After Silent Hill 2, try its spiritual successor on PS Plus.

The early Silent Hill games had an undeniable impact on the horror genre. Team Silent, a group of developers within Konami, sought to innovate in this space and managed to create a unique experience. However, after the release of the fourth installment, the team was dissolved, and Keiichiro Toyama, the director of the first Silent Hill, decided to leave to work on his own project under Japan Studio. Thus, Project Siren was born, a proposal that, while not achieving the same fame as Silent Hill, has gained a cult status over time. This game even made an appearance in Astro Bot, though it surely wasn’t easy for most to identify.

With renewed interest in Silent Hill following the successful remake of Silent Hill 2, and with the inclusion of Siren in the PS5 Classics collection, it presents itself as an ideal option for those seeking a psychological horror experience with Halloween just around the corner. Unlike the Silent Hill games, which refine a central concept through various character perspectives, Siren seeks to explore horror in a broader way, while maintaining that characteristic Silent Hill touch.

Siren features a nonlinear format, divided into 10 interconnected parts. Instead of following a single protagonist, you will control 10 different characters over a period of 72 hours, each with their own motivations for reaching the haunted town of Hanuda. Interestingly, the events are not presented in chronological order, and the actions you take with one character affect the experiences of others. The game resets until you find the correct sequence of events to resolve the story, requiring a multidimensional thinking approach.

At first, the structure of Siren may be confusing, especially due to its way of not clearly explaining why you return to completed stages. However, the addition of a Link Navigator facilitates returning to these sections, although its design can be complicated at first. Upon revisiting the game, one can appreciate how changing perspectives and the cyclical narrative create a nightmarish feeling: you will never escape until you master your fear and find your own path.

The plot unfolds through an intriguing web of folklore, occultism, and supernatural powers. Exploring the insidious history of Hanuda becomes a poignant goal, enriched by notes and environmental clues that help you unravel its dark secrets.

Regarding gameplay, Siren is a third-person horror game focusing on stealth. Players must guide their character through one of the sections of Hanuda, collecting clues and items while avoiding the main enemy, the Shibito, beings that act like zombies but are quite intelligent, capable of using weapons and efficiently tracking the player. Generally, characters are unarmed, although melee weapons and a few rare firearms can be found. Combat is usually penalized in most situations, as the Shibito can defeat you in one or two hits.

One of the standout features of Siren is the Sightjack ability, which allows players to see through the eyes of nearby NPCs, both friendly and hostile. This ability provides a new way to experience terror, transforming scares into an immediate experience, with an approach that is more chilling than in other titles of the genre.

Puzzles in Siren are essential but can be frustrating, often having non-intuitive solutions. Sometimes, the solutions seem like a logical leap that borders on the absurd, which can detract from the player's immersion. Despite this, there are no dead ends, meaning players can find answers through trial and error, though this might disrupt the pacing of the game.

In essence, Siren captures the spirit of the early Silent Hill games. Despite its imperfections and sometimes confusing approach, it provides a singular experience that is hard to match. Sequels, such as Siren 2 and the PS3 remake titled Siren: Blood Curse, continue to offer a unique brand of Japanese horror. While its appeal may not be massive, it will undoubtedly resonate deeply with those who manage to connect with its essence.