SILENT HILL f marks a notable shift for the long-running horror franchise, taking players out of the familiar American town and into a 1960s Japanese village. Developed by NeoBards in collaboration with Konami Digital Entertainment (KONAMI), the game places players in the shoes of Shimizu Hinako, a teenage girl navigating the fog-laden town of Ebisugaoka. The setting, inspired by real Japanese locales like Kanayama, emphasizes narrow streets, winding alleyways, and small shrines, creating a sense of claustrophobia and unease.
Series producer Motoi Okamoto explained that moving the story to Japan was intended to refresh the franchise. “If the storyline shared similarities, the gameplay shared similarities, and the settings shared similarities, things will start getting bland,” he said. This change allowed the developers to explore Japanese horror aesthetics while maintaining the psychological tension the series is known for.
SILENT HILL f Brings Horror to Japan
Survival and Combat in Ebisugaoka
SILENT HILL f’s gameplay focuses on survival rather than combat power. Players rely on improvised weapons such as daggers, baseball bats, steel pipes, and farm scythes, all of which have limited durability. The game includes a resource management system and a sanity meter that tracks Hinako’s mental state, impacting her combat effectiveness and defensive abilities. These systems contribute to a persistent sense of tension, forcing players to consider their approach to each encounter.
NeoBards drew inspiration from earlier entries in the series, particularly SILENT HILL 1 and 4, emphasizing melee combat and deliberate pacing. In addition to combat, puzzles reflect the protagonist’s psychology and the town’s history, from schoolbox puzzles that reveal Hinako’s insecurities to charms and shrines that tie into local religious traditions. Collecting Ema charms and faith points allows players to unlock additional abilities, adding another layer to exploration and resource management.
SILENT HILL f Brings Horror to Japan
Story and Themes
The game’s narrative, written by Japanese horror author Ryukishi07, is set against the backdrop of 1960s Japan, during a period of social change and growing awareness of women’s rights. Hinako navigates challenges from her classmates and an abusive father while uncovering the town’s dark history. The story incorporates elements of gender, family, and societal expectations without relying on overt exposition, letting players gradually uncover the psychological and supernatural aspects of the world.
SILENT HILL f alternates between realistic exploration and surreal Otherworld sequences. These sections, guided by a mysterious fox-masked figure, amplify the psychological horror, featuring abandoned shrines, eerie architecture, and recurring symbols like dolls. Players experience multiple outcomes, with five possible endings, including the series’ signature UFO ending. Choices influence boss encounters, lore discovery, and branching paths, encouraging replay to see the full scope of the story.
SILENT HILL f Brings Horror to Japan
Visuals and Audio Design
The game’s visual design, led by artist kera, blends beauty and grotesque horror. Monsters range from marionettes to sentient scarecrows and other surreal forms, consistently maintaining a disturbing and unique aesthetic. Ebisugaoka itself functions almost as a character, with detailed streets, shrines, and interiors reflecting its history and the effect of the encroaching Otherworld.
The audio design underscores the duality of the game’s worlds. Series veteran Akira Yamaoka scores the Fog World with traditional Japanese influences, while Kensuke Inage handles the Otherworld sections. The music balances silence and tension, incorporating instruments such as flutes, drums, and a children’s choir to enhance the eerie atmosphere. This approach emphasizes the contrast between the reflective beauty of Ebisugaoka and the danger lurking within the fog.
SILENT HILL f Brings Horror to Japan
Reception and Legacy
SILENT HILL f has received positive critical reception, scoring 86 on Metacritic. For NeoBards, this project represents their first major title as lead developer, following years of support work on other franchises. Konami’s decision to collaborate with newcomers on a high-profile title reflects a broader effort to revitalize the series beyond remakes, with future projects, including a teased SILENT HILL 1 remake, planned to continue the franchise’s development.
Producers and developers have emphasized maintaining tension through pacing and environmental storytelling rather than relying solely on jump scares. Replayability, psychological depth, and the integration of Japanese horror elements help SILENT HILL f stand out as a fresh approach while respecting the legacy of the series.
Source: Tom Regan, Epic Games
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What platforms is SILENT HILL f available on? SILENT HILL f is available on PlayStation 5 and PC, with plans for potential future releases on other platforms.
How many endings does SILENT HILL f have? The game features five endings, including the series’ signature UFO ending, with choices and exploration influencing the outcome.
Is SILENT HILL f set in Japan? Yes, for the first time in the main series, the game is set in a rural Japanese town during the 1960s.
Does SILENT HILL f feature combat with guns? No, the game focuses on improvised melee combat using weapons like daggers, baseball bats, steel pipes, and farm scythes, all with limited durability.
Who wrote the story for SILENT HILL f? Renowned Japanese horror author Ryukishi07, known for works like Higurashi and Umineko When They Cry, wrote the narrative.
What makes SILENT HILL f different from previous entries? The game introduces a new Japanese setting, historical context, melee-focused combat, and psychological horror elements, while maintaining the series’ signature tension and replayability.
