Konami is expanding the Silent Hill universe with Silent Hill: Townfall, a new psychological horror game developed by Screen Burn Interactive. Revealed during Sony’s State of Play on , Townfall distinguishes itself from previous entries with a first-person perspective and a unique approach to the series’ signature tension. The game is slated for release on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S in 2026.
Silent Hill: Townfall introduces players to Simon Ordell, a new protagonist drawn to the isolated town of St. Amelia. The setting, inspired by the Scottish coastline, represents a departure from the familiar landscapes of Silent Hill, but maintains the franchise’s atmospheric density. Konami and Screen Burn Interactive are positioning Townfall as an exploration of the core concept of Silent Hill itself – suggesting the unsettling phenomena aren’t confined to a single location, but can manifest elsewhere.
The narrative centers around a cyclical predicament for Simon, who appears trapped in a repeating sequence of events. This structure, according to the developers, aims to amplify psychological tension, a hallmark of the Silent Hill series. The trailer depicts Simon awakening in the water, repeatedly, and a sense of inescapable dread permeates the environment. A sign in town reads, “Nothing we can do until help arrives, please stay safe,” hinting at a community paralyzed by an unseen threat.
Gameplay footage showcased a significant shift in perspective. Unlike recent entries like the Silent Hill 2 remake, Townfall adopts a first-person viewpoint. This change is intended to heighten immersion and alter how players navigate the environment and engage in combat. Players can observe surroundings discreetly before confronting enemies, and engage in both melee and ranged combat, utilizing makeshift weapons like planks of wood and, later, a pistol.
A key innovation is the replacement of the traditional radio – an iconic element of the Silent Hill experience – with a portable television, dubbed the CRTV. This device serves a similar function, detecting the presence of creatures, but presents the information visually, displaying their silhouettes on the screen. This evolution of the series’ signature detection mechanic adds a new layer to anticipating and avoiding danger. The CRTV builds on Screen Burn Interactive’s prior experience designing interactive retro interfaces and VHS aesthetics.
The trailer features a voice communicating with Simon via the CRTV, urging him to return and acknowledging a shared predicament. “Simon, listen to me,” the voice says. “You can’t stay in this room forever. I can’t stay in this room forever. I know What we have is going to be hard, but you have to come back to me.” This dialogue suggests a complex relationship and a shared history driving the narrative.
Silent Hill: Townfall is the latest in a series of projects Konami announced in 2022 aimed at revitalizing the Silent Hill franchise. These projects include the Silent Hill 2 remake, Silent Hill f, the interactive streaming series Silent Hill: Ascension, and Christophe Gans’ Return to Silent Hill film. Konami appears to be strategically diversifying its approach to the franchise, exploring different genres and platforms to reach a wider audience.
The game’s development is being led by Jon McKellan, Writer and Director at Screen Burn Interactive, and produced by Motoi Okamoto at Konami. Screen Burn Interactive, formerly known as No Code, is a smaller development team that has taken a deliberate approach to crafting the game, aiming to deliver a polished and confident experience. The team is focused on evolving the narrative design they’ve experimented with in past games while pushing into ambitious new territory.
A dedicated Silent Hill Transmission event was held on , at 1:00 AM Paris time, providing further details about the franchise’s future. Konami’s investment in this event and the ongoing development of multiple Silent Hill projects signals a long-term commitment to restoring the series to prominence in the horror gaming landscape.
With its unique setting, narrative structure, and gameplay innovations, Silent Hill: Townfall aims to offer a fresh perspective on the psychological horror that defines the Silent Hill series. The game’s success will depend on its ability to balance experimentation with the core elements that have made the franchise so enduring.
