195439/http://e3.gamespot.com/story/6316506/silent-hill-downpour-delayed-book-of-memories-opening-on-ngp/?tag=newsfeatures%3Btitle|archive-date=March 28, 2012|df=mdy-all}} Book of Memories utilizes an overhead isometric view, follows a different storyline, and features returning creatures from the series' fictional universe, as well as cooperative gameplay.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/vita/action/silent-hill-book-of-memories/news/6318672/e3-2011-silent-hill-hd-collection-spooking-ps3-this-fall?tag=newsfeatures%3Btitle%3B1|title=E3 2011: Silent Hill HD Collection spooking PS3 this fall|date=June 9, 2011|author=Magrino, Tom|work=GameSpot|publisher=CBS Interactive Inc|access-date=July 11, 2011}} The game is the first installment in the series to feature multiplayer gameplay, apart from The Arcade.{{cite web|url=http://uk.ps3.ign.com/articles/117/1174002p1.html|title=E3 2011: Silent Hill Gets New Voices and Multiplayer|date=June 7, 2011|author=Tanner, Nicole|work=IGN|publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc|access-date=June 9, 2011|archive-date=June 11, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110611085407/http://uk.ps3.ign.com/articles/117/1174002p1.html|url-status=live}} According to series producer Tomm Hulett, Book of Memories' gameplay is largely different from that of previous installments, focusing on cooperative multiplayer action rather than traditional psychological horror.{{cite web|url=http://www.destructoid.com/silent-hill-book-of-memories-trailer-concerns-me-209353.phtml|title=Silent Hill: Book of Memories trailer concerns me|date=August 19, 2011|author=North, Dale|work=Destructoid|publisher=modernmethod|access-date=August 21, 2011|archive-date=September 7, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110907174721/http://www.destructoid.com/silent-hill-book-of-memories-trailer-concerns-me-209353.phtml|url-status=live}}

{{Main|P.T. (video game)}}

During Sony Computer Entertainment's presentation at Gamescom 2014, an interactive teaser titled P.T. (initialism for "playable teaser") was released on the PlayStation Store for PlayStation 4. The teaser revealed a new Silent Hill game entitled Silent Hills, being developed by Kojima Productions using the Fox Engine, in collaboration with Hideo Kojima and film director Guillermo del Toro, featuring actor Norman Reedus. On September 1, Sony revealed during its pre-TGS press conference that P.T. had been downloaded over a million times and viewed over 30 million times across platforms.{{cite web|last1=Macy|first1=Seth|title=Guillermo del Toro Touches On His Collaboration With Kojima|date=April 26, 2015|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/04/26/guillermo-del-toro-touches-on-his-collaboration-with-kojima|publisher=IGN|access-date=April 26, 2015|archive-date=February 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170226215206/http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/04/26/guillermo-del-toro-touches-on-his-collaboration-with-kojima|url-status=live}} P.T. was pulled from the PlayStation Store and is no longer available for download.{{cite web|title = Konami Pulling 'PT' From PlayStation Store, 'Silent Hills' Fate Uncertain [Updated]|url = https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2015/04/26/konami-pulling-pt-from-playstation-store-silent-hills-fate-uncertain/|website = Forbes|access-date = October 29, 2015|archive-date = October 25, 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151025200519/http://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2015/04/26/konami-pulling-pt-from-playstation-store-silent-hills-fate-uncertain/|url-status = live}} Numerous remakes of P.T. have emerged due to the game's extremely limited availability; it remains unavailable on the PlayStation Store and has since been blocked from running on the PlayStation 5.{{cite web|last=Hurley|first=Leon|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/pt-ps5-transfer-playable/|title=PT on PS5 was initially playable, but now it's not - Silent Hills' playable teaser PT was playable on PS5 but the option has since been removed|work=GamesRadar+|publisher=Future US|date=November 6, 2020|access-date=2021-04-26|archive-date=10 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201110120804/https://www.gamesradar.com/pt-ps5-transfer-playable/|url-status=live}}

An interactive media experience known as Silent Hill: Ascension was announced in October 2022. It was developed by Genvid Technologies, Bad Robot Games, and Behaviour Interactive. Silent Hill: Ascension is a Choose Your Own Adventure-style interactive game where viewers can vote on the direction of the story in real time, giving them agency in how the singular canon progresses, similar to other horror contemporaries such as Black Mirror: Bandersnatch and the 2020 continuation of Ben Drowned. The first episode was broadcast on October 31, 2023, serving as the "series premiere" of the interactive series. The series was broadcast daily at 9:00 PM ET/6:00 PM PT for "the next several months," with the last episode airing on April 24, 2024.{{Cite web |title=You Can Play A New Silent Hill Game Starting Tonight -- Here's When |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/you-can-play-a-new-silent-hill-game-starting-tonight-heres-when/1100-6518793/ |access-date=2023-11-04 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US}} The title won an Emmy for Outstanding Innovation In Emerging Media Programming in 2024.{{Cite web |title=Silent Hill: Ascension |url=https://www.televisionacademy.com/shows/silent-hill-ascension |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=Television Academy |language=en}}

{{Main|Silent Hill: The Short Message}}

Following messages from her friend Maya, Anita finds herself at a crumbling apartment block, infamous for rumors of suicides. Drawn inside, Anita soon finds her sense of reality shattered as she encounters bizarre, otherworldly spaces haunted by a twisted monster. Maya's message was clear—"can't leave til you find it"—but what is it that Anita is really looking for?

A new game, Silent Hill: Townfall, was announced in October 2022 with a reveal trailer. It will be developed by No Code and published by Annapurna Interactive.{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/silent-hill-townfall-invites-annapurna-nocode-to-shape-the-world-of-silent-hill |title=Silent Hill: Townfall Invites Annapurna, NoCode to Shape the World of Silent Hill |last=Valentine |first=Rebekah |date=20 October 2022 |website=IGN |access-date=20 October 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019231747/https://www.ign.com/articles/silent-hill-townfall-invites-annapurna-nocode-to-shape-the-world-of-silent-hill |archive-date=19 October 2022}}

Initially planned for release in November 1999 by publisher Com.x, a 70-page original graphic novel adaptation of the original game (ISBN: 978-1903286005) was written by Jon Murphy and penciled by Neil Googe.{{Cite web |title=Silent Hill (Com.x Novel) |url=https://www.silenthillmemories.net/publications/sh_graphic_novel_en.htm |access-date=2024-08-07 |website=www.silenthillmemories.net |language=en}} Com.X founder Eddie Deighton explained in 2008:

{{quote|Neil originally came for an interview as a designer at the design agency Russell and myself ran, but as soon as we saw in his portfolio that Neil had trained as a comic artist and had worked on 2000AD, we ended up talking for about 4 hours about comics and the industry in general. By the time we finished, we felt that Neil's talent would have gone to waste if we'd taken him on as a designer, so we decided instead to propose to our client, Konami, that we should work with Neil on a graphic novel for the computer game Silent Hill. They felt it would be a cool thing to do, so Neil came on board and we began developing the project. Very quickly, we found that we all got on really well and by about the third week of working together, we felt we had a lot to contribute to the comic industry in terms of enthusiasm and creativity.}}

[http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=153890 Unknown]{{Dead link|date=December 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

Googe was assigned six months to finish the full-color art for the graphic novel. Although it was completed and an advertisement was featured in a European catalog, the adaptation was never released by Konami. He took an experimental approach to the comic layout, but due to his inexperience and lack of planning at the time, he felt that not everything he tried worked.{{Cite web |date=2007-02-19 |title=silent hill by Neil-Googe on DeviantArt |url=https://www.deviantart.com/neil-googe/art/silent-hill-49140665 |access-date=2024-08-07 |website=www.deviantart.com |language=en}}

The original plans for Silent Hill 3 were much different from what was eventually released. The story was initially intended to continue the "inner fears" concept used for James Sunderland, Angela Orosco, and Eddie Dombrowski in Silent Hill 2. However, due to the slower-than-expected sales of Silent Hill 2, Konami pushed Team Silent to turn the game into a more commercial arcade-style rail shooter spin-off. This plan was rejected by the team, but the process wasted much of the budget and development time for Silent Hill 3.{{Cite tweet |number=1098546135801556993 |user=adsk4 |title=Silent Hill 3 was supposed to be an arcade spin off/a rail shooter, not a direct sequel to SH1. Was a terrible plan. The sales of SH2 was really not good start. So I guess it was one of the causes of that. Also that plan wasted much time & some budgets of SH3. It wasn't SH:Arcade |author=Masahiro Ito |author-link=Masahiro Ito}}{{Cite tweet |number=1143637883066052609 |user=adsk4 |title=If the sales of Silent Hill 2 had gotten a good start, there wouldn't have been such a plan and we could have had more time and budget for SH3. |author=Masahiro Ito |author-link=Masahiro Ito}}{{Cite tweet |number=1098613663219347456 |user=adsk4 |title=At least early series of SH didn't have universe to suit rail shooter. So I said, "it was a terrible plan". I was thinking SH kept adhereing to its style. |author=Masahiro Ito |author-link=Masahiro Ito}}{{Cite tweet |number=1098555604375764992 |user=adsk4 |title=When I was told that plan, I was really dumbfounded. Because I was one of core members of that team. I'm really glad that plan was cancelled. |author=Masahiro Ito |author-link=Masahiro Ito}} At the time, Silent Hill 2 was also criticized online for not focusing on Alessa Gillespie and for having a different art style, characters, and creatures compared to the first game.{{Cite tweet |number=1087991672624107520 |user=adsk4 |title=At least the sales of Silent Hill 2 was really not good start in Japan. It was often insulted on the Internet because it was not a legitimate sequel to the previous one and its direction of creature design was really different from the previous Silent Hill's. |author=Masahiro Ito |author-link=Masahiro Ito}}{{Cite tweet |number=1143644741222842368 |user=adsk4 |title=Silent Hill 2 took soooo long time to be somewhat popular. In Japan it still has not been somewhat popular. Many people like Pyramid Head but most of them don't know SH2. Unfortunately this is REAL LIFE. |author=Masahiro Ito |author-link=Masahiro Ito}} As a result, Team Silent decided not to move forward with their original plans for Silent Hill 3. Instead, they chose to conclude the Alessa storyline from the original Silent Hill and tie up loose ends to appease fans. Not every member of Team Silent agreed with this decision, though Akihiro Imamura noted that they also did not want to use a similar template for two games in a row.{{Cite web |title=Interview with Akihiro Imamura and Akira Yamaoka (Game World) |url=https://www.silenthillmemories.net/creators/interviews/2005.04.23_imamura_yamaoka_gameworld_en.htm |access-date=2024-08-07 |website=www.silenthillmemories.net |language=en}}

{{rewrite section|date=October 2024}}

After Silent Hill 3 was released, Team Silent expressed interest in creating a sequel.{{Cite web |title=Kikizo {{!}} Konami: The Silent Hill 4 Interview with Akira Yamaoka and Masashi Tsuboyama |url=https://games.kikizo.com/features/konami_interview_sep04.asp |access-date=2024-10-07 |website=games.kikizo.com}}[http://www.silenthillmemories.net/sh4/articles/pics/gamedeveloper_2005_03_04.jpg] In reality, Silent Hill 3 and Silent Hill 4: The Room were developed around the same time, "almost simultaneously".{{Cite web |date=2016-04-14 |title=Silent Hill 4: The Room Preview for PS2 from 1UP.com |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160414030932/http://www.1up.com/previews/silent-hill-4-room |access-date=2025-05-08 |website=web.archive.org}}

Contrary to popular belief on the Internet, Silent Hill 4: The Room was always intended to be connected to the Silent Hill series, at least as a "spin-off." An interviewer once asked:

:"Is it true that The Room was not originally going to be part of the Silent Hill series and that this was only changed part way through development?"

In response, Masashi Tsuboyama and Akira Yamaoka stated:

{{Quote|In a sense this is true because the game began life as simply Room 302. However, it was always at least a spin-off of Silent Hill and the most important thing was simply that it be different to the previous games. Certainly if Silent Hill had not existed we would not have gotten the idea for The Room, so in that sense they have always been together.

:—Interview with Masashi Tsuboyama and Akira Yamaoka{{Cite web |title=Interview with Masashi Tsuboyama and Akira Yamaoka (Boomtown) |url=https://www.silenthillmemories.net/creators/interviews/2004.08.31_tsuboyama_yamaoka_boomtown_en.htm |access-date=2025-05-08 |website=www.silenthillmemories.net |language=en}}}}

It is false to say that the original concept, Room 302, was a completely separate horror game unrelated to Silent Hill. For example, the notion that halfway through development, Room 302 was turned into Silent Hill 4, with developers merely sprinkling in some Silent Hill references late in the process, is incorrect. It is likely that before even 5-10% of the game's development, it was decided and finalized that Room 302 would be a proper Silent Hill game.

Some of the different gameplay mechanics and changes, such as using Room 302 as a hub world, were intentional because the developers wanted to focus on "change" and "new" elements. There is no evidence that features like invincible ghosts, the absence of a flashlight, or not visiting the town of Silent Hill for much of the game were due to Room 302 being a spin-off or the idea that "Silent Hill 4 was never meant to be a Silent Hill game." Similarly, the first half of Silent Hill 3 isn't set in the town of Silent Hill.

As Masashi Tsuboyama explained:{{Quote|We wanted to make a sequel after Silent Hill 3 and you could say that was the initial concept, but upon that we needed to implement a lot of new flavor to the sequel, otherwise it would have been the same old Silent Hill. So for that, we created "The Room" as the concept for the game...

:—Interview with Masashi Tsuboyama{{Cite web |title=Konami: The Silent Hill 4 Interview with Akira Yamaoka and Masashi Tsuboyama |url=https://games.kikizo.com/features/konami_interview_sep04.asp |access-date=2025-05-08 |website=games.kikizo.com}}}}

{{Quote|Even though the Silent Hill 4 project was a proper sequel to the Silent Hill series, our top objective for the game was "change."

:—Interview[http://www.silenthillmemories.net/sh4/articles/pics/gamedeveloper_2005_03_04.jpg]}}

Confusion likely arises from an interview that said that "SH4 was not originally supposed to be a Silent Hill game."{{Cite web |title=Interview with Akihiro Imamura and Akira Yamaoka (Game World) |url=https://www.silenthillmemories.net/creators/interviews/2005.04.23_imamura_yamaoka_gameworld_en.htm |access-date=2025-05-08 |website=www.silenthillmemories.net |language=en}} This probably refers to the very early stages of Room 302, when the developers were uncertain if they wanted Room 302 to be an official Silent Hill game. It likely does not refer to when the actual development of the Silent Hill 4 project seriously began.

Before Silent Hill: Origins was made, Team Silent was tasked with working on a fifth installment in the Silent Hill series, simply titled Silent Hill 5, with development starting as early as during Silent Hill 3. The game was delayed due to demand from fans who wanted proper closure for the first game.{{Cite web |last1=FreeckyCake |title=[Update: 10/17/2020]Every cancelled Silent Hill game |date=October 15, 2020 |url=https://www.thegeekgetaway.com/2020/10/every-cancelled-silent-hill-game.html |access-date=2022-10-16 |language=en}} The planned story of Silent Hill 5 was to focus on a damaged human being summoned to Silent Hill for a specific reason. Akira Yamaoka described the story as "the darkest story we have come up with".

Another unique feature of the game was that it would start in Silent Hill as an everyday town with people going about their lives, which would slowly begin to rot away as players progressed through the game.

Before Climax Studios began working on what would later become Silent Hill: Origins, they originally pitched a different game idea to Konami in 2006. Intended to be a PlayStation 3 exclusive, the proposed game would have taken place in Arizona and starred a protagonist named Father Hector Santos. The priest would have utilized water, a major motif in the game, to perform "holy rites and rituals." The proposal never received a green light from Konami, and it was reimagined as an original title called Broken Covenant, but that too was eventually shelved.{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2016/09/13/footage-gives-look-unreleased-silent-hill-game-made-playstation-3/|title=Footage Gives A Look At Unreleased Silent Hill Game Made For PlayStation 3|author=Casey|date=September 13, 2016|publisher=Siliconera|access-date=September 13, 2016|archive-date=September 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160914174908/http://www.siliconera.com/2016/09/13/footage-gives-look-unreleased-silent-hill-game-made-playstation-3/|url-status=live}}

The original plan for Silent Hill: Origins was to remake the original game for the PSP. However, after realizing how much work it would take to redo the graphics from the ground up, Climax Studios decided it would be better to create something new instead.{{Cite web |title=Interview with William Oertel (Play Magazine) |url=https://www.silenthillmemories.net/creators/interviews/2006.12.01_oertel_play_en.htm |access-date=2024-08-07 |website=www.silenthillmemories.net |language=en}} In July 2019, Masahiro Ito of Team Silent was asked if he would be willing to work on a remake of the original game. He declined, stating, "It will take about 3 years to build that. And you only live once. So repeating the same thing is just only a waste of time. Also, I get bored easily."{{Cite web | title=x.com | url=https://mobile.twitter.com/adsk4/status/1155395151587495936 | access-date=2024-12-29 | website=mobile.twitter.com}}

When Silent Hill: Origins was being developed by the LA subsidiary of Climax Studios, it was originally conceived as a dark comedy inspired by the TV show Scrubs, using the RenderWare engine and an over-the-shoulder camera system. The game featured monsters such as the Straightjackets and Butcher, along with new creatures like the Miners, Afflicted, a wheelchair monster, Piercer, and Meat. Players could place barricades to protect themselves from threats. Instead of using a radio to alert the player of enemies, the initial version of the game employed a more visual cue: "chilled breath." If many enemies were nearby, the edges of the screen would freeze over. Much of the map was altered in the final version of the game. Locations included a burned, debilitated hotel, the Doyle Asylum for the mentally ill (which once housed Dahlia Gillespie), the Orphium movie theatre, a meat packing plant, catacombs, and the Order's lair.{{Cite web | title=Silent Hill: Origins was originally a dark comedy 'inspired by Scrubs' - VideoGamer.com | url=https://www.videogamer.com/news/silent_hill_origins_was_originally_a_dark_comedy_inspired_by_scrubs | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810160725/https://www.videogamer.com/news/silent_hill_origins_was_originally_a_dark_comedy_inspired_by_scrubs | access-date=2024-12-29 | archive-date=2020-08-10}}{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qp9TcVwcwDY |title=The Original "Silent Hill Origins" {{!}} Climax LA's Vision |date=2016-07-31 |last=PtoPOnline |access-date=2024-08-07 |via=YouTube}}

The opening scene was similar to the final game's, except Travis Grady (modeled after Norman Reedus during development){{Cite web | title=x.com | url=https://twitter.com/Borman18/status/1527798498955083780 | access-date=2024-12-29 | website=twitter.com}}{{Cite web | title=x.com | url=https://twitter.com/Borman18/status/1530690335717965824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1530690335717965824%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url= | access-date=2024-12-29 | website=twitter.com}} pulls his truck over to stop Mister Twilight instead of Alessa. Mister Twilight flees at the sight of Alessa, who then transforms the town into its Fog World state. Travis loses consciousness and wakes up in a hospital room, trapped in the Otherworld. Alessa makes a deal with Travis: if he helps her obtain the Flauros, she will help him escape the town. Meanwhile, Michael Kaufmann, who works at the hospital, is studying a drug called White Claudia and believes it is linked to the strange events occurring in Silent Hill. Mister Twilight acts behind the scenes, manipulating events. Travis must navigate his way to the cult's lair, survive traps and otherworldly threats, and separate the Real World from the Otherworld. His plan succeeds, but it unleashes Alessa's nightmare upon the town. Mister Twilight is eventually revealed to be Michael Kaufmann. In a bad ending, Travis goes insane and becomes Pyramid Head.

Climax was not satisfied with the direction the game was going, citing mismanagement and fearing that it might be a disaster. The game was subsequently transferred and overhauled by Climax's UK studio.

WayForward Technologies, developers of Silent Hill: Book of Memories, worked on a series installment for the Nintendo DS in 2006. They developed a one-room prototype demo using the lead character and assets from Silent Hill 2 before the game was canceled.{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-10-12-wayforward-shows-off-its-cancelled-silent-hill-ds-game|title=WayForward shows off its cancelled Silent Hill DS game|last=Matulef|first=Jeffrey|date=October 12, 2013|work=Eurogamer|publisher=Gamer Network|access-date=October 12, 2013|archive-date=October 12, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012071331/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-10-12-wayforward-shows-off-its-cancelled-silent-hill-ds-game|url-status=live}}

Renegade Kid pitched their DS title Dementium: The Ward as a Silent Hill spin-off title. It was rejected by Konami for various reasons, including Konami not wanting to trust a small company with the Silent Hill license. Renegade Kid later pitched a modified version of Dementium II, which was also rejected, this time because Konami simply did not want to enter the DS space with a horror title at the time.{{cite web|last1=Campbell|first1=Evan|title=DEMENTIUM: THE WARD WAS PITCHED TO KONAMI AS A SILENT HILL DS GAME|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/04/27/dementium-the-ward-was-pitched-to-konami-as-a-silent-hill-ds-game|website=ign.com|date=April 27, 2015|access-date=May 6, 2015|archive-date=May 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150502045735/http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/04/27/dementium-the-ward-was-pitched-to-konami-as-a-silent-hill-ds-game|url-status=live}}

Silicon Knights announced the titles in production when the company ceased development in 2012. One of these games was called Silent Hill: The Box{{cite web|url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/383233/cancelled-silicon-knights-games-detailed/|title=Cancelled Silicon Knights games detailed|author=Ivan, Tom|date=December 12, 2012|publisher=ComputerAndVideoGames.com|access-date=December 19, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121214232140/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/383233/cancelled-silicon-knights-games-detailed/|archive-date=December 14, 2012|df=mdy-all}} but later became known simply as The Box. This could have been the codename for the title after a publishing deal fell through, given the company's financial status. Some early conceptual screenshots from the game can be seen on the Silent Hill Memories website.{{Cite web |title=The Box - Silent Hill Memories |url=https://www.silenthillmemories.net/unreleased/the_box_en.htm |access-date=2023-09-24 |website=www.silenthillmemories.net |language=en}}

After creating Silent Hill: Origins, director Sam Barlow and his team at Climax Studios wanted to create a new Silent Hill game for the PSP. However, Silent Hill's US producer suggested developing a first-person shooter for the Nintendo Wii set in the universe of the series. Climax began a project called Brahms PD, a spin-off to the main franchise, featuring an amnesiac police detective searching for his partner as the protagonist. In addition to the shooting gameplay, the game was to include transition sequences featuring sessions with a police psychiatrist, making it "the world's first truly interactive psychological horror." This project did not receive Konami's approval and was ultimately abandoned.

Silent Hill: Cold Heart was the originally planned version of Silent Hill: Shattered Memories.{{Cite web |last=Lennox |first=Jesse |date=2020-08-05 |title=Before Silent Hills, Konami Cancelled An Even Better Silent Hill Project |url=https://www.thegamer.com/silent-hill-wii-cancelled-game-konami-pt/ |access-date=2022-10-16 |website=TheGamer |language=en-US}} The game would have followed a female protagonist named Jessica Chambers, who decides to take a trip to visit her parents. However, she becomes trapped in an enormous snowstorm. To save herself, she follows an ambulance in hopes of finding a safe place, which leads her to suddenly end up in Silent Hill. Unlike Shattered Memories, where running is the only way to avoid enemies, Cold Heart would have retained the use of melee combat from previous games. These combat moments were intended to take advantage of the Wii controller to create a real and intense experience using improvised weapons.

In 2013, Masahiro Ito was involved in developing a direct sequel to Silent Hill 3. Ito was displeased with how the character Pyramid Head was used in later installments of the series{{Cite web |author=Staff |title=[Update: 10/17/2020]Every cancelled Silent Hill game |date=October 15, 2020 |url=https://www.thegeekgetaway.com/2020/10/every-cancelled-silent-hill-game.html |access-date=2022-10-16 |language=en}} and wanted to reintroduce the antagonist Valtiel. An opening scene in the Otherworld was envisioned, involving a baby carriage in which Valtiel would slaughter Pyramid Head. The game was eventually canceled, but as late as 2017, Ito stated that if he ever makes a new game, he would carry out his plan to kill Pyramid Head or simply not use him.{{Cite web |url=https://twitter.com/adsk4/status/867501554554724352 |access-date=2022-10-16|first=Masahiro|last=Ito|title=If I should make a new Silent Hill, I would not use Pyramid Head or kill him in its opening. |website=Twitter |language=en}}

{{Main|Silent Hills}}

During Sony Computer Entertainment's presentation at Gamescom 2014, an interactive teaser titled P.T. (initialism for "playable teaser") was released on the PlayStation Store for PlayStation 4. The teaser revealed a new Silent Hill game entitled Silent Hills, being developed by Kojima Productions using the Fox Engine, in collaboration with Hideo Kojima and film director Guillermo del Toro, featuring actor Norman Reedus.

During the 2015 San Francisco Film Festival on April 26, del Toro revealed that he would no longer be involved in the project with Kojima, presumably due to Kojima leaving Konami. Konami later released a statement confirming Reedus's departure but clarified that the series would continue to be developed, with no mention of the current status of Silent Hills.{{cite web|title=Konami Responds to Silent Hills Cancellation Claims|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/konami-responds-to-silent-hills-cancellation-claim/1100-6426908/|last=Crossley|first=Rob|date=April 27, 2015|access-date=April 27, 2015|archive-date=April 27, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150427201055/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/konami-responds-to-silent-hills-cancellation-claim/1100-6426908/|url-status=live}} Days later, Konami confirmed that Silent Hills was canceled but was open to future collaborations with Reedus and del Toro.{{cite web|title=Silent Hills Cancelled, Konami Confirms|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/silent-hills-cancelled-konami-confirms/1100-6426919/|last=Crossley|first=Rob|date=April 27, 2015|access-date=April 27, 2015|archive-date=April 28, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150428160736/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/silent-hills-cancelled-konami-confirms/1100-6426919/|url-status=live}}

The cancellation of the game was met with significant backlash from fans, who later started a petition on Change.org asking for Konami to continue the project. The petition has received 194,651 signatures as of August 11, 2024.{{cite web|url=http://www.technobuffalo.com/2015/05/04/silent-hills-petition-lands-88000-signatures-asking-konami-to-continue-development/|title=Silent Hills petition lands 88,000 signatures asking Konami to continue development|last1=Duell|first1=Ron|work=TechnoBuffalo|date=4 May 2015|access-date=9 May 2015}}

Konami began soliciting pitches for new Silent Hill titles in 2018, including for an episodic series. Supermassive Games were among the developers to pitch a title, but Konami ultimately turned them down in favor of collaborating with Annapurna Interactive. Supermassive's Silent Hill proposal was repurposed as the framework for their Dark Pictures Anthology series.{{Cite web |date=2021-02-18 |title=Bloober Team hints it could be working on Silent Hill… but it's not the only one |url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/bloober-team-hints-it-could-be-working-on-silent-hill-but-its-not-the-only-one/ |access-date=2024-08-07 |website=VGC |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |date=2022-05-16 |title=Konami's Silent Hill plans could include a remake, full sequel and episodic stories |url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/konamis-silent-hill-plans-could-include-a-remake-full-sequel-and-episodic-stories/ |access-date=2024-08-07 |website=VGC |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |date=2020-02-07 |title=Report: Konami has two new Silent Hill games in development • Eurogamer.net |website=Eurogamer |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-01-26-report-konami-has-two-new-silent-hill-games-in-development |access-date=2024-08-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200207205735/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-01-26-report-konami-has-two-new-silent-hill-games-in-development |archive-date=February 7, 2020 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/AestheticGamer1/status/1238243234234523648|title=x.com}}{{Cite web | title=x.com | url=https://twitter.com/AestheticGamer1/status/1302054470075834368 | access-date=2024-12-29 | website=twitter.com}}

Despite interest in the Silent Hill franchise within Konami, it remained dormant for years due to internal disagreements on the direction it should take. Motoi Okamoto, who left Entersphere in 2018, subsequently joined Konami and became the series producer in 2019.{{Cite web |last=Fukuyama |first=Koji |date=2023-01-16 |title=Silent Hill 2 Remake: World Exclusive Deep Dive Interview |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/silent-hill-2-remake-world-exclusive-deep-dive-interview |access-date=2024-08-07 |website=IGN |language=en}}{{Cite web|url=https://jp.linkedin.com/in/motoi-okamoto-53a59836|title=motoi okamoto - Konami Digital Entertainment | LinkedIn}}{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2022-10-20 |title=Random: Former Luigi's Mansion Dev Is Now Heading Up The Silent Hill Franchise |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2022/10/random-former-luigis-mansion-dev-is-now-heading-up-the-silent-hill-franchise |access-date=2024-08-07 |website=Nintendo Life |language=en-GB}} The film Return to Silent Hill, developed by Christophe Gans, ultimately served as the catalyst for Konami's decision to revitalize the brand.{{cite web | url=https://gra.pl/szef-bloober-team-o-silent-hill-2-remake-nie-odtwarzamy-gry-ale-idealne-wspomnienie-o-niej-wywiad/ar/c12-16999239 | title=Odkrywamy tajemnice Silent Hill 2 Remake. Wywiad z szefem Bloober Team | date=October 28, 2022 }}

During its absence, many independent and third-party horror games took inspiration from Silent Hill. Konami's staff, including Okamoto, felt they needed to reaffirm the core identity of the series to stand apart from other titles. They concluded that what makes Silent Hill unique is its embodiment of "true psychological horror," and chose to reboot Silent Hill 2 for that reason. Some staff members disagreed with this decision, lobbying instead to remake the first installment, which had previously been reimagined as Shattered Memories in 2009.

Konami originally reached out to HexaDrive about potentially porting the Silent Hill series to current-gen consoles, specifically Silent Hill 2, but HexaDrive opted to remake the game instead. Konami invited HexaDrive to a meeting around 2019, alongside several competing studios, asking them to create a pitch demo for a Silent Hill 2 remake. Ultimately, HexaDrive's proposal was turned down in favor of collaborating with Bloober Team.

HexaDrive later shared additional development with Konami for a PS5-exclusive Silent Hill spin-off titled Silent Hill: The Short Message.

In June 2022, in an interview with the French gaming website JeuxVideo.Com, Christophe Gans (director of the 2006 Silent Hill movie) confirmed that he had completed a script for a third Silent Hill film and was aiming for a 2023 release. He later reiterated this in an interview with JeuxActu, elaborating that the third film project would be part of a "relaunch" of the Silent Hill brand, accompanied by new video game.{{Cite web |date=2022-06-13 |title=Silent Hill game "relaunch" confirmed by film director |url=https://www.dexerto.com/gaming/silent-hill-game-relaunch-director-christophe-gans-report-1847075/ |access-date=2022-06-14 |website=Dexerto |language=en}}

In October, Gans spoke again about the upcoming relaunch and his third film, stating during an interview at the Strasbourg European Fantastic Film Festival, "I know a bit about the [next Silent Hill game]. I work with Team Silent, the original creators. I work in collaboration with Konami," suggesting that members of the original development team, Team Silent, are involved with the upcoming game(s).{{Cite web |last=Shutler |first=Ali |date=2022-10-07 |title=Konami apparently has "several" Silent Hill games in development |url=https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/konami-apparently-has-several-silent-hill-games-in-development-3324872 |access-date=2022-10-07 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=KillerSe7ven |date=2022-10-03 |title=Échange avec Christophe Gans sur le(s) prochain(s) Silent Hill au FEFFS ! |url=https://www.movieandgame.fr/interview-de-christophe-gans-et-echange-sur-les-prochains-silent-hill-au-feffs/ |access-date=2022-10-07 |website=MaG |language=fr-FR}} On October 19, Konami released a video revealing a new film, Return to Silent Hill, and several new Silent Hill games: a Silent Hill 2 remake, Silent Hill: Townfall, and Silent Hill f.{{cite news |title=Silent Hill announcements |url=https://www.polygon.com/23413363/silent-hill-2-remake-release-date-ps5-pc-konami |accessdate=19 October 2022}}{{Citation |title=SILENT HILL Transmission (EN) {{!}} KONAMI | date=October 19, 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRvRWBQNrSI |language=en |access-date=2022-10-20}} Both Akira Yamaoka and Masahiro Ito are confirmed to be returning for the Silent Hill 2 remake—Yamaoka as composer and Ito as the lead concept artist.

{{Main|List of Silent Hill series characters}}

The plots of the installments in the Silent Hill series, except Shattered Memories and The Room, share a common setting: the foggy, rural American town of Silent Hill, which is a fictional location set in the northeastern United States. Some games specifically state the town as being located in Maine, whereas in the film, the town is set in West Virginia. The town in the first three games was inspired by the concept of a small town in America, as depicted by various media from different countries. While some of the development planning is more reminiscent of a Japanese village, indirect influence comes from two factual American towns in particular: Cushing, Maine{{efn|The hometown of horror novelist Stephen King, who based many of his novels' fictional Maine towns upon it. His novel Carrie and his short stories "The Mist" and "1408" are among his known influences on the series of Silent Hill.}} and Snoqualmie, Washington.{{efn|The exterior filming location of avant-garde soap opera Twin Peaks, along with its neighboring areas North Bend and Fall City. The four Team Silent–made games are rife with references to and thematic reflections of Twin Peaks, particularly its original two seasons.}} However, the town from the film series was inspired by Centralia, Pennsylvania.{{efn|A town that was gradually abandoned due to a 50-year inability or unwillingness to extinguish a coal mine fire.}} In Shattered Memories, Silent Hill is depicted as a heavily snow-covered town in the midst of a blizzard, while the events of The Room primarily occur in the fictional neighboring city of South Ashfield, with the player venturing to smaller locales around Silent Hill.

The series' player characters experience an occasional dark alteration of reality called the "Otherworld."{{cite video game|title=Silent Hill|developer=Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo, Inc |publisher=Konami of America, Inc. |date=January 31, 1999|platform=PlayStation|quote=Harry: It's not me. This whole town... it's being invaded by the Otherworld. A world of someone's nightmarish delusions come to life. [...] Trying to swallow up everything in darkness.}} In this reality, physical laws often do not apply,{{cite book |title=Silent Hill 3 公式完全攻略ガイド/失われた記憶 サイレントヒル・クロニクル |trans-title=Silent Hill 3 Official Strategy Guide / Lost Memories: Silent Hill Chronicle |date=July 31, 2003 |publisher=NTT Publishing Co., Ltd |language=ja|isbn=4-7571-8145-0 |page=94 |chapter=VIII: Strength – Power of the Town}} with varying forms but most frequently ones whose physical appearance is based on that of Silent Hill. Characters in the series experience delusions and encounter tangible symbols of elements from their unconscious minds, mental states, and innermost thoughts when present in it,{{cite book |title=Silent Hill 3 公式完全攻略ガイド/失われた記憶 サイレントヒル・クロニクル |trans-title=Silent Hill 3 Official Strategy Guide / Lost Memories: Silent Hill Chronicle |date=July 31, 2003 |publisher=NTT Publishing Co., Ltd |language=ja |isbn=4-7571-8145-0 |page=111 |chapter=XXI: The World – Another World}} manifested into the real world. The origin of these manifestations is a malevolent power native to Silent Hill, which materializes human thoughts; this force was formerly non-evil but was corrupted by certain events that occurred in the area.

Some recurring monsters include the Nurses, who appear in almost every Silent Hill game, typically due to the sexual frustration or health conditions many of the protagonists experience during the course of the game's events. Pyramid Head, another recurring monster who became the series mascot, has had his canon appearances contested. Robbie the Rabbit, an amusement park mascot, is another recurring figure. Additionally, a dog named Mira is featured in many joke endings. Another recurring plot trait in the Silent Hill series is a fictional religious cult known only as The Order. Certain members of the organization act as antagonists in most of the series' installments (such as Dahlia in the first and prequel, Claudia in 3, Walter in The Room, and Judge Holloway in Homecoming). The Order operates the "Wish House" (also called "Hope House"), an orphanage for poor and homeless children, run by a charity organization called the "Silent Hill Smile Support Society."{{cite video game|title=Silent Hill 3|developer=Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo, Inc |publisher=Konami of America, Inc. |date=May 23, 2003|platform=PlayStation 2|quote=On-screen text: "Hope House", an orphanage on the outskirts of Silent Hill. But behind its false image is a place where children are kidnapped and brainwashed. Hope House is managed by the "Silent Hill Smile Support Society", a charity organization sometimes called "4S." It's true that 4S is a well-respected charity that "takes in poor children without homes and raises them with hope". But at its heart, it is an organization that teaches its own warped dogma in lieu of good religious values. [...] The cult religion that operates "Hope House" is known by the locals simply as "The Order".}}

The religion followed by the Order is focused on the worship of a chief deity, named Samael in Origins{{cite video game|title=Silent Hill: Origins|developer=Climax Studios |publisher=Konami Digital Entertainment |date=November 6, 2007|platform=PlayStation Portable|quote=On-screen text: "....it is believed a being of tremendous mental energy may become a vessel capable of giving birth to Samael, the God worshipped by this cult".}} but simply referred to as "God" in the previous games. The group's dogma is derived from a myth: the deity set out to create paradise but ran out of power during the process; she will someday be resurrected, thus becoming able to finally create paradise and save mankind.{{cite book |title=Silent Hill 3 公式完全攻略ガイド/失われた記憶 サイレントヒル・クロニクル |trans-title=Silent Hill 3 Official Strategy Guide / Lost Memories: Silent Hill Chronicle |date=July 31, 2003 |publisher=NTT Publishing Co., Ltd |language=ja|isbn=4-7571-8145-0 |pages=104–105 |chapter=XVI: The Tower – Cult}} The town's cult repeatedly engages in illegal acts: ritual human sacrifices intended for the deity's resurrection,{{cite video game|title=Silent Hill Homecoming|developer=Double Helix Games|publisher=Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc.|date=September 30, 2008}} illegal drug trade,{{cite book |title=Silent Hill 3 公式完全攻略ガイド/失われた記憶 サイレントヒル・クロニクル |trans-title=Silent Hill 3 Official Strategy Guide / Lost Memories: Silent Hill Chronicle |date=July 31, 2003 |publisher=NTT Publishing Co., Ltd |language=ja|isbn=4-7571-8145-0 |page=8 |chapter=Alessa's History}} and the kidnapping and confinement of children in a facility to teach them its dogma through brainwashing, while presenting the facility as an orphanage. The series also features various religious items with magical properties, which appear widely throughout the games.{{cite book |title=Silent Hill 3 公式完全攻略ガイド/失われた記憶 サイレントヒル・クロニクル |trans-title=Silent Hill 3 Official Strategy Guide / Lost Memories: Silent Hill Chronicle |date=July 31, 2003 |publisher=NTT Publishing Co., Ltd |language=ja|isbn=4-7571-8145-0 |page=91 |chapter=V: The Hierophant – Key Items}}

Three thematic elements consistently drive the narratives of Silent Hill games: the theme of a main protagonist depicted as an "everyman" (with the exception of Homecoming, where the protagonist is thought to be a soldier and the game's mechanics operate as such),{{cite web|url=http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/53814/exclusive-interview-devin-shatsky-talks-silent-hill-downpour-shattered-memories-and-hd-co|access-date=May 19, 2012|date=March 19, 2012|author=Dyar, Amanda|title=Exclusive Interview: Devin Shatsky Talks Silent Hill: Downpour, Shattered Memories and HD Collection|work=Dread Central|publisher=AtomicOnline, LLC|archive-date=May 17, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120517180136/http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/53814/exclusive-interview-devin-shatsky-talks-silent-hill-downpour-shattered-memories-and-hd-co|url-status=live}} and the everyman's quest, either a search for a missing loved one or a scenario where the protagonist wanders into the town apparently by accident but is actually being "summoned" by a spiritual force in the town.

Multiple endings are a staple of the series, with all installments featuring some, the realization of which often depends on in-game actions performed by the player.{{cite book |title=Silent Hill 3 公式完全攻略ガイド/失われた記憶 サイレントヒル・クロニクル |trans-title=Silent Hill 3 Official Strategy Guide / Lost Memories: Silent Hill Chronicle |date=July 31, 2003 |publisher=NTT Publishing Co., Ltd |language=ja |isbn=4-7571-8145-0 |pages=28–29 |chapter=Silent Hill Ending Analysis}}{{cite book |title=Silent Hill 3 公式完全攻略ガイド/失われた記憶 サイレントヒル・クロニクル |trans-title=Silent Hill 3 Official Strategy Guide / Lost Memories: Silent Hill Chronicle |date=July 31, 2003 |publisher=NTT Publishing Co., Ltd |language=ja|isbn=4-7571-8145-0 |pages=50–51 |chapter=Silent Hill 2 Ending Analysis}} In all but three of the series' games, one of these endings is a joke ending in which the main protagonist encounters unidentified flying objects: there is no joke ending in Silent Hill 4: The Room, and the only joke ending in Downpour is a surprise party for the player featuring characters from previous installments of the franchise, with a similar joke ending in Book of Memories.{{cite book |title=Silent Hill 3 公式完全攻略ガイド/失われた記憶 サイレントヒル・クロニクル |trans-title=Silent Hill 3 Official Strategy Guide / Lost Memories: Silent Hill Chronicle |date=July 31, 2003 |publisher=NTT Publishing Co., Ltd |language=ja|isbn=4-7571-8145-0 |page=109 |chapter=XIV: The Sun – Extra Feature}}

The installments in the Silent Hill series contain various forms of symbolism. The symbols are images, sounds, objects, creatures, or situations that represent concepts and facts, as well as the feelings, emotions, and mental states of the characters.{{cite book |title=Silent Hill 3 公式完全攻略ガイド/失われた記憶 サイレントヒル・クロニクル |trans-title=Silent Hill 3 Official Strategy Guide / Lost Memories: Silent Hill Chronicle |date=July 31, 2003 |publisher=NTT Publishing Co., Ltd |language=ja|isbn=4-7571-8145-0 |page=93 |chapter=VII: The Chariot – Symbols}}{{cite book |title=Silent Hill 3 公式完全攻略ガイド/失われた記憶 サイレントヒル・クロニクル |trans-title=Silent Hill 3 Official Strategy Guide / Lost Memories: Silent Hill Chronicle |date=July 31, 2003 |publisher=NTT Publishing Co., Ltd |language=ja|isbn=4-7571-8145-0 |pages=100–101 |chapter=XIII: Death – Holes}}{{cite book |title=Silent Hill 3 公式完全攻略ガイド/失われた記憶 サイレントヒル・クロニクル |trans-title=Silent Hill 3 Official Strategy Guide / Lost Memories: Silent Hill Chronicle |date=July 31, 2003 |publisher=NTT Publishing Co., Ltd |language=ja|isbn=4-7571-8145-0 |pages=106–107 |chapter=XVII: The Star – Motif}}{{cite book |title=Silent Hill 3 公式完全攻略ガイド/失われた記憶 サイレントヒル・クロニクル |trans-title=Silent Hill 3 Official Strategy Guide / Lost Memories: Silent Hill Chronicle |date=July 31, 2003 |publisher=NTT Publishing Co., Ltd |language=ja|isbn=4-7571-8145-0 |pages=110–111 |chapter=XX: Judgement – Red Pyramid Thing}}{{cite book |title=Silent Hill 3 公式完全攻略ガイド/失われた記憶 サイレントヒル・クロニクル |trans-title=Silent Hill 3 Official Strategy Guide / Lost Memories: Silent Hill Chronicle |date=July 31, 2003 |publisher=NTT Publishing Co., Ltd |language=ja|isbn=4-7571-8145-0 |pages=26–27 |chapter=Silent Hill Creature Commentary}}{{cite book |title=Silent Hill 3 公式完全攻略ガイド/失われた記憶 サイレントヒル・クロニクル |trans-title=Silent Hill 3 Official Strategy Guide / Lost Memories: Silent Hill Chronicle |date=July 31, 2003 |publisher=NTT Publishing Co., Ltd |language=ja|isbn=4-7571-8145-0 |pages=48–49 |chapter=Silent Hill 2 Creature Commentary}}{{cite book |title=Silent Hill 3 公式完全攻略ガイド/失われた記憶 サイレントヒル・クロニクル |trans-title=Silent Hill 3 Official Strategy Guide / Lost Memories: Silent Hill Chronicle |date=July 31, 2003 |publisher=NTT Publishing Co., Ltd |language=ja|isbn=4-7571-8145-0 |pages=68–69 |chapter=Silent Hill 3 Creature Commentary}}

Image:Jamesvspatient.jpg

The installments in the Silent Hill series primarily use a third-person view, with occasional fixed camera angles. Visibility is often low due to the alternating fog and darkness. All of the series' player characters, except Henry Townshend of Silent Hill 4: The Room, are equipped with a flashlight and a portable device that warns the player of nearby monsters by emitting static. This device varies across the games: Origins and the first three installments have a portable radio, Homecoming and Downpour have a walkie-talkie, and Shattered Memories has a mobile phone. {{cite book |title=Silent Hill|type=Instruction manual|date=January 31, 1999|publisher=Konami|location=North America|page=14|chapter=Items}}{{cite book |title=Silent Hill: Shattered Memories|type=Instruction manual|date=December 8, 2009|publisher=Konami Digital Entertainment|location=North America|page=10|chapter=Items}}

The player characters in every Silent Hill game have access to a variety of melee weapons and firearms, with Origins and Downpour also featuring rudimentary hand-to-hand combat.{{cite web|url=http://psp.ign.com/articles/782/782865p1.html|title=Silent Hill Origins Impressions and Interview|last=Haynes|first=Jeff|date=April 23, 2007|publisher=IGN|access-date=April 13, 2010|archive-date=October 6, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101006014110/http://psp.ign.com/articles/782/782865p1.html|url-status=live}} Shattered Memories is the sole exception; it is designed without combat and focuses on evading creatures. Another key feature of the series' gameplay is puzzle-solving, which often results in the acquisition of an item essential to advancing in the games.

The development of the Silent Hill series began in September 1996 with the creation of its first installment, Silent Hill.{{cite web |url=http://www.satoworks.com/Takayoshi_Sato_resume.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716010338/http://www.satoworks.com/Takayoshi_Sato_resume.html |archive-date=July 16, 2011 |title=My Resume |author=Sato, Takayoshi |publisher=SatoWorks |access-date=January 6, 2011 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}} The game was created by Team Silent, a group of staff members within the Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo studio.{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041012043622/http://www.konamityo.com/games/lineup/soft_ps.html |archive-date=October 12, 2004 |script-title=ja:ゲームソフト プレイステーション |language=ja |publisher=Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo, Inc|url=http://www.konamityo.com/games/lineup/soft_ps.html}}{{cite web |url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/094/094863p1.html |title=E3 2001: Silent Hill 2 Interview |date=May 17, 2001 |work=IGN |publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc |access-date=December 26, 2010 |archive-date=May 25, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525030314/http://ps2.ign.com/articles/094/094863p1.html |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://top100.ign.com/2007/ign_top_game_97.html |title=IGN Top 100 Games 2007 – 97: Silent Hill 2 |year=2007 |work=IGN |publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc |access-date=December 26, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100616184955/http://top100.ign.com/2007/ign_top_game_97.html |archive-date=June 16, 2010 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}} The new owners of its parent company, Konami, aimed to produce a game that would be successful in the United States. For this reason, a Hollywood-like atmosphere was proposed. Despite the profit-oriented approach of the parent company, the developers of Silent Hill had significant artistic freedom because the game was still produced in the era of lower-budget 2D titles. Eventually, the development staff decided to ignore the limits of Konami's initial plan and to make Silent Hill a game that would appeal to the emotions of players instead.{{cite journal |journal=Level |title=Mörkerseende |author=Villner, Pär |language=sv |issue=23 |pages=85–93 |date=March 2008 |publisher=Reset Media AB}}

The scenario for the first installment was created by director Keiichiro Toyama.{{cite web |url=http://www.gpara.com/contents/creator/bn_127.htm |script-title=ja:クリエイターズファイル 第127回 |date=November 4, 2003 |language=ja |publisher=Gpara.com |access-date=April 28, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930045131/http://www.gpara.com/contents/creator/bn_127.htm |archive-date=September 30, 2011 |df=mdy-all}} The story of the second installment, Silent Hill 2, was conceived by CGI director Takayoshi Sato, who based it on the novel Crime and Punishment, with individual members of the team collaborating on the game's actual scenario.{{cite web |url=http://coregamer.web.simplesnet.pt/sato.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110831193214/http://coregamer.web.simplesnet.pt/sato.html |archive-date=August 31, 2011 |title=Interview with Takayoshi Sato: Seizing New Creations |date=September 15, 2009 |author=Dieubussy |publisher=Core Gamers |access-date=January 6, 2011 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}{{cite web |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/2382/silence_is_golden_takayoshi_.php |title=Silence Is Golden: Takayoshi Sato's Occidental Journey |author=Brandon Sheffield |date=August 25, 2005 |work=Gamasutra |publisher=United Business Media LLC |access-date=January 19, 2011 |archive-date=November 9, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109231104/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/2382/silence_is_golden_takayoshi_.php |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |url=http://8226.teacup.com/hill_nobu/bbs/1416 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716194906/http://8226.teacup.com/hill_nobu/bbs/1416 |archive-date=July 16, 2011 |title=Nobu bbs: scenario writers |author=Masahiro Ito |date=April 14, 2010 |access-date=April 14, 2010 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}} The main writing was done by Hiroyuki Owaku and Sato.{{cite video game |title=Silent Hill 2 |developer=Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo, Inc. |publisher=Konami of America, Inc. |date=September 24, 2001 |scene=staff credits}}

The first game, Silent Hill, utilizes real-time 3D environments. To mitigate the limitations of the hardware, developers extensively used fog and darkness to obscure the graphics.

Sato estimated the budget of the first installment at $3–5 million and Silent Hill 2's at $7–10 million. He said that the development team intended to make Silent Hill a masterpiece rather than a traditional sales-oriented game, opting for an engaging story that would persist over time—similar to successful literature.

The games are known to have drawn influence from media such as Jacob's Ladder, Phantoms, Session 9, Alien, Stephen King's The Mist, and the art of Francis Bacon, largely through cultivating a technique of inducing fear through more psychological levels of perception. Many sequences and tropes from these films share identical concepts.{{cite web|url=http://www.shacknews.com/article/52765/silent-hill-5-interview-jasons|title=Silent Hill 5 Interview: Jason's Philosophy, Jacob's Ladder, and Pyramid Head|last=Breckon|first=Nick|date=May 20, 2008|publisher=Shacknews|access-date=April 13, 2010|archive-date=June 14, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614231322/http://www.shacknews.com/article/52765/silent-hill-5-interview-jasons|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/adsk4/status/857670371620773888|title=伊藤𣈱達_Masahiro Ito tweeted: ...|last=Ito|first=Masahiro|date=March 11, 2013|publisher=Twitter|access-date=March 4, 2018}} The films and television series of American filmmaker David Lynch are also acknowledged to have influenced Team Silent during the production of the initial games,{{cite web|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/18984/QA_Konamis_Yamaoka_on_Silent_Hill_Homecomings_Western_Development_Trip.php|title=Q&A: Konami's Yamaoka on Silent Hill: Homecoming's Western Development Trip|last=Nutt|first=Christian|work=Gamasutra|publisher=United Business Media LLC|access-date=October 2, 2011|archive-date=November 10, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111110085522/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/18984/QA_Konamis_Yamaoka_on_Silent_Hill_Homecomings_Western_Development_Trip.php|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/092/092865p1.html|title=IGN PS2 Interviews Silent Hill 2 Producer Akihiro Imamura|author=|date=March 28, 2001|publisher=IGN|access-date=April 13, 2010|archive-date=June 29, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629140227/http://ps2.ign.com/articles/092/092865p1.html|url-status=live}} especially Silent Hill 2.

Another major influence is Japanese horror, with comparisons made to classical Japanese Noh theatre and early 20th-century fiction writers, such as Edogawa Rampo.{{cite book | title = Horror Film: Creating and Marketing Fear | editor = Hantke, Steffen| first=Richard J.|last=Hand | chapter = Proliferating Horrors: Survival Horror and the Resident Evil Franchise | year = 2009 | publisher = University Press of Mississippi | pages = 117–134 [123–5]|isbn=978-1-60473-376-1}} The town of Silent Hill is a small rural American town imagined by the creative team. It was based on Western literature and films, as well as on depictions of American towns in European and Russian culture. The version of the town from the film adaptations of the first and third games is loosely based on the central Pennsylvania town of Centralia.{{efn|A modern ghost town, engulfed in smoke because of a still burning fire in an underground coal mine.}}

The Order's religion is based on various characteristics of different religions, such as the origins of Christianity, Aztec rituals, Shinto shrines, as well as Japanese folklore. The names of gods in the organization's religion were conceived by Hiroyuki Owaku, but they have Aztec and Mayan motifs, as Owaku used pronunciations from these civilizations as a reference. Certain religious items appearing in the series were conceived by the team, and for others, various religions were used as a basis. The evil spirit-dispelling substance Aglaophotis, which appears in the first installment and Silent Hill 3, is based on a herb of similar name and nature in the Kabbalah (Jewish mysticism). The name of the talisman called the "Seal of Metatron" references the angel Metatron.

{{listen |filename= |title="My Heaven" |description=A 19-second sample of the industrial composition "My Heaven" from the soundtrack of the first installment in the series, Silent Hill. Yamaoka used musical pieces of this genre to intensify the game's atmosphere.}}

The installments in the Silent Hill series feature various sound effects, some of which are ambient, as well as periods of silence. These sound effects are designed to induce certain emotions and feelings in the player,{{cite book |title=Silent Hill 3 公式完全攻略ガイド/失われた記憶 サイレントヒル・クロニクル |trans-title=Silent Hill 3 Official Strategy Guide / Lost Memories: Silent Hill Chronicle |date=July 31, 2003 |publisher=NTT Publishing Co., Ltd |language=ja|isbn=4-7571-8145-0 |page=90 |chapter=IV: The Emperor – Visual Concept}}{{cite book |title=Silent Hill 3 公式完全攻略ガイド/失われた記憶 サイレントヒル・クロニクル |trans-title=Silent Hill 3 Official Strategy Guide / Lost Memories: Silent Hill Chronicle |date=July 31, 2003 |publisher=NTT Publishing Co., Ltd |language=ja|isbn=4-7571-8145-0 |page=95 |chapter=IX: The Hermit – Sound Effect}} such as urgency, discomfort, or a sense of psychological disturbance. According to the series' former sound director, Akira Yamaoka, atmosphere is a crucial element of the series, and without it, the series' production would have been impossible. The games also feature soundtracks scored by Yamaoka.{{cite video game |title=Silent Hill |developer=Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo |publisher=Konami |date=January 31, 1999 |scene=Staff credits}}{{cite video game |title=Silent Hill 2 |developer=Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo |publisher=Konami |date=September 24, 2001 |scene=Staff credits}}

The musical pieces range in genre from industrial to trip hop to rock, with some tracks featuring vocals by voice actress Mary Elizabeth McGlynn.{{cite web|url=http://uk.ps2.ign.com/articles/362/362071p1.html|title=Silent Hill 3 Interview|date=June 12, 2002|author=|work=IGN|publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc|access-date=September 28, 2011|archive-date=April 7, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120407031908/http://uk.ps2.ign.com/articles/362/362071p1.html|url-status=dead}}{{cite video game |title=Silent Hill 3 |developer=Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo |publisher=Konami |date=May 23, 2003 |scene=Staff credits}}{{cite video game |title=Silent Hill 4: The Room |developer=Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo |publisher=Konami |date=June 17, 2004 |scene=Staff credits}}{{cite video game |title=Silent Hill: Origins |developer=Climax Studios |publisher=Konami Digital Entertainment |date=November 6, 2007 |scene=Staff credits}}{{cite video game |title=Silent Hill Homecoming |developer=Double Helix Games |publisher=Konami Digital Entertainment |date=September 30, 2008 |scene=Staff credits}}{{cite video game |title=Silent Hill: Shattered Memories |developer=Climax Studios |publisher=Konami Digital Entertainment |date=December 8, 2009 |scene=Staff credits}} The music of Silent Hill 3 and Silent Hill 4 also includes performance and songwriting contributions from musician and voice actor Joe Romersa.{{cite web|url=http://www.game-ost.com/articles.php?id=26&action=view|title=Joe Romersa Interview: Writing Songs for Silent Hill (March 2008)|website=www.game-ost.com|access-date=2016-11-10|archive-date=June 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180627084456/http://www.game-ost.com/articles.php?id=26&action=view|url-status=live}} Downpour and Book of Memories feature soundtracks scored by composer Daniel Licht;{{cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/games/silent_hill_downpour/b/xbox360/archive/2011/01/26/interview-dexter-composer-dan-licht-on-silent-hill-downpour.aspx|title=Interview: Dexter Composer Dan Licht On Silent Hill: Downpour|last=Turi|first=Tim|magazine=Game Informer|publisher=GameStop Corporation|access-date=October 1, 2011|archive-date=January 30, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110130065848/http://www.gameinformer.com/games/silent_hill_downpour/b/xbox360/archive/2011/01/26/interview-dexter-composer-dan-licht-on-silent-hill-downpour.aspx|url-status=live}} Downpour includes music in the industrial genre, with vocals by McGlynn as well as by Jonathan Davis of the band Korn.{{cite web|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/10/tomm-hulett-on-silent-hill-collection-downpour-book-of-memorie/|title=Tomm Hulett on Silent Hill Collection, Downpour, Book of Memories and Korn|date=June 10, 2011|access-date=July 11, 2011|last=Mitchell|first=Richard|work=Joystiq|publisher=Weblogs, Inc.|archive-date=February 3, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150203093725/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/10/tomm-hulett-on-silent-hill-collection-downpour-book-of-memorie/|url-status=live}}

{{VG Series Reviews

| game1 = Silent Hill

| mc1 = (PS1) 86/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/silent-hill/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation |title=Silent Hill Reviews |publisher=Metacritic |access-date=April 25, 2011 |archive-date=November 26, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101126041515/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation/silent-hill |url-status=live}}

| game2 = Silent Hill 2

| mc2 = (PS2) 89/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/silent-hill-2/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2 |title=Silent Hill 2 Reviews |publisher=Metacritic |access-date=April 25, 2011 |archive-date=January 7, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107042613/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/silent-hill-2 |url-status=live}}
(Xbox) 84/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/silent-hill-2-restless-dreams/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox |title=Silent Hill 2: Restless Dreams Reviews |publisher=Metacritic |access-date=April 25, 2011 |archive-date=December 9, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111209162732/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox/silent-hill-2-restless-dreams |url-status=live}}
(PC) 70/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/silent-hill-2/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Silent Hill 2 Reviews |publisher=Metacritic |access-date=April 25, 2011 |archive-date=March 20, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320051224/http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/silent-hill-2 |url-status=live}}

| game3 = Silent Hill 3

| mc3 = (PS2) 85/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/silent-hill-3/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2 |title=Silent Hill 3 Reviews |publisher=Metacritic |access-date=April 25, 2011 |archive-date=December 30, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111230100041/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/silent-hill-3 |url-status=live}}
(PC) 72/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/silent-hill-3/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Silent Hill 3 Reviews |publisher=Metacritic |access-date=April 25, 2011 |archive-date=January 4, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120104034339/http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/silent-hill-3 |url-status=live}}

| game4 = Silent Hill 4: The Room

| mc4 = (PS2) 76/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/silent-hill-4-the-room/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2 |title=Silent Hill 4: The Room Reviews |publisher=Metacritic |access-date=April 25, 2011 |archive-date=August 5, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110805170130/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/silent-hill-4-the-room |url-status=live}}
(Xbox) 76/100{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/redirectcritic?p=xbx&g=silenthill4theroom |title=Silent Hill 4: The Room Reviews |publisher=Metacritic |access-date=April 25, 2011 |archive-date=January 26, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120126003752/http://www.metacritic.com/redirectcritic?p=xbx&g=silenthill4theroom |url-status=live}}
(PC) 67/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/silent-hill-4-the-room/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Silent Hill 4: The Room Reviews |publisher=Metacritic |access-date=April 25, 2011 |archive-date=June 2, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110602111656/http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/silent-hill-4-the-room |url-status=live}}

| game5 = Silent Hill: Origins

| mc5 = (PSP) 78/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/silent-hill-origins/critic-reviews/?platform=psp |title=Silent Hill: Origins Reviews |publisher=Metacritic |access-date=April 25, 2011 |archive-date=July 7, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707123813/http://www.metacritic.com/game/psp/silent-hill-origins |url-status=live}}
(PS2) 70/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/silent-hill-origins/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2 |title=Silent Hill: Origins Reviews |publisher=Metacritic |access-date=April 25, 2011 |archive-date=July 16, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716213807/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/silent-hill-origins |url-status=live}}

| game6 = Silent Hill: Homecoming

| mc6 = (PS3) 71/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/silent-hill-homecoming/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-3 |title=Silent Hill: Homecoming Reviews |publisher=Metacritic |access-date=April 25, 2011 |archive-date=August 29, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110829034039/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-3/silent-hill-homecoming |url-status=live}}
(X360) 70/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/silent-hill-homecoming/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360 |title=Silent Hill: Homecoming Reviews |publisher=Metacritic |access-date=April 25, 2011 |archive-date=January 11, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110111054918/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/silent-hill-homecoming |url-status=live}}
(PC) 64/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/silent-hill-homecoming/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Silent Hill: Homecoming Reviews |publisher=Metacritic |access-date=April 25, 2011 |archive-date=October 30, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111030013413/http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/silent-hill-homecoming |url-status=live}}

| game7 = Silent Hill: Shattered Memories

| mc7 = (Wii) 79/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/silent-hill-shattered-memories/critic-reviews/?platform=wii |title=Silent Hill: Shattered Memories Reviews |publisher=Metacritic |access-date=April 25, 2011 |archive-date=August 30, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110830120722/http://www.metacritic.com/game/wii/silent-hill-shattered-memories |url-status=live}}
(PS2) 77/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/silent-hill-shattered-memories/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2 |title=Silent Hill: Shattered Memories Reviews |publisher=Metacritic |access-date=April 25, 2011 |archive-date=November 16, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111116174558/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/silent-hill-shattered-memories |url-status=live}}
(PSP) 73/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/silent-hill-shattered-memories/critic-reviews/?platform=psp |title=Silent Hill: Shattered Memories Reviews |publisher=Metacritic |access-date=April 25, 2011 |archive-date=August 24, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100824161324/http://www.metacritic.com/game/psp/silent-hill-shattered-memories |url-status=live}}

| game8 = Silent Hill: Downpour

| mc8 = (X360) 68/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/silent-hill-downpour/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360 |title=Silent Hill: Downpour Reviews |publisher=Metacritic |access-date=August 6, 2012 |archive-date=August 29, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180829200455/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/silent-hill-downpour |url-status=live}}
(PS3) 64/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/silent-hill-downpour/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-3 |title=Silent Hill: Downpour Reviews |publisher=Metacritic |access-date=August 6, 2012 |archive-date=August 29, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180829200342/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-3/silent-hill-downpour |url-status=live}}

| game9 = Silent Hill HD Collection

| mc9 = (PS3) 70/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/silent-hill-hd-collection/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-3 |title=Silent Hill HD Collection Reviews |publisher=Metacritic |access-date=August 6, 2012 |archive-date=April 24, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140424065257/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-3/silent-hill-hd-collection |url-status=live}}
(X360) 69/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/silent-hill-hd-collection/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360 |title=Silent Hill HD Collection Reviews |publisher=Metacritic |access-date=August 6, 2012 |archive-date=May 4, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120504115649/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/silent-hill-hd-collection |url-status=live}}

| game10 = Silent Hill: Book of Memories

| mc10 = (Vita) 58/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/silent-hill-book-of-memories/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-vita |title=Silent Hill: Book of Memories Reviews |publisher=Metacritic |access-date=April 19, 2013 |archive-date=December 27, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121227111010/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-vita/silent-hill-book-of-memories |url-status=live}}

| game11 = Silent Hill: The Short Message

| mc11 = (PS5) 53/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/silent-hill-the-short-message/ |title=Silent Hill: The Short Message Reviews |publisher=Metacritic |access-date=January 5, 2024 }}

| game12 = Silent Hill 2 (remake)

| mc12 = (PC) 87/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/silent-hill-2/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Silent Hill 2 for PC Reviews |website=Metacritic |accessdate=October 5, 2024}}
(PS5) 86/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/silent-hill-2/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-5 |title=Silent Hill 2 for PlayStation 5 Reviews |website=Metacritic |accessdate=October 4, 2024}}

}}

The Silent Hill franchise has been praised for its graphics, atmosphere, and narrative. While the first three installments received critical acclaim, and the fourth game received general praise from critics, later games in the series were less well-received.{{cite web|url=http://uk.retro.ign.com/articles/880/880202p1.html|title=Fear 101: A Beginner's Guide to Survival Horror|page=1|date=June 9, 2008|first=Jim|last=Sterling|work=IGN|publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc|access-date=September 22, 2011|archive-date=October 4, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004210524/http://uk.retro.ign.com/articles/880/880202p1.html|url-status=live}}

The first installment in the series, Silent Hill, received a positive response from critics upon its release and was commercially successful. It is considered a defining title in the survival horror genre, moving away from B movie horror elements toward a psychological style of horror that emphasizes atmosphere.

Silent Hill 2 received critical acclaim. It was named the fourteenth-best game on the PS2 by IGN, which noted that "it preserved most of the original game's what-might-be-out-there fear, but with major advances to the graphics and sound, the game was able to deliver a far more immersive, frightful, and compelling storyline".{{cite web |author= |url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/772/772296p2.html |title=The Top 25 PS2 Games of All Time – PS2 Feature at IGN |publisher=IGN |date=August 10, 2009 |access-date=May 2, 2010 |archive-date=August 29, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110829052827/http://ps2.ign.com/articles/772/772296p2.html |url-status=live}} Silent Hill 2 is considered one of the best horror games of all time by many, as it features on several "best games ever" lists by critics.

Praise for Silent Hill 2 was particularly aimed at its dark, cerebral narrative and storytelling, its exploration and handling of mature themes and concepts such as mental illness and domestic abuse, its sound design and musical composition, and its atmospheric and frightening tone and direction. Additionally, the fear-inducing and tense gameplay, along with the graphics and the symbolic nature of the monster designs, contributed to its acclaim. Silent Hill 2 is widely considered to be the best installment in the Silent Hill series and is regarded by many as a masterpiece of the horror game genre.

Silent Hill 3 was well received by critics, especially for its presentation, including its environments, graphics, and audio, as well as the overall horror elements and themes continued from past installments.{{cite web | url = http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/silent-hill-3 | title = Game Revolution Playstation 2 Review Page – Silent Hill 3 | work = Game Revolution | publisher = AtomicOnline, LLC | first = Chris | last = Hudak | date = August 3, 2003 | access-date = August 30, 2008 | archive-date = September 26, 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120926141627/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/silent-hill-3 | url-status = live}}{{cite web | url = http://pc.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r20477.htm | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080920153359/http://pc.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r20477.htm | archive-date = September 20, 2008 | title = Silent Hill 3 Review – PC | work = GameZone | publisher = GameZone Online | first = Tha | last = Wiz | date = December 18, 2003 | access-date = August 30, 2008}} The game received praise for its story, which was a continuation of the first game's narrative.{{cite web |last=Winegarner |first=Tyler |url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/adventure/silenthill3/review.html |title=Silent Hill 3 Review for PlayStation 2 |publisher=GameSpot |date=August 6, 2003 |access-date=May 2, 2010 |archive-date=March 14, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100314120649/http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/adventure/silenthill3/review.html |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last=Perry |first=Douglass C. |url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/432/432151p1.html |title=Silent Hill 3 – PlayStation 2 Review at IGN |publisher=IGN |date=August 3, 2003 |access-date=May 2, 2010 |archive-date=March 11, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110311081551/http://ps2.ign.com/articles/432/432151p1.html |url-status=live}}

In comparison to the previous three installments, Silent Hill 4: The Room received mostly positive reviews, though its reception was lower than that of its predecessors. Many reviewers disliked the increased emphasis on combat, which lessened the focus on the horror aspect of gameplay. However, the game was praised for its atmospheric tone and direction, sound design, graphics, and storyline. The changes from the series' conventions received mixed responses, varying from positive to negative. 1UP.com stated that Konami went "backwards" with this game,{{cite web |first=Kristan |last=Reed |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/ir_silenthill4_ps2 |title=Silent Hill 4: The Room Review | PS2 |publisher=Eurogamer |date=July 27, 2004 |access-date=May 2, 2010 |archive-date=May 11, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100511081247/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/ir_silenthill4_ps2 |url-status=live}} though reviewers such as GameSpot still praised the game's atmosphere.{{cite web |first=Bethany |last=Massimilla |url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/adventure/silenthill4theroom/review.html |title=Silent Hill 4: The Room Review for PlayStation 2 |publisher=GameSpot |date=September 7, 2004 |access-date=May 2, 2010 |archive-date=April 20, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100420001519/http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/adventure/silenthill4theroom/review.html |url-status=live}}

Origins received positive reviews despite some criticism. It was praised for returning to the old gameplay formula—according to IGN, Origins does justice to the series as a whole. However, some critics pointed out the series' increasing predictability, with GameSpot stating that "this old fog needs to learn some new tricks".{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/psp/adventure/silenthillorigins/index.html |title=Silent Hill: Origins for PSP – Silent Hill: Origins Sony PSP – Silent Hill: Origins PSP Game |publisher=GameSpot |access-date=May 2, 2010 |archive-date=February 24, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100224203553/http://www.gamespot.com/psp/adventure/silenthillorigins/index.html |url-status=live}}

Homecoming received mixed reviews. It was praised for its graphics and audio, but the horror and gameplay received mixed reactions. Some critics, such as GameSpot, felt that it lost "the psychological horror factor that the series is so well-known for".{{cite web |last=Anderson |first=Lark |url=http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/adventure/silenthill5/review.html |title=Silent Hill: Homecoming Review for Xbox 360 |publisher=GameSpot |date=September 30, 2008 |access-date=May 2, 2010 |archive-date=April 7, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090407172734/http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/adventure/silenthill5/review.html |url-status=live}} Some critics were harsher; IGN called the game a "letdown".{{cite web |last=Haynes |first=Jeff |url=http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/915/915002p2.html |title=Silent Hill: Homecoming Review – Xbox 360 Review at IGN |publisher=Xbox360.ign.com |date=September 30, 2008 |access-date=May 2, 2010 |archive-date=February 14, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090214030714/http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/915/915002p2.html |url-status=live}}

Shattered Memories received more positive reviews. GameSpot praised the game's effort at reinventing the first game's plot, rather than being a simple remake.{{cite web |last=Anderson |first=Lark |url=http://www.gamespot.com/wii/action/silenthillshatteredmemories/review.html |title=Silent Hill: Shattered Memories Review for Wii |publisher=GameSpot |date=January 19, 2010 |access-date=May 2, 2010 |archive-date=March 29, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329174452/http://www.gamespot.com/silent-hill-shattered-memories/reviews/silent-hill-shattered-memories-review-6242751/ |url-status=live}}

Downpour received mixed reviews. While certain critics praised the soundtrack and story elements, the game was criticized for "sluggish combat" and "occasional freezes".

HD Collection also received mixed reviews. Critics criticized the collection for many technical issues plaguing both games and the artistic changes made to the games. Book of Memories, while receiving mixed reviews, has been the least well-received game in the series, with most criticism regarding the game's shift in genre.

The Duffer Brothers have cited Silent Hill as an influence on their 2016 television show Stranger Things. They noted that it inspired the Upside Down, a parallel dimension in the series.[http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/08/07/inside-stranger-things-the-duffer-bros-on-how-they-made-the-tv-hit-of-the-summer.html Inside 'Stranger Things': The Duffer Bros. on How They Made the TV Hit of the Summer] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170506153310/http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/08/07/inside-stranger-things-the-duffer-bros-on-how-they-made-the-tv-hit-of-the-summer.html |date=May 6, 2017}}, The Daily Beast

{{main|List of Silent Hill media}}

Print media of the Silent Hill franchise includes a series of comic book adaptations;{{cite web|url=http://uk.comics.ign.com/objects/740/740888.html|title=Silent Hill: The Grinning Man Comics|work=IGN|publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc|access-date=December 31, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425051938/http://uk.comics.ign.com/objects/740/740888.html|archive-date=April 25, 2012|df=mdy-all}}{{cite web|url=http://uk.comics.ign.com/objects/142/14229579.html|title=Silent Hill: Sinner's Reward Comics|work=IGN|publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc|access-date=December 31, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425051942/http://uk.comics.ign.com/objects/142/14229579.html|archive-date=April 25, 2012|df=mdy-all}}{{cite web|url=http://uk.comics.ign.com/articles/113/1132380p1.html|title=Silent Hill: Past Life #1 Review|date=November 4, 2010|last=Schedeen|first=Jesse|work=IGN|publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc|access-date=December 31, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425051946/http://uk.comics.ign.com/articles/113/1132380p1.html|archive-date=April 25, 2012|df=mdy-all}} the novels Silent Hill, Silent Hill 2, and Silent Hill 3 by Sadamu Yamashita, which are novelizations of their eponymous video games;{{cite book|title=Silent Hill: The Terror Engine|author=Perron, Bernard|year=2012|location=Ann Arbor|publisher=University of Michigan Press|page=137|isbn=9780472071623|oclc=731913262}} the guidebook Lost Memories; and the art book Drawing Block: Silent Hill 3 Program.

Spin-off video games based on the series include the arcade game Silent Hill: The Arcade{{cite web|url=http://uk.cheats.ign.com/objects/886/886120.html|title=Silent Hill: The Arcade|work=IGN|publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc|access-date=December 1, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426005838/http://uk.cheats.ign.com/objects/886/886120.html|archive-date=April 26, 2012|df=mdy-all}} and the mobile games Silent Hill: Orphan and Silent Hill: The Escape.{{cite web|url=http://uk.wireless.ign.com/articles/942/942102p1.html|title=Silent Hill: The Escape iPhone Review|date=January 7, 2009|work=IGN|publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc|access-date=December 1, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120115052834/http://uk.wireless.ign.com/articles/942/942102p1.html|archive-date=January 15, 2012|df=mdy-all}}

Konami has announced Silent Hill-themed pachinko machines, one in 2015 and another two titled Silent Hill: Return and Silent Hill: Escape in 2020.{{cite web|url=https://metro.co.uk/2019/10/14/new-silent-hill-game-announced-konami-not-mobile-game-worse-10914104/|title=New Silent Hill game announced by Konami and it's not a mobile game (it's worse)|author=Game Central|work=Metro|date=October 14, 2019|access-date=November 21, 2019|archive-date=October 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191022044442/https://metro.co.uk/2019/10/14/new-silent-hill-game-announced-konami-not-mobile-game-worse-10914104/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/video-games/3588785/konami-brings-back-silent-hill-pachinko-machine/|title=Konami Brings Back 'Silent Hill' Again as a Pachinko Machine|author=Wilson, Mike|date=October 13, 2019|work=Bloody Disgusting|access-date=November 21, 2019|archive-date=November 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191112123436/https://bloody-disgusting.com/video-games/3588785/konami-brings-back-silent-hill-pachinko-machine/|url-status=live}}

Downloadable content for the video games Dead by Daylight and Dark Deception: Monsters & Mortals was released in June 2020 and March 2021, respectively.

{{Main|Silent Hill (film series)}}

A film adaptation of the first game in the series, Silent Hill, was released in 2006. It was adapted and directed by French film director, producer, and writer Christophe Gans, who is a big fan of the Silent Hill game series.

A second film, titled Silent Hill: Revelation, written and directed by M. J. Bassett and based on Silent Hill 3,{{cite web|url=http://michaeljbassett.wordpress.com/2011/05/14/its-a-wrap/|title=It's A Wrap|date=May 14, 2011|last=Bassett|first=Michael J.|author-link=Michael J. Bassett|publisher=Michael J. Basset official blog|access-date=May 14, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110518023613/http://michaeljbassett.wordpress.com/2011/05/14/its-a-wrap/|archive-date=May 18, 2011|df=mdy-all}} was released in 2012.

In a 2020 interview, Gans expressed interest in making a third film, stating that a script was being developed centered on puritanism.{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/2020/02/01/silent-hill-movie-fatal-frame-new-2020/|title=New Silent Hill Movie Announced|website=comicbook.com|author=Tyler Fischer|date=January 31, 2020|access-date=February 9, 2020|archive-date=February 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200202144941/https://comicbook.com/gaming/2020/02/01/silent-hill-movie-fatal-frame-new-2020/|url-status=live}} In October 2022, a sequel to the first film was announced to be in early development, referred to as Return to Silent Hill, with Gans returning to direct. This film will be based on Silent Hill 2.{{Cite web |last=Zaidi |first=Salman Haider |date=2022-10-19 |title=Report: Silent Hill 2 Remake, "Return to Silent Hill" Movie & Silent Hill: Ascension to Be Announced in Silent Hill Transmission |url=https://mp1st.com/news/report-silent-hill-2-remake-return-to-silent-hill-movie-silent-hill-ascension-to-be-announced-in-silent-hill-transmission |access-date=2022-10-19 |website=MP1st |language=en-US}}

• The Axis of Perdition, an industrial black metal band, recorded Physical Illucinations in the Sewer of Xuchilbara (The Red God), a 2004 EP named after a god from the Silent Hill franchise. The EP also states that it was recorded "in the confines of Toluca Prison," a location from Silent Hill 2. The track titles and tracks themselves refer to Silent Hill and feature music and voice samples, most notably of Claudia Wolf, the main antagonist of Silent Hill 3.{{Cite web |last=JonathanBarkan |date=2015-08-07 |title=Have You Heard This 'Silent Hill'-Inspired Metal Album? |url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/news/3355706/heard-silent-hill-inspired-metal-album/ |access-date=2022-09-29 |website=Bloody Disgusting! |language=en-US}}
• Dementium: The Ward, a survival horror game for the Nintendo DS, was originally pitched as a Silent Hill game, but it was turned down by Konami.{{Citation|title=Dementium: The Ward Was Pitched to Konami as a Silent Hill DS Game - IGN|date=April 27, 2015|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2015/04/27/dementium-the-ward-was-pitched-to-konami-as-a-silent-hill-ds-game|language=en|access-date=2021-06-27}} Dementium II, also a survival horror game for the Nintendo DS, was similarly pitched as a Silent Hill game but was rejected by Konami.
• The "Upside Down", a location in the Netflix 2016 horror TV series Stranger Things, is inspired by the series' namesake foggy town of Silent Hill.{{Cite web |author1=Sam Prell |date=2016-08-26 |title=Yes, Stranger Things' Upside Down was totally inspired by Silent Hill |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/yes-stranger-things-upside-down-was-totally-inspired-by-silent-hill/ |access-date=2022-03-16 |website=gamesradar |language=en}}
• Tetsuya Yamagami, the perpetrator behind the murder of former japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe, owned a Twitter account with the screen name "silent hill 333", in reference to the series, prior to the events of the assassination.{{cite web |title=教会憎んだ息子「オレは母を信じたかった」 安倍元首相銃撃1カ月 |url=https://mainichi.jp/articles/20220808/k00/00m/040/214000c |access-date=18 March 2025 |work=Mainichi Shimbun |language=ja}}

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