Silent Hill f marks a significant shift for Konami’s horror series, relocating from the American town to 1960s rural Japan. This new entry, launching September 25, 2025, for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, has received mostly positive reviews for its visuals and storytelling despite some combat issues.
The game follows high school student Hinako Shimizu, who lives with an abusive alcoholic father and a mother who enables his behavior. When her village of Ebisugaoka becomes shrouded in fog and overrun by monsters, Hinako must navigate both the transformed town and a mysterious realm called the Dark Shrine.
Critics highlight the setting as a brave departure that still captures the essence of Silent Hill. The fictional village features detailed streets, homes, and cultural elements that create an authentic 1960s Japanese atmosphere. One reviewer described it as “a backdrop rich with carefully crafted cultural touches that make it one of the series’ most intriguing locations to explore.”
The combat system has divided opinion. Unlike previous games that included firearms, Silent Hill f relies entirely on melee weapons like pipes, baseball bats, and knives. Players must manage stamina while attacking and dodging, with weapons that can break during fights.
Similar Posts
“My biggest gripe with Silent Hill f’s fighting is that it’s all risk and no reward,” noted one critic, pointing out that battles deplete health and damage weapons without providing meaningful benefits. Another mentioned that combat “gets boring after a while,” particularly in later sections where multiple enemies attack simultaneously.
The game splits between two worlds – the real-world Ebisugaoka and the supernatural Dark Shrine. In Ebisugaoka, resources are limited and survival is challenging. The Dark Shrine sections offer indestructible weapons and later grant Hinako supernatural abilities that some reviewers felt undermined the horror experience.
Silent Hill f includes RPG-like elements where players can upgrade Hinako’s abilities. At shrine save points, players can exchange food items for Faith, which can be spent on upgrades or charms called omamori that provide special bonuses.
Puzzle design received more consistent praise, with challenges based on Japanese folklore that require careful attention to clues. The game offers three difficulty settings for puzzles: Story (easiest), Hard, and Lost in the Fog (unlockable).
Critics universally praised the visual design and atmosphere. The environments blend beauty with horror, featuring red flowers and veiny tendrils that consume the town. Monster designs are described as “exceptionally ghastly,” with creatures that include mannequin-like dolls and twisted scarecrows.
The soundtrack, featuring series veteran Akira Yamaoka alongside newcomer Kensuke Inage, combines traditional Silent Hill sounds with Japanese musical elements.
With five different endings and New Game+ content including new areas and bosses, Silent Hill f offers substantial replay value. One reviewer noted their 13-hour first playthrough left them wanting more: “I can’t stop thinking about it. I can’t stop playing.”
Developer NeoBards Entertainment, with writer Ryukishi07, created what most critics consider a successful evolution for the series. The game addresses mature themes including abuse, gender discrimination, and self-harm, with content warnings that “should be taken quite seriously.”
For Silent Hill fans willing to accept more action-oriented gameplay, Silent Hill f delivers a visually stunning experience with a compelling narrative that honors the series while taking it in bold new directions.