From The Verge · Andrew Webster · · 1m 50s
Horror's golden age: Silent Hill and Resident Evil surge
Gaming's two biggest horror franchises are thriving with bold new games and successful film adaptations.
In brief
Gaming's two biggest horror franchises are thriving with bold new games and successful film adaptations. Resident Evil and Silent Hill, gaming's biggest horror series, are both experiencing creative and commercial peaks with new games and film reboots. Originally reported by The Verge.
Silent Hill's remarkable turnaround
For the third year running, a new Silent Hill game has terrified players. After the franchise seemed moribund, it has roared back with remakes and new entries.
Resident Evil's steady climb
Resident Evil 7 nearly a decade ago revived the series with a first-person perspective. Capcom has since alternated between remakes of classics and new spins on the formula.
Resident Evil's experimental direction
This year's Requiem merged two types of Resident Evil games, mixing straight-up action with first-person terror in a bold attempt to expand the franchise's scope.
Resident Evil film finds success
A new Resident Evil film directed by Zach Cregger premiered last week, centered on a hapless delivery driver instead of iconic characters. It had the best box office opening in franchise history.
Silent Hill's path back from cancellation
After the two thousand fifteen cancellation of Silent Hills, Konami announced a franchise return in two thousand twenty-two. The Silent Hill two remake and Silent Hill F have both succeeded with players.
Townfall expands Silent Hill's scope
Silent Hill: Townfall launches this week on PS five and PC, developed by Screen Burn. It blends walking simulator exploration with stealth horror as players uncover a Scottish town's dark secrets.
Townfall's gameplay approach
The game emphasizes stealth and exploration over combat, with players sneaking past unpredictable monsters using a handheld device to track enemies, much like Alien: Isolation.
Horror's cultural moment
Both franchises are hitting their stride as horror experiences breakout successes at the box office and a promising wave of streaming series. The genre is having a moment.
The short version
Resident Evil and Silent Hill, gaming's biggest horror series, are both experiencing creative and commercial peaks with new games and film reboots.
