Screen Burn's first-person Scottish horror earns an 81 on Metacritic — here is what critics loved, and the stealth sections that wore them down.
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| Image: Illustration of a foggy abandoned Scottish coastal village with a lighthouse at dusk. Credit: Red Eye Eagle News / original AI illustration. |
September 25, 2026 — Silent Hill: Townfall launched on September 24, 2026 for PlayStation 5 and PC (via Steam and the Epic Games Store), and the reviews are in: a Metascore of 81 ("Generally Favorable") across 72 critic reviews.
Editor's Highlight: The key takeaway is the split verdict — critics adore the oppressive atmosphere, clever puzzles and sound design, but the repetitive stealth sections in the second half kept this from reaching the heights of the Silent Hill 2 Remake.
Table of Contents
- Key Facts
- What launched
- A Scottish nightmare: setting and story
- Review scores at a glance
- What critics loved
- The stealth problem
- How it compares: Silent Hill f and the Silent Hill 2 Remake
- Editions and pricing
- What's next
- Bottom Line
- FAQ
- Sources
Key Facts
| Detail | Information |
| Release date | September 24, 2026 |
| Platforms | PlayStation 5, PC (Steam + Epic) |
| Developer | Screen Burn (Glasgow, ex-No Code) |
| Metascore | 81 — Generally Favorable |
| OpenCritic | 82 average, 92% recommend |
| Setting | Fictional Scottish island of St. Amelia, 1996 |
| Biggest praise | Atmosphere, puzzles, sound design |
| Biggest criticism | Repetitive stealth in the second half |
What launched
Silent Hill: Townfall arrived on September 24, 2026 for PlayStation 5 and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store. There is no Xbox version.
It is the first full mainline Silent Hill entry played entirely in first person, with full DualSense controller support on PS5.
Newsroom Focus: The first-person perspective is a series first for a mainline entry — a bold shift for a franchise built on fixed camera angles and over-the-shoulder views.
A Scottish nightmare: setting and story
The game is set on the fictional fog-drenched Scottish island of St. Amelia in 1996. The protagonist, Simon, is called back to the island to "put things right."
It was developed by Screen Burn, a Glasgow studio formerly known as No Code — the makers of Stories Untold and Observation.
Review scores at a glance
Reviews went live Monday, September 21. The game holds a Metascore of 81 ("Generally Favorable") across 72 critic reviews, with an OpenCritic average of 82 and 92% of critics recommending it.
| Outlet | Score | Verdict in brief |
| IGN | 8/10 | "A welcome shot in the arm" for the series |
| GameSpot | 8/10 | Strong horror, weak stealth |
| Eurogamer | 8/10 | Atmospheric and clever |
| GamesRadar | 9/10 | Near-top marks |
| PlayStation LifeStyle | 9/10 | Near-top marks |
IGN's Tristan Ogilvie wrote: "Like the intravenous needle permanently jutting out of its hero's wrist, Silent Hill: Townfall gives this long running series a welcome shot in the arm."
What critics loved
Praise centered on the oppressive atmosphere, detailed world-building, and clever, challenging puzzles — including a CRTV device that reveals hidden enemies and aids puzzle-solving.
Reviewers also highlighted the sound design and a compelling central mystery that pulls players through the fog.
Analysis Note: The 92% recommendation rate on OpenCritic suggests that despite its flaws, most critics think horror fans should play this.
The stealth problem
The main complaint: repetitive, frustrating stealth sections, especially in the second half. VGC noted the stealth "begins to wear thin" as the game goes on.
The stealth wore down even reviewers who loved the scares — a rare point of near-consensus in an otherwise warm reception.
How it compares: Silent Hill f and the Silent Hill 2 Remake
Townfall scored below two recent series highlights: Silent Hill f (winner of the Japan Horror Game Awards 2026 Grand Prize) and the Silent Hill 2 Remake, which holds an 86 on Metacritic.
Practical Takeaway: If you loved the Silent Hill 2 Remake, expect a different flavor of horror here — first-person, Scottish, and more divisive — but still worth your time according to 92% of critics.
Editions and pricing
The Digital Deluxe edition costs $59.99 and included 48-hour early access starting September 22. A Steelbook edition is available in select regions.
What's next
| Date | Milestone |
| September 21, 2026 | Reviews go live (Metascore 81) |
| September 22, 2026 | Digital Deluxe 48-hour early access begins |
| September 24, 2026 | Full launch on PS5 and PC |
Bottom Line
Silent Hill: Townfall is a haunting, atmospheric first-person horror that critics broadly recommend — held back from greatness by stealth sections that overstay their welcome.
What to watch next: whether Screen Burn patches the stealth, and how the game sells on PS5 and PC without an Xbox version.
FAQ
What platforms is Silent Hill: Townfall on?
PlayStation 5 and PC (via Steam and the Epic Games Store). There is no Xbox version.
Is it connected to the town of Silent Hill?
The game is set on the fictional Scottish island of St. Amelia, not the town of Silent Hill. It is a mainline series entry with its own setting and protagonist, Simon.
What did critics praise most?
The oppressive atmosphere, world-building, clever challenging puzzles (including the CRTV device), sound design, and compelling central mystery.
What is the main complaint about the game?
Repetitive, frustrating stealth sections, especially in the second half. VGC said the stealth "begins to wear thin."
How does it compare to Silent Hill f and the Silent Hill 2 remake?
It scored below both: Silent Hill f won the Japan Horror Game Awards 2026 Grand Prize, and the Silent Hill 2 Remake holds an 86 Metascore versus Townfall's 81.
Sources
- Metacritic — Silent Hill: Townfall
- Gagadget review roundup (Sept 2026) — Brilliant atmosphere, frustrating stealth
- Original AI-generated illustration for Red Eye Eagle News (hero image)
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