Silent Still

About

Silent Still is a single player simulation game with horror, mystery and thriller themes. It was developed by SolitaryStudios and was released on September 19, 2024. It received neutral reviews from players.

Silent Still is a short first-person psychological horror game about sleep paralysis.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

53%

Audience ScoreBased on 158 reviews

graphics7 positive mentions

stability5 negative mentions

Unique and creative concept focusing on the psychological horror of sleep paralysis, delivering a haunting and intimate atmosphere.
Effective sound design and visual atmosphere that build tension and provide genuine jump scares and unsettling moments.
Compact, short experience suitable for fans of slow-burn horror and those interested in a realistic portrayal of sleep paralysis.

Controls are problematic with very slow mouse sensitivity, clunky movement, and frustrating interaction mechanics that reduce gameplay enjoyment.
Multiple bugs and technical issues, especially in the office/computer section, causing soft locks and breaks in gameplay progression.
The game is very short with minimal story development and no save system, leading to low replay value and a rushed or unsatisfying ending.

graphics
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
37%
19%
The game's graphics are generally praised for their realistic and detailed visuals that enhance the horror atmosphere, though some aspects like monster models and specific effects are noted as lower quality or outdated. Minor issues such as screen tearing and occasional graphical inconsistencies are mentioned, but overall the graphics are solid, especially considering the game's budget scope.
- “The visuals are grounded in realism, with dimly lit environments rendered in detail that makes ordinary objects unsettling.”
- “Love the graphic details, water effects, etc.”
- “Realistic graphics and incredible horror experience!”
- “The monster models are very low-poly compared to the rest of the game's graphics.”
- “There is quite a bit of graphical screen tearing which is annoying.”
- “The graphics are outdated, and the gameplay is repetitive to the point of frustration.”
story
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
60%
20%
The story is generally seen as underdeveloped, rushed, and lacking depth, with some interesting concepts like sleep paralysis and a symbolic tale about a tree and dreams that are not fully explored. While it may disappoint players seeking complex narratives, it offers a basic backstory appropriate for its low price point. Many feel the story would benefit from greater detail and better integration with gameplay.
- “It may not satisfy players looking for extensive gameplay or complex storytelling, but for those who appreciate horror that gets under the skin rather than merely startling the senses, Silent Still is a small but potent achievement.”
- “The story has a good background, because sleep paralysis is definitely a horror, even if it doesn't show up the way it's suggested in the game.”
- “There is one really well written story about a tree, a woman, and dreams.”
- “While this brevity helps maintain the intensity, it also leaves the story feeling underdeveloped.”
- “Players looking for a clear plot or deeper character context may find it lacking.”
- “From clunky controls to a nonsensical story line, it feels like it was rushed out without any real thought.”
gameplay
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
58%
21%
The gameplay of Silent Still is minimalistic and focused on creating a feeling of claustrophobic dread through exploration and observation rather than combat or puzzles. However, it is criticized for tedious pacing, static mechanics, and numerous glitches that significantly hinder the experience and replayability. While it appeals to players seeking atmospheric horror, frustration with bugs and slow progression may deter others.
- “Rather than relying on blood, monsters, or elaborate mechanics, the game focuses on recreating the claustrophobic dread of being trapped in your own body while something unseen moves in the dark.”
- “The gameplay is deliberately minimalistic, structured around exploration and environmental observation rather than combat or puzzles.”
- “The inability to move or fight back becomes the central mechanic, forcing players to endure the unfolding horror rather than resist it.”
- “The gameplay is extremely tedious, consisting mostly of long stretches of waiting while nothing happens (including one section where you stare at a bathroom for a full five minutes). The game is riddled with glitches, making some sections, like using a computer, nearly unusable.”
- “The game’s mechanics remain static throughout, which reinforces the feeling of paralysis but severely limits replayability.”
- “Don't waste your money; the game is so bugged that you can't continue the gameplay.”
atmosphere
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
46%
27%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its tense, unsettling, and immersive qualities, effectively using sound, pacing, and quiet moments to build a sense of unease. While it leans more towards atmospheric horror than outright scares, some players find the pacing slow or lacking in tension due to limited character agency. Overall, the atmosphere creates an intimate and unnerving experience that maintains a constant feeling of danger.
- “It's a short game that creates a surprisingly tense atmosphere during the night segments.”
- “It’s a simple premise executed with a surprising amount of precision, using atmosphere, sound, and pacing to immerse the player in a nightmare that feels intimate and unnervingly real.”
- “The atmosphere is well done, it is quiet and unsettling.”
- “There's a lot of waiting around with nothing happening which is supposed to be atmosphere but when your character isn't in danger or has any agency, I don't find that scary at all.”
- “Despite its strengths in atmosphere and immersion, Silent Still is not without flaws.”
- “The game does not have many scares, it's more so tension and atmosphere building up.”
stability
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game suffers from significant stability issues, with numerous bugs and glitches that hinder gameplay and make certain sections nearly unusable. Players frequently encounter frustrating technical problems that disrupt immersion and detract from the overall experience.
- “The gameplay is extremely tedious, consisting mostly of long stretches of waiting where nothing happens (including one section where you stare at a bathroom for a full five minutes). The game is full of glitches to the point that one section (using a computer) is barely usable.”
- “Game was bugged and glitched horribly, making it feel too buggy to work properly.”
- “The game is way too buggy. You can't move fast in any direction. Besides a fan sound, all you hear are footsteps that won't stop even if you stand still. The concept is good but it needs a lot of work before being playable. Definitely don't recommend buying this game.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Grinding in the game is characterized by long, tedious stretches with little to no engaging action, including frustratingly slow sequences like waiting for five minutes or dealing with glitchy sections. This repetitive and monotonous gameplay detracts from the overall experience, making it less enjoyable and difficult to recommend.
- “The gameplay is extremely tedious, consisting mostly of long stretches of waiting with nothing happening (one section taking a full five minutes of staring at a bathroom), and the game is full of glitches to the point that one section (using a computer) is barely usable.”
- “The game was good, and graphics were on point, but the grinding at the office was incredibly tedious and a real drag.”
- “These issues make the game tedious enough that I cannot recommend anyone buy it just yet.”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
Optimization reviews are mixed, with some users experiencing performance issues like stuttering and technical hiccups that affect smooth gameplay, while others praise the impressive visual fidelity and overall optimization, especially considering the game's indie scale.
- “Impressive visual fidelity and optimization.”
- “Terrible optimization has my PC chugging and causing my stream to stutter.”
- “Technical hiccups, such as occasional stuttering or finicky controls, can disrupt immersion, though these are relatively minor issues for an indie title of this scale.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional experience was mixed, with frustration arising from overly precise interactions like touching lightswitches, leading to discomfort and relief once completed.
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game’s static mechanics contribute to a consistent experience but limit its replayability by reducing variety and long-term engagement.
- “The game’s mechanics remain static throughout, which limits replayability despite reinforcing the intended feeling of paralysis.”
music
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users find the music, particularly the loud horror track, to be repetitive and very annoying as it frequently restarts, even in calmer game sections like the office.
- “I don't know if it was a bug, but the loud horror music track plays very often in my game. It restarts after a short while and even plays repeatedly in the office part, making it very annoying to listen to it all the time.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is appreciated for its detailed and funny elements, particularly related to the PC part, but it is somewhat undermined by a poor game ending.