My jaw is still on the floor, I can’t believe how good it is.
When Silent Hill f was first revealed, skepticism was definitely present. It wasn’t just that the announcement came during a low point for the series, but the game’s setting was radically different – it unfolds in Ebisugaoka, Japan, during the 1960s. Naturally, many fans wondered how this new direction would be handled.
Thankfully, all my worries were proven wrong. I’m happy to retract my previous statement that no one can create a successful new Silent Hill game, because this is a winner.
Silent Hill f isn’t just a worthy addition to the franchise; it’s an exceptional horror experience in its own right. As a long-time fan, my reaction while playing was simple joy: “Silent Hill is back!”
Don’t worry, there won’t be any spoilers in this review.
My first playthrough was on Story difficulty for combat and Hard for puzzles, the recommended settings for Silent Hill veterans. I played on my PlayStation 5 in Performance mode.
F Stands for Faithful to the Franchise
It’s difficult to imagine a Silent Hill game not set in the titular town, so the fanbase’s curiosity was understandable. The result is a unique experience unlike any other in the series, a standalone title that can’t be directly compared, yet remains incredibly faithful to the franchise’s core themes.
While Ebisugaoka is fictional, it feels like a sister city to Silent Hill, an impression that starts immediately. The parallels are striking: a coal-mining town facing recent tragedy, its inhabitants adhering to a distinctive, cult-like belief system. Coupled with visceral horror and themes of female empowerment, the game blossoms into a remarkable adventure that’s the closest thing to classic Silent Hill in years.
This game isn’t just a horror masterpiece; it’s a Silent Hill masterpiece.
The narrative centers on Hinako Shimizu, a high school student navigating a restrictive time and society for women. When her town is overrun by monsters, threatening those she loves, her struggle becomes a fight for survival, recognition, and control over her own destiny.
Hinako’s thoughts and insights are documented in her Journal, which updates frequently throughout the game (so keep an eye on it). This, alongside lore and details about the world, makes Ebisugaoka as rich and alive as Silent Hill. The story is conveyed through documents and the journal, rewarding observant players in true Silent Hill fashion – otherwise, crucial information will be missed, leading to confusion.
The story continues even after completing the game. Silent Hill f features a New Game+ that expands the narrative through altered dialogue, newly discovered documents (explore everything!), and updated journal entries. And, of course, there are multiple endings.
Like previous entries, the story is open to interpretation and fan theories. Layered with symbolism and metaphors, the game’s message isn’t always clear, often conveying multiple meanings simultaneously. However, the core themes and motivations remain distinct. This masterful approach keeps the game unique, refreshing, and bold.
Don’t expect Silent Hill f to mirror previous games; it forges its own identity while wonderfully capturing the spirit of Team Silent’s earlier work. Embracing this difference unlocks a fantastic experience.
F Stands for Frightening from Start to Finish
Before discussing how terrifying Silent Hill f is (and it truly is – I’ve never screamed so much playing a horror game), it’s crucial to heed the content warnings displayed before the menu. Be aware of what you’re getting into, as some scenes are intensely disturbing, requiring me to look away.
Undoubtedly, this is one of the scariest Silent Hill games ever made.
The developers were tasked with finding “beauty in terror”, and they succeeded. Every scene is artistically composed, almost breathtaking if not for the horror it presents. Some of the game’s most visually striking moments are also the most grotesque, demonstrating a clear achievement of the developer’s goal. Given the game’s themes, combining beauty with fear was a stroke of genius, making it the most visually stunning horror game I’ve ever played.
Jumpscares are minimal, relying on unsettling atmosphere and ambience to generate fear. When jumpscares do occur, they arise from unexpected enemy ambushes (prepare to scream). The world is incredibly hostile, perhaps more so than any other game in the franchise; this Silent Hill is determined to kill you.
The puzzles amplify the fear, the Field puzzle being particularly disturbing. Every action must be deliberate and well-considered, as mistakes will be punished in gruesome, unanticipated ways. Combine this with scarce resources, Akira Yamaoka’s masterful soundtrack, and incomprehensible monsters, and you have the perfect recipe for terror.
Combining fear with beauty was genius – this is easily the most visually stunning horror game I’ve ever played.
Despite the horrors, you’ll want to capture the game’s stunning visuals. Each frame is a work of art, albeit a twisted one. The game accomplishes so much with so little, and it’s all incredibly captivating; the visuals are a standout feature.
F Stands for Fresh Gameplay Experiences
Rumors suggested the game is a Souls-like in terms of combat and gameplay, which is partially true. There’s some Souls-like inspiration (particularly in boss design), but mostly it features immersive combat.
It features the most intuitive combat in the series, without feeling like an Action Horror game from the 2010s. Multiple attack types, diverse items, a Faith (upgrade) system, and more depth than ever make the gameplay almost overwhelming, yet accessible and easy to adapt to. This applies to the enemies and their (relatively) simple attack patterns.
The gameplay feels new and refreshing compared to the tank controls of the PS2 era and the simpler combat of the Silent Hill 2 Remake.
A Sanity system exists, but it’s unfortunately underwhelming; losing Sanity simply depletes health, lacking hallucinations or secret scares. This is disappointing considering what other games achieved with sanity systems on less powerful hardware. However, this is my only significant complaint. Everything else is minor, like the few framerate drops I encountered.
The game offers a new difficulty: Lost in the Fog. For players who find Story (standard) and Hard too easy, Lost in the Fog provides a challenging experience closer to the Souls-like rumors.
Boss battles require preparation, while regular encounters demand careful selection. This is similar to classic Silent Hill games (especially when lost, running into every locked door).
A commentary on feminine fears and oppressive societies, Silent Hill f offers players much to consider and experience, in the series’ most visually striking and grotesque entry.
Resources, including weapons, are limited. The durability system features melee weapons with toolkits for repair. Notably, combat is melee-only, lacking guns, which aligns with Japan’s strict gun laws compared to the United States.
For me, it took just under 12 hours to complete, lengthy enough to engage, but not overstay its welcome. I expect it to remain in my household for a while, as playing is simply enjoyable.
F Stands for Feminine in Theme
Fans of Silent Hill 3 will likely enjoy Silent Hill f – it’s essentially Silent Hill 3 in Japan, sharing thematic similarities.
Heather and Hinako share fears of being reduced to mere childbearing vessels, lacking autonomy in any aspect of their lives. Silent Hill f amplifies these themes, incorporating anxieties about marriage and losing oneself within it (particularly in relationships perpetuating abuse), and the unnecessary pressures on women in overly conservative societies.
The commentary on gender norms and internalized misogyny is substantial, resonating with my own teenage experiences.
The first new Silent Hill entry in over a decade fulfills fan expectations, establishing itself as an instant classic within both the franchise and the survival horror genre.
While the meaning of “f” remains ambiguous, it seems tied to femininity. Themes of womanhood and its burdens in 1960s Japan, particularly with cult antagonists, reflect Silent Hill 3 in fantastic ways.
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