Silent Hill: Every Version Of Pyramid Head, Explained

Horror has a storied history with video games, spawning some of the most famous franchises across various decades. There are numerous aspects that go into creating a good horror game, and the monsters are a main focal point. Whether it's Nemesis from Resident Evil 3, the Necromorphs from Dead Space, or the Xenomorph from Alien: Isolation, monsters have been antagonizing players for decades.

However, none is as well known as Pyramid Head from the Silent Hill series, an imposing, intimidating, and unsettling boogeyman. With his eponymous pyramid helmet and giant knife, he is found throughout the Silent Hill franchise, and has become the face of the horror players will encounter (despite never seeing his face). Yet Pyramid Head's role alters somewhat between games, or is left as a reference when he isn't present.

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5 Pyramid Head References In Other Games

Appearing In Games In A Pleasant Way

While a notable criticism of Pyramid Head is his inclusion in other games separate from James' story, he is found as a reference in some titles. Both Silent Hill: Origins and Silent Hill: Downpour involve such inclusions.

Origins includes a bit more of a humble reference, showing a painting similar to the Misty Day, Remains Of Judgement painting central to James' conceptualization of Pyramid Head. The Pyramid Head reference in Silent Hill: Downpour shows the occasional goofy side of Silent Hill, appearing in a joke ending at a party. Pyramid Head shows up and cuts the cake for protagonist Murphy Pendleton.

4 Pyramid Head's Inclusion In Other Series

Appearing In Spin-Offs And Different Franchises

As Pyramid Head is an iconic horror monster, it's only natural that he has been featured in various other games. Both spin-off Silent Hill games, as well as non-Silent Hill franchises, have included Pyramid Head. These range from jovial titles, to more serious entries.

Notably, Pyramid Head appears in Silent Hill: The Arcade and Silent Hill: Book of Memories as an enemy. Outside the Silent Hill series, Pyramid Head appears in Dead By Daylight attempting to punish those who deserve such treatment. He is also featured in Super Bomberman R where he shares a similar role, and Krazy Kart Racing, being published by Konami, to name a few.

Pyramid Head can also be found in other works, such as with more creations from Masahiro Ito. His short work titled Белый охотник (which translates to "white hunter") features an entity similar to Pyramid Head whose role is to kill the angels briefly featured. The short film Fukuro is similar, featuring various monsters from Silent Hill 2, as well as other monsters from early sketches of the game.

Pyramid Head also appears in various comics based on Silent Hill. Pyramid Head appears in different ways depending on the comic, such as chasing the protagonist, killing other characters, or wandering the streets of Silent Hill. The book Silent Hill: Betrayal further features Pyramid Head, but with changes. Pyramid Head is instead associated more with the divine, being a servant of Valtiel, and enacts vengeance and justice.

3 The Movie Versions Of Pyramid Head

A Live-Action Take On The Monster

Going by a slightly different name, the movie version of Pyramid Head follows a similar role to that of the games. In Silent Hill, he pursues the main characters in attempts to kill them. The second movie, named Silent Hill: Revelation, chooses quite a different story for Pyramid Head, turning him into a good guy. He is the protector of Alessa Gillespie/Heather Mason, helping and protecting her from harm, and even killing Claudia Wolf, the antagonist.

2 Silent Hill: Homecoming

The Game To Reintroduce Pyramid Head

Silent Hill: Homecoming had one of the most controversial takes on Pyramid Head, involving him outside his involvement with James' personal story. However, this time he's named the Bogeyman, terrorizing protagonist Alex Shepard and additional characters in his terrifying fashion.

The Bogeyman functions similarly to Pyramid Head, appearing before the protagonist and committing acts befitting that of the iconic monster. He antagonizes Alex and murders others in his usual ghastly way. However, Silent Hill: Homecoming revealed that these Bogeymen can be created, and that there can be more than one of them. After choosing immoral actions throughout the game, the Judgment ending presents the player with two Bogeymen placing a pyramid helmet on Alex, showing that he is able to punish, just like they did across the game.

1 Silent Hill 2

Pyramid Head's First And Main Appearance

James Sunderland's venture into Silent Hill in the second game birthed the iconic Pyramid Head. First found in the Wood Side Apartments, Pyramid Head appears throughout the game, as a boss, a roaming enemy, and in cutscenes.

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By  Chris Harkin

Despite antagonizing players throughout the game, Pyramid Head served an important role in the story other than just the big scary monster. Pyramid Head is a physical manifestation of James' subconscious guilt and desire for punishment after the death of Mary. Something clearly seen throughout the game, he harshly punishes James both physically and mentally. The monster finally disappears after James realizes what Pyramid Head's role is, and accepts his own past in tandem. It will be interesting to see how Pyramid Head will be portrayed in the Silent Hill 2 Remake, being one of the more important aspects of the game.