Silver Pines is the debut title from indie developer Wych Elm, published by Team17, and presents a 2D survival-horror experience that blends detective work with Metroidvania-style exploration.
Tested on the Nintendo Switch 2 (review copy provided by Team17), the game is positioned as an atmospheric, story-driven entry that wears its inspirations visibly while establishing its own identity.
In journalistic terms: the reviewer noted that Wych Elm’s first outing “wears its influences on its sleeve without feeling like a direct copy,” pointing to clear nods to Silent Hill and Resident Evil alongside stylistic echoes of Alan Wake and Twin Peaks.
The game casts players as private investigator Red Walker, who arrives in the isolated town of Silver Pines to locate missing musician Eddie Velvet — a premise that quickly develops supernatural overtones and unreliable realities.
Gameplay mixes survival-horror resource management with Metroidvania backtracking.
Areas are interconnected but gated by items or codes, encouraging players to re-traverse environments to unlock shortcuts, hidden rooms or new map sections.
A practical camera mechanic lets players take screenshots of clues and then locate those images on the map later, a small but useful design choice for detective-style puzzle solving.
Combat is intentionally conservative: ammunition, healing items and inventory space matter, and stealth can be viable to conserve resources.
The review characterizes combat as serviceable but limited, observing that movement and aiming can feel stiff and that managing healing mid-encounter occasionally proves cumbersome.
Despite these limitations, weapon upgrades and equipment choices add progression and strategic depth.
Puzzles are highlighted as a strength that ties into the investigative framing.
Players will examine documents, connect clues and deduce solutions rather than rely solely on trial-and-error.
The reviewer singled out puzzles that demand attention to detail, rewarding patient, methodical play and reinforcing the game’s tone.
Visually, Silver Pines earns praise for densely detailed environments that make the town feel like a character in its own right.
On the Nintendo Switch 2, the reviewer reported smooth performance and responsive presentation, describing sessions that felt stable and visually polished.
Scored 9/10 by the reviewer Jamie Ward of Nintendo Insider, Silver Pines is recommended for fans of narrative-driven horror who appreciate atmosphere, careful exploration and challenging puzzles.
Version Tested: Nintendo Switch 2.
Review copy provided by Team17.
Tested on the Nintendo Switch 2 (review copy provided by Team17), the game is positioned as an atmospheric, story-driven entry that wears its inspirations visibly while establishing its own identity.
In journalistic terms: the reviewer noted that Wych Elm’s first outing “wears its influences on its sleeve without feeling like a direct copy,” pointing to clear nods to Silent Hill and Resident Evil alongside stylistic echoes of Alan Wake and Twin Peaks.
The game casts players as private investigator Red Walker, who arrives in the isolated town of Silver Pines to locate missing musician Eddie Velvet — a premise that quickly develops supernatural overtones and unreliable realities.
Gameplay mixes survival-horror resource management with Metroidvania backtracking.
Areas are interconnected but gated by items or codes, encouraging players to re-traverse environments to unlock shortcuts, hidden rooms or new map sections.
A practical camera mechanic lets players take screenshots of clues and then locate those images on the map later, a small but useful design choice for detective-style puzzle solving.
Combat is intentionally conservative: ammunition, healing items and inventory space matter, and stealth can be viable to conserve resources.
The review characterizes combat as serviceable but limited, observing that movement and aiming can feel stiff and that managing healing mid-encounter occasionally proves cumbersome.
Despite these limitations, weapon upgrades and equipment choices add progression and strategic depth.
Puzzles are highlighted as a strength that ties into the investigative framing.
Players will examine documents, connect clues and deduce solutions rather than rely solely on trial-and-error.
The reviewer singled out puzzles that demand attention to detail, rewarding patient, methodical play and reinforcing the game’s tone.
Visually, Silver Pines earns praise for densely detailed environments that make the town feel like a character in its own right.
On the Nintendo Switch 2, the reviewer reported smooth performance and responsive presentation, describing sessions that felt stable and visually polished.
Scored 9/10 by the reviewer Jamie Ward of Nintendo Insider, Silver Pines is recommended for fans of narrative-driven horror who appreciate atmosphere, careful exploration and challenging puzzles.
Version Tested: Nintendo Switch 2.
Review copy provided by Team17.
