Silent Hill 8 was announced at this years E3, and many wondered why it was even called Silent Hill 8. If you follow the canonical path, this would be either 5 or 6. Homecoming was originally known as Silent Hill 5, but changes were made to the title. The next Silent Hill title can be called many things. In this article we think of a few possible titles and explain some reason behind them. Hit the jump for the full list.

Update: Well, it looks like we were close. Silent Hill 8 producer Devin Shatsky says that one of our titles was considered a while back, but was scrapped. An official announcement will be coming soon!

Silent Hill 5 or 6

Silent Hill 5 never actually released, instead we received Silent Hill: Homecoming. The title was changed possibly due to fan outrage over an American developer (Double Helix) continuing the series as a numbered sequel. Silent Hill 8 may very well become Silent Hill 5, because Homecoming was not numbered as such. On the other hand, Konami could officially state that Homecoming was Silent Hill 5, and thus making Silent Hill 8 Silent Hill 6. Perhaps Konami will ‘bite the bullet’ this time, and allow Vatra to officially label their Silent Hill title with a canonical number.

Silent Hill: Conviction



Murphy Pendleton is the protagonist of Silent Hill 8, his ‘occupation’ is a prisoner. He has already been convicted, and finds himself on the run in Silent Hill 8. We don’t know why Murphy was convicted, but the title makes sense with his current situation. The title isn’t very elusive as the others, but hey, it works out.

Silent Hill: Atonement

Still following in the vein of Murphy trying to redeem himself, we land at Silent Hill: Atonement. Sometimes the correctional facilities work, and inmates become aware of their sins. Murphy can be led down a path that will help him atone for his past sins. Running away from the police isn’t exactly a way to show you are rehabilitated, but who wouldn’t flee if given the chance?

Silent Hill: Awakening

Now it is safe to say that a character with no memory of his or her past deeds is getting cliche, but perhaps Murphy’s past goes deeper than his own lifetime. Perhaps something done in his previous life has followed his soul. His ties to the town of Silent Hill may be deeper than this one lifetime. Do we think that Murphy will perhaps be connected to Jebediah in blood or spirit? We doubt the latter, but this is Silent Hill after all; anything can happen there.

Silent Hill: Redemption



The town of Silent Hill has had many people lost in their own lives as they struggle with their inner demons. The town has been known to guide these unfortunate soul to either enlightenment or punishment. This protagonist is a convict, and is most likely seeking redemption of some sort, though we don’t know if Murphy actually committed any harsh crimes. Perhaps he did and Silent Hill wanted to be the force that led him into a way of realization or acceptance. However, we also feel that Redemption is simply too blunt. Other Silent Hill games have already gone down the ‘redemption’ path with their characters, so hopefully if we are to redeem Murphy, let it be done in a truly mesmerizing way.

Silent Hill: Retribution

This title would be very similar to Redemption. The story path of course would be Murphy receiving retribution for his past deeds. He can either prove himself innocent, or changed. With the connection to Past Life, we think that perhaps Murphy was once a horrible person as Jebediah was, and now must face his inner demons.

Silent Hill: Revelation

Will the next Silent Hill game follow the same name as the second film? We doubt it, but the name would match. These ambiguous titles are not our favorite approach to naming the games, but it is something to think about. With Silent Hill: Origins, Silent Hill: Homecoming, and Silent Hill: Shattered Memories, it’s safe to assume the next Silent Hill title will contain some sort of subtitle.

Silent Hill

Yes, just plain Silent Hill. Silent Hill 8 can be pushed as a reboot of the series. Not in terms of forgetting everything and making a whole new mythos, but a gameplay and series reboot. The first Silent Hill released in 1999, and it’s not very hard to think that Konami’s aging series will be rebooted. Tomb Raider, Devil May Cry, Splatterhouse, and a few others titles have been rebooted this generation, and Silent Hill may be next. Instead of adding a number or subtitle to this game, Konami and Vatra could go with this root and just call the game Silent Hill.

Original article found on my horror gaming blog, HellDescent.com