Silent Hill: The Short Message - Explained & Theories

[@venomdonut6905]

Man, i really wanted to watch your video. But then you went and censored words because snowflakes get triggered and now Im just gonna block your channel.

[@GamingHarryYT]

Fine, do that. No loss for me at all. They’re censored because KZbin demonetise videos with that word in them

[@RThyrring]

Lol, you get triggered by people getting triggered! 😂 Are you really that much of a hypocritical clown? 🤡

[@Marlieboro]

From your reaction you seem to be the "snowflake" here

[@venomdonut6905]

@@Marlieboro suicide, death, kill, rape, sexual assault, drugs, meth, cocaine, weed, heroin, sex, killing babies. Shit fuck damn your god isn't real. What other words trigger little pussies?

[@Arkios64]

Man, I really wanted to block you, but then I remembered that KZbin completely removed the ability to do that, so now I have no way to never see idiotic takes like this ever again. Now I'm just gonna have to report your comment and hope KZbin gets the hint.

[@mikeylambda1322]

missed a newspaper talking about a high school student jumping from the roof for not being able to attend college, so that pretty much confirms Amelie and Anita are the same, she's dead too and the game was her purgatory, cleansing herself and moving on. maya was pregnant, there's a positive pregnancy test in the trash near her diaries and the bracelet she wears is the same as the boy she liked.

[@HeVn7LaO]

So that’s the reason why she feels people had taken the guy from her…probably the stigma on teen pregnancy…the guy probably never talked with her again, also probably the reason why she is being bullied at school…apart from the superstition against her family…

[@mikeylambda1322]

@@HeVn7LaO right, I´m pretty sure those reasons are what forced her to delete herself.

[@Cold_Zero_The_Wise]

Good eye mate, I've not seen any of these details anywhere

[@heraldyaxelevi8132]

@@HeVn7LaO That, or the guy family could've taken him away from her, like they moved away or something cause they don't want their son to be a young father. That's why she said 'people taken the guy away from her'.

[@siovgaming2674]

I don’t think that Anita and Amelie are dead, I think the villa is simply preying on Anita’s insecurities. The end of the game has Amelie stating that she’s going to college with her best friend, I think that the Villa is warping Anita’s fears because in her mind bad things are always going to happen to and because of her. It’s the same thing with Maya, we find that note of Anita blaming Maya for stealing her friend but I don’t actually believe that’s real, I think it’s the Villa amplifying her belief that it’s all her fault when truthfully it wasn’t.

[@robertjabonski9383]

I'd also say that the Sakura Head (as it's been named by the fans) would be an amalgamation of both guilt felt in relation to what happened to Maya (hence cherry blossoms) but also her trying to escape and deny her abusive mother and her past (hence the sheer size of the monster, which also can be seen through the openings in the wardrobe door when the scene with mother is happening). Anita is remembering her mother as a big, towering figure as she was a small girl back then, that's why it looks like this. My theory is that Sakura's Head is amalgamation of the demons of Anita's past, from which she is trying to escape, these demons are trying to catch up to her, and the final 'bout' with the monster is literally battling the demons of her past and finally accepting what happened and moving on in life. It kind of mirrors the stages of battling with grief and guilt - first you deny, then you come to realisation of facts, and then you go into acceptance and healing phase - kind of exactly how the game's three distinctive parts or chapters play out.

[@Ericairline]

I think the monster is more so Maya. It's wearing the same outfit Maya wears, just wrapped in barbed wire. And Mayas' nickname was Cherry Blossom. Also, when Anita first sees it, she asks if it's Maya.

[@chrisd7803]

I love how this game really tells a story, but has no reason to be in germany. The whole setting looks like a typical american high school, not a thing is german

[@tsevgamesalot]

My thoughts exactly. None of these characters look remotely German.

[@destiny6129]

Typical American comment 💀

[@Suosiili]

I was also weirded out by the talk about cost of going to college. In my understanding German colleges don’t charge you (or only charge very little) to study, unlike American colleges.

[@gregrenox9644]

Yeah the fact that it took place in Germany is really weird. And i'm maybe ignorants or what but, why all character in this game is Asian?. Like what the hell, if this take place in America or Downtown Tokyo i will instantly believe the settings it took place without a doubt. But the fact that it took place in Germany is very weird and theres no single Native German characters in this game. Thats like you came to a German Pub and they offering you Sushi. I trully can't comperhend it, what is the direction they want to go here?. I trully love many Lore and Easter to original Silent Hill and the Fact that the Doctor from SH2 is higlighted again. Yet the fact that it took place in GERMANY, is what makes me trully Confuse. Atthe very least The Room even tho taken place outside Silent Hill, is still have connection with it like Walter Sullivan as the member of The Order.

[@quietrioter]

​@gregrenox9644 I think it has to do with Maya's family emigrated to Germany. As far as Amelie and Anita....yea you got me on that one. More than likely this was intended to set up that a Silent Hill exist everywhere, but it's kinda different based off of everyone's own issues and grief, as opposed to the machinations of the Cult.

[@bootleg_24]

with the way the intro music started, i half expected josh hutchenson to jumpscare me

[@_Mimi_711]

Real

[@AkitaSyn]

“It’s been a decade since the release of PT” that fuckin hurt dude! I remember inviting friends over after school so we could solve PT together 🥲

[@_joyrd_]

Shit crazy how time flies it don’t seem that long ago where the ps4 was considered current gen and just came out 😂

[@riley9491]

This comment was like the diet version of Dorian grey looking at his painting and my joints now hurt twice as much because same

[@Masokitsu]

I'm mad at myself forever for deleting it 😂

[@maxedout199]

It's hurts that this is what we got after that masterpiece

[@Anonymous-iw4hx]

its insane isnt it? feels like 4-5 years ago max

[@Avenray19]

I am digging the monster design. I didn't think I could be scared by Flowers.

[@onuhrita5009]

Looks like the clicker in The Last of Us

[@cdmp777]

Honestly? Flowers are kind of weird, if they weren’t pretty I think people would think they were scary. Like a corpse flower.

[@Asparagoose073]

Especially when you go to open a door and it just comes through 😅 Either game over, or quick 180

[@arvinjay336]

Official figure of that from Gecco was just announced! originally for April Fool's but is now real

[@Anonymous-iw4hx]

@@arvinjay336 just ordered it :)

[@latinojackson9694]

Imagine a world that's more aware and sensitive of mental health and self harm and suicides but the same world won't let you say or even show those words. 🤦‍♂️

[@sarasunshinemt4444]

"Sticks and stones my break my bones... But words will literally kill me", apparently

[@6vitamin]

@@sarasunshinemt4444 they say "words are violence" because they plan to use violence against your words

[@ErinJeanette]

You can say it, but creators are worried if they do they'll lose money because they're worried ads will be limited for sensitive content.

[@rd0676]

Yeah I think this case is more indicative of KZbin’s arbitrary algorithm than actual dialogue on the subject matter

[@fulltimeslackerii8229]

It’s called virtue signalling.

[@UltravioletAngel]

This personally had a Life is Strange kind of storytelling with some horror just tossed in. Was it bad? Meh... Could it have been better? Probably. But for what it was it wasn't bad just not Silent Hill to me.

[@callmemforbooks12345]

Exactly.

[@denniskearney2452]

you don’t know anything

[@AnakinSkywalker-u5b]

Agreed. It was meh for a Silent Hill game. And the subtlety was the equivalent of a truck to the face. The message was good, but not handled all that well. For a game, it's okay. For a Silent Hill game, it's bad. And feels like it's too scared to go to the dark places without holding your hand with all the warnings after each chapter. Which isn't how Silent Hill, especially the original 4 games, are supposed to be.

[@zepp3793]

I agree, I just don’t get why people are so angry over it lol it’s free and the developers even said they haven’t made a horror game in 20 years. I guess they feel a bit rusted on being the kings of psychological horror so they want to dip their toes first on the idea of expansions

[@NekoAioshi]

Well said. It was far too hamfisted with it's message to satisfy my Silent Hill craving.

[@speck3824]

I love that the girl couldn’t go to college in Germany because her parents were bankrupt. However this is some very American thinking, because Germany has mass access to higher education. If the reasoning was she had to stay to help her parents that makes sense but finically she *could* technically still go to college.

[@arielcervantes5378]

I mean sure but it's made by Japanese. I'm guessing it's what japanese believe it's like

[@arielcervantes5378]

Kiichi Kanoh Motoi Okamoto These are the writers so I don't think it's American thinking

[@noisykestrel]

@@arielcervantes5378 They probably just thought it works in the entire western world, as it does in America. It would have been nice for them to do some more research, however

[@Arkios64]

@@arielcervantes5378 Japan has a strong scholarship program, but usually they issue ends up being that the parents are "too poor to support the entire family, so the child has to get a job as soon as possible, to support the family"; even if it ends up only them being self sufficient and not paying into the family fund, the idea stands. That's why tons of students like that are desperately clinging to part-time jobs outside of school, either to support their independence, or support their family (often as near or fully the only income); or, best of all, both paying for their own life and sending money back home to not have to deal with the "you could have gotten a full-time job and brought more money for the family" nagging over the phone. Really doesn't work with Germany as the setting, but I'd guess that's what the writers initially were going for, without checking the details for accuracy.

[@liamaugust]

if my calculations are correct, this is the 100th episode of your lore and order/story explained series! congratulations and thanks for the great videos!

[@Hnti4ever]

From the perspective of a person who used to struggle with those thoughts, I think the game did a good job of showing that suicide won't fix anything. However, as a silent hill game, I think it fails miserably. First off, if you take silent hill out of the title, then there is no way you could ever guess that it's a silent hill game. It comes off more as an Asian indie horror game, not that there's anything wrong with those games. Another issue is with the delivery, the mother in particular. There's a difference between the stilted delivery of SH2, which adds to the broken characters, and just bad voice acting.

[@wonderbread4323]

I don’t get people harping on about “bad voice acting” every silent hill had bad voice acting….. it’s a silent hill tradition.

[@billythenarwhal1579]

The town isn't the important part it just setup how the horror would manifest in the series, there's no reason it should just be limited to silent hill tho.

[@Michaelengelmann]

If you take the name Silent Hill out of the game you can’t tell it’s a Silent Hill game? What? 😂 You can do the same with other games

[@arran4285]

@azertyuiopqsdfghjklm And if every character was badly acted no one would've cared but it only the mother

[@Scorpio_Rising_1]

The voice acting of the Mother was so bad that kept taking me off of the immersion of the game. Just awful

[@_veryspoopyghost_]

I have a possible theory regarding the direction of the series going forward. I think P.T/Silent Hills is canon. Or at least it will be. All the new silent hill media revolves around the "silent hill phenomenon" where we see the silent hill esque scenarios take place in far away settings for a reason that is yet to be fully explained. We don't really know what PT was going to be about, but the title "silent hills" would suggest multiple settings with the silent hill phenomenon. The main character appears to be "living through other people's hells" either unwillingly or through means of some sort of larger investigation. I feel like future titles will either reference PT making it canon, or Norman Reedus' character may return as some sort of investigator character. We may be building up to a true Silent Hills game in the future, which would definitely draw a lot of attention, PT was one of the most influential pieces of horror game media ever made. I feel like the waters are being tested and Silent Hills may be the eventual payoff of all of this.

[@th_defenestrator]

So… the title of the book Maya gives Anita, I Still Wait For You, is the SECOND book in the series? Subtle Silent Hill 2 reference. I like it.

[@Stepatee]

Well...didn't Mary leave James the letter saying 'I wait for you in our special place'...?

[@thatoneguy1232]

I have so many questions about this game. What happened at the school that lead to people being hospitalized? What of that positive test in the trash? Maya’s? Is that why or part of why she was bullied and took the actions she did? Who was the boy? Was he a boyfriend? Is Amelie alive? What if the paper that said she wasn’t? But then in the end she texts and call Anita? Is Anita alive? Was she truly in that building for several months if so? Why has no one gone to look for her? Why was the time always at 17 : 45? I know it’s a loop but it’s odd that it rarely changes and when it does, it’s only by a minute(that I know of) and then it just goes back. Why? Did Maya know about Anita? If Anita and Amelie are the same person(I do like this theory), was she ever truly talking to anyone? And how come there were three lockers in the school section? I saw another comment that said Anita was in purgatory and used the paper of Amelie as proof the girls are the same. If this is true, does that mean the game starts after Amelie’s passing?

[@tomsmarkovs1946]

Your comment proves that this is a Silent Hill game. No matter what people say, figuring stuff out after you beat it is the best part. After listening to these theories I'm even more confused :D

[@VisionoftheChief]

​@@tomsmarkovs1946 I agree 👍🏽

[@Jargon]

Since I don't have the time to play games anymore (especially horror), watching their synopsis and lore through your channel has easily become the highlight of my sub feed. Thank you for putting in the effort in both researching and beautifully narrating those videos.

[@henricocampos]

About your theory, that cutscene where Anita and Amelie are together, you can see Anita's shoes. After that when she jump off Villa, you can see her shoes again. Proving that was really her in that cutscene and not a boy and Amelie.

[@Deppie_____]

I can't lie. Your uploads always give me a pick me up

[@Cqjoker73]

Anita/Amelie could have MPD caused by heavy psychological stress and past trauma, which makes sense in the case that the other personality takes the role as a coping mechanism. Amelie is more present in real world while Anita initially struggles to come to terms with her guilt regarding Maya, with the former seemingly trying to integrate the latter back into reality. However, after Anita finds the strength to move on, the two could be thought of as becoming one in "their" decision(s) to both go to college.

[@Stepatee]

Amelie was real, she just committed an exit due to fam not having the funds to pay for school. Both, Am and An are deceased. Both had a 'purgatory' in the Villa. Both went free at the end.

[@a_random_confused_person7703]

Just to inform you, it's DID not MPD anymore and people call it alter rather than a personality. The terms were changed for a reason and using old terms can be offensive to people with DID. 🤗

[@Duuhvis]

Personally I enjoyed the story. Not so Much the gameplay. But I find your theory very interesting

[@donaldbush2778]

One of my complaints about the game was I kept mixing up Anita and Amelie and forgot who I was playing as vs who the friend was. Now I suspect that was the intent hah

[@VisionoftheChief]

Which is weird because PT had the same gameplay.

[@docmercy3660]

Oh nice, someone who doesn't absolutely butcher german names for a change. Knew the sub was worth it ;) For those curious, Kettenstadt literally translates as Chaincity (Ketten = chains, Stadt = city), but depending on the context chains could also be translated as Fesseln (lit. shackles). A fitting albeit on the nose name considering the implications. I love it how the internet comes up with various names for the emergency exit of life. Obviously I'm heavily biased by my own experiences, and your mileage may very well vary. Of those I know personally who did or tried to do it, none wanted it to be a taboo, but rather to talk about it openly but it took them too long to find someone they could trust, be it a therapist or a friend who'd listen. It's generally their families or officials who don't want it mentioned, not those affected. The issue persists even if we don't talk about it or it gets censored. Also this isn't a critique on you, but rather the world we live in, be it social media or international news or even gossip in some backwater village. Reach out to your friends my guys and listen to them, especially what they say between the lines.

[@GamingHarryYT]

I actually have German heritage!

[@Scorpio_Rising_1]

FINALLY. I’ve been expecting for your video on this for days.

[@mr_bluegreen2214]

Your videos give me that energy to complete my day 😊

[@tashahemlock8195]

I love your info vids as I would listen to them when doing art. Also, giving that Silent Hill likes symbolism on their monsters, here's my take on the cherry blossom monster that I will call Flosculus Mortuss (Dead Floweret). The symbolism for the monster is more than just Anita's guilt and mental struggles but it is also a representation of Maya as well. Anita's own pyramid head since she was the one that caused Maya's.... You know what. The reasoning behind the monster chasing her and attacking her when caught is Anita's mind's way of punishing her. Plus the texts from Maya whenever she says 'Find it' that's the monster talking to her. Telling her to find the item to confront her sins and her pain less it catches up to her. But these are my thoughts on the monster and its symbolism.

[@NGMonocrom]

Ironically, not the worst Silent Hill game. Could've been better. But the message it conveys is so important that I'm glad it was made into one. Otherwise, without the Silent Hill connection, far, far fewer gamers would play this. Perhaps precisely the ones whom this game would hit close to most.

[@dxcSOUL]

While that's nice, gamers tend to miss the point of the games they play. The most ardent, hardcore fans even more so. Example, people who think the Fallout series is a love letter for fascism and think their favorite faction is the only right way to live in REAL Life. Also 90% of games usually have great messages and lessons to learn about life. Yet, gamers still remain one of the most toxic groups irl. It's one of the few demographics who regularly send death threats to creators.

[@AYAKXSHI]

@@dxcSOULit’s also a reason why games aren’t accepted as a art form because gamers don’t see it as such

[@fulltimeslackerii8229]

I need to write a thesis on why crappy games get a pass simply for being about mental health even if the execution is corny, heavy handed, and god awful

[@heywhohithelights]

@@fulltimeslackerii8229PLEASE DO gosh this mental health trope is overPLAYED

[@aarongonzalez1240]

THE GAME WAS LITERALLY FOR FREEEEE@@fulltimeslackerii8229 You honestly think they would pull out all the tricks from their sleeves for a free game ? 🤣get real

[@countblacke]

Dude I literally love your voice and videos, I literally put your videos on in the background while I'm coding something monotonous and boring, and you bring up the whole task

[@TheHaddonfieldRegistry]

Starting the video now, will edit when done, but I'm mainly hoping there is some reason for why this was called 'Silent Hill'. I'm absolutely fine with SH games taking place outside SH, The Room is one of my favorites along with 2, but that game had obvious and explicit connections. Hoping this game does too. EDIT: Did not disappoint.

[@GamingHarryYT]

There are only minor links, which I look at in the last chapter of the video.

[@TheHaddonfieldRegistry]

@@GamingHarryYT Yep, just finished it. Great vid, thank you for taking the time to explain it. I don't have a PS5, so it's much appreciated, and the SH connections were pretty neat. Good catch on the doctor's notes from SH2

[@derekb4977]

​@@GamingHarryYT this game isn't that good it's not that deep and mishandled suicide over some weird jealous girls friendships this is not silent hill.

[@BigSkyacat]

Best lore channel

[@LosMSR]

I like the concept of Silent Hill like Ju-On or Ringu, that explained why some characters said, don't go to SH, but now, the town can be unleash power in other places, that's more interesting. I also like the idea of this witch is similar to Sullivan, but also Mary, this is a direct link to the original line created by Team Silent, TS hinted this concept with the four, since in the four, Sullivan is creating a fake ritual, but he managed to infect everything, or poison all with the power of the town. The figure of Valtiel seems to be very important to this concept, in the 1, Masahiro said Lisa was dragging into the darkness by Valtile, in SH2, PH is clearly Valtiel again, or based on, in SH3 Valtiel was watching and dragging Heather to protect the god, In SH4 Valtiel was in the mind of Sullivan. The four games had Valtiel in one way, or another. The key of who is Valtiel can be confirmed in the game with less cult stuff, SH2, in the rebirth book, there is an entity called The Crimson, this being is one with the fog. Another interesting fact about The Crimson is the PH picture in the other world, the picture said "Misty day, Reminds of judgment". PH is confirmed that he is in the fog, therefore he is indeed Valtiel, but also The Crimson, and at the same time, the red god, Xuchilbara. So seems like Valtiel was summon by James on SH2, bc if the book is the cycle of rebirth, and Valtiel is the one with the fog, but also the agend of god, that means his job is bigger than we think.

[@RamasesB]

Thank you

[@christianmanka3884]

I loved this game. Annoyed me in that last chase but I loved the game itself. It’s so nice to play a Silent Hill again.

[@juliettestingray6023]

Yeah, I just gave up on that last chase. I could get every photo except one. It just felt like repeatedly looping through a maze that I could barely grasp the layout of and getting nowhere. And I didn't have time to actually look around to see where the photo I was missing was at because the monster was always on my ass.

[@derekb4977]

😂 it's not a silent hill game.

[@RamasesB]

Yes but no

[@DJ239]

Wow I didn't know any of that stuff except the Silent Hill 4 Hole reference after playing today. Great video!

[@mausfanger96]

Love your videos! Your voice puts me to sleep (it's a good thing bc i have insomnia)

[@d3andra]

A major allure of silent hill for me is the music; I found this game didn’t match that same atmospheric dissonance that permeated the original silent hill games. Always love your videos though!

[@Gabranicus]

That's strange, because Akira Yamaoka did the soundtrack for this and the old Silent Hill games.

[@d3andra]

@ maybe he was trying to reimagine the soundscape as his vision led him. I’ll concede that the old stuff is so nostalgic it brings me back to a mood all its own.

[@Junekno]

I enjoy how you link the commentary with gameplay its very smooth makes it alot better

[@thezaydeffect9645]

The plot wasn't terrible reminds me of the ring/the grudge and the works of junji ito i believe it may be connected to Silent hill f

[@Scorpio_Rising_1]

The plot was obviously decent. The issue with the are more technical than anything, but it was a free game after all.

[@s0u7th13f]

I'm only 3 minutes in to the video but well done on the Kettenstadt pronounciation! absolutely nailed it. Can't wait to see the whole video, always enjoy listening to your vids.

[@NewtInATaco]

Hi I am a new subscriber as of two days ago and I have a game recommendation for you, please look at murdered soul suspect I feel I thoroughly explored and enjoyed that game but it would be absolutely perfect for your channel! I forgot to add I’ve been truly enjoying your content while I’m at work and I appreciate your in-depth breakdowns!

[@Cavemanner]

I'll second that! I'd love to hear Harry's take on it.

[@TheHaddonfieldRegistry]

Okay, small thing, is it weird to anyone else that suicide is a term you can't use on YT (I assume you'll be demonitized? Is it okay for me to say it in the comments? IF not, I'll remove it). Because 'people who want to check out from life early' sounds unintentionally funny. I can't imagine how forcing creators to come up with workarounds like that is meant to be respectful or 'correct' to the subject matter of suicide.

[@GamingHarryYT]

Yeah, unfortunately YT see it as a taboo word. So when it’s mentioned on a video, the video has a much higher chance of being age restricted. It doesn’t demonetise it, but it will kill the video in the algorithm. Meaning that it’ll only get about 1/10th of the views it would get otherwise.

[@fireraider98]

There are other terms people use for that word, and many like it to get around the censors. Even using it within context is somehow still wrong by youtube standards.

[@Skypirateinc]

I find that incredibly sad, and terribly ignorant of the YT team. The lack of discussion surrounding the topic, and available support through such thoughts and feelings often leads to attempts ( far more prevalent in youth, certainly not excluding adults and growing in number ). It's has a tendency for a higher rate among young people most likely due to the fluctuation of chemicals that occurs while we grow.

[@navyhusky2020]

I hope a viable KZbin alternative pops up one of these days because this shit is getting ridiculous lol

[@billythenarwhal1579]

I was thinking that the whole time, how does dampening the discussion of such a serious topic help anyone?

[@cricketchops200]

Another banger from Gaming Harry concisely explaining the lore and catching things I'd have never thought about, keep it up! Love your videos

[@unity7759]

the words are suicide, death, die, dying, kill, and murder, also any other word that'll remind you of your own mortality. our governments and these platforms aren't trying to protect us from these "trigger" words... as someone whos tried several times in the past the word suicide doesn't make people kill themselves. hopelessness does... language needs to stop being censored under the guise we need protection from words. and I honestly believe the world wouldn't be such a disaster if people could actually stop for a moment and really let it sink in the reality that no matter what they do, they will die, everyone and everything will die. and the irony is most people I've met when they really realize their life is coming to an end, they stop wasting their time on the endless grind that is modern living. or rather modern dying... all these words being muted isn't giving hope to anyone who's hopeless and ignoring death only keeps people docile going through the motions because the reality of death is life changing and when you realize nothing matters it makes a lot more sense to just do what you want. not what your told..

[@shanenice5380]

I agree 👍

[@CallofFreaky]

Thank you, I’m so sick of censorship. It’s even more frustrating that we can’t do anything about it because people are all too happy to make goofy funny phrases for words platforms block or suppress

[@rometherevenant8749]

I'm so happy you did this video man because it saves me from playing the actual game which I already had mixed feelings about.

[@f0ul0u]

Hmm that bothers me why they didn't show the boy in the drawings but it also make sense that the note is hidden by Anita. Would have liked if there is a true explanation to this but one of the theories is most likely the truth...This game is kinda SH2 inspired but does feel to be forced to be a SH game.

[@StereoBombe]

Regarding theories, I'm not sure Amelie and Anita are the same person, tho Amelie is almost 100 % dead during the game's event : Her college prep diary are set from 17 october 2020 to 23 september 2021, and we learn in these that she won't be able to go to college the 23/09/21 because of money problem in her family (and her mom's left her that same day). In the same area, Anita find a journal from the 25 septembre 2021 explaning that a teenage girl commited suicide the 24 of september 2021, guessed to be because she couldn't go to college du to family contraint. That's one day between Amelie's last deseperate entry and the student's suicide, and while it is not stated clearly, I'm pretty sure that she is the one who killed herself. And considering that Amelie is the one 'saving' Anita in the ending, I doubt they actually lives after the game's events. We only get a message from Amelie saying that they will go to college... without knowing how the money problem got solved (and it's not like Anita haven't received message from dead people already).

[@indraap90]

The villa/limbo looks much alike PT corridor loop with some different setting. The bathroom especially gives me same feeling.

[@Jackandbitty]

they live in Germany but they’re speaking Japanese then they’re dubbed over in English…weird decisions all around

[@TypeogamerTTV]

one thing i always noticed is the monster chasing you is in fact mya! the hoodie, the shoes, the idea of cherry blossoms. no ones pointed that out yet.

[@tomsmarkovs1946]

Makes sense, since she is asking her to find it and guiding her through the building (by chasing) and Anita feels responsible for her death. At one point I couldn't decide if it's the mom or Maya. but it's 100% Maya.

[@prettzx]

I knew something was up right away because Amalie = Am-a-lie (or A-me-lie, both work)

[@Daedindalin]

Pretty sure the person standing beside Amelie in that flashback was Anita, not the enigmatic boy. They have the same shoes and high-hemmed pants.

[@jayw3688]

YESSSSSS Was waiting for this since I just finished watching the game.

[@falconshadow7408]

This does sound a lot like Dissociative Identity disorder. What intrigues me is the situations with the brothers. Could it be that Anita was the alternative personality as a way of processing the sexual trauma Maya faced with her brother... it could have been a way of rationalizing the abuse by explaining it away as "Me and my brother were Kept in a closet together and that's why he was so close to me and touching me." The fact that he died could also be some sort of koping mechanism as to not fear his return.

[@aprilbaker1264]

Amelie had the brother. Also anitta had a baby brother who died when their mother locked them into a closet without food

[@numaiprostiaaramas]

her brother was a baby boy, maybe 1 or 2 years old when their mother punish them by locked them in the closet, so no way her brother can sexual abuse her.

[@ZEKESNAKE]

Stupid KZbin rules censoring something that can't be avoided. Hope this explain video reach to everyone.

[@priscillalee9767]

Amelie and Anita ARE one in the same. The game showed a mirrored picture of Amelie, the left side being colored and the right side black/white. The picture split in the center with the black/white side of Amelie now being replaced by a black/white Anita, representing a split personality. In some cases of real-life trauma, there are children who developed multiple personalities due to trauma.

[@brittanyofhouseblackwood]

The chained door is also a call back to SH4!

[@decentmemes5874]

Amazing work, i like how you put so much effort into your videos. I eagerly wait for your videos, keep up the amazing work you r doing❤

[@Borderlines]

I think this game is one of the strongest recent Silent Hill games in terms of theme.

[@tomsmarkovs1946]

100%. . also it's way more unique in terms of art and design. Origins, Homecoming, downpour all really tried to replicate the older games. This has some Shattered memories elements with the phone, but less fleshed out. I really like the direction for this game. . I hope they make this, but with more locations, puzzles, gameplay elements and a map! :D

[@fuzzyblueninja]

The use of a real actress and real life footage for the flashbacks is actually pretty cool. I like it, it gives a fun contrast to the game

[@TheAngryYumm]

Silent Hill always does and amazing job with their main protagonists. Was the story a little hand holdy and rough? Sure. However I fully believe this is a good way to introduce new audiences. Believe it or not you need newcomers to your games for them continue. Tgis feels like a way for people to dip their toes in a more modern version. Showing us mechanics that will be different, story elements to change, bringing in modernity to what is supposed to be dead.

[@DrGoth]

Really cool video, personally I think you handled the topics in this game better than the game did itself!! I just can't figure out who this game is actually targeted towards, who is it's target audience? If it's Silent Hill fans, it's too far removed from their mainline style set up by the first three games. If it's young people struggling with their self image, it's not handled well and instead shines a light on those issues without any sort of proper closure with it's open ended conclusion. To me, it just seems like Konami's attempt at PT with it's; "Look look! First person, scary corridors, we even have looping! See we can do it too!" Sure it has the classic theme of guilt from SH2, but without any of the structure. Taking the Silent Hill out of it, the game's theme feels, well, like it's got the "Bloober touch."

[@kevin-vincentelabo3916]

I was sooo waiting for that video. Now I can go to sleep with this awesome narrative voice

[@potsmokindino]

With the whole “Silent Hill Phenomenon,” in my own head cannon, I wanna tie it into Spec Ops: The Line. With the apocalyptic, omnipresent sand storm storm surrounding Dubai in the story being a stand-in for the SH fog and the rest being perpetual purgatory for the main characters.

[@B-zk9bt]

That sounds really interesting

[@TheSilverShadow17]

Slightly off topic but Ghostwire Tokyo is essentially an unspoken extension to The Evil Within series as it was supposed to be the 3rd installment of the franchise but that plan was scrapped and went the direction of Japanese urban legend/folklore. May not look or seem like it but the evidence is quite subtle.

[@tomsmarkovs1946]

I think the the hole is what Anita actually drew while living in the closet. It get's bigger the longer she stays there. Being stuck in the Villa has some parallels with being stuck in the apartment.

[@tazzidoe7083]

Really enjoyed your theory! Actually it makes sense of them being the same person! I loved the silent hill imagery they created and you could tell it was made by the same person who made SH2. I just hope next time they make a bit more of a likeable character, cut out most of the warnings and don’t EVER make a chase sequence like the one in Chapter 3 again 😂

[@Yeugeo]

Your way of saying Kettenstadt is funny but almost perfect xD (btw it means Chain City)

[@Drcanttouchthis]

I’ve been putting together a few theories for about a week now. Really thought I had it figured out until I watched this. Going to do more research but I believe that I solved this sad story. Thank you for the inspiration, Harry! Think I’m finally going to have a fun run at creating a video essay.

[@Drcanttouchthis]

After being stuck in a loop of my own, I’ve come up with a crazy theory. One that hasn’t been covered anywhere. Maya suffered the same fate as her great grandmother. Their stories are the same. Only Maya freed the chained city from the curse. I believe that Anita and the students may have chased Maya off the top of the villa aka the hospital. We also start on a loop that is several loops ahead of the first scene. The time from 17:45-46 is due to being stuck in the fog world. Once Maya helped Anita (Find it) synchronization took place and the girls were freed. Look at Anita’s phone the end. There isn’t a time. They moved on or however you want to put it. Anita also killed her brother not the mother. Amelie and Maya are best friends. Maya loves Amelie’s brother. I know this won’t be seen and sounds crazy but I have tons of share.

[@fraserlaunchbury3667]

Could you do a complete silent hill story so far breakdown or is that too much 😂 I love your content btw really great work, concise explanations, helpful insights, just great stuff

[@RamasesB]

Many have done so and well look then up

[@scrimmybingus8972]

Man, to see what is basically the Slenderman game being passed off as a Silent Hill is wild.

[@konawhatnow7461]

When they briefly bring up the art of social media jealously it hits home. It's very common for a lot of young artists to become friends on social media, but as they grow they grow at different rates. Despite being friends and supporting each other, one person will gain more followers than the other. Or if it's not about followers themselves but rather improvements in art and art style. You can feel frustrated that the other person has improved so much without even realizing it. Artists now on social media are trying to make an effort to make it less about followers and comparing themselves to others but it still can creep up on the best of us.

[@eeqrth]

Why is everyone complaining as if they paid for this game? Like y’all played it for free! And were expecting them to do the best job on a game they won’t get any profit from?

[@GamingHarryYT]

Feelings of nostalgia are powerful ones. I personally think that Konami should start a new horror IP, because whatever they release under the SH brand, people aren’t gonna like it at all. I worry for Bloober Team. Not because they’re not up to it, but because I feel like SH Remake has already been written off as a dumpster fire and it’s not even got a release date yet

[@shanenice5380]

I liked it.the last part chaser makes me mad.thats why some people mad.great story.😊

[@DragonShawnK]

As someone who has self-esteem issues, anxiety and depression, I can relate to a lot what this story has to offer. I let some guys online bully me and been having these scars inside of me ever since. Tho, I do keep fighting the pain and the memories the best I can, but it loves to creep up every now and then. Like the main character, I too have self-esteem issues in regards of my works and I just don't feel like I'm good enough. I don't want to say the S word... But I have those thoughts sometimes too, but I kept going. My journey is not over yet and I want to see the end of my story. I'll give this game a shot and give my own thoughts about it for myself. The game is Free, so no worries about breaking bank. lolz

[@The80Kat]

I loved this. I hope it brings more attention to silent hill.

[@mikedorey7724]

So glad someone is actually doing a theory and explained video. Too much negativity with the series at the moment

[@CKVampyre]

You can see why though, fans deserve better than this

[@mikedorey7724]

@@CKVampyre i liked it

[@RuSosan]

​@@CKVampyre Do they? Do they _really_ though? They're one of the whiniest, most toxic, gatekeepy and entitled fanbases to ever exist. _"Deserve"_ pfffft! 😆

[@chelsie2767]

I think people need to cut this game more slack. Its not subtle, but its free, and they said this was literally just Ito and the other devs experimenting and trying to figure out what worked and what didn't.

[@alligater7]

Anyone just tell you to keep on keeping on? Love listening to videos like this. Keep the survivors aspect in.

[@amoodyfrog]

I watched the full gameplay on the train today. Unfortunately, I disagreed with some of the KZbinrs that said that the game conveyed the message well. I found it as a big cliche (which is not a crime or anything). As someone who deals with depression and has friends who deal with depression and suicide ideation, I feel like the game made it impossible to feel for the main characters. The suffering and pain of mental illness, trauma, bullying, even rape (considering the brother of one of the characters, even not especially stated) was portrayed as such a bothersome and annoying way. I felt like the bully and couldn't wait to be done with their mopping and complaining. I feel like it could have actually established a common ground and understanding with the characters. There was a huge gap in translating the suffering and depicting it in such a way that viewers can also feel compassionate. But that's just me.

[@CKVampyre]

Yep and going shopping would not stop a depressed person from jumping

[@ResidentBeagle]

Personally I thought it brought a decent contemporary feel to SH. I’ll admit it felt a bit to like Life is Strange but when the occult / witch theme was introduced it really came into its own

[@Punisher6791]

Great job on this video, i had the same thoughts after beating it too. I was still trying to figure out its connection to the town and what it had to do with it but couldn't come up with anything. This game could have been called anything but silent hill and it still would have worked i guess? But thats just my thoughts, btw, Silent Hill Turns 25 on the twenty Third of this month! Happy Birthday Silent Hill!

[@TevyaSmolka]

I personally liked silent hill short message it was really good in my opinion.

[@Fenris_Ulfhednar]

And a good why to show awareness to the subject in the game.

[@TevyaSmolka]

@@Fenris_Ulfhednar indeed because oh boy this subject matter is not a happy subject like at all.

[@mattrodgers157]

Agreed

[@TevyaSmolka]

@@mattrodgers157 indeed

[@B0BIN0594]

I would have honestly been happier with this one if they had kept everything in that same veil of mystery as PT did in terms of story and character. I enjoyed how PT's plot unraveled through the loops if you were keen enough to catch what was going on. Anita as well as her friends essentially spell out the entire plot before the ending. There is no mystery to them, and it comes to the detriment of their dedicated story sections in the game. When I think of Silent Hill games I think "Show, don't tell". Overall, for a free 2 hour SH horror experience it is fine, and that's really it. Fans just have this problem of investing way too much of themselves into a series and getting butthurt when its not what they want it to be.

[@Fenris_Ulfhednar]

I also feel like it was more of a suicide awareness thing more then most. so I got to appreciate the approach they took as to mix it with something that most could enjoy and understand.

[@LadyBern]

What I like about this is that it reminds me a bit of the comic and short story entries for Silent Hill. I will admit that i don't care for the theory or idea that Anita and Amelie are the same person, that over complicates things and adds an unnecessary second twist. And having them be one and the same sorta works against the theme of isolation, loneliness, the want for attention, the dark aspects in life each individual girl is going through, the themes of self checkout and death. To lump it all on 1 character is a 4 layer misery cake that Maya's death doesn't feel like a tragic situation meant to make you reflect on the struggles young women go through but another layer to the cake that is anita's life. Or fridging Maya for Anita and they already did that with the brother.

[@rowdyrager-9403]

I like these "game explained" videos. Even though it can spoil the game even if I still get it down the road if the game is good enough knowing the story doesn't necessarily ruin the experience

[@CKVampyre]

Not spoiling much lmao

[@rowdyrager-9403]

Well i mean in general when these types of vids are released. Sometimes there story spoilers 😂​@@CKVampyre

[@jedodedo]

So the Silent Hill Phenomenon would explain the stories happening outside Silent Hill or without The Order's machinations?

[@billythenarwhal1579]

The order was only relevant b.c of what they did to Alyssa, James didn't have any connection to them.

​@@billythenarwhal1579 James's guilt were being manifested as monsters etc due to the demonic power that are present in the town due to the cult rituals, don't?

[@gregrenox9644]

​@I think Its more of the fact that James is the only Main Character that is not in touch directly in contact with the member of the Cults. For example Heather(Silent Hill 3) with Claudia. Travis and Harry(SH1 and Origin) with Dahlia And Henry(S4) with Walter. James is the case of the true effects of how destructive Silent hill phenomenon is to their victims without The Order suprevising. This phenomenon in SH2 is like a force of Nature rather than almagamation of human hands, for theres no Main antagonist to fight of like in any Silent Hill games.

[@reddishcarp1237]

​@@billythenarwhal1579The Order's actions & what transpired SH1 is what led to the town being abandoned though.

[@matdoosh]

I'm so glad I could rely on you to do this because I managed an hour and gave up

[@quirkyviper]

I REALLY like the same person theory. I was watching a playthrough bc I don't have a PS and kept thinking why would they cast two characters that look SO similar of everyone they could've chosen from and modeled. I've seen quite a lot of ppl saying that there isn't enough connection to Silent Hill to call this a SH game but I disagree. I only noticed little things, like the phone being a more modern radio, etc, but knew I would find out more details from our favorite Lore Hunter!

[@tomsmarkovs1946]

Yeah, the fact that it keeps you thinking after you beat the game makes it a Silent Hill game for me. :D Not to mention the other world and how the design is unique not only to the main character, but also the franchise. And that phone static when C.B. get's close was a really cool way to make it a modern radio, like you said.

[@tansiemachesta]

you slay once again.

[@AntoinettexKitten]

Drowning in self pity made her ignore her friend's death

[@MarieAntoon]

I just wish the story had been presented with a lot more subtlety. Every scene seems to hit you over the head with the message and symbolism as if to say "DID YOU GET THAT?!?" One thing I sis wonder about was the pregnancy test. I thought it might be Maya's and part of the reason she was teased, possibly called a whore, and separated from her boyfriend was because she got pregnant, but I don't think there's any supporting details for this leap of logic. Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

[@jenniferbrennan2819]

I thought it was supposed to be Amelies and that she was being SA'd by her brother

[@vbbrothers]

As someone who doesnt have a ps5, I'm going to enjoy watching your content.

[@nc_fr87]

wow i didn't find the memory of Maya talking about her grand mother :o also i wonder about the last article in amelie's appartment about how the girl failing to go to uni killed herself sooo amelie is dead then she became anita?

[@julz8175]

Great video, I hope one day you do the silent hill games to

[@cloutman1770]

Nice

[@alex3wielki]

Please make the entire silent hill games story explained

[@bandersnatchbeauty9692]

Holy crap, it's been a decade since PT came out? I'm so old.

[@Unlikekillakay]

I really liked this game for what it was. A SHORT MESSAGE that speaks to the youth and adults of today who are suffering from depression, bullying and such.

[@vinceszurko8651]

The best part of this game is it means another video from GamingHarry.

[@A.T501st]

A bit disappointing how we went from previous SH games consisting of a husband being guilty that he killed his mentally ill wife due to his sexual frustrations or a story of a young girl secretly being a the "chosen one" of a satanic cult into to a ...girl being bullied in high school? Yeah um not the SH comeback I was expecting.

[@XinKotetsu]

11:35 the second diary is dated 6 months BEFORE the previous one...

[@denny7403]

This game was actually so good..

[@HiddenGardenComics]

I know this might be a stupid theory but what if Maya and Anita were/are psychics. Think about it maya's great grandmother was a witch and just like how the school kids treated Alyssa in silent hill this school's kids called her a witch specifically. And she did give me that aura of some kind of supernatural. As for Anita, whenever she died time rewinded and each time she opened her eyes it gave off this red glow. I also think the mother ment something else when she said Anita was a curse in her womb that her mother gave her. Could it be that the curse is her abilities to come back over and over again after dying? I don't know, it's just a lousy theory😅

[@jacobdalton1602]

“It’s been a decade since pt” I just turned 20 and that made feel like I’m ancient