Games that make the most of silence

In games, silence is often as important as sound. It's a powerful tool that can build tension, create mood, and make a moment feel very intimate, personal, or downright scary. In some moments, silence takes center stage, proving that the quiet moments are the loudest.

In these games, silence is not simply the absence of sound; it is a narrative device that shapes the experience in profound and unforgettable ways. Here are a few games that effectively utilize silence to create impactful, haunting, and reflective moments.

FAR: Lonely Voyage

The only sound is your stomach

In Far: Lone Sails, you play as a lone survivor who pilots a ship-like vehicle across a barren landscape toward an unknown destination. What makes the game so impactful is its lack of an interface. No tutorials, no text, just you and silence.

This silence amplifies the feeling of loneliness as you travel through this empty and vast world. Haunting yet beautiful, it gives us room to reflect on humanity's quest for purpose even when surrounded by nothingness.

witness

A quiet island full of puzzles

In The Witness, silence is a fundamental aspect of both gameplay and environment, creating a meditative atmosphere that invites deep reflection. Set on a mysterious island filled with complex puzzles, the lack of dialogue and narrative prompts allows you to immerse yourself in the tranquil surroundings.

Only the subtle sounds of nature, such as the sound of rustling leaves, distant water flowing, or the occasional footsteps, accentuate the silence. This minimalist sound encourages users to engage with the environment at their own pace and take their time solving puzzles.

soma

Silence makes us feel safe. Right?

In SOMA, silence plays a more unsettling role. The silence deep within the underwater facility is almost comforting, a sign that you are temporarily safe from the horrors that lurk around every corner. But this stillness is not entirely peaceful. It is the calm before the storm, so every sound feels like a harbinger of danger.

It ratchets up the tension and provides a brief respite before being thrown back into the scary unknown. The absence of sound becomes a tool to amplify fear and create an oppressive atmosphere. You are never safe at SOMA.

kentucky route zero

A quiet space, a surreal story

In Kentucky Route Zero, silence plays an important role in creating the game's surreal and dreamlike atmosphere. Dialogue is minimal, and the game's sound design focuses on ambient noise rather than speech, ensuring that silence takes center stage. This concentration allows you to immerse yourself in strange, otherworldly environments.

The silence reinforces the game's disconnect and supernatural themes, making it feel more like a fever dream than a traditional narrative experience. Kentucky Route Zero invites us to consider the chaotic nature of a world where silence speaks more than words.

Gone Home

A house that speaks through silence

In Gone Home, as you explore an empty house on a stormy night, the silence amplifies your sense of isolation, making you feel like your home has been invaded. Because there is no dialogue or explicit narrative, you must explore every nook and cranny of the house, leaving the lights on and the doors open to ease feelings of loneliness.

Silence allows the house to tell its story through the objects and secrets scattered around it. In Gone Home, silence becomes an integral part of the atmosphere, creating a slow-burning sense of mystery and unease.

inside

No words, only fear.

The world of Inside is terrifying in itself, set in a dystopian society where free will is erased and soulless creatures are born. There is no context or explanation as to who you are or what your goals are. This is a hallmark of Playdead, a developer that likes to leave us in the dark (literally and figuratively).

Inner silence is not just a narrative tool but a source of fear. It amplifies the ever-present dangers of this world, isolating and threatening you as you navigate your way through a dark and oppressive environment.

travel

Where silence speaks louder than words

Journey is a masterclass in quiet storytelling. Although there is no dialogue or text to guide you, the game conveys profound emotions through stunning visuals and a detailed soundtrack. Silence becomes the language of the world, allowing you to interpret the story at your own pace.

The quiet moments, highlighted only by ethereal music and the desert breeze, speak for themselves as there are no words to convey this beauty. Journey proves that silence can be more expressive than conversation, creating space for deep, personal reflection.

Silent Hill 2

The fear lurking in silence

As the name suggests, it is Silent Hill. In this unusual town, silence becomes its own characteristic. As you walk down the foggy streets or empty hallways, the silence is suffocating, as if the town itself is holding its breath.

The game emphasizes tension and fear of the unknown by carefully choosing disorienting sounds without overusing music. No music plays when the monster appears, making these encounters even more terrifying. That quiet keeps you in a constant state of suspense, amplifying the game's psychological horror.

shadow of the colossus

The weight of silence on a lonely quest

Shadow Of The Colossus is, in a word, beautiful and tragic. You play as a warrior willing to do anything to save those you love. But… at what cost? You will travel on horseback across a vast, empty landscape. With silence that amplifies the feeling of being far away from any civilization.

The only sounds with you are the wind and the rhythmic sound of horses' hooves. Music only appears at key moments, providing quiet moments to engage and reflect on the weight of your exploration and the consequences of your actions.