Looking back, I’m glad that *Silent Hills*, originally teased with *P.T.*, was canceled. It allowed Hideo Kojima to create the incredible *Death Stranding* games. Meanwhile, the *Silent Hill* franchise landed with Ryukishi07, the brilliant creator of *Higurashi*, who is a true master of horror. His work on *Silent Hill* has been a dream come true – and also one of the most terrifying experiences I’ve ever had as a horror fan. I especially appreciate the uniquely Japanese approach he’s brought to the iconic setting. While we might not get a traditional game to play right now, we’re still getting to see the town reimagined through the dark and creative minds of its developers.
Let me be upfront: *Silent Hill f* completely blew me away. It’s easily one of the most terrifying *and* creatively daring horror games I’ve ever experienced. Navigating Hinako Shimizu’s personal nightmare feels incredibly oppressive, like a tightening grip that intensifies as you explore the foggy town of Ebisugaoka, culminating in a deeply emotional and difficult ending. But let’s start at the beginning…
Hill bathed in red and silence
Hinako Shimizu is a spirited and athletic teenager growing up in a close-knit, traditional village. The time period – the Showa era – heavily influences her story, as societal norms strictly defined women’s roles. Hinako chafes against these expectations. She’s a tomboy who prefers the company of boys and struggles to understand her mother’s acceptance of her father’s abusive behavior. This fuels her growing anger and rebellious streak, causing friction within the community. The situation is further complicated by the hidden complexities within her friendships – relationships that are often marred by jealousy, dishonesty, and misunderstandings.
These factors contribute to Hinako’s emotional vulnerability, and the game’s generally cautious approach distorts her view of reality, making her susceptible to the strange forces at play in *Silent Hill* – a place known for bringing people’s deepest fears to life. While the setting is quite different from previous games, the core psychological horror remains. It’s a disturbing and thought-provoking experience that delves into trauma and its lasting effects. *Silent Hill*’s essence is still present, but it feels more like a respectful nod to the original rather than a true continuation, and longtime fans might find that disappointing.
Despite any flaws, the game’s writer crafted a brilliant and complex story that’s fascinating to dissect. The scenes are incredibly well-made, drawing you in with their intrigue, unsettling atmosphere, and often charming mystery. Throughout the game, I was both disturbed and impressed by what was unfolding. *Silent Hill f* is truly shocking, disturbing, controversial, and relentlessly grim, sometimes even feeling deliberately unsettling. I’d argue it’s the most intense game in the series, both in terms of its themes and visuals. There were moments during gameplay that were so frightening I had to look away. At times, *Silent Hill f* genuinely evoked a new kind of fear in me, and I even suspect it triggered my trypophobia. I often felt physically sick and mentally drained, forcing me to pause and take breaks. I never expected to experience virtual horror on this level, especially after years of playing games.
What really hooked me was the story – I couldn’t stop playing until I knew how things would resolve for Hinako. I was completely absorbed in the unfolding events, and encountered some truly disturbing and unexpected moments, even for a *Silent Hill* game. I played through the game, then immediately started a new game plus. It’s structured like *Higurashi*, with the story unfolding in cycles. Your first playthrough leaves you with a lot of questions, and the answers come with each subsequent playthrough. Each time, you get a different perspective, discover new details, and even hear different dialogue that highlights new plot points. This approach is brilliantly executed, adding incredible depth to the already unsettling adventure, and rewarding players who are determined to uncover the full truth. You’ll realize how much you missed on your first run, and how cleverly the creators foreshadowed later events early on – I really appreciate that kind of storytelling. I’m trying not to focus on how shocked I was by the first ending – the climax was so powerful, it’s something I’ll likely never forget.
- First-class graphics and great artistic direction;
- unique atmosphere of horror and monster designs;
- unforgettable music;
- really good story;
- one of the most ambitious horror games in history;
- NG+, which greatly develops and continues the story;
- engaging puzzles;
- pace of gameplay, the devs introduce something new at every step and play with the player’s expectations;
- higher difficulty levels are a demanding and stressful survival.
CONS:
- Despite a few iconic elements, it all deviates a bit too much from the identity of Silent Hill;
- combat takes some getting used to, and there’s a bit too much of it;
- people who aren’t sensitive to Japanese horrors won’t fully appreciate the charm of this game.
Save Hinako Shimizu, help her!
This game isn’t flashy, but it excels at what it sets out to do. The combat felt awkward at first, but I grew to like how it actually enhanced the scary, survival horror experience. You play as a small character, so even a solid hit sends her stumbling, forcing you to carefully plan each attack, consider your distance, and play cautiously. Broken weapons and limited resources add to the tension, especially when enemies are near. Dodging is risky because it quickly tires you out, leaving you open to attack.
The combat in this game is unusual. While people often compare it to ‘soulslike’ games, I think that comparison is too simple – those games are often praised more than they deserve. Even though there are *some* similarities to those titles, this game offers a distinctly different and original experience. It emphasizes using your character’s focus and ingenuity to pull off powerful attacks, effectively block and counter, and carefully manage your weapons and supplies. It’s challenging and demands your full attention, though occasionally a bit *too* demanding. Thankfully, there are no guns; Hinako fights using whatever she can find. You can also improve Hinako’s abilities by visiting special shrines. By making small sacrifices, you gain faith, which can then be used to boost her endurance, health, or sanity.
The most enjoyable part of the game is how it blends challenging puzzles with exploration. The setting, a foggy and beautifully haunting area called Ebisugaoka, is incredibly captivating. The puzzles aren’t just random; they’re cleverly designed to fit the environment and reflect the emotional struggles of the main character, Hinako. The developers are great at subverting expectations and constantly surprising you with unexpected twists. For instance, finding keys at the school requires deciphering codes based on student notes, and navigating to a friend’s house involves solving a riddle with scarecrows in a foggy field. The game frequently blurs the line between reality and dreamlike stages, including a particularly bizarre temple sequence that I won’t spoil – it’s best experienced firsthand. The game maintains a perfect pace; it’s consistently engaging without feeling padded or drawn out. It took me around 12 hours to complete my first playthrough, and it was so well-done that I immediately wanted to play again to uncover more of the story. It’s a truly masterfully executed game.
Lost in thoughts
I’m completely absorbed by *Silent Hill f*, and it’s stuck in my head, even appearing in my nightmares. I keep replaying it in my mind, trying to fully understand its deeper meaning because the story has really resonated with me. Surprisingly, I actually enjoy feeling so affected by it. The game is a masterclass in psychological manipulation – it deliberately throws you off balance and then strikes when you’re most vulnerable. I have to admit, it worked on me; the creators expertly played on my expectations and caught me completely off guard.
Man, *Silent Hill f* is seriously scary – you really have to be careful while playing, or it’ll mess with your head. It’s genuinely terrifying, and the way it mixes beautiful imagery with disturbing decay is incredible. After what feels like forever, *Silent Hill* is back with its best game yet. It’s put the series right back at the top of the horror genre, reclaiming its title as the scariest game out there. As a huge horror fan, I’m honestly getting emotional just experiencing this – it feels like being a kid again, genuinely afraid of the darkness and what might be hiding in it.
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2025-09-22 10:34