There are a lot of long-running horror franchises in the gaming world, so what is it about Silent Hill that makes fans talk about the series like it's sacred? Why should you still take the time to get into Silent Hill today? Why are they some of the best horror games? The simple answer is these games aren't just masterclasses of horror, but psychological horror in particular – a genre that's tough to get right in an interactive medium, and that few games even now can really nail. Including, sometimes, Silent Hill itself – though Silent Hill f looks set to put the series back on track.
It's all added to by the series' iconic tonic and atmosphere. The foggy streets of the first game may have been arrived at due to the PS1's load-distance limitations, but the idea of monsters coming from just out of sight is fantastic. While there is action in the series – guns and great big pipes – it's true survival horror that always makes you feel on the backfoot. Not to mention the vibes often make you question what you're seeing, the psychological horror unsettling and allowing room for interpretation with the events that unfold. Consider the below my beginner's guide to Silent Hill!
