Silent Hill: The Short Message - Is it a Sequel to P.T.?

Silent Hill: The Short Message and P.T. share numerous similarities, sparking debate about whether the former is a sequel to the latter. While both games were shadow-dropped during video game showcases, the connection between them is more complex than initially meets the eye.

Similarities Between Silent Hill: The Short Message and P.T.

When P.T. was initially released, it was a groundbreaking game that took the world by storm with its intricate hallway loops and cryptic conclusion. The game's mysterious ending revealed that it was a teaser for a game called Silent Hills, which sadly never came to fruition. Despite this, Silent Hill: The Short Message draws significant inspiration from P.T., leaving fans wondering if it is a direct sequel.

Is Silent Hill: The Short Message a Sequel to P.T./Silent Hills?

We believe that yes, Silent Hill: The Short Message is a sequel to P.T./Silent Hills. However, the circumstances surrounding P.T.'s creation and Hideo Kojima's departure from Konami complicate this assertion. Konami may not acknowledge The Short Message as a direct sequel due to these circumstances.

Be warned that the following sections contain spoilers for Silent Hill: The Short Message.

Shared Mechanics and Parallel Themes

Silent Hill: The Short Message employs many of the same mechanics as P.T., such as the looping apartment system, which appears in chapter 3 just before the most complex boss fight. The game also draws upon parallel themes, suggesting a connection between the two titles.

Storyline Connections

One of the main reasons we believe Silent Hill: The Short Message is a sequel to P.T. lies in the game's storyline. The Short Message takes place in an apartment building where the town of Silent Hill is reaching out to the protagonist, Anita, and feeding off her inner turmoil and trauma. This is reminiscent of P.T.'s protagonist, who was targeted by the town due to his actions towards his family.

The second reason we believe The Short Message is a sequel to P.T. comes in chapter 3, where notes and dialogue outline the protagonist's mother's past. The story reveals that Anita's mother restarted her life as a single parent, only to neglect her children after meeting a new partner. This neglect leads to social services getting involved, causing trauma for the protagonist.

Screenshot by Zotpad

Is Every Silent Hill Game Set in Silent Hill?

No, not every Silent Hill game takes place directly in the town of Silent Hill. However, the series often explores how the town is changing due to the protagonist's inner turmoil or how it's reaching out to pull them in. Silent Hill 4: The Room and Silent Hill: The Short Message are prime examples of the latter, where the town is extending its influence beyond its borders.

By examining the connections between Silent Hill: The Short Message and P.T., it becomes clear that the latter is, in fact, a sequel to the former, albeit with a complicated history and cryptic storytelling. Note that this interpretation is based on our analysis and is not officially confirmed by Konami.

Related: What is the Locker Code in Silent Hill: The Short Message?