The review embargo for Silent Hill: Townfall has now lifted, with only three days remaining before the game's release. The new entry in the series takes players to the foggy island of St. Amelia in Scotland. It was developed by Scottish studio Screen Burn, formerly known as No Code, the team behind Observation and Stories Untold.
Critics have particularly praised the game's atmosphere. The strong sense of anxiety, gloomy locations, and convincing depiction of an abandoned Scottish town have received positive feedback. Monster encounters, the story and its structure have also been well received, while reviewers have highlighted unusual mechanics such as the portable receiver.
However, gameplay is considered one of Townfall's biggest weaknesses. The combat system and puzzles have received criticism, while the stealth sections, especially during the second half of the game, can become repetitive and frustrating. The monsters have also been criticized for their lack of variety.
A VGC reviewer wrote:
Silent Hill: Townfall offers players one of the most terrifying, atmospheric, and meticulously crafted locations in the history of the series, along with an engaging story to complement it. But the actual “game” lets it down: the stealth sections toward the middle and end disrupt the pacing and simply become frustrating. Without them, Townfall would be an essential purchase, but instead it has to settle for being an imperfect masterpiece.
Overall, Silent Hill: Townfall has received positive reviews from critics. At the time of writing, the game holds an 81 score on Metacritic and an 82 score on OpenCritic, with 92% of critics recommending it.
Townfall may not reach the level of Silent Hill 2 Remake, but it could appeal to fans of psychological thrillers who are open to unconventional ideas. It is also the first full entry in the series to use a first-person perspective.
Silent Hill: Townfall launches on September 24 for PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store, as well as PlayStation 5. Owners of the most expensive edition can already begin playing.
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