Key information
Wych Elm Games’ Silver Pines is a new indie survival horror title that draws inspiration from genre classics like Resident Evil and Silent Hill. Players control private investigator Red Walker, who arrives in a desolate town to locate a missing musician named Eddie Velvet. The narrative unfolds through environmental storytelling, utilizing letters and notes to build a sense of isolation and dread.
The game utilizes a 2.5D perspective where players navigate environments to solve puzzles and manage resources. Mechanics include using a polaroid camera to track locations, utilizing a knife to access blocked paths, and managing healing items. Saving progress requires finding specific telephones and spending coins, a system that can lead to inconvenient backtracking if players are not careful.
GamingTrend highlights the game's excellent neo-noir presentation, noting that the painterly visuals and muted color palette are particularly evocative. However, the reviewer notes that the 2.5D navigation can be finicky, especially when using stairs during combat. Additionally, while the monster designs are visually outstanding, the reviewer suggests the game may rely too heavily on familiar survival horror tropes.
Silver Pines is praised for its successful fusion of Metroidvania elements and atmospheric horror. The reviewer concludes that the title is an impressive example of the genre, recommending that players not overlook it. This review is based on a retail PlayStation 5 copy provided by the publisher.
