Silver Pines: The Silent Hill Meets Metroidvania You Need to Play

What if you could get the creeping dread of Silent Hill and the satisfying exploration of a metroidvania in one game? That's exactly what Silver Pines delivers, and it's a combination you didn't know you needed until now.

Silver Pines is a 2.5D survival horror metroidvania from developer Wych Elm Games. It takes the tense atmosphere and deliberate pacing of classics like Silent Hill and Resident Evil and flattens it into a side-scrolling perspective. The result? A game that feels both familiar and fresh, and according to one early preview, it's incredibly hard to put down.

The game starts in a small town that gradually expands as you unlock new tools and paths, just like any good metroidvania. But instead of double jumps and grappling hooks, you'll use items like a box cutter to slash through plastic sheets, a sledgehammer to break weak walls, and a pistol to shoot padlocks off gates. Everything is grounded in the setting, making exploration feel organic and smart.

Combat is intentionally clumsy, just like classic survival horror. You'll need to manage a limited inventory, scavenge for ammo, and face tense boss fights where you're never quite sure how close you are to victory. Enemies range from ghouls that crawl after you on all fours to swarms of crows that dive from trees. The arsenal slowly grows to include shotguns and rifles, but you'll always feel like you're on the back foot.

What really sets Silver Pines apart is its attention to detail. Saving your game requires manually punching numbers into payphones scattered around the map, and you need to feed them coins—coins you could otherwise spend on medkits or ammo. Every action feels methodical, from chambering rounds in your revolver to waiting for a pot of coffee to percolate so you can boost your stamina. It's slow, deliberate, and absolutely engrossing.

The atmosphere is thick enough to cut with a knife. Even though you're viewing the world from a distance, the gloomy ghost town pulls you in with its ominous ambience. There are even in-game TV serials to watch, reminiscent of Alan Wake. And the fact that this is Wych Elm Games' debut, with a core team of just five people, is honestly remarkable.

The previewer is only about five hours into what's apparently a 12-hour story, but they're already calling it a potential favorite of 2026. If the game keeps up this momentum, it could be something truly special. So, will you be checking into Silver Pines when it launches? Let us know in the comments!