Silver Pines is an ambitious new title that successfully fuses the survival horror tension of Silent Hill and Resident Evil with the exploration and progression of a 2.5D metroidvania. Developed by Wych Elm Games, the game translates traditional survival horror elements like restricted inventory management and deliberate combat into a side-scrolling format, creating a unique and engaging experience.
The game's approach to survival horror mechanics is evident in its gameplay depth. Players will face challenging boss fights, manage scarce ammo reserves, and solve intricate puzzles to progress. The combat features a variety of enemy types, from agile, four-legged creatures to swarming birds, and the player's arsenal slowly expands with weapons like shotguns and rifles. Resource management is critical, forcing players to carefully consider every shot and every item used.
Exploration in Silver Pines is driven by a set of grounded, in-world tools rather than typical metroidvania power-ups. A box cutter, for instance, serves as both a melee weapon and a tool to cut through plastic sheeting, opening new areas. A sledgehammer can break down weak walls, a sewer key grants access to underground tunnels, and a pistol can destroy padlocks or clear vents for vertical traversal. These mechanics are designed to feel appropriate to the game's setting.
Even mundane actions are imbued with a sense of deliberate pacing, enhancing the survival horror atmosphere. Saving the game requires manually inputting numbers on payphone keypads and consuming a coin, a resource that could otherwise be used for essential items like medkits or ammunition from vending machines. The game also allows players to scavenge for spare change in coin return slots, further emphasizing the scarcity of resources.
The deliberate pacing extends to every aspect of gameplay. Players may find themselves slowly chambering rounds into a revolver while under pressure or waiting for a pot of coffee to brew to temporarily boost their stamina. These moments are designed to prolong tension or allow for rare instances of calm.
Silver Pines excels at building atmosphere, drawing players into its gloomy ghost town despite its 2.5D perspective. The game features in-game serials playing on televisions found in abandoned locations, reminiscent of Alan Wake. Considering this is the debut title from Wych Elm Games, reportedly with a small core development team, its accomplished atmosphere and intricate design are particularly noteworthy.
While still early in the game's roughly 12-hour narrative, the author's initial five hours suggest that Silver Pines could be a strong contender for game of the year, especially in a competitive 2026 release landscape. The game is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Nintendo Switch platforms.