Silver Pines is not your usual run-of-the-mill survival horror. It’s the classic Lynchian survival horror trope wrapped in an indie package shaped as a Metroidvania. It bears David Lynch’s Twin Peaks aesthetics that we have seen in some of the best modern survival horror games ever made, which include the likes of Remedy’s Alan Wake 2 and, most notably, Silent Hill 2.

Released on 8th October 2026 by developer Wych Elm Games and publisher Team17, Silver Pines is a 2.5D psychological survival horror Metroidvania. It unfolds as a slow-burn detective noir, rich in surrealism, with a haunting atmosphere and carefully crafted item-management loops. It is now available on Steam, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S|X, and Nintendo Switch 2.

The Vanishing of Eddie Velvet

The story is set in October 1993 in the small, eerie, and largely abandoned Pacific Northwest coastal town of Silver Pines. You play Private Investigator Red Walker, who wakes up with amnesia in the empty Miner Diner. He receives repeated payphone calls from a mysterious client named Mr. Jackman. Jackman reminds Red of his primary task: locate Eddie Velvet, a troubled touring musician who vanished in the area.

With its eerie vibe, the town of Silver Pines, facing a major evacuation due to a storm warning, feels reminiscent of Alan Wake’s Bright Falls and Silent Hill. Much of the story unfolds through its laid-back atmosphere, inviting players to deeply explore the 2D environment to uncover the mysterious plot. It’s something that requires quite a bit of patience, but once you get past those slow moments, all the pieces start falling into place.

The voiceovers, memos, and haunting soundtracks in the background, combined with rotoscoped animations, create a unique atmosphere unlike any game I’ve played. Each phone call Red makes, every voice memo he listens to, and the people he meets in this empty place add layers to the story, giving it a surreal vibe.

Making the Right Calls

Despite its laid-back vibe, Silver Pines, especially on its recommended survival horror difficulty, is still a pretty challenging game. It sticks to the classic survival horror tools—weapons, materials, and money—alongside unique charms that offer a slight edge in combat. But resources are scarce, maybe even more so than in Resident Evil games.

Red has a boxcutter that can be used as a melee weapon, but it has limited durability and needs occasional repairs using a duct tape. Alongside this, there are the usual firearms—shotguns and revolvers—and more weapons unlock as you progress. Resources like bullets and dollars are scarce, and saving the game requires making a phone call from a booth by dialing 772-21, which costs a dollar. You can either play it safe and spend money on saves or take a more aggressive approach, using it for life-saving ammunition and supplies.

Overall, the game keeps players on edge, pushing them to make the right calls, as the difference between survival and death is just a few phone calls away. Thankfully, it delivers; there are subtle story moments where Jackman calls Red, triggering a save that doesn’t require any money.

As Primitive As It Can Get

When it comes to combat and movement, Silver Pines is clunky by design. The player has a limited stamina bar that shows at the bottom and a health system, which is indicated in discrete levels—fine, minor injury, injured, wounded, and critical. Dodging is slow and takes a lot of stamina. Dodge too much and you’ll fall to the ground, making yourself vulnerable.

When it comes to shooting, there are no laser lines or iron sights to guide you—it’s all about intuition in the 2D space, making sure your aim is right. Shooting from a distance is tricky since you’re never completely sure what you’re hitting, yet there’s something primitively satisfying about it. The boss fights feel reminiscent of a Dark Souls experience, presented at the end of each level, with several memorable encounters waiting to challenge you.

If you’re put off by its clunky combat design choices, the exploration aspect and the puzzles with the townspeople will draw you into its world. It may be a 2D game in perspective, but the way you move and explore every street in Silver Pines makes it feel more alive than most 3D games. There are secrets within secrets buried in the mystical town, and as you uncover more, it becomes increasingly rewarding in return.

Thanks to the visuals and design, once you get into it, you’d probably not want to leave. The township of Silver Pines is filled with vivid imagery and masterful artwork and animations on display. The only small nitpick I have is that it needs some optimization, as I see multiple frame drops even on my 5070 in some areas. I also tried running this via Gamenative emulator on an Android tablet with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, thinking it could run well. It can get there, but it will need some more optimization.

Real Talk

Silver Pines is a classic blend of survival horror and Metroidvania-style deep exploration. Its rotoscoped animations and subtle atmospheric storytelling make it one of the most notable Lynchian survival horror games ever created. The emphasis on exploration and level design is remarkable, though slightly marred by clunky combat—a subtle design choice that may not appeal to everyone. It’s an easy recommendation for fans of the horror genre and Metroidvanias.

Final Score: 90/100