PC Gamer Staff Ranks Coworkers on Their Ability to Survive Silent Hill: Townfall’s Nightmares

In a rare departure from the usual coverage of horror’s latest entry, PC Gamer has turned its attention inward, ranking its own editorial staff on whether they could actually survive the terrors of Silent Hill: Townfall — the survival-horror sequel to the acclaimed 2024 release Silent Hill 2. The exercise, which blends genuine analysis with self-deprecating humor, arrived shortly after the game’s release and offers readers a candid look at how the outlet’s team measures up against one of the genre’s most punishing titles.

A Scoring System Built on Horror Experience

The editorial team boasts a solid number of horror aficionados, which the author credits as a genuine advantage. Extra points were awarded to those who had already played Townfall or comparable titles, giving them a head start in recognizing distressing scenes and knowing how to respond. However, the author is candid that the final rankings leaned heavily on instinct rather than hard data.

Three coworkers were deemed too unpredictable to place on the ranked list and were instead grouped into a “Wild card” category. These individuals are considered capable of either breezing through the game or getting hopelessly lost — or, as the author put it, dying horribly.

“me, Kara, and Andy are about to die horribly in the zombie apocalypse or prove a very important point.”

Joshua Wolens, PC Gamer

The asterisk is worth noting: Wolens joked that he assumed the team was discussing Resident Evil, underscoring the tongue-in-cheek tone that pervades the entire piece.

Monsters and Difficulty Curves Decide the Outcome

According to the author, while every team member could likely breeze through Townfall’s intricate puzzle design, the true deciding factor lies in the game’s monstrous inhabitants. These creatures begin the experience “rather tame” but then follow a steep difficulty curve that intensifies dramatically toward the end of the game.

Even accounting for this escalation, the author remains fairly confident that roughly half of the team could reach the game’s conclusion. For the remainder, the author offers a parting salute: “Godspeed soldiers.”

The exercise reflects a broader appreciation for Townfall’s design. Set in the fictional town of St. Amalia, the game demands patience and nerve from its players, rewarding those willing to endure its atmospheric dread and escalating threats. The ranking, for all its humor, inadvertently highlights the game’s reputation as a demanding experience that separates the dedicated horror fan from the casual player.

Looking Ahead

As the community digests these rankings, the conversation around Townfall continues to center on its challenging design and immersive atmosphere. The author’s willingness to subject their colleagues to this evaluation demonstrates PC Gamer’s commitment to engaging with its audience in an approachable, entertaining manner.

For those yet to experience Townfall themselves, the staff rankings offer a lighthearted preview of what awaits: a game that tests both puzzle-solving acumen and sheer nerve. Whether one makes it to the end or becomes another cautionary tale is, ultimately, up to the individual — though, based on this assessment, the odds may not be in everyone’s favor.