10 Terrifying Horror Video Game Openings

The psychological yang to Resident Evil's more action-orientated yin, Silent Hill is nonetheless regarded with high esteem. Yet whilst Capcom's sequel goes for bombastic, Konami's debut series title goes for the insidious build instead.

Terror already sets in when players are put in control of Harry Mason looking for his daughter. Running through foggy streets is enough to set the dread in, parent or otherwise.

But wait, there's more, as things take a darker turn. Quite literally, as Harry is sequestered through some narrow back alleys. Getting darker and darker, Harry is confronted with the gruesome sight of a dismembered corpse.

And then has to succumb to small, demonic beasts killing him.

And you'd think that'd be enough to put the frighteners in players, but no, Silent Hill isn't done yet. After meeting the only alive-looking person so far, Harry is left in the relative safety of an empty diner. Lulled into a false sense of security, the terror is put right back into the forefront when a winged whatever shatters that calm.

And the window. The town may be silent, but our heartbeats weren't.