Over 100 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The 14 Strangest References In The 'Silent Hill' Video Games
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Vote up the most unexpected references in the world of Silent Hill.
Ever since its initial 1999 release on the PlayStation, the Silent Hill series has captivated fans with its twisted, psychological attitude towards horror games. In place of the jump scares of Resident Evil, Silent Hill favors a slow build-up of shock and terror as the player navigates its ugly, haunted world. The demonic creatures that roam Silent Hill are indeed terrifying, but they manifest from the inner torment of the people drawn to the town. Despite some clunky gameplay mechanics, the series remains a fascinating exploration of the broken mentality of its "heroes."
Team Silent, the developers behind the early games, didn't create the insanity of Silent Hill in a vacuum. They were inspired by movies, books, and works of art. While there are a lot of obvious horror nods in Silent Hill (such as to the film Jacob's Ladder), there are other homages that come completely out of left field.
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79 VOTES
A Madonna Music Video Inspired The Feel Of 'Silent Hill 2'
When thinking about the nightmarish world of Silent Hill 2, Madonna's 1998 album, Ray of Light, seems the least likely comparison. However, if not for the sixth song on the album, "Nothing Really Matters," Silent Hill 2 wouldn't be the creepy game that fans love to this day.
Masahiro Ito, monster designer and art director for Silent Hill 2, said that the eerie music video for Madonna's "Nothing Really Matters" influenced the haunting atmosphere of the game. The dingy psychiatric hospital in the music video looks very similar to the one in Silent Hill 2, and the unsettling movements of the patients are reminiscent of how the monsters behave in the game.
79 votes
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29 VOTES
There's A Nod To 'Gangsta's Paradise' In 'Silent Hill'
If you thought "Gangsta's Paradise" and Sonic the Hedgehog were an odd combination, then you must have missed the appearance of Coolio's signature song in the original Silent Hill. A park bench has the words "Gangsta Paradise" inscribed on a blurred image, referencing the hit song from the 1995 thriller Dangerous Minds. A surprising hip-hop nod in this supernatural game.
Pop music lovers of the 1990s will instantly recognize who Maria is wearing in Silent Hill 2. From the pink, long-sleeved shirt to the leopard skirt, it appears Christina Aguilera's appearance in the 1999 Teen Choice Awards was used as the visual inspiration for Maria's design.
And fashion isn't the only thing Maria has in common with the American singer. Christina Aguilera's middle name is also Maria!
55 votes
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32 VOTES
Con Air Inspired The Designs Of James Sunderland's Family
Who knew the 1997 action movie Con Air would continue to live on in Silent Hill 2? Eagle-eyed fans have noticed James Sunderland's wife and daughter are dressed similarly to Nicholas Cage's family in the movie. Laura has same overall jeans and hairstyle, though she wears a striped instead of a yellow shirt. Mary's hair is different from her movie counterpart, but the motherly outfits are identical.
For a series that loves including secret endings of the main character being taken by aliens, it's not too surprising to see Silent Hill hide a few sci-fi references here and there. One poster found in the game has the words "The Martians have arrived," but another says "A Woman Came Down from Planet Vulcan."
Star Trek aficionados will instantly get the reference, as Vulcan is the home planet of science officer Spock.
References to L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz appear in both the original Silent Hill and Silent Hill 3. Just like Dorothy Gale, Harry Mason is transported to another world filled with unbelievable creatures. And just like the famous novel and 1939 movie, Harry needs the assistance of a scarecrow, tin man, and lion to progress.
In this case, the lion, tin man, and scarecrow are depicted as keys that grant access to the western side of Silent Hill.
