Triangular Heads, Red Save Points, and Even Mechanics That Recall *Shattered Memories*… The Series’ “DNA” Found in *SILENT HILL: Townfall* [Feature]

On September 24, 2026, Konami Digital Entertainment and Annapurna Interactive released the latest installment in the series, *SILENT HILL: Townfall*.

The *SILENT HILL* series underwent a full-scale revival beginning with the 2024 remake of *SILENT HILL 2*,and in 2025, *SILENT HILL f*—the first title in the series set in Japan—became a major talking point. It remains a landmark psychological horror game that continues to take on new challenges.

I went on a pilgrimage to the locations featured in *SILENT HILL f*—I was thrilled by the Showa-era retro “muscle-and-bone tour” that was just like the game world! I also searched for the “best spots to play” on the Steam Deck [Part 1] | Game*Spark - Domestic and International Gaming News Site

A two-day, one-night leisurely trip to Gero City, Gifu Prefecture.

https://www.gamespark.jp/article/2025/10/20/158574.htmlRead more »

And then, the latest title, *SILENT HILL: Townfall,” set on the mist-shrouded, isolated Scottish island of “St. Amelia,” is the first full-length title in the series to feature first-person perspective (FPV) exploration. It also introduces new systems and presentation styles, such as combat and puzzle-solving using the portable “CRTV” pocket TV instead of the traditional radio.

While this title takes a bold new direction that isn’t bound by previous entries, the essence of *SILENT HILL* remains intact. The series’ traditions—such as the depiction of thick fog, grotesque creatures, a town in flux, and psychological themes like societal distortion and human guilt—are faithfully carried forward.

Furthermore, the game is filled with numerous homages that brim with love for the *SILENT HILL* series.

In this article, as a die-hard *Silent Hill* fan, I will introduce and explain the numerous motifs I discovered in *Silent Hill: Townfall*—motifs that could be described as the series’ “genetic code.” Please note that these are strictly my personal observations and have not been officially confirmed.

Also, as you might expect, this article contains numerous spoilers. Please proceed with caution.

A Beautiful Fishing Village Became a “Town of Fog”—Introducing the Original Landscape of “St. Monanz,” the Model for *SILENT HILL: Townfall* [Feature] | Game*Spark - Domestic and International Gaming News Site

What is the appeal of “St. Monan’s,” a fishing village in eastern Scotland that served as one of the inspirations for “St. Amelia,” the game’s setting?

https://www.gamespark.jp/article/2026/10/04/173153.htmlRead more »

◆ Packed with Love for *SILENT HILL*: Numerous Homages and Influences

First up is the game’s protagonist, “Simon Ordell.”

Simon is a Black man born on October 15, 1959. At the beginning of the story, when he washes ashore on the island, he has lost his memories of the past and, to make matters stranger, has an IV bag directly attached to his left arm—making him a highly enigmatic figure despite being the protagonist.

Now, looking at Simon’s outfit, he wears a navy blue knit cap, a voluminous maroon (a dark red with a slight purple tint) down vest, and underneath that, a blue long-sleeved shirt with the sleeves rolled up slightly.

Another distinctive feature is his slightly loose-fitting indigo blue jeans; his chest pocket also holds the “pocket flashlight”—a familiar item in the series—making for a quite memorable outfit.

Seeing Simon like this reminds me of “Travis Grady,” the protagonist of *Silent Hill: Zero*, which was released on the PSP and PS2.

A black mesh cap, a yellow down vest, a rolled-up long-sleeved plaid shirt, rugged jeans, and a pocket light… Don’t they both look somewhat similar?

Since Travis is portrayed as a truck driver, there’s nothing out of place about this classic working-class style; however, Simon’s background isn’t revealed until the ending.

With that in mind, I can’t find any convincing reason why Simon’s outfit would be styled this way. So, I can’t help but feel that he was influenced by Travis.

Of course, if someone were to say it’s just a coincidence or that it’s simply a result of the 1996 time period, I suppose I’d have to accept that…

Next, let’s talk about the save screen in *SILENT HILL: Townfall*.

In this game, an old-fashioned analog phone serves as the save point—but take a closer look. Right next to the buttons, you’ll see a grid of nine “red squares,” won’t you?

In fact, this object—which at first glance seems completely unrelated—holds tremendous significance within the *SILENT HILL* series.

That’s because this “red square” was originally a symbolic object representing manual save points in *SILENT HILL 2*. It’s depicted exactly as it was on the telephone (the save point).

Furthermore, this object isn’t just functional within the game—it’s also closely tied to the story and the mental state of the protagonist, James.

For example, it can be interpreted as a metaphor for “a letter from his late wife, Mary,” reflecting James’s sense of guilt. Furthermore, particularly toward the end of *SILENT HILL 2*, it transforms into a cluster of nine squares, as mentioned above—a change that corresponds to the transformation of James’s psyche.

In this way, the inclusion of a motif that is so iconic and deeply meaningful to both *2* and the series as a whole really conveys the development team’s deep respect for *SILENT HILL*.

Incidentally, if you listen closely to the sound effects during the item selection screen (menu) and when saving, you’ll notice they’re strikingly similar to those in *Silent Hill 2*—a detail that really moved me and is sure to make any series fan smile. It’s fantastic.

◆ The Use of Phones and Gadgets, Reminiscent of *Shattered Memories*

Beyond the early games, there are also interesting similarities to the unconventional title *Silent Hill: Shattered Memories*, which was released in Japan in 2010.

In this game, *SILENT HILL: Townfall*, the “telephone” plays a very important role. Not only does it function as a save point, but you can also actually call phone numbers listed on reference items and other materials to learn about the story’s background or get hints while exploring.

In fact, this mechanic—where “the player makes calls to phone numbers found within the game”—was also present in *Shattered Memories*.

In that game, the protagonist, Harry, can use his cell phone to call phone numbers listed on street signs, posters, and notes.Through phone calls and recorded messages, players can obtain information necessary to advance the story and uncover the tales hidden within the town. Another key feature is that Harry uses his cell phone (smartphone) to receive eerie photos, text messages, and audio clips, gradually uncovering fragments of the town’s past.

What both works have in common is not merely the presence of a phone, but the way they link information discovered in the town to the actual act of making a phone call. Furthermore, in *Shattered Memories*, the cell phone was also used for taking photos and receiving messages, functioning as a crucial gadget for exploring the town.

In *Townfall*, on the other hand, the symbolic gadget is a small analog television called the “CRTV.” The mechanism—where tuning the TV allows the player to pick up video and audio, thereby encountering invisible information and fragments of the story—is somewhat reminiscent of *Shattered Memories*, in which players uncover the town’s secrets through a cell phone.

Of course, the CRTV is an evolution of the radio familiar from previous *SILENT HILL* games, and it hasn’t been explicitly stated that it was directly inspired by *Shattered Memories*. Still, the idea of using everyday electronic devices to uncover invisible horrors and fragments of stories captures a sense of fun that runs through the entire series.

Turning to gameplay, while *Shattered Memories* eliminated combat with enemies in favor of a design centered on escape, *Townfall* offers both weapon-based combat and stealth.

Although weapons and guns do appear, ammunition is extremely scarce and reloading is slow, so the premise is “stealth evasion”—avoiding combat whenever possible.

The sense of tension—a “desperate escape by a helpless civilian” who lures enemies with noises or hides in closets—can be seen as a modern survival horror game that builds upon the combat-free design philosophy of *Shattered Memories*.

◆A New Direction and the “Series’ DNA” That Lives On

While *SILENT HILL: Townfall* points toward a new direction with features like the first-person perspective and the CRTV gadget, several motifs that embody the series’ traditions can also be found within the game.

First among these is the “Otherworld,” a familiar realm in the *Silent Hill* series.

In the series, the “Otherworld” refers to a world that has transformed from the fog-shrouded ordinary town (the “real world”) into an eerie, otherworldly space (a supernatural state) where blood, rust, darkness, or a person’s nightmares have taken physical form.

As you can see in this game, the entire island of St. Amelia has been transformed into an eerie red hue, with countless massive pipes, inorganic structures, and exposed wiring appearing all around.

Players will feel an overwhelming sense of terror as the town is gradually consumed, as if they were inside a massive factory. Personally, while I thought the presentation of the “Other World” in *SILENT HILL f*, which was entirely covered in eerie red spider lilies, was superb, I also find the depiction of the Other World in this game to be truly wonderful in its own unique way.

In addition, Zoe’s home features a painting reminiscent of the “Triangle Head”—one of the series’ most iconic characters—and the all-too-familiar melee weapon, the “iron pipe,” which appears in nearly every title (with the exception of *Shattered Memories*), also makes an appearance.

Furthermore, the remastered version of *SILENT HILL 2* includes a new collection element called “Strange Photos,” in which players gather Polaroid photos throughout the entire game.

In a similar vein, *SILENT HILL: Townfall* also hides collectible items called “Strange Postcards” throughout the exploration areas.

I feel this title is one of the greatest horror games in the series, skillfully blending new, evolved elements with the “DNA” of the *Silent Hill* series—carefully gathered and woven into the very fabric of the game.

It’s sure to captivate not only die-hard *Silent Hill* fans but also new players. Be sure to give it a try.

*SILENT HILL: Townfall* is now available for PS5 and PC (Steam and the Epic Games Store).