### Silent Hill: The Global Expansion and Places That Could Never Be
As if the myriad challenges faced globally, from tyrannical governments to environmental crises and questionable technological advancements, weren’t enough, Konami is embarking on a venture to universalize the horror of Silent Hill. The latest installment, **Silent Hill f**, is set in a fictional Japanese town from the 1960s, while the upcoming **Silent Hill: Townfall** will unfold in Scotland. Furthermore, Konami has hinted at potential future settings in Central or South America, suggesting that the themes encapsulated by Silent Hill can be applied broadly to various locales around the world.
This raises the question: can Silent Hill exist anywhere, or are there places that inherently resist the nightmares and trauma associated with the series? Below is a list of places that would unlikely ever transform into Silent Hill.
#### Copenhagen: A Haven of Happiness
Copenhagen is deemed the happiest city in the happiest country globally. Its lush green parks, high income levels, advanced sanitation systems, efficient public transport, and extensive cycling infrastructure contribute to its standing. Culturally rich, Copenhagen boasts attractions like the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek and the National Museum, which delve into historical tragedies such as the plagues and world wars. The city’s resilience and vibrant community spirit make it an unlikely candidate for a Silent Hill-esque nightmare.
#### Çatalhöyük: Birthplace of Humanity
Known as one of the oldest cities in human history, Çatalhöyük, located in modern-day Turkey, represents a distant past devoid of the complex societal traumas that characterize Silent Hill narratives. The absence of extensive historical baggage makes it a poor setting for dark tales. With its roots in a time when architecture and societal constructs were still in their formative stages, it’s hard to imagine a horror story thriving amid the simplicity of this ancient city.
#### Portmeirion: An Architectural Wonderland
Portmeirion, a picturesque village in Wales, serves as a quirky architectural showcase featuring diverse styles and an array of attractions like a giant chess set and ornamental gardens. Although filming of the surreal series *The Prisoner* took place here, it’s hard to envision Silent Hill merging with its vibrant and whimsical charm. A town that emphasizes joy and creativity, filled with attractions like jam shops, starkly contrasts with the foreboding atmosphere of Silent Hill.
#### Northlandz: A Miniature World
Situated near the Raritan River, Northlandz proclaims itself the “world’s largest miniature wonderland.” As a model town, its very nature suggests a lack of danger; you are larger than its attractions, rendering any fears moot. Silent Hill thrives on real-world horrors; a miniature model town cannot foster the psychological terror that permeates the series.
#### NASA’s Artemis Base: The Moon as a Sanctuary
NASA’s Artemis base, not yet in existence and planned for the Moon, presents unique challenges for the Silent Hill narrative. Conditions in space negates many elements typical to Silent Hill—like pervasive environmental decay, indistinguishable screams of terror, and growing shadows of trauma. The stark, desolate landscape of the Moon provides an inhospitable environment for the nuanced horrors associated with life and history on Earth. While the Moon is slowly rusting due to chemical reactions, it lacks the societal trauma needed for Silent Hill to flourish.
#### The Absence of Trauma: A Final Argument
The essence of Silent Hill is interwoven with the trauma and suffering that individuals bring into its confines. To prevent the emergence of a Silent Hill, one would need to cultivate spaces filled with peace, love, and safety—places devoid of prejudice, conflict, and emotional turmoil. Every potential location would need to ensure visitors grow up in environments rich in support, compassion, and flourishing communities.
#### A Personal Reflection: Nesfield
Nesfield, where I grew up, is a reminder of a peaceful childhood, filled with joyous moments and simple pleasures. Its lack of darkness or malice makes it an unsuitable backdrop for horror narratives. The quaintness of its village green and the charm of childhood memories, including the occasional poodle chase, showcase a life far removed from the horrors of Silent Hill.
In these places, joy, history, and innocence oppose the essence of horror that Silent Hill embodies, reinforcing the idea that some locations are eternally resistant to becoming the haunted landscapes of our collective fears.
