3 min read
Here is how “Silent Hill f” is shaping up to be this fall’s biggest releases this year: It is an alien world that seems too real.
Unlike previous games set in the foggy American town of Silent Hill, Silent Hill f takes place in the fictional Japanese town of Ebisugaoka during the 1960s. The protagonist, Hinako Shimizu, a high school student, finds her peaceful hometown transformed by a mysterious fog into a nightmarish landscape filled with grotesque creatures and haunting folklore.
The story, penned by renowned visual novel writer Ryukishi07, explores themes of beauty intertwined with terror, focusing on Hinako’s journey to uncover the truth behind the town’s transformation. The story seems to weave a slow, suffocating dread, drawing you into a psychological chokehold you won’t shake off easily.
1. Encounters That Make You Question Every Move
Not every threat demands combat but sometimes it’s running for a key. Other times stealth is your only option. These tense moments keep your pulse racing and spotlight the profound sense of vulnerability woven into the experience.
2. Faith Becomes Survival
Faith currency rewards praying at checkpoints and sacrificing collectibles. It can boost stamina or inventory space, or subtly reinforce that survival is spiritual as much as physical.
3. Maps with a Soul
Hinako scribbles little portraits of missing friends on her maps, binding you emotionally to her journey. The act feels like a silent plea, turning exploration into a mission.
4. A Town That Breathes Fear
Ebisugaoka’s narrow passageways coil like veins, offering claustrophobic beauty. The sinuous alleys feel alive, pulling you deeper into a nightmare you can’t exit.
5. Flowers That Watch You
Red spider lilies pop through the fog, beautiful yet lethal nature twisted into menace, a visual metaphor for underlying decay.
What Players Are Saying
Players’ reactions echo your emotional siege, but with mixed tones.
Some praise the stunning visuals and atmosphere, likening Ebisugaoka to one of the most authentic Japanese towns ever rendered in a game, overall calling Silent Hill f “promising,” “beautiful,” and emotionally resonant.
Others, however, voice concern over the combat systems. Expectations of the series’ traditional tension clash with the game’s stamina-managed parries, durability, and Souls-style mechanics.
Some fans feel this emphasis on melee action strays too far from the psychological horror roots they cherish, while a few feel the protagonist isn’t emotionally compelling enough to root for.
The Emotional Fallout
When you finally put the controller down, tension lingers like fog. You’ll feel mentally nudged back to Hinako’s path, half-dreading and half-longing for what’s next. Silent Hill has surely come up with a clever twist and a nice comeback.
Silent Hill f hits the game consoles on September 25, 2025, and will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Check out the official announcement trailer below:
