10. The Atmosphere
The Silent Hill series is a masterclass in atmospheric horror, slowly building up a sense of dread through pitch perfect use of camera angles, audio, brilliantly timed scares. Owing a great deal to the traditions of Japanese horror cinema, where creeping tension is valued above shock moments and visceral terror, Silent Hill nails the scary atmosphere perfectly. It keeps you right on the edge of your seat wondering what might come crawling out of the fog, if something dreadful waits around the next corner, whether you're just imagining those sounds getting closer and closer...