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A Definitive Ranking of the ‘Silent Hill’ Video Games

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Silent Hill ranking

For nearly a decade, Silent Hill existed only in our restless dreams, with Konami refusing to finance any new projects and not even facilitating the rerelease of previous games. Sure, there was a spark of hope when Hideo Kojima revealed P.T. and his plans for a franchise reinvention, but that promising endeavor was soon replaced by Pachinko Machines and crossovers in other games. That’s why, for the longest time, fans had come to accept that their favorite survival horror series was finally dead.

Of course, that all changed with Konami’s recent Silent Hill Transmission, which revealed not one, but five simultaneous projects meant to bring the series back to its former glory! As a life-long fan of the series (Silent Hill was actually what got me into horror in the first place), I was naturally ecstatic. And with the cursed town possibly receiving new arrivals in the near future, I think this is a good time to re-evaluate the previous entries in the franchise through a definitive ranking of every Silent Hill game.

After all, while I believe that every single game in the series has something to love about it, some of these titles are clearly better than others.

While the following list is obviously based on personal opinion, we’ll be following a couple of rules in order to keep things simple. First of all, we’ll be ignoring Pachinko Machines, Mobile Java games and Arcade titles, as these are exceedingly difficult to track down and aren’t even canon in the series’ main story. We also won’t be including P.T. as it was quite literally a playable teaser and not a complete game (though it remains one of the best SH experiences out there).

With that out of the way, don’t forget to comment below with your own personal ranking of the games if you disagree with this one.

Now, let’s step into those foggy streets for our Silent Hill ranking…


9. Silent Hill: Homecoming (2008)

Silent Hill ranking homecoming

The problem with adaptations is that if they’re too successful, they can end up overshadowing the original IP. Unfortunately, SH: Homecoming is a good example of this. While the original project was meant to be more in line with SH2 and focus on subjective psychological terror, the developers eventually decided to make the game look and feel more like Christophe Gans’ 2007 movie.

The ensuing product isn’t exactly a bad game, featuring some appropriately creepy monsters and our first ever high-definition romp through the titular town, but it’s clearly not up to par with the rest of the series. On the plus side, the game features a great soundtrack (obviously composed by series veteran Akira Yamaoka) as well as some memorable shout-outs to Jacob’s Ladder, a major inspiration for the franchise.


8. Silent Hill: Book of Memories (2012)

Until Konami’s latest announcement, SH fans were deeply afraid that Book of Memories would be the franchise’s last gasp. While I don’t think the game is as bad as some critics have made it out to be, as it takes a couple of risks and is actually one of the better western RPGs on the PlayStation Vita, I was also disappointed that the last official Silent Hill game was somehow a handheld dungeon crawler that focused on multiplayer action rather than a memorable narrative.

That being said, the game has plenty of easter-eggs for long-time fans and the soundtrack boasts a couple of memorable themes. Even the dungeon crawling is legitimately engaging if you can get a couple of friends to go on this nightmarish journey with you. That’s why I think it’s a better game than the derivative Homecoming despite only barely being a horror title.


7. Silent Hill: Downpour (2012)

Silent Hill ranking Downpour

A completely original psychological thriller about a convict on the run, featuring a unique take on the titular town and a main theme composed by Korn? Sign me the hell up! Sure, Downpour has its fair share of technical issues and often doesn’t feel like Silent Hill game at all, but I appreciate the developers’ commitment to making this sequel feel like a brand-new experience.

From Daniel Licht’s surprisingly engaging soundtrack to the recurring rain motif, there’s a lot to love about Downpour even if it’s still not up there with the best in the series. Unfortunately, the game remains imprisoned on the seventh generation of consoles until Konami decides to rerelease it…


6. Silent Hill: Origins (2007)

Another handheld title (though it was eventually ported to the PS2), Origins is a weird little passion project that shouldn’t be as good as it is. Originally meant to be an action/horror/comedy hybrid with a greater focus on combat and a story influenced by Scrubs, the development team eventually changed their minds and decided to make the game more similar to the original Silent Hill by turning it into a short and sweet prequel.

The prequel narrative doesn’t really add anything important to the overarching story and the game revisits a few too many familiar locations, but this was the last time that a Silent Hill game truly felt like a Silent Hill game (especially with Yamaoka returning with tracks inspired by the first title). That’s why I think it’s still worth tracking down.


5. Silent Hill: Shattered Memories (2009)

A quasi-remake of the first game, this underrated Wii title exists outside the main series continuity, but it’s still one of the most fascinating explorations of the franchise’s obsession with psychological horror. I especially appreciate the game’s constantly evolving monster designs and lonely winter aesthetic, as well as its commitment to horror by not allowing players to fight back.

As usual, the game contains yet another great soundtrack by Yamoka (which features some of Mary Elizabeth McGlynn’s best vocal work), but it’s also a rare example of the Wii-mote being used to instill terror – with the controller serving as your phone while you receive chilling voice messages from damned spirits. Spooky!


4. Silent Hill 3 (2003)

It’s hard not to recall the bubble-gum melody of Yamaoka’s You’re Not Here when bringing up this classic title, but SH3 is also notable for being one of the creepiest entries in the franchise. Tackling teen pregnancies, elder gods and murderous cults, the only real problem with the story here is that it’s more of an expansion of the first game’s themes than a standalone narrative.

That being said, SH3 features some of the best puzzle, monster and sound design in the series, and it’s hard not to root for Heather as she comes to terms with her cursed legacy. Hell, I even enjoyed Adelaide Clemen’s performance as the character in the much-maligned Silent Hill: Revelation.


3. Silent Hill (1999)

The game that proved that survival horror could do more than simply recreate the schlocky thrills of B-movies, the original Silent Hill feels like a good Stephen King novel brought to life (complete with super-powered children and a quiet New England town becoming overrun by monsters). While the Lynchian characters, bizarre monster design and evil cult elements are interesting enough on their own, the dreary atmosphere is the real star of the show here.

A couple of technical limitations and a jumbled narrative keep the game from being the absolute best in the series, but I think that this is still a must-play for any fan of survival horror or Kindergarten Cop. No, seriously!


2. Silent Hill 4: The Room (2004)

The black sheep of the original Team Silent games, this is my personal favorite survival horror title and one hell of a scary experience. The only game in the series where the protagonist goes through hell despite not having anything to do with the titular town, The Room works as a playable J-Horror film that takes place inside an urban nightmare.

While some fans may not appreciate how this surprisingly tragic story is only tangentially related to the previous titles, I think the unique narrative is a breath of fresh air. From the disturbing Twin Victims to the giant Eileen head, the game has no shortage of completely original nightmare-inducing visuals, and they’re all boosted by one of the best videogame soundtracks of all time (composed by – you guessed it – Akira Yamaoka).


1. Silent Hill 2 (2001)

Silent Hill ranking games

There’s not much that hasn’t been said about this interactive masterpiece, so it’s pretty obvious that the Dostoyevski-inspired SH2 takes the number-one spot. Not only is the title responsible for most of what the general public knows about the Silent Hill franchise (from Yamaoka’s Promise to Pyramid Head himself), but it’s also a damn good case for videogames as an artform.

It may not have the technical flair of the games that succeeded it, but there’s a reason that this is the title that Konami is choosing to remake, and I personally can’t wait for Christophe Gans’ upcoming adaptation of this genuinely compelling story. I just hope the live-action version of James doesn’t encounter his iconic chainsaw.

Born Brazilian, raised Canadian, Luiz is a writer and Film student that spends most of his time watching movies and subsequently complaining about them.

Editorials

The 10 Scariest Moments in the ‘Ghostbusters’ Movie Franchise

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scariest Ghostbusters

WARNING: The following contains mild spoilers for the Ghostbusters franchise. 

Yes, Ghostbusters is a horror movie – gateway horror to be exact. Setting aside the fact that the title literally contains the word “ghost,” a foundational element of the scariest genre, the franchise follows a group of paranormal researchers who battle entities attacking from beyond the grave. After countless rewatches, the classic films and newer sequels may not scare us much anymore, but how many times have we as genre fans asserted that a film does not have to be “scary” to be considered horror?

Genre classification is nebulous and any film that centers on ghosts has a place in the sprawling house of horror. Yes, it’s true that most viewers over the age of thirteen will find more to laugh about than scream while watching a Ghostbusters film, but each entry contains a handful of terrifying moments. With Gil Kenan’s Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire uniting three generations of the parascientific warriors, perhaps it’s time to highlight the most frightening moments from each phase of this legendary franchise. 


Ghostbusters (1984)

A Haunted Library

scariest Ghostbusters movie

Ivan Reitman’s original film begins with a campfire tale come to life. We follow an unsuspecting librarian as she ventures deep into the stacks to reshelve a book. With her hair blowing from a spectral breeze, we watch a hardcover float across the aisle to the opposite shelf. A second book follows, but the librarian remains unaware. She finally notices the disturbance when card catalog drawers open on their own spewing cards into the air like literary geysers. She flees through the maze of narrow stacks only to come face to face with a mysterious force who blows her back with a powerful roar. We won’t see the Library Ghost (Ruth Oliver) until a later scene, but this introduction firmly positions the film that follows in the world of horror. On first watch, we can only speculate as to the ghost’s malevolence and whether or not the librarian has survived the encounter. It’s the perfect introduction to a world in which ghosts are not only real, they will pounce on unsuspecting humans at the drop of a … book. 

Shaky Ground

The original finale may not be the film’s most terrifying moment, but it has become the franchise’s most iconic image. When faced with choosing a form for Gozer (Slavitza Jovan), Ray Stantz (Dan Aykroyd) inadvertently conjures up an image from his childhood. Moments later, a set of once-cheery eyes peer through the skyscrapers. The Stay Puft Marshmallow Man towers over the city, stomping and destroying everything in its path. While there’s definitely something terrifying about a jovial mascot turned deadly killer, what happens moments before is arguably scarier. 

The Ghostbusters arrive at the luxury apartment building to throngs of adoring fans. Peter Venkman (Bill Murray) plays into this hero-worship and promises an easy solution to a supernatural problem. But before they can enter the building, lightning strikes the upper floors sending massive chunks of brick and cement raining down on the barricaded street. The ground begins to shake and a giant fissure swallows the entire team. It’s a destabilizing moment made all the more terrifying by its shocking reality. Speculation about the existence of ghosts may vary from person to person, but there’s no doubt that sinkholes are very real. It’s entirely possible that the ground we’re standing on right now could spontaneously begin to crumble, sucking us down into a seemingly bottomless void beneath the earth. 


Ghostbusters II (1989)

Runaway Baby

Ivan Reitman’s sequel begins with a sly update on the life of a beloved character as Dana Barrett (Sigourney Weaver) pushes a baby carriage containing her infant son Oscar (Henry and William Deutschendorf). When last we saw the attractive cellist, she was kissing Venkman in the wreckage of Gozer’s demise and the thought of this loveable lady’s man becoming a father may be more nerve-wracking than anything contained in the first film. We never learn much about Oscar’s real father, but we do discover that fate has a sinister plan for the adorable child. While Dana chats with her landlord, Oscar’s carriage rolls a few feet away. Dana reaches for the handle, but the buggy begins speeding down the sidewalk careening through the busy crowds. As if guided by unseen hands, the carriage twists and turns, then abruptly swerves into oncoming traffic. Cars honk and veer out of the way, but the racing carriage marks a collision course with an approaching bus. The wheels screech to a halt moments before what would surely be a deadly crash and Dana rushes to embrace her vulnerable child. This harrowing scene is likely to terrorize any parent who’s experienced the fear of trying to protect a baby in an unpredictable world.  

Sewer Screams

scariest Ghostbusters scene

While investigating the second film’s primary villain, Vigo the Carpathian (Wilhelm von Homburg), three of the Ghostbusters venture into the sewers hoping to find a growing river of slime. Ray, Winston (Ernie Hudson), and Egon (Harold Ramis) trek down an abandoned subway line while speculating about the hordes of cockroaches and rats they hear scurrying behind the walls. These vermin may be scary, but there are more malevolent monsters lurking in the dark. Ray and Egon both amuse themselves with the tunnel’s echo but Winston’s “hello” goes unanswered. Moments later, a demonic voice bellows his name from the dark end of the corridor. Waiting behind him is a severed head floating in the empty tunnel. As he tries to retreat, the team finds themselves surrounded by dozens of ghoulish heads that disappear faster than they materialized. Moments later, a ghostly train hurtles towards them, swallowing Winston in its spectral glow. Egon theorizes that something is trying to keep them from reaching their destination with effective scares designed to frighten the Ghostbusters and audience alike.  


Ghostbusters (2016)

Haunted Basement

Like its predecessor, Paul Feig’s remake opens with a spooky vignette. Garrett (Zach Woods) gives a tour of the Aldridge Mansion, a 19th century manor preserved in the middle of the busy city, and walks visitors through a troubling history of excess and cruelty. Hoping to inject a bit of excitement, he pauses near the basement door and tells the horrifying story of Gertrude Aldridge (Bess Rous), a wealthy heiress who murdered the house’s many servants. Hoping to avoid a public scandal, her family locked her in the basement and her restless spirit can still be heard trying to escape. Garrett triggers a trick candlestick to fly off the shelf, hinting at the spirit’s presence, but a late night incident shows that the deceased murderess may actually be lurking in her ancestral home. While closing up for the night, Garrett hears ominous noises from behind the barricaded door and watches the knob rattle against the heavy locks. An unseen attacker hurls him through the house and eventually drives him down the basement stairs to a sea of green slime pooling on the floor. The stairs crumble leaving the tour guide hanging on to the door frame for dear life as a spectral figure glides toward him with menacing hands outstretched. Once again, we won’t see the fully revealed ghost of Gertrude Aldridge until later in the film, but this terrifying opening sets the stage for a dangerous showdown with an army of the dead.

Mannequin On the Move

The scariest moment of the 2016 remake is arguably the vicious online hatred sparked well before the film’s release. In response to brutal comments posted to the first official trailer, the cast returned to film an additional scene in which they react to dehumanizing negativity. But another sequence may cut closer to the heart of this upsetting experience. The Ghostbusters respond to a call at a concert venue and split up to cover more ground. Patty (Leslie Jones) enters what she calls a “room full of nightmares” and immediately reverses course to avoid a multitude of mannequins stacked haphazardly in the dark. As she walks out the door, one of the faceless creatures turns its head her way. Walking on its own, this sentient prop follows her down the hall, pausing the moment she turns around. Eventually breaking cover, the mannequin chases Patty down the hall to the rest of the team. They unleash their proton packs and make quick work of the gargoyle-like ghost. Though this connection is surely unintentional, it’s a terrifying parallel to a faceless monster sneaking up to attack a woman simply trying to do her job. 


Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021)

Smoke and Monsters

While Ghostbusters: Afterlife is nowhere near as scary as the horror films playing in the local summer school science class, Jason Reitman’s legacyquel does contain its share of frights. The film opens with a harrowing scene as we join Egon (Oliver Cooper) in the last moments of his life. Racing away from a sinister mountain, Egon’s truck collides with an unseen force and flips upside down in a field of corn. The elderly scientist races back to his crumbling farmhouse with a trap in hand, intent on ensnaring this invisible being. Unfortunately, the power fails and Egon has no choice but to hide the trap under the floorboards and wait. He sits in a comfortable old chair as a horrifying cloud of smoke drifts in behind him, momentarily forming the shape of a fanged beast. Demonic hands grab him from within the chair, likely causing the heart attack that will be listed on his death certificate. But his abandoned PKE meter below the chair activates, reminding us that Egon may be deceased, but he is far from gone.  

The Terror Returns

scariest Ghostbusters moments

Ghostbusters: Afterlife turns out to be a touching tribute to Harold Ramis as his friends and family unite to complete the beloved scientist’s heroic mission. In addition to a tearjerker ending, Reitman also includes a bevy of callbacks to the original film. Not only do the Spenglers square off against the team’s first enemy, Gozer (Emma Portner), the nonbinary entity brings back the Terror Dogs that once possessed Dana Barret and Louis Tully (Rick Moranis). These demonic beasts first rear their ugly heads while Gary Grooberson (Paul Rudd) stops by Walmart to buy a midnight snack. While the horde of mini marshmallow men are eerie in their gleeful self-destruction, the ghostly canine that chases him through the store is the stuff of nightmares. Early iterations of this fearsome creature are hindered by ’80s-era special effects, but Reitman’s version feels frighteningly real. While Gary frantically tries to find his keys, this Terror Dog snarls at him from atop his car dashboard, leaving the endearing science teacher with no way to escape. 


Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024)

Frozen Dinner 

After a film set in a small mountain town, the opening of Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire takes us back to New York circa 1904. We see the fire station in its early years as a horse-drawn carriage responds to a call. Arriving at the scene, a fireman tests the door for heat and watches in horror as his hand instantly freezes. Inside, they find jagged shards of ice surrounding and piercing a frozen dinner party. Guests are posed in various states of ice-covered surprise while an eerie record skips in the corner. A figure covered in brass armor we will come to know as a Fire Master is crouched in the corner clutching a mysterious orb. When the fireman touches this rippling sphere, the frozen diners’ heads begin to explode, an ominous precursor to the chilling threat awaiting the newest Ghostbusting team. 

Lights Out

If Ghostbusters: Afterlife featured the lo-fi gear of the 80s, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire hurls us into the future. Wealthy financier Winston Zeddemore has been surreptitiously building a new containment unit to relieve pressure on the original model along with a secret lab designed to study ghosts and haunted objects. In addition to fancy new gadgets and gear, this facility contains several captured spirits like a fanged Wraith and a speedy Possessor. Lab techs assure the astonished Spengler team that they are perfectly safe, but it seems they’ve overestimated the facility’s security. Lucky (Celeste O’Connor) and Lars (James Acaster) are studying the aforementioned orb when the power goes out, leaving them stranded in the dark with a cache of haunted objects. Not only does the ancient sphere hold a deadly spirit, the proton fields containing the captured ghosts have just been disabled. These terrifying creatures begin to drift through the walls toward the defenseless lab techs, perhaps at the bidding of an evil commander. Thankfully the generator kicks on in the nick of time, drawing the ghosts back into their cells. It’s a tense moment reminding us that no matter how charming the Ghostbusters may be, they still spend their days with evil spirits just waiting for an opportunity to wreak havoc.  


The Ghostbusters franchise excels at mixing humor and fear, practically setting the blueprint for the modern horror comedy. Moments from the original two films terrified a generation of gen-xers and elder millennials and newer iterations are currently scaring their kids. The fifth franchise installment effectively passes the proton pack torch to a new generation of Ghostbusters and we can only hope additional films will continue to induct future generations of Ghostbusters fans into the horror family as well. 

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is now playing in theaters. Read our review.

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