FORBIDDEN SIREN
Forbidden Siren tells the story of mysterious events in the small Japanese village of Hanuda.
One summer day, this quiet place suddenly becomes the real embodiment of a nightmare. A sound of siren begins to roar over the village, bloody rain pours from the skies, and the villagers go crazy and turn into deadly monsters.
All escape routes are cut off. The roads that connected Hanuda to the outside world are now covered in rubble and enormous chasms. And the local river has become an endless sea of blood-red water.
Who will be able to escape from this cursed village alive?
Key Features of the Game
10 playable characters
In Forbidden Siren, events are shown from the perspectives of several different people. During the game, we will be able to play as a small defenseless child, an old hunter with a rifle, a surgeon from a local hospital, a schoolgirl, a church priest, and other characters. Each character has his own story and gameplay features.
In Forbidden Siren, events are shown from the perspectives of several different people. During the game, we will be able to play as a small defenseless child, an old hunter with a rifle, a surgeon from a local hospital, a schoolgirl, a church priest, and other characters. Each character has his own story and gameplay features.
Stealth Horror
In the world of Siren, there are no super heroes with bazookas and machine guns. All characters are ordinary people. To survive, they must hide and run away from deadly monsters. The stealth mechanics here are quite deep - there are many interesting subtleties and original ideas that cannot be found in other stealth games.
In the world of Siren, there are no super heroes with bazookas and machine guns. All characters are ordinary people. To survive, they must hide and run away from deadly monsters. The stealth mechanics here are quite deep - there are many interesting subtleties and original ideas that cannot be found in other stealth games.
Immortal monsters
Throughout the game, we will be chased by monsters called "Shibito". The unusual trait of these creatures is that they cannot be killed. Even a shot from a gun will only knock out the monster for a while - and then it will come back to life again. Over time, Shibito will evolve, taking on more and more grotesque forms - becoming like spiders, dogs, or flying insects.
Throughout the game, we will be chased by monsters called "Shibito". The unusual trait of these creatures is that they cannot be killed. Even a shot from a gun will only knock out the monster for a while - and then it will come back to life again. Over time, Shibito will evolve, taking on more and more grotesque forms - becoming like spiders, dogs, or flying insects.
Sight-Jack
A unique feature of the gameplay is the strange "Sight-Jack" hallucinations, which allows our characters to temporarily see the world through the eyes of the nearby monsters. Using this visons, we will be able to study the behavior of our enemies, explore locations, and learn useful information.
A unique feature of the gameplay is the strange "Sight-Jack" hallucinations, which allows our characters to temporarily see the world through the eyes of the nearby monsters. Using this visons, we will be able to study the behavior of our enemies, explore locations, and learn useful information.
Japanese village with a nightmarish twist
The game takes place in a small rural village of Hanuda, whose appearance is gradually changing day by day into a surreal and creepy "Shibito Nest".
The game takes place in a small rural village of Hanuda, whose appearance is gradually changing day by day into a surreal and creepy "Shibito Nest".
100 archive items
During the game you can discover many different diaries, notes, books and other materials that contain important story information. There are 100 of them in total, and some are hidden really well. Can you find them all?
During the game you can discover many different diaries, notes, books and other materials that contain important story information. There are 100 of them in total, and some are hidden really well. Can you find them all?
Deep and complex story
What caused the tragic events that happened in the village of Hanuda? By collecting information piece by piece, like a puzzle, we will gradually realize the truth behind these events. Siren's story is very carefully crafted, it is one of the best stories in horror games.
What caused the tragic events that happened in the village of Hanuda? By collecting information piece by piece, like a puzzle, we will gradually realize the truth behind these events. Siren's story is very carefully crafted, it is one of the best stories in horror games.
Hardcore difficulty level
Tired of games built on the "Press X to Win" principle? Looking for a challenging gameplay that tests your ability to think strategically and develop different survival tactics for each situation? Then "Siren" is for you. This game will be a serious challenge, even for an experienced gamer.
Tired of games built on the "Press X to Win" principle? Looking for a challenging gameplay that tests your ability to think strategically and develop different survival tactics for each situation? Then "Siren" is for you. This game will be a serious challenge, even for an experienced gamer.
Unique visual style
The developers employed a very unusual idea - they projected the faces of real people onto 3D models of characters and monsters in the game. It looks quite impressive and sometimes creates the effect of the "uncanny valley", enhancing the surreal feeling of being inside a strange nightmare.
The developers employed a very unusual idea - they projected the faces of real people onto 3D models of characters and monsters in the game. It looks quite impressive and sometimes creates the effect of the "uncanny valley", enhancing the surreal feeling of being inside a strange nightmare.
Dark and oppressive atmosphere
Siren is permeated with a very eerie atmosphere of fear, madness, and despair. It is one of the most terrifying and traumatic games of its time.
Siren is permeated with a very eerie atmosphere of fear, madness, and despair. It is one of the most terrifying and traumatic games of its time.
The spiritual successor of Silent Hill
Forbidden Siren was created by the masters of psychological horror - the authors of Silent Hill. Both games have much in common in terms of gameplay, atmosphere, and narrative. And in some ways, Siren is the "reimagining" of SH1.
Forbidden Siren was created by the masters of psychological horror - the authors of Silent Hill. Both games have much in common in terms of gameplay, atmosphere, and narrative. And in some ways, Siren is the "reimagining" of SH1.
Main Creators of Siren
Three key members of the legendary "Team Silent" were involved in the creation of Forbidden Siren:
Keiichiro Toyama
He was the director and scenario writer for Silent Hill. Then Toyama left Konami and created a new horror game - Siren. In the new project, he also became the director and worked on the scenario.
He was the director and scenario writer for Silent Hill. Then Toyama left Konami and created a new horror game - Siren. In the new project, he also became the director and worked on the scenario.
Naoko Sato
She was the monster designer for Silent Hill (and most likely helped Toyama with the story). In "Siren", Naoko Sato became the second scenario writer.
She was the monster designer for Silent Hill (and most likely helped Toyama with the story). In "Siren", Naoko Sato became the second scenario writer.
Isao Takahashi
Main designer of the Silent Hill town in the first SH game. And in "Siren", he became an art director and was responsible for the visual design of the game.
Main designer of the Silent Hill town in the first SH game. And in "Siren", he became an art director and was responsible for the visual design of the game.
Information for those
who haven't played Siren yet
(without spoilers)
In this section, you can read the profiles of the main characters.
>> Shibito Monsters <<
Here you can see different types of Shibito that will chase you during the game.
In this article, I will explain the differences between the Japanese, American, European, Chinese, and Korean versions.
>> PS4 Version of Siren <<
In 2016, Siren was re-released for PlayStation 4. This version has new achievements\trophies, and it can also be played on PS5.
>> Instruction Manual <<
Before you start playing, I highly recommend you to read the manual. Because this game won't hold your hand like you're a little child.
Information for those
who have already finished the game
(with spoilers)
>> 100 Archive Items <<
This section contains all archives with story information. Diaries, notes, and other files. In English language.
>> Secret Websites <<
Here you will find all information about the secret "fake websites”, links to which were hidden in the game. And also a small bonus :)
Information about the flash game, which was playable on the official European Forbidden Siren website. This game contained the backstories of four characters in the form of an interactive point-and-click adventure.
>> Shibito Language <<
A complete decoding of the mysterious hieroglyphs that can be found in the game.
In the American edition of the game, some scenes were censored, and the ages of the characters were changed. The localizers also made some changes to the text of several archive files.
>> Siren Maniacs <<
English translation of a large Japanese guide, which contained story analysis of Forbidden Siren and other interesting materials.
>> Strange Tales of Hanuda <<
Five short stories that reveal many interesting details about the mysterious events that occurred in the small village of Hanuda.
>> Inspirations <<
Information about books and movies that inspired the developers of Forbidden Siren. All info is translated into English.
Music
>> Soundtracks <<
Here you can find the official Siren soundtrack and an unofficial "game rip" with music from the game. Also, you can download here a rare song "A paw on my boyfriend's left hand".
>> Song Lyrics <<
Original lyrics in Japanese and translations into English.
Forbidden Siren Manga
>> Demon's Voice <<
A short story from the famous mangaka Junji Ito about a terrible incident on a fishing boat.
Backstories of characters, retold as a manga.
Together with Professor Tamon Takeuchi and student Yoriko Anno, we will visit the small village of Koshigoe, which is associated with strange legends.
>> Siren ReBirth <<
A remake of the Forbidden Siren 1 story in manga form.
Exhibitions and Events
>> Siren in NamjaTown 2023 <<
Report about the event in a Japanese amusement park, where the Siren-themed attraction was opened. This article is available in English and Russian language.
>> Siren Exhibition 2019 <<
Our report from the Forbidden Siren exhibition in Japan. It's in Russian, but I plan to translate it into English later (or you can read it now through google translate).
>> Siren Exhibition 2018 <<
Videos from another exhibition, which took place in 2018.
>> Siren 10th Anniversary <<
The developers held an event in 2013 to celebrate the game's 10th anniversary. They even baked a cake featuring Shibito.
Interviews about Forbidden Siren 1
A detailed interview about the creation of the game, published in the book "Siren Maniacs". Translated into English language.
>> Naoko Sato Interview <<
Interview with Siren's scenario writer, published in 2004. Translated into English.
>> Isao Takahashi Interview <<
Interview with the art director about the visual design of Siren. In English.
>> Eriko Azuma Interview <<
Interview with the sound director. In English.
Conversation with the producer of "Siren". In English.
A great interview that Keiichiro Toyama gave in honor of the 20th anniversary of Siren. Translated from Japanese into Russian.
Messages in honor of the 20th anniversary of the game from more than 30 members of the "Project Siren" team. Translated from Japanese into Russian.
Other Stuff for Siren Fans
>> Forbidden Siren Quiz <<
Quiz with 40 questions about the Forbidden Siren series. In Russian language.
>> Developers and Actors <<
A cool photo album where you can see the creators of the game and and the actors who played the characters.
In 2020, actor Mitsuyoshi Shinoda (who played the role of Kyoya Suda in Siren) made a series of "Let's Play" videos on YouTube with some cosplay elements.
Series of fanmade anime cartoons based on Forbidden Siren 1. All cartoons have English subtitles.
>> Shibitoro Figure <<
In honor of the 15th anniversary of the game, Sony has released a creepy Siren figurine.
>> Forbidden Siren T-shirts <<
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Siren, a collection of weird T-shirts was released in Japan. Here you can see photos of all these T-shirts, and I will also explain the meaning of each design.
>> Yakushi: SlitterHead <<
A new horror game from the creators of Forbidden Siren and Silent Hill.
>> Chat Room <<
Our mini-forum where we discuss Siren, Silent Hill, and other horror games. It's primarily in Russian, but you can make posts in English if you want to share some news or thoughts about the games.
>> Fan-Art Collection <<
Here you can find a huge collection with more than 3000 fanmade pictures with characters and monsters from "Siren".
>> 200 Best Fan Arts <<
This section contains two hundred of the most beautiful Forbidden Siren fan art pictures.
Forbidden Siren Trailer
And here you can watch 10 other trailers for the game:
Forbidden Siren 2
A sequel was released in 2006 for PlayStation 2. This time, the events take place on the abandoned Japanese island of Yamijima.
In the new game, the developers carefully preserved all the key features of the first "Siren", while improving the gameplay and adding many new ideas.
Siren: Blood Curse
In 2008, "Siren Blood Curse" was released exclusively for PS3. It is a remake and "reimagining" of Forbidden Siren 1 with improved graphics and new characters.
The game allows us to revisit the cursed Hanuda Village once again, but the story has been significantly altered in this version. Therefore, the remake retains some degree of mystery and unpredictability, even for those who have already played the first "Siren".
Other interesting articles
about horror games on our website
>> Horror Game Reviews <<
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Author of the article: SilentPyramid
Date of publication: 23.09.2008
Article update: 03.03.2026
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