I do not know what it’s in regards to the horror style, but it surely appears to supply glorious fodder for intriguing audiovisual experiences, each huge and small. That is very true on Steam, the place indie builders recurrently vie for viewers consideration with retro throwbacks, genre-fusions, strolling simulators, and all method of different spooky diversions. This has resulted in surprising hits like Signalis and R.E.P.O prior to now, and it seems to be just like the Silver Pines might attain related heights.
Set in a fictional city that’s the sport’s namesake, Silver Pines is a side-scrolling, atmospheric survival horror sport launching later this yr. Trying on the sport’s Steam web page, it seems to be mixing darkish psychological horror with Lynchian absurdity and deceptive quaintness, which could make it a pleasant match for Twin Peaks and Alan Wake followers, as a lot as for Silent Hill lovers. Though Silver Pines is being printed by the prolific Team17, it’s the debut launch of developer Wych Elm, which makes it all of the extra thrilling; it is by no means clear what Silver Pines can be like, which is one thing that may’t be stated about most horror video games that flood the Steam market yr after yr.
Silver Pines Has a Gorgeous Aesthetic
Value noting earlier than anything is Silver Pines‘ unique and alluring visual design. A type of inversion of an old-school survival horror trick, Silver Pines options 3D backgrounds juxtaposed by 2D character fashions, which seem like animated at a low framerate to supply a comic book guide or old-cartoon really feel. This comedian guide, pop-art inspiration shines via the character designs themselves, that are simplistic, high-contrast, and dramatic.
These characters are set towards Silver Pines‘ varied environments, which aren’t solely 3D, however surprisingly high-fidelity and detailed. Swimming pools of water shimmer with mirrored mild, flocks of birds fly throughout the background, and sure 3D objects, like bushes, rocks, and different pure options, border on photorealistic. The visible designs of the characters conflict with these of the environments, which makes for a way more textured aesthetic, and will really elevate Silver Pines‘ otherwordly premise.
Silver Pines‘ reveal trailer is about to a haunting, somber indie rock ballad, although it is unclear if that is consultant of the sport’s final soundtrack.
What Is Silver Pines Truly About?
Personal investigator Purple Walker finds himself in Silver Pines, a spot half-abandoned, half-forgotten, in the course of nowhere on a job to trace down Eddie Velvet. A musician who has vanished. Because the case begins to disclose a darkish previous, Walker quickly slips into a wierd and nightmarish descent past his management.
The above is the beginning of the Silver Pines Steam description, and it is about all the knowledge out there in regards to the sport’s plot at this level. It isn’t exhausting to see Silver Pines‘ inspirations although, even on this imprecise synopsis. Walker slipping “into a wierd and nightmarish descent” definitely sounds just like the plight of many a Silent Hill protagonist, particularly if stated descent is paired with any form of “darkish previous.” Is that this implied trauma linked to Purple Walker, Silver Pines, or each? We should wait and see, but when the sport is something like Silent Hill, the third possibility appears probably.
Silver Pines‘ naming conventions are additionally fairly reminiscent of Twin Peaks, David Lynch’s extremely influential 90s crime drama. Virtually excessively cool monikers like Purple Walker and Silver Pines really feel like homages to characters like Dale Cooper, and the surreal city of Twin Peaks itself. The premise of Silver Pines, the way it begins as a seemingly simple investigation in a sleepy city earlier than devolving into one thing way more disturbing and probably supernatural, is akin to Twin Peaks as properly.
Twin Peaks had a large influence on the Alan Wake games, so it is attainable that fellow survival horror Silver Pines could have shades of Treatment’s cult traditional franchise.
Silver Pines Guarantees to Mix Basic Survival Horror and Metroidvania Gameplay Components
As is to be anticipated from a survival horror sport, Silver Pines is as a lot about forethought and useful resource administration as quick-thinking and fight ability. Provides like ammunition and medicine are limited, and whereas enemies do not appear to assault in huge hordes, each is usually very potent, vigorous, and lethal. In different phrases, there are threats round each nook, and sluggish, methodical, or in any other case considerate gameplay can be rewarded.
Survival horror video games are inclined to have some extent of crossover with metroidvania staples, and Silver Pines isn’t any completely different. Described by Wych Elm as having “metroidvania navigation,” the sport’s construction is knowledgeable by lifeless ends, locked doorways, and different obstacles that appear insurmountable at first. It is solely via exploration, and maybe some non-linear development, that gamers will be capable to entry extra of the titular city. In concept, this must buttress Silver Pines‘ survival horror aspects, pretty much as good metroidvania design normally results in good stage design, and generally even robust useful resource administration techniques.
Silver Pines hasn’t gotten a agency launch date but, although that can hopefully change earlier than too lengthy; the sport is slated for a 2026 launch. Till then, we will solely speculate about how efficient will probably be as a survival horror expertise, particularly when measured towards its competitors—indie horror is definitely having a heyday of types. However Silver Pines‘ distinctive visible model and alluring, if enigmatic, narrative premise are sufficient to maintain me invested in its growth progress in the meanwhile.
