Silent Hill games in order: Release and story timeline

Silent Hill games in order: Release and story timeline

As a seasoned survivor of the cursed town of Silent Hill, allow me to guide you through the gripping tales that each game in this chilling series has to offer. Each narrative is as haunting and unpredictable as the town itself, with every twist and turn leaving an indelible mark on the heart of any who dare to enter.


The remastered version of Silent Hill 2 has introduced plenty of new fans to the franchise.

If you’re not familiar with Silent Hill, you might be curious about the right sequence to play the games or if following that order is essential for grasping the narrative completely.

To fully immerse yourself in the series, it’s crucial to know where to start as there are four primary installments along with several spin-offs. Having numerous games at your disposal means you have a wealth of gaming experiences to explore.

If you’re new to the Silent Hill series, it can be a bit confusing with all its different installments. But don’t worry, we’re here to help simplify things for you!

Continue scrolling for instructions on playing the Silent Hill series in chronological order, including the narrative sequence.

Silent Hill games in release date order

The Silent Hill series kicked off back in 1999 when its initial installment hit the shelves, and the latest addition to this series arrived in 2024 as a remastered edition of Silent Hill 2.

Additionally, you’ll find a variety of follow-up productions detailed in the following list, complete with their initial release dates and associated streaming services.

Without further ado, here’s the complete list of Silent Hill games in release date order:

  • Silent Hill (1999 | PS1)
  • Silent Hill 2 (2001 | PS2)
  • Silent Hill 3 (2003 | PS2, Windows PC)
  • Silent Hill 4: The Room (2004 | PS2)
  • Silent Hill: Arcade (2007 | Arcade hardware)
  • Silent Hill: Origins (2007 | PS2, PSP)
  • Silent Hill: Orphan (2007 | iOS, FOMA)
  • Silent Hill: The Escape (2007 | iOS, FOMA)
  • Silent Hill: Orphan 2 (2008 | iOS, FOMA)
  • Silent Hill: Homecoming (2008 | PS3, Xbox 360)
  • Silent Hill: Shattered Memories (2009 | Wii, PS2, PSP)
  • Silent Hill: Orphan 3 (2010 | iOS, FOMA)
  • Silent Hill: Downpour (2012 | Xbox 360, PS3)
  • Silent Hill: Book of Memories (2012 | PS Vita)
  • PT (2014 | PS4)
  • Silent Hill: The Short Message (2024 | PS5)
  • Silent Hill 2 Remake (2024 | PS5, PC)

Many of the games mentioned can still be played on current platforms due to their availability in digital marketplaces.

How to play the Silent Hill games in story order

Playing the Silent Hill games in their intended sequence can sometimes prove challenging due to the multiple spin-offs available.

In our selection process, we’ve chosen to exclude some games from the series as they do not tie into the primary narrative, aiming to prevent any potential confusion for our players.

Silent Hill: Origins (2007)

Silent Hill games in order: Release and story timeline

In approximately 1976, truck driver Travis Grady unintentionally deviated his route towards the eerie town of Silent Hill. This diversion led him to become entangled in the events that later impacted Alessa Gillespie, a key figure in the storyline before the initial Silent Hill video game was set.

In the game, Travis finds himself entangled with Alessa’s mother and the enigmatic Order, who are striving to manifest their divine entity into reality. The prequel, Silent Hill: Origins, lays the groundwork for the first installment by depicting Harry Mason and his spouse adopting a child named Cheryl from the mysterious town.

    Silent Hill (PS1)

    Silent Hill games in order: Release and story timeline

    In the initial installment among the four primary Silent Hill games, the story unfolds seven years following the events of Origins. Harry and his spouse successfully raise Cheryl with few complications. Regrettably, Harry’s spouse loses her life four years prior to the events depicted in this game.

    As a devoted fan, I can’t help but express my feelings as if I were Harry. Far from being content, I find myself displeased with the Order persisting in their quest to revive the deity they adore, leading me back to the haunting town of Silent Hill. Here, I confront and vanquish the god and Dahlia from the cult, but at a tragic cost – I lose Cheryl along the way. However, amidst the despair, I am able to save Heather, who embodies the spirits of both Cheryl and Alessa.

      Silent Hill 2 (PS5, PC, PS2)

      Silent Hill games in order: Release and story timeline

      In the early ’90s, the video game Silent Hill 2 centers around James Sunderland’s story. He is summoned to the eerie town of Silent Hill after receiving a mysterious letter from his deceased wife, urging him to locate their unique spot within this haunting town.

      Rather than seeking a peaceful haven, he identifies individuals within the town who have also suffered due to the wickedness present there.

      Silent Hill 3 (PS2, Windows PC)

      Silent Hill games in order: Release and story timeline

      17 years following the initial Silent Hill game’s events, Silent Hill 3 finds us in a world where Harry adopts Heather as his daughter, while the enigmatic Order has regrouped and rebuilt under the watch of Claudia, a new character who seeks to revive an elusive deity.

      In this specific game, Heather takes center stage. Drawing her back to Silent Hill, she endeavors to put an end to the Order for good.

        Silent Hill 4: The Room (PS3)

        Silent Hill games in order: Release and story timeline

        As a passionate film enthusiast, I’d put it like this: In the gripping world of Silent Hill 4, I, Henry Townsend, find myself trapped in an eerie predicament. Being a resident of a neighboring town to the chilling Silent Hill, one ordinary day turns into a nightmare when I discover myself confined within my very apartment, barricaded by an intricate web of chains and locks on the door.

        It appears a gap in the bathroom serves as an escape route for him, but it’s actually a portal to the Otherworld, a reflection of his reality filled with terrors. Sharing the living space with him is the malevolent spirit of a serial killer, who also haunts Henry’s apartment.

          Silent Hill: Downpour (PS3, Xbox 360)

          Silent Hill games in order: Release and story timeline

          In Silent Hill: Downpour, this specific tale takes place independently, with the game primarily focusing on the character, Murphy Pendleton, who’s driven by a thirst for vengeance due to the loss of his son.

          In the accursed town, a bus carrying Murphy to another penitentiary meets with an accident. Alongside Officer Anne Cunningham, Murphy must now battle against the demons to ensure their survival.

            Silent Hill: Homecoming (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)

            Silent Hill games in order: Release and story timeline

            Much like Downpour, Silent Hill: Homecoming offers a unique narrative that finds it challenging to align with the primary chronology. The game centers around Alex Shepherd, a war veteran who happens to be hitching a ride from Travis Grady, the central character from Silent Hill: Origins.

            Upon coming home, he finds his town shrouded in an enigmatic mist, with his brother missing and parents behaving strangely. The secretive Order resurfaces, fulfilling a deal struck with the town’s founders. However, Alex soon realizes that things aren’t as they appear when he manages to break free.

            Silent Hill: Shattered Memories (Wii, PS2, PSP)

            Silent Hill games in order: Release and story timeline

            Last but not least on this list is Silent Hill: Shattered Memories, a reimagining of the very first game. You follow Harry Mason, who explores a Silent Hill which sports a new icy look.

            While many key elements remain consistent between Silent Hill 1 and Silent Hill 3, there are significant alterations that drastically affect the unfolding events. However, this alternate narrative doesn’t align with the primary game timeline. Still, given its intriguing plot, it’s worth noting.

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            2024-10-22 12:04