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Konami’s surprise release of Silent Hill: The Short Message, a free “teaser” experience meant to showcase new technology and potentially the future of the franchise, has left many fans with mixed feelings. Does this short game live up to the legacy of Silent Hill? Let’s delve into a comprehensive review.

(Spoiler Warning: This review contains plot details for Silent Hill: The Short Message.)

A Departure from Silent Hill’s Roots?

Silent Hill is a name etched in gaming history, renowned for its psychological horror, iconic monsters like Pyramid Head and the unsettling Bubblehead Nurses, and deeply unsettling atmosphere. Following the disbandment of Team Silent, the franchise lay dormant until Hideo Kojima’s P.T. teased a potential revival. However, the cancellation of Silent Hills left fans in despair. Now, with the Silent Hill 2 Remake on the horizon, The Short Message arrives as a curious precursor.

Anita in a dark hallway

The Short Message casts players as Anita, who receives messages from her deceased friend, Maya, urging her to visit an abandoned apartment building in the troubled city of Kettenstadt. Anita’s search for Maya unfolds a mystery reminiscent of past Silent Hill narratives.

A screenshot of the game showing a message

The game explores the inner turmoil of Anita, Maya, and their friend Amelie, touching on themes of cyberbullying, depression, suicide, and even the COVID-19 pandemic. While previous Silent Hill games incorporated such themes to enhance the horror, The Short Message feels like it prioritizes social commentary over genuine scares. The constant reminders about suicide prevention hotlines and the repetitive depictions of bullying, while well-intentioned, detract from the atmospheric dread that defines the series.

Anita exploring the apartment

Furthermore, Anita’s reactions to the horrors she encounters feel inconsistent and unconvincing, breaking the immersion. The narrative begins with a familiar Silent Hill setup but loses its way, focusing on social issues before abruptly resorting to plot twists in a last-ditch effort to recapture the horror element.

A creepy hallway in the game

If this is the direction future Silent Hill games will take, long-time fans may be left wanting. It feels more like Life is Strange with horror elements rather than a true Silent Hill experience.

Repetitive Gameplay and Frustrating Chase Sequences

The Short Message is essentially an interactive movie, with gameplay primarily consisting of exploring the apartment building and examining objects. A single, simple puzzle breaks up the monotony. Live-action cutscenes, featuring Maya, offer an intriguing addition but suffer from lip-sync issues.

A close-up of a disturbing image

The most significant flaw lies in the repetitive chase sequences, where players must evade a monstrous creature. While initially tense, these segments quickly become tedious and frustrating due to their frequency and lack of variation. The predictable warning signs preceding each chase further diminish the impact.

Anita running from a monster

The final maze sequence, requiring players to find small photographs while avoiding the monster, exemplifies this frustration. The fear and dread are replaced by annoyance at the tedious trial-and-error gameplay.

Visual and Audio Strengths

Despite its shortcomings, The Short Message boasts impressive visuals, effectively capturing the gloomy atmosphere of Kettenstadt. The distorted environments reflecting the characters’ inner turmoil are particularly striking. The sound design also deserves praise, with atmospheric music accompanying Anita’s exploration, although its impact is lessened by the lack of unexpected events.

A visually impressive scene from the game

Another visually striking scene

In conclusion, Silent Hill: The Short Message falls short of expectations. While showcasing promising visuals and sound design, its narrative missteps, repetitive gameplay, and frustrating chase sequences ultimately deliver a disappointing and unfulfilling experience. It remains to be seen whether these issues will be addressed in future installments, or if this short message truly foreshadows a concerning departure for the Silent Hill franchise.