Silver Pines – A Side-Scrolling Survival Horror?
Indie developer Wych Elm will launch its first game, Silver Pines, next year with publishing handled by Team17, famous for their Worms saga among many other iconic titles, and whom we talked about here very recently in the article about Skinwalker. This time, we are talking about a side scrolling survival horror, something, let’s say, not very common, but judging by what we have seen, extremely effective in its result. Here we will see more than two genres mixed together, although the developers have defined their two main elements in their Steam description.
“Silver Pines is a survival horror metroidvania…” is how its description begins on Valve’s store, although more than metroidvania, it reminds me of other elements, not necessarily side scrolling. What do I mean? Easy: its atmosphere gives me the feeling of watching a platformer version of Alan Wake, or maybe one of those side view zombie titles, like Deadlight (2012) or Into the Dead: Our Darkest Days (2025). Either way, the result is undoubtedly attractive: a storyline that mixes an X Files or Twin Peaks style mystery, with the dynamic gameplay of the genres mentioned earlier. This is how the Announce Trailer of Silver Pines looks, courtesy of Team17 on YouTube:
A Noir Style Side Scrolling Survival Horror
Here we play as private investigator Red Walker, who arrives in Silver Pines, an almost abandoned and forgotten place in the middle of nowhere, which personally reminds me a lot of Bright Falls, with the mission of finding Eddie Velvet, a missing musician. The case begins to reveal a dark past, and Walker is gradually pulled into a strange nightmare beyond his control. Silver Pines sets up an adventure full of locked doors and hidden paths, where we will find secret clues, resources, or something else that might be lurking in the darkness.
The action the title offers is realistic and visceral: the horrors of the town include various challenges, like terrifying monsters and bosses that will fill each encounter with danger and tension. Our inventory space is very limited, and so are the resources, which means that besides searching for items in every corner, it becomes clear that every bullet or medicine we find is more than vital to survive.
Silver Pines is a tribute to the classics of horror and survival. We will have to flee or face the horrors of the town while we look for resources, tools, better weapons, and solutions to the puzzles that stand in our way. An atmospheric journey full of fear portrayed in a flawless Noir style that adds a lot to the immersion, keeping us on edge at all times, even at the slightest movement in the shadows.
Even though its developers state that one of the elements present is metroidvania, I respectfully disagree. I do not see any elements of Metroid or Castlevania here. Instead, I think the atmosphere, setting, and gameplay are so well done that it gives me the impression of watching a Silent Hill or a Resident Evil from a side view, which is extremely positive, to be clear. We are undoubtedly looking at a title that many, myself included, will not want to miss.
So…
Okay, let’s recap. Silver Pines does not have an official release date yet, although we can expect its arrival at some point in 2026. Because of that, it is highly advisable to visit its Steam page, which you will obviously find right below, and add it to our Wishlist without delay, so we can stay up to date with any possible news about it. Once you have done that, come back here and tell us in the comments what you think of this intriguing proposal from Wych Elm and Team17. You know gamer, we’ll be reading you! 😉
Images Source: Team17 Official YouTube Channel, Silver Pines on Steam
