Silent Hill: Townfall Launches in Scotland, Splitting Critics on Its First-Person Horror
Silent Hill: Townfall launched on September 24, 2026, developed by Glasgow studio Screen Burn and published by Konami. Set in 1996 in the fictional Scottish fishing village of St. Amelia, the game marks the first full first-person entry in the series. Players control Simon Ordell, who uses a handheld CRT television to track monsters and navigate a town plagued by supernatural fog and corporate negligence. While praised for its atmospheric design and thematic depth regarding trauma, reviews are divided on its gameplay mechanics, particularly the frustration caused by erratic enemy AI and inconsistent stealth systems.
Key points
- Silent Hill: Townfall released on September 24, 2026, for PC and PlayStation 5.
- The game is developed by Screen Burn Interactive and published by Konami and Annapurna Interactive.
- It features a first-person perspective, a first for the mainline Silent Hill series.
- The setting is St. Amelia, a fictional Scottish fishing village in 1996, inspired by the East Neuk of Fife.
- Players use a portable CRT television to detect enemies and receive cryptic messages.
- The game includes multiple playable characters: Simon Ordell, nurse Zoe Ellis, and Richard, an energy company CEO.
Background
Silent Hill: Townfall is the third mainline entry in the series in three years, following Silent Hill 4: The Room and The Short Message. Previous coverage highlighted the game's use of 1990s-era technology, such as prepaid electricity cards and floppy disks, to enhance its period-accurate horror. The game was showcased at Gamescom in August 2026, where it was noted for relocating the franchise's psychological horror to a Scottish setting.
How outlets are covering it
The Guardian praised Townfall's atmospheric presentation and thematic depth, noting its focus on psychosocial dread and the plight of St. Amelia's residents. However, it criticized a late-game puzzle for being obtuse. CBC highlighted the game's strong horror moments but criticized its inconsistent mechanics, particularly the erratic movement of the enemy 'The Weight' and frustrating stealth prompts. Game Informer gave the game an 8.25, praising its first-person perspective and atmospheric design but criticizing the inconsistent enemy AI and unbalanced stealth mechanics. Rock Paper Shotgun, in a preview, praised the game's atmosphere but criticized its pacing and repetitive stealth elements.
Why it matters
Silent Hill: Townfall represents a significant shift for the franchise, embracing a first-person perspective for the first time in a mainline entry. Its mixed reception highlights the challenges of translating Silent Hill's psychological horror into a new format, with critics divided on whether the game's atmospheric strengths outweigh its mechanical frustrations. The game's focus on corporate negligence and trauma in a Scottish setting adds a new layer to the series' exploration of societal issues.
What to watch
Players who have not yet experienced Townfall may need to replay the game to uncover its multiple alternate endings. Future Silent Hill entries may continue to explore new settings and perspectives, building on the momentum of recent releases. The game's mixed reception may influence future design decisions, particularly regarding stealth mechanics and enemy AI.
- This week in PC games: Control: Resonant, Silent Hill: Townfall, and the history of Western philosophy as a pinball table Rock Paper Shotgun
- Silent Hill: Townfall review – shame and suffering on the Scottish coast The Guardian
- ‘Silent Hill: Townfall’ review: Late-game falloff hampers strong start The Seattle Times
- Psychological horror Silent Hill: Townfall ratchets up the scares — and frustrations CBC
- Silent Hill: Townfall Review: Addressing The Trauma Game Informer
Want the full story? Read the original reporting
Read on Rock Paper Shotgun