Silver Pines Preview
Can you solve the mystery of Silver Pines?
Silver Pines is an upcoming horror game that combines classic survival horror mechanics with a powerful, atmospheric narrative. It blends 2D Metroidvania-style exploration, resource management, and melee combat with a surreal, David Lynch-inspired atmosphere that compares to hits like Twin Peaks or Alan Wake.
The game is set in the remote small town of Silver Pines, whose peaceful facade is soon shattered by eerie events and supernatural phenomena. Wych Elm, a small team of five industry veterans from Norway and Sweden, relies on rich, hand-drawn 2D graphics that blend nostalgic and modern horror aesthetics like dimly lit interiors, fog-shrouded forests, and surreal dream sequences, which define the visual style. The whole design reinforces the sense of isolation and underlying threat that permeates the game.
In Silver Pines, the player roams interconnected areas, finds key items, and uses them to unlock new paths in a non-linear world with a lot of accessible buildings and places. Returning to previously visited locations is a central part of the experience, a throwback to the good old times of our childhood when we were all playing Castlevania. But not only will you influence the possibility of going certain ways, but the weather will play a role in that as well: certain paths will be locked or opened depending on the time of day or the weather, like an upcoming storm that worsens during the game.
But don’t think it’s just a Metroidvania where you fight hordes of monsters as a supernatural protagonist! Resource scarcity, limited ammunition and healing items, and a focus on tactical melee combat create tension and give the game its survival-horror feel. A cautious and methodical approach to fighting your enemies will be rewarded, while mindless bashing will see you to your demise fairly quickly.
Melee combat takes center stage as the player uses knives, improvised weapons, and occasionally firearms. The fights are often dangerous and require careful management of stamina and inventory! The combat feels full of force; you can basically feel the impact of a hard hit or a bullet, which gives the game a more realistic feel.
And as it always is with survival-horror: part of the backstory will be told by notes scattered around town, and saving will only be possible at certain safe points, which also include a storage option for items you don’t need at the moment.
The story of Silver Pines relies heavily on atmosphere, subtle hints, and surreal moments rather than direct explanations. The protagonist is a detective, whose look immediately reminded me of Alan Wake. Just like the player, he knows nothing about what’s happening in this eerie small town at the beginning of the game, and the information will be presented to the detective at the same speed as to the player. You’ll always know exactly as much as he does.
There are a lot of similarities to David Lynch’s surrealism: a small town, strange inhabitants with their own backstories and motivations, dreamlike logic, and a sense that reality could unravel at any given moment. At the same time, classic survival-horror games like Resident Evil and especially Silent Hill or Alan Wake are recognizable as sources of inspiration, particularly in the combination of inventory management, puzzles, and limited resources.
The sound design plays a major role in creating a sense of unease. Subtle, eerie soundscapes, occasional dissonant music, and strategically placed moments of silence heighten the tension. Visually, the game relies on detailed rotoscope-style 2D sprites and lighting effects that make the scenes appear both picturesque and menacing at the same time. Oh, and the game will be fully voice-acted! The version I saw wasn’t fully voiced yet, but from the bits I heard, the voiceover sounds great and amplifies the noir atmosphere of the game.
Silver Pines combines familiar survival-horror mechanics with a powerful, surreal atmosphere and an appealing 2D presentation. If you’re into dense atmosphere, methodical combat, and narrative openness, you should definitely keep an eye on this game! I played it at Gamescom, and I was so stuck in the game that I missed a meeting; that should tell you everything about how great this game is! If the balance between challenging fights and frustration remains just right, Silver Pines could be a strong contribution to the horror genre, especially for fans of Alan Wake or Silent Hill!
Learn more about Silver Pines by visiting the official website.
Screenshots were captured using Steam.
Preview is based on the Demo on Steam.
DEVELOPED BY: Wych Elm
PUBLISHED BY: Team17
AVAILABLE ON: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch/Switch 2
DEMO: Yes
RELEASE DATE: October 8th, 2026
