Silent Hill Retrospective Part 1 – Silent Hill 1

Welcome to the first part of our Silent Hill Retrospective series, looking at Silent Hill 1.

Silent Hill 1 (1999)

When Team Silent introduced the Silent Hill 1 game for PlayStation in 1999, it brought a new sense of horror not seen in the world of gaming. Terror lurked in many corners, whether it was on the street on within buildings. While the monsters scared many gamers at that time, it was the lore and story of the haunted town that caught their attention.

The first game in the Silent Hill series focused on Harry Mason searching for his daughter, Cheryl. It featured a third-person perspective, the camera following the character as he ran through the fog for any signs of her. As you discovered new locations or locked doors, the map was updated. There were also horrific creatures trying to kill you. During the game, you learn that Cheryl is a physical manifestation of Alessa Gillespie, burnt as a witch in the past.

There were many locations in Silent Hill 1 that became iconic for the series. For example, Midwich Elementary was one of the first areas to explore, setting the tone for other destinations in the game. Some key features that became staples for future games were the flashlight, radio signals for nearby enemies, and save points. 

Of course, the number one element that set Silent Hill 1 apart from other horror games was Otherworld. It was another reality that Harry found himself in during different parts of the game. Many elements were linked to the original buildings, linked to the story you needed to uncover. As would be another staple in the series, there were five alternative endings with one of them being canon and another one the joke ending.