In the pantheon of the most cult video games ingaming history, Silent Hill is a must-have, especially for survival-horror fans. With an eerie atmosphere that gradually takes us to the very edge of madness, mysterious plots and an immersive soundtrack, this series, inspired by the film Jacob's Ladder, has established itself in the horror genre.
After the cancellation of a Silent Hills game in 2015 in collaboration with director Guillermo Del Toro, which was to have starred actor Norman Reedus, the saga disappeared from the scene for almost a decade before making a comeback. In 2024, the remake of Silent Hill 2 was a resounding success, marking a comeback in style.
And now, a new episode marks a turning point in the saga's universe. Confirmed in October 2022, Silent Hill F already announced a brand-new plot, which this time takes us deeper into Japanese folklore. While up to now, Silent Hill opuses have taken us to the outskirts of this mysterious American town, this next opus marks the beginning of a new chapter in the history of this horror series. This time, the player is plunged into the atmosphere of 1960s Japan.
"In the isolated town of Ebisugaoka, teenager Shimizu Hinako leads an unremarkable life, until a thick fog descends upon her, transforming her once-familiar home into a desolate and terrifying place. With the town seemingly abandoned and an unknown threat lurking in the mist, Hinako must navigate spectral remnants of her past, solve complex puzzles and confront terrifying entities to survive. Faced with impossible decisions, she must ultimately choose between beauty and madness, confronting the horrors that await her in the fog".
Silent Hill f's soundtrack is by the legendary Akira Yamaoka, a pillar of the saga for over 25 years, accompanied by Kensuke Inage, a specialist in Japanese-influenced compositions. Their collaboration promises a striking contrast between the real world and the game's nightmarish universe, reinforcing the horrific immersion characteristic of the franchise.
As for art direction, illustrator Kera brings her expertise in monster design to the table, infusing a new visual identity while respecting the essence of Silent Hill. As for the script, it is written by Ryukishi07, an author renowned for his psychological approach and deeply immersive narratives, who draws on his personal attachment to the series to offer an original experience.
REVIEW
Purists are warned in advance: this new installment breaks many of the saga's codes, so you can expect some changes. Silent Hill F is more action-oriented than its predecessors, while retaining the puzzles and enigmas that have contributed to the success of the Silent Hill games.
As promised, Silent Hill F revolves more around Japanese folklore, and the game proves surprisingly more explanatory while retaining a very opaque element of mystery. Here, the other world takes on an even more spiritual dimension, and the plot puts us on the trail of a destiny that seems inescapable. Aesthetically, beauty intertwines with horror, offering a mortifying contrast.
Combat is more present, more complex, more advanced, and a sense of timing is of the utmost importance. An evolution that opens up the Silent Hill universe to players more inclined towards action games. Those familiar with the game will quickly notice the presence of the character's life bar. Some bosses, when played in difficult mode, are reminiscent of games such as Dark Souls or Elden Ring.
There's a lot of change in the air, but there are still some of the codes that have helped make Silent Hill a cult saga. In particular, there's that knowledge of human psychology that allows the game to guess players' reactions and behavior and use them to their detriment. So, once you get used to a pattern, it changes and catches you off guard. The game also plays with us in more subtle ways, which can lead to some rather horrifying surprises. Nevertheless, we regret that some of the tough battles are rather recessive after a certain point in the plot.
We insist: don't get too hung up on what you already know about Silent Hill when tackling this fifth installment. For our part, if we were a little unsettled by these different mechanics, it was only once we let go and stopped focusing on what we loved about the previous games that we were able to really appreciate this Silent Hill hybrid.
Under the supervision of producer Motoi Okamoto, this opus marks a major evolution for the saga, exploring horror through a Japanese prism. Expected to be released on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series, Silent Hill f is already available for pre-order. The release date was announced at the State of Play on Wednesday June 4, 2025: September 25, 2025. In the meantime, we're sharing an extract from the unveiled demo. Ready for the fright of your life?
Dates and Opening Time
Starts September 25, 2025
Official website
www.konami.com
