From foggy towns to PS2 remasters, it was a decent day for horror fans
As a horror fan, I spend most State of Plays and Developer Directs trying to remain excited for others and the bounty of entertainment flowing their way. When I heard whispers of an official Silent Hill reveal and saw Konami confirm a Silent Hill: Transmission after PlayStation’s State of Play on February 12, I knew this show was finally for me. To my surprise, it wasn’t just a trip back into the fog that Sony had in store, as Resident Evil and horror-adjacent titles like Castlevania, Legacy of Kain, and Remedy’s Control made an appearance.
Silent Hill: Townfall Shifts Perspectives
First-person perspective isn’t new to the Silent Hill franchise. Series fans may remember key moments in Silent Hill 4, exploring Henry Townshend’s apartment in search of hidden ghosts, or the 2007 mobile game, Orphan. Then, of course, there was Hideo Kojima’s wildly popular Silent Hills teaser, P.T. With the official reveal of Townfall, Konami and developer Screen Burn confirmed that first-person is back again, this time as a driving force for a deeper, richer narrative and tense, more engaging gameplay.
It may be tempting to make the Resident Evil VII comparison and accuse Screen Burn of copying Capcom’s franchise-saving move. However, the deeply personal stories naturally ingrained in the series’ narratives make first-person a far better fit for Silent Hill. To see through the fog via the eyes of the protagonist offers an opportunity for players to connect with Townfall’s latest everyman, mysterious newcomer Simon Ordell.
It’s not just the perspective that’s changing for Townfall, though. Fan pushback is sure to rise, as we’re once again moving away from the sleepy New England town. Sticking with the direction taken in Silent Hill f, where Silent Hill is more of a preternatural concept than a physical location, Screen Burn is sending players to the Scottish island of St. Amelia. The game will also replace the iconic radio with the CRTV, a handheld device designed to do much more than become a tiresome audio cue after the umpteenth enemy encounter. Screen Burn didn’t divulge too much, but the small TV will play into exploration and deciding whether to use new stealth mechanics or rely on the series’ staple combat.
The location may change, the perspective may shift, and familiar mechanics may receive an upgrade, but producer Motoi Okamoto promises Townfall “will still retain the feeling of Silent Hill that players are familiar with.” After a successful remake and another on the way from Bloober Team, it’s refreshing to see the series undergo an evolution that may better play to its core elements.
For a deeper look at the talent behind Townfall and the process of bringing the new experience (and all of its analog technology) to life, check out the complete Silent Hill Transmission.
Did Resident Evil: Requiem Refuel the Hype Train?
The excitement for the 9th main entry in the Resident Evil series has been pretty consistent since Capcom revealed Leon S. Kennedy. The State of Play trailer only further fueled it by showcasing Leon’s return to where it all began. Well, for him and the still-absent Claire, at least. The trailer featured new footage of Leon setting foot inside the decrepit police station, and a fun cameo of the Mizoil Gas Station and his Jeep Wrangler from the 2019 remake. There’s more confirmation he’s infected, though it hardly stops him from being a zombie-slaying supercop, and it’s even more obvious that Shirley Birkin is the voice in his ear.
Hopefully, the new trailer reignited the hype for those affected by Amazon’s absolutely abysmal handling of the physical release. Though the retailer’s inability to fulfill orders of the standard and steelbook versions suggests it’s going to be a good day for Capcom, it’s definitely a blow to the whole physical vs. digital argument.
Remedy Showcases a Bonkers Manhattan in Control Resonant
Though not quite a horror game, Control does have elements of the genre that seem to be carrying over into its sequel. In the latest trailer for Control Resonant, we’re treated to more of Dylan Faden’s abilities, combat prowess, and the paranatural obstacles that lie ahead. Manhattan is in complete shambles, invaded by a supernatural force reminiscent of the ghostly Hiss. Thanks to his otherworldly powers, Dylan has no problem navigating the twisted world, using traversal methods that look equal parts fun and dizzying.
As the follow-up to the very weird (but entertaining) Control, I’m not going to sit here and try to figure out what’s going on. There’s a floating half-head, particles are flying all over, and Dylan morphs his shapeshifting weapon, the Aberrant, into a comically large hammer. I’ve been following Remedy for long enough to trust the process at this point.
The Legacy of Kain Lives On
A little over a year after Aspyr and Crystal Dynamics released the Soul Reaver remasters, Crystal Dynamics is at it again with Defiance. The last game of the series, Defiance released on the PS2 and, for the first time, allowed players to control both Raziel and Kain. While a remaster allows a new generation of players to experience the disappointment of the still unfinished story, the State of Play also had a 2D retro surprise to help soften the blow when they roll credits after the remaster launches on March 3rd.
As a new retro pixel art side-scroller set in the Legacy of Kain universe, Ascendance sends players back into the fantastical world of Nosgoth. The prequel features the original voice cast, all returning to unravel the events that led to Soul Reaver. Players will control Kain and Raziel, with the latter appearing in both his human and vampire forms, as well as Elaleth, a returning character from the graphic novels. Ascendance is slated to launch on March 31. Both games will release on the PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 2, Switch, and PC. Defiance will also land on the PS4 and Xbox One.
The Belmont’s Return in New Castlevania
Castlevania is a franchise that will pop up every so often with a nice little surprise. During the State of Play, that surprise was Belmont’s Curse, a 2D action-exploration experience set 23 years after Dracula’s Curse. Players arrive in 15th-century Paris as Trevor Belmont’s successor, equipped with the deadly Vampire Killer whip needed to take on the horrors of a new castle.
Along with the holy whip, this new slayer will have an arsenal of monster-killing weapons and abilities that will make navigating the castle’s hazards even remotely possible. Evade traps, slay fiends, and survive the labyrinthian maze when Belmont’s Curse launches later in 2026 on the PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, and Steam.
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