In games, silence is often as important as sound. It’s a powerful tool that can create tension, build atmosphere, and make moments feel deeply intimate, personal, or utterly terrifying. In certain moments, silence takes center stage, proving that the quiet moments are the loudest of all.
Related
8 Most Relaxing Exploration Games
These games are great when you want to unwind and de-stress.
In these games, silence isn’t just about an absence of sound, it’s a narrative device that shapes the experience in profound and unforgettable ways. Here are some games that effectively use silence to create impactful, haunting, and reflective moments.
FAR: Lone Sails
The Only Sound Is Your Ship
In Far: Lone Sails, you play as a lone survivor piloting a ship-like vehicle across a desolate landscape toward an unknown destination. What makes the game impactful is its lack of interface: no tutorials, no text, just you and the quiet.
This silence amplifies the feeling of solitude as you journey through an empty, vast world. It’s haunting yet beautiful, allowing room to reflect on humanity’s search for purpose, even when surrounded by nothingness.
The Witness
A Silent Island, Full Of Puzzles
Your Rating
Rate Now 0/10
Your comment has not been saved
The Witness
- Platform(s)
- PS4, Xbox One, PC, iOS
- Released
- January 26, 2016
- Developer(s)
- Thekla Inc.
- Publisher(s)
- Thekla Inc.
In The Witness, silence is a fundamental aspect of both the gameplay and the environment, creating a contemplative atmosphere that invites deep reflection. Set on a mysterious island filled with intricate puzzles, the absence of dialogue and narrative prompts allows you to immerse yourself in the serene surroundings.
The quiet is punctuated only by the subtle sounds of nature: the rustling leaves, distant water flows, and the occasional echo of your footsteps. This minimalist sound encourages you to engage with the environment at your own pace, taking time to solve puzzles.
SOMA
Silence Makes You Feel Safe... Does It?
Your Rating
Rate Now 0/10
Your comment has not been saved
SOMA
- Platform(s)
- PS4, Xbox One, PC
- Released
- September 15, 2015
- Developer(s)
- Frictional Games
- Publisher(s)
- Frictional Games
In SOMA, silence takes on a more unsettling role. Set in the depths of an underwater facility, silence becomes almost comforting, a sign that you’re temporarily safe from the horrors lurking around every corner. Yet, this quiet isn’t entirely peaceful: it’s a calm before the storm, making every sound feel like a harbinger of danger.
Related
9 Games That Play With Perspective
Open your mind to new ways of seeing things.
It heightens the tension, offering brief moments of respite before you’re thrown back into the terrifying unknown. The absence of sound becomes a tool to amplify fear and create an oppressive atmosphere. You will never be safe in SOMA.
Kentucky Route Zero
Silent Spaces, Surreal Stories
Your Rating
Rate Now 0/10
Your comment has not been saved
5.0/5
Kentucky Route Zero
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One
- Released
- January 7, 2013
- Developer(s)
- Cardboard Computer
- Publisher(s)
- Annapurna Interactive
In Kentucky Route Zero, silence plays a crucial role in crafting the game’s surreal and dreamlike atmosphere. The dialogue is minimal, and the game’s sound design focuses on ambient noises rather than speech, allowing silence to take center stage. This focus allows you to sink into the strange, otherworldly environment.
The silence intensifies the game’s themes of disconnection and otherworldliness, making it feel more like a fever dream than a traditional narrative experience. Kentucky Route Zero invites you to reflect on the disorienting nature of its world, where silence says more than words.
Gone Home
A House That Speaks Through Silence
Your Rating
Rate Now 0/10
Your comment has not been saved
Gone Home
- Platform(s)
- PC, Xbox One, PS4, Switch, iOS, Linux
- Released
- August 15, 2013
- Developer(s)
- Fullbright
- Publisher(s)
- Fullbright
In Gone Home, as you explore an empty house on a stormy night, the silence amplifies feelings of isolation, making you feel like an intruder in your own home. The absence of dialogue or explicit narrative forces you to investigate every corner of the house, switching lights on and keeping doors open to feel less alone.
The silence lets the house tell its own story through the objects and the secrets scattered around. In Gone Home, quietness becomes an integral part of the atmosphere, fostering a slow-burn sense of mystery and unease.
Inside
No Words, Only Fear
Your Rating
Rate Now 0/10
Your comment has not been saved
4.5/5
Inside
- Platform(s)
- PC, Switch, PS4, Xbox One, iOS
- Released
- June 29, 2016
- Developer(s)
- Playdead
- Publisher(s)
- Playdead
The world of Inside is terrifying on its own, set in a dystopian society where free will is erased, and soulless creatures are created. There is no context or explanation of who you are or your goal, a hallmark of developer Playdead, who loves leaving us in the dark (literally and figuratively).
Related
Best 2D Horror Games
Just because it's a 2D game doesn't mean it can't give you nightmares.
Silence in Inside is not just a narrative tool, but a source of terror. It amplifies the ever-present danger of this world, isolating and intimidating you as you make your way through the dark and oppressive environment.
Journey
Where Silence Speaks Louder Than Words
Your Rating
Rate Now 0/10
Your comment has not been saved
Journey
- Platform(s)
- PS3, PS4, PC
- Released
- March 13, 2012
- Developer(s)
- Thatgamecompany
- Publisher(s)
- Sony
Journey is a masterclass in silent storytelling. There are no words spoken, no text to guide you, and yet the game manages to convey profound emotion through its stunning visuals and a delicate soundtrack. Silence becomes the language of this world, allowing you to interpret the story at your own pace.
The quiet moments, punctuated only by the subtle music and the desert winds, speak for themselves because there are no words to convey this beauty. Journey proves that silence can be more expressive than dialogue, creating a space for deep, personal reflection.
Silent Hill 2
Terror Lurks In The Silence
Your Rating
Rate Now 0/10
Your comment has not been saved
Silent Hill 2
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS2, PS3, Xbox (Original), Xbox 360
- Released
- September 24, 2001
- Developer(s)
- Konami
- Publisher(s)
- Konami
It’s right there in the name: Silent Hill. In this not-ordinary town, silence becomes its own character. As you walk through foggy streets or explore empty hallways, the silence becomes suffocating, like the town itself is holding its breath.
The game avoids overusing music, carefully choosing sounds to disorient you, which accentuates the dread of tension and the unknown. No music plays when a monster appears, making these encounters even more terrifying. The quietness keeps you in constant tension, amplifying the game’s psychological horror.
Shadow Of The Colossus
The Weight Of Silence On A Lonely Quest
Your Rating
Rate Now 0/10
Your comment has not been saved
Shadow of the Colossus (2018)
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 4
- Released
- February 6, 2018
- Developer(s)
- Bluepoint Games, JapanStudio, Team Ico
- Publisher(s)
- Sony
Shadow Of The Colossus is both beautiful and tragic, without saying a word. You play as a warrior willing to do anything to save the one he loves, but… at what cost? You’ll travel across vast, empty landscapes on horseback, with silence amplifying the feeling of being alone far away from any civilization.
The only sounds accompanying you are the wind and the rhythmic clop of your horse’s hooves. Music only emerges in key moments, giving the quiet time to sink in, and letting you reflect on the weight of your quest and the consequences of your actions.
Next
Games To Play If You Like The Silent Hill Series
The Silent Hill series looks to be done. If you're looking for something similar then check these games out.