Silent Hill Ascensionlooks to provide fans of theSilent Hillseries with a means of facing their fears together. Announced duringKonami’s October 2023Silent HillTransmission, the title is one of a group of new projects that hope to usher in the series' modern era. However,Silent Hill Ascensionis unlike any other, as it adapts the survival horror series for one of horror gaming’s most popular subgenres: interactive storytelling. The game was announced alongside a lengthy story trailer, which introduced a host of characters of all ages, including a small child. Given what is known aboutSilent Hill Ascension’s trailer and developer, fans of the series can expect the title to break new ground for the series while telling a classicSilent Hillstory about overcoming trauma and personal pain.
Silent Hill Ascensionwill release later this year, though an official date has not been revealed. Unlike other titles announced at theSilent HillTransmission,Silent Hill Ascensionwill require a collaborative effort fromSilent Hillfans across the world. The title will be released in the format of an online show, though it has yet to be revealed if it will be available exclusively on its website, or if it will be released as an app on consoles as well. Regardless,Silent Hill Ascension’s developer, Genvid, promises that the title will allow collaborating fans to completely influence its story and events, shaping theSilent Hillcanon as they see fit.
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Silent Hill Ascension Leaves Its Characters' Fates Up to Fans
Silent Hill Ascension’s multiplayer focusis a first for the series, giving fans full reign of its characters' stories. Genvid CEO Jacob Navoke describes the project as, “A live, real-time, interactive series,”, in which millions of fans will work together to shape the future of theSilent Hillcanon.Silent Hill Ascension’s trailer shows a wide range of characters trapped in an otherworldly location, which appears to play host to a number of psychologically-inspired monsters. WhileSilent Hill Ascensionmay seem similar to other interactive horror titles, likeThe Dark Pictures Anthology, Genvid promises that the experience will be unlike any fans of the genre have ever experienced.
Silent Hill Ascensionis an evolution in interactive storytelling. While games likeUntil DawnandThe Quarrygive fans the opportunity to pick and choose certain responses on their first playthrough, they often feature a healthy dose of trial and error. Fans are able to restart or replay certain chapters and interactions if they feel they’ve made the wrong decision.Silent Hill Ascensionwill offer no such refuge. As it currently stands, the title will be a one-off experience, streaming live, with fans required to think on their feet as the story unfolds. During theSilent Hill Transmission, it was emphasized multiple times that the game has no “reset button”, meaning fans will need to democratically make every decision and collectively live with the consequences.
Silent Hill Ascension Is a Return to the Series Roots
Silent Hill Ascensionis part ofa larger effort from Konamito revampSilent Hillfor modern audiences while returning to what made the original titles so popular. The story presents a deep dive into theSilent Hillmythos, exploring trauma through physical dangers within a mysterious and ever-changing setting.Silent Hill Ascensionlooks to take those beloved elements and present them in a way that not only moves the series forward but attempts to extend the scope of the entire interactive-horror genre.
Silent Hill Ascension’s developmentis also a return to the series' roots. The originalSilent Hillwas developed by a ragtag group of Konami developers, tasked with emulating the success of the originalResident Evil. In that same vein,Silent Hill Ascensionis the product of a small team of unique creators, tasked with recapturing what made the originals a success. Whether the title will be successful has yet to be determined, but fans can expectSilent Hill Ascensionto deliver a thrilling one-of-a-kind experience when it launches later this year.
