The two games side by side
Both games are 2D horror releases from small teams, launched eight days apart on almost the same set of platforms. Beyond that, they aim at quite different players. The table summarises the facts each game's sources agree on.
| Detail | Tenebris Somnia | Silver Pines |
|---|---|---|
| Developer | Andrés Borghi and Saibot Studios (Argentina) | Wych Elm Games (Sweden and Norway) |
| Publisher | New Blood Interactive | Team17 |
| Release | October 16, 2026 | October 8, 2026 |
| Style | Pixel-art adventure with live-action FMV | 2D side-scrolling survival horror Metroidvania |
| Protagonist | Julia, searching for her ex-boyfriend Ivan | Red Walker, a private investigator |
| Platforms | PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch; Switch 2 announced | PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, Switch 2 |
| Launch reception | Metacritic 76–79 from five reviews | Metacritic mid-80s; OpenCritic 87 |
The comparison also shows up in search data, where Silver Pines is one of the most common related searches for Tenebris Somnia this week. That makes sense, since both launched within days of each other and both mix retro presentation with survival horror. They are not connected, however, and share no developer, publisher or story.
Story and setting
Tenebris Somnia is an intimate nightmare. Julia investigates Ivan's apartment building after disturbing dreams about him, and the story slides into a film school, a hotel and a twisted Desiderium. Its live-action scenes, shot in Buenos Aires with practical effects, carry the key story beats.
Silver Pines is a detective mystery set in a largely abandoned American small town. Private investigator Red Walker is hired to find a vanished musician named Eddie Velvet. Reviewers compare its atmosphere to Twin Peaks, and DualShockers calls it a love letter to David Lynch.
If you want a personal relationship story told through filmed performances, Tenebris Somnia is the clearer fit. If you prefer a slow-burn small-town mystery, Silver Pines leans further that way. Both are horror first, so neither is a light experience.
How they play
Tenebris Somnia plays like a classic inventory adventure with survival-horror combat. You collect items, combine them, read clues in the Old Book and fight bosses that each hide a trick. Reviewers praise the puzzles and atmosphere but call the combat clunky and the movement slow.
Silver Pines is built around exploration and unlocking. New tools and weapons open locked doors and hidden paths, and you manage a limited inventory of ammunition and healing items. Reloading and entering codes happen in real time, so enemies keep moving while you fiddle with menus.
- Choose Tenebris Somnia for item puzzles, a short runtime and FMV storytelling.
- Choose Silver Pines for map exploration, backtracking by design and resource tension.
- Both expect careful saving and punish reckless fighting.
Combat is where the two differ most in reviews. DualShockers says Silver Pines' fighting feels satisfying after a while, while Tenebris Somnia's is the most criticised part of the game. Players who hate clunky fights may find Silver Pines easier to settle into.
What critics think
Silver Pines has the stronger critical reception. Pure Xbox reported an OpenCritic average of 87 with 93 percent of critics recommending it, including perfect scores from CGMagazine and Radio Times. Wikipedia lists Metacritic scores of 84 on PC and 85 on PS5.
Tenebris Somnia is reviewing well but more unevenly. Scores in launch week ranged from Shacknews' 7 to Gamer Social Club's 8, with Prima Games among the most enthusiastic. Players are warmer still, with about 96 percent of early Steam reviews positive.
Interestingly, the two games share a similar Steam reception, with each showing around 96 percent positive user reviews in launch snapshots. Silver Pines simply has far more of them, at over a thousand. Read our full review roundup for the Tenebris Somnia breakdown.
The teams behind them
Tenebris Somnia comes from Argentina. Filmmaker Andrés Borghi directed and wrote it, programmer Tobías Rusjan leads Saibot Studios, and New Blood Interactive published it. Borghi previously worked on visual effects for the horror film When Evil Lurks.
Its live-action monsters were supervised by Marcos Berta, an award-winning effects artist from the same film circle. Actress Clara Kovacic plays Julia on screen. The team says no generative AI was used anywhere in production.
Silver Pines is the debut game from Wych Elm Games, a small remote studio spread across Sweden and Norway. Team17 published it, and Karl Flodin composed the soundtrack. For a first release, its critical reception has been remarkable.
Both games are therefore small-team projects backed by established indie publishers. That shows in their focus, since each commits fully to one big idea instead of chasing every trend. Our cast and crew page goes deeper on the Tenebris Somnia team.
Length and price
Tenebris Somnia reaches its first ending in roughly six hours, and its two standard endings can both be seen from one late save. It costs $24.99, with a launch discount to $19.99 on Steam and Xbox. That makes it the cheaper and shorter of the two.
Silver Pines' price varies by source in launch coverage. A storefront listing showed $24.99 with a 10 percent launch discount, while one review cited $30. Its sources do not give a firm completion time, but its Metroidvania structure points to a longer adventure.
Check your own store before buying, since regional prices and discounts differ. Our price guide covers Tenebris Somnia's regional and edition pricing in more detail. Physical editions of Tenebris Somnia come from Lost in Cult and ship later.
Platforms and where to buy
Tenebris Somnia launched digitally on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch on October 16, with Switch 2 also announced. Xbox Play Anywhere covers both console and PC with one purchase. A free demo remains available on Steam.
Silver Pines launched on October 8 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2 and Windows. Pure Xbox noted that its Xbox date was not yet set for the US at the time of writing, so check your region. Its Steam page carried a launch discount in the first days.
On Nintendo hardware, Tenebris Somnia also has a dedicated Switch 2 version and a Lost in Cult physical cartridge on the way. Our Switch guide and Switch 2 guide explain which version to pick. PS5 collectors can read the PS5 physical page for disc editions.
Which should you play first?
Start with Silver Pines if you want the most polished horror game of the month and enjoy exploring a large map. Its critical scores are higher, and its systems are more refined according to reviewers. It will also keep you busy for longer.
Start with Tenebris Somnia if you want something you have genuinely not seen before. The mix of pixel art and practical-effects FMV is its own thing, and the shorter runtime fits a single weekend. Our walkthrough, boss guide and all endings pages can smooth over its rougher edges.
Many horror fans will end up playing both, and they complement each other well. One is a compact, cinematic nightmare, and the other is a sprawling investigation. Neither replaces the other, so the real question is simply which mood you are in tonight.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Silver Pines made by the Tenebris Somnia developers?
- No. Silver Pines is by Wych Elm Games and Team17, while Tenebris Somnia is by Andrés Borghi and Saibot Studios, published by New Blood Interactive.
- Which is longer, Tenebris Somnia or Silver Pines?
- Tenebris Somnia takes about six hours to a first ending. Silver Pines has no firm figure yet, but its Metroidvania structure suggests a longer game.
- Which has better reviews?
- Silver Pines has higher critic averages, while both show around 96 percent positive Steam user reviews at launch.