Naked Snake might not have been in attendance at the recently-concluded State of Play, but Konami’s other in-revival franchise, Silent Hill, was there to surprise everyone.
As if trying to make up for last year’s lackluster release, Silent Hill: Ascension, Konami confirmed that the franchise’s next entry, Silent Hill: The Short Message, will be available for free on PlayStation 5. This surprise release marks a fresh chapter in the beloved series, offering a modern take on psychological horror.
Silent Hill: The Short Message introduces players to a new narrative centered around the protagonist, Anita, who finds herself trapped in a crumbling apartment building with a dark past. The game is set in modern-day Germany, inside an apartment building called The Villa. Anita is guided by messages from her friend Maya, leading her through a series of eerie and otherworldly experiences. The game promises a rich, atmospheric setting with jump scares, making it a thrilling experience for fans of the genre.
The game departs from traditional Silent Hill titles by adopting a first-person perspective, allowing players to immerse themselves in Anita’s terrifying journey as she seeks to unravel Maya’s mystery. The presence of a monstrous entity is also crucial to the game’s chilling atmosphere.
The announcement of Silent Hill: The Short Message came as a surprise to many, as the game had been subject to leaks but never officially confirmed until the State of Play event. This new Silent Hill game is part of Konami’s larger effort to revitalize the franchise, which includes other upcoming projects like Bloober Team’s remake of Silent Hill 2 and Silent Hill f.
While details about these other titles are scarce, the release of The Short Message provides fans with an immediate and accessible way to dive back into the Silent Hill universe.
The game’s focus on a modern setting and the use of a smartphone as a key gameplay element signify a contemporary approach to the franchise. The story’s exploration of psychological horror themes, like cyberbullying and the pressures of online negativity, reflects the game’s relevance to current societal issues. Producer Motoi Okamoto emphasized that the game’s narrative revolves around characters grappling with real-life struggles and the impact of even minor acts of kindness or cruelty.
Speaking of Metal Gear, it’s unclear when we’ll hear more about Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater next. The remake was recently featured in Sony’s trailer for games coming to PlayStation 5 later this year.
