Getting Started in Silent Hill: Townfall
Silent Hill: Townfall is the first full-length Silent Hill game played entirely from a first-person perspective. Developed by Screen Burn Interactive and published by Konami and Annapurna Interactive, the game launches on September 24, 2026, for PlayStation 5 and PC via Steam and Epic Games Store. The Standard Edition is priced at $49.99, while the Deluxe Edition costs $59.99 and includes 48-hour early access starting September 21, plus an artbook.
The game is set on the fog-shrouded Scottish island of St. Amelia in 1996. You play as Simon Ordell, who returns to the island to "put things to rest." This beginner guide covers everything you need to know to survive your first hours in Townfall, including essential mechanics like the portable CRTV television device that evolves the classic Silent Hill radio idea.
Understanding the Controls
Before diving into the action, familiarize yourself with the core controls:
- Movement: Left stick to move, right stick to look around
- L1: Hold to raise and use the CRTV device
- L2: Aim/zoom with flashlight or block in melee combat
- R2: Attack in melee combat / interact with objects
- D-pad: Access map, quick items, and CRTV signal switching
- Peek (Hold R1): Lean around corners and over cover to observe surroundings while staying hidden
- Crouch: Hide behind cover, squeeze through tight spaces, and reduce your profile
The game features a leaning mechanic that is crucial for survival. Use it to peek around corners while checking your CRTV for enemy positions before committing to movement.
The CRTV Device - Your Most Important Tool
The CRTV is a portable analog television that becomes Simon's most vital tool. You acquire it early in the game during the Room 204 sequence. Here is what you need to know:
Tuning Signals: Hold L1 and use L2/R2 to search frequencies. When you find a signal, a fine-tuning bar appears. Hit Store Signal when the yellow diamond overlaps with the yellow and black rectangle to lock in the signal and reveal story vignettes.
Detecting Enemies: The CRTV can detect threats and their locations. While holding L1, locate a signal using L2/R2. When locked in, indicators on the screen edge guide you to reveal enemy direction and show them through the screen. You can switch between multiple detected signals using the D-pad.
Navigation Aid: CRTV signals vaguely suggest the next direction or location to head toward. When stuck, check your CRTV for guidance.
VHF Radio Tuning: Later in the game, you will need to tune into local VHF radio transmissions. This requires the same tuning steps plus adjusting the CRTV angle and calibrating color channels. Tilt the CRTV and rotate it until the signal circles align, then switch between RGB colors using the D-pad to fit each into the outlined rectangles.
How to Save the Game
Saving in Silent Hill: Townfall works differently from most games. You must find a telephone booth to save:
- Enter a phone booth
- Pick up the phone
- Dial 100
- The save screen will appear
Phone booths are scattered throughout St. Amelia. Always save when you find one, especially before entering new areas or attempting puzzles.
Combat Basics
Combat in Townfall is deliberately tense and limited. The game tutorializes melee combat as you progress:
- L2 to block enemy attacks (cannot block grabs)
- R2 to swing at enemies
- Successful blocks and attacks damage your weapon slightly
- Weapons degrade over time, so be mindful of their condition
- Ammunition and health items are rare
Key tip: Combat is downplayed compared to other Silent Hill games. Each enemy feels more like a mini stalker than a regular mob. Assess your options before engaging - evasion is often the smarter choice.
Stealth and Enemy Avoidance
Townfall is as much a stealth game as it is a horror game. Here are essential stealth strategies:
- Use the CRTV constantly to track enemy positions before moving
- Crouch and hide behind containers, vehicles, and furniture
- Peek around corners (hold R1) to observe without exposing yourself
- Use distractions: Throw bricks and bottles to lure enemies away from paths
- Time your movements: Wait for creatures to patrol away before crossing open areas
- Lock yourself in rooms: Some enemies can be evaded by closing doors behind you
Enemies are fast and unpredictable. Even hours into the game, they can catch you off guard. The safest approach is to avoid confrontation whenever possible.
Understanding the Power Card System
Early in the game, you will encounter a power box that requires a Prepaid Power Card. Here is how the system works:
- Find an Electricard (available at newsagent shops)
- Insert the card into the power box slot
- Use Button A to cycle to "Card Credit"
- Press Button B to apply credit
- Push the Master Power Switch
This system appears in multiple locations throughout the game. Always check for power boxes in buildings you explore.
Puzzle Solving Tips
Townfall features challenging puzzles that require careful observation:
- Read every document you find - they often contain puzzle clues
- Check the CRTV after each signal - video clips reveal codes and solutions
- Combine items in your inventory - some puzzles require combined items
- Examine everything - posters, calendars, and notices all contain potential clues
- The Room 204 Puzzle: Outer ring = 18, Middle ring = January, Inner ring = 1996
- The Transplant Box: Use first and last 3 digits of the ET Code (956-133)
- The Pharmacy Puzzle: Read health posters revealed through CRTV (code: 6539)
Managing Your Resources
Resources are scarce in Townfall. Follow these guidelines:
- Gauze heals small amounts of health - use it wisely
- First Aid Kits provide larger healing - save for emergencies
- IV Fluid and Empty IV Bags can be combined to create a filled IV bag that revives Simon after a fatal attack
- Weapons degrade - switch between weapons to extend their lifespan
- Flashlight batteries are limited - toggle the flashlight off when not needed
Exploring St. Amelia
The island of St. Amelia is divided into several areas:
- Town Square: Central hub with the Heart of St. Amelia centrepiece, phone booth, and connections to multiple streets
- Main Street: Leads to the Pharmacy and commercial buildings
- St. Amelia Park: Contains the historic tree, wooden gates for shortcuts, and connections to residential areas
- Residential Blocks: Apartment buildings with multiple units to search for items and documents
- Shorefront Family Clinic: Key story location with offices, reception, and puzzle rooms
Unlock wooden gates and shortcut paths early. You will need to traverse between areas frequently, and shortcuts save time and reduce enemy encounters.
The CRTV Signal Collection
Throughout the game, you can tune into 18 different CRTV signals. These signals provide story information, puzzle clues, and contribute to the "Sweeping Signals" trophy. Always tune in when you detect a new signal - the vignettes often reveal critical information.
Difficulty Settings
Townfall offers multiple difficulty options:
- Story Mode: Enemies are easier to defeat, more supplies available, puzzles remain the same difficulty
- Normal/Hinted: Recommended for first-time players. The game highlights important text in clues
- Normal/Normal: Standard experience for both combat and puzzles
You can adjust combat and puzzle difficulty separately. If you are primarily interested in the story, Story Mode is a good choice. Puzzle difficulty does not change the puzzles themselves - Hinted mode simply highlights key text in documents.
Endings and Replay Value
Townfall features five different endings determined by how you play:
- Justice: Considered the "true" ending
- Forever: A largely positive outcome
- Abandoned: A thematically appropriate but incomplete ending
- Two secret endings: Unlocked through New Game Plus with additional puzzle-solving
Your ending is influenced by your Discoveries count (documents collected), enemies killed, and overall playstyle. A second playthrough on New Game Plus reveals new collectibles and weapons.
Essential Early Game Checklist
- Get the map from the town square centrepiece
- Save at the phone booth (dial 100)
- Acquire the CRTV in Room 204
- Get the flashlight and batteries from Zoe's house
- Get the Prepaid Power Card from the newsagent
- Restore power and read Zoe's emails
- Open the transplant box (code: 956-133)
- Get Zoe's Lanyard from the transplant box
- Head to the Shorefront Family Clinic
- Solve the Pharmacy Puzzle (code: 6539)
Following this guide will ensure you do not miss critical items or get stuck on early puzzles. Take your time, explore thoroughly, and remember - the CRTV is your most important tool for both survival and puzzle-solving.