Silent Hill f is one of the most disturbing games I’ve ever played — a must-play horror thrill ride

Silent Hill f resurrects the series in all its terror-riddled, psychologically-tinged glory. While it maintains what made the franchise great, it offers a new experience that isn't shackled to the past.

This entry leaves the town and time period of the previous entries and instead drops you into a rural Japanese village in the 1960s. While that might be concerning for long-time fans, I can assure you that the new setting is a perfect fit for the series and helps it recapture the magic of older installments.

I've completed Silent Hill f and I'm already considering it as one of my favorite entries in the franchise. Whether you're a newcomer, series veteran, or just love Japanese horror, Silent Hill f is a blood-curdling thrill ride that will leave you breathless and hungry for more.

Silent Hill f: The basics

• What is it? Silent Hill f is a survival horror game set in the Silent Hill universe, featuring a whole new setting outside of the American town fans know and love.
• Who is it for? This game is designed for fans of the franchise and horror aficionados. If you love survival horror and a narrative rooted in psychological storytelling, this game is for you.
• How much does it cost? Silent Hill f costs $69 and is available on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
• What other games has the developer made? This is the first fully developed game by NeoBards, but the studio has helped co-develop several other projects, including Resident Evil Re: Verse, Devil May Cry HD Collection, and Onimusha: Warlords.
• What games is it similar to? Silent Hill f is similar to other games in the franchise, chief among them, the first three mainline titles. It also bears some resemblances to other Japanese horror games, such as Kuon, Siren, and Parasite Eve.

This town is full of monsters!

The lead designers of Silent Hill f wanted to take the new game in a completely different direction, one that would better align with the original's main themes and premise, particularly rooted in Japanese horror. To get there, the team tapped Japanese author Ryukishi07, best known for his horror manga series "When They Cry."

You play as Hinako Shimizu, a teenage girl wracked by sorrow and the burdens of 1960s Japanese society. Haunted by visions of her sister, Hinako struggles to find closeness with her family and friends as the world around her literally and figuratively closes in.

Hinako's friends are a major backbone of the plot. Shu is a witty and courageous young man who finds solace in Hinako's friendship. Sakuko is one of her best friends, a shining beacon of hope in a dreary, fog-riddled landscape.

Then, there's Rinko, whose not-so-secret crush on Shu lays the foundation for some interesting underlying conflict within the small group. Hinako's navigation not just of the environment but of these relationships is a core part of what makes Silent Hill f truly stand out.

Although the narrative doesn't take place in that foggy town we all know (and love), Ebisugaoka still bears many resemblances to its American counterpart. It's not just with the fog-laden, monster-riddled atmosphere, either. Small hints of Silent Hill creep casually in, making the game's fictional town of Ebisugoako both alien and right at home for series veterans.

Ebisugaoka does well in staying true to this foundation. It's both claustrophobic and unsettling at times, giving way to stellar landscapes steeped in the macabre. One of my favorite moments in the game is a scarecrow sequence set in a wide open field. It's simultaneously haunting and awe-inspiring.

Unlike early titles in the franchise, Silent Hill f offers a menu-based map that lets you freely zoom in and scroll. The map slowly comes into focus the deeper you delve into the landscape. It's a welcome change from the paper-in-hand versions of before, offering you a more intimate look at the small rural town you're navigating.

But Ebisugoaka isn't the only area you'll be navigating. Mirroring the garish, rust-lined nightmare worlds of previous Silent Hills, f taps a similar approach with its own dreamlike setting. These areas come to life through traditional Japanese Buddhist architecture and a fox-masked mystery man who may not be as benevolent as he might seem.

It was foretold by Gyromancy

Silent Hill f follows in the footsteps of its predecessors, offering a combination of survival horror action sequences with tough puzzles to solve as you traverse its twisting landscapes. I played with action set to Story and puzzles set to Hard, which I think offers the best balance of challenge in lieu of its somewhat janky combat.

Silent Hill f has some Souls elements applied to its action sequences, but they're certainly not as refined or robust as those titles. However, I do appreciate the addition of a stamina and visible health bar.

Silent Hill 2 remake fell into the trap of allowing the player to dodge without restraint. That game also used visual cues with a red-filled camera warning you when you were close to death, which was a major hindrance when trying to stay alert to your surroundings. Silent Hill f makes some necessary changes to this formula, which work well with its combat, but it's not perfect.

Hinako's dodge sends her flying backward pretty far. It leaves open a wide space for you to cross in a hurry if you're looking to counterattack. I also found myself dodging right into enemy grab attacks, which was particularly frustrating.

Fortunately, there are more than enough save spots expertly scattered across the map, in addition to a variety of weapons at your disposal. One of my favorites is the Naginata, which cuts down foes like a penknife through paper.

Other items littering Ebisugaoka also aid Hinako by replenishing health, stamina, and sanity. Be wary, though, as you can only carry a finite number of items, and if you replace an item in your bag, it's gone forever. It's often better to leave an item or weapon on the ground and come back to it later when you have more space in your inventory.

There are also two main ways to upgrade Hinako, one of which requires Omamori. These are similar to rings in Dark Souls or talismans in Elden Ring, allowing you to boost a particular stat or ability, like decreasing stamina consumed in combat or raising your health bar.

You can also apply permanent player upgrades using prayer offerings, requiring you to sell specific items for special currency. Don't overlook these in the beginning, because you'll definitely want higher stamina and health going into the latter half of the game — especially if you're playing on harder difficulties.

Puzzles are well-crafted, feeling very Silent Hill-coded. Hinako is equipped with a handy journal that helps you solve puzzles with a bit of ease. That's not to say they're easy, though. Some of the puzzles in later chapters took me quite a while to solve, and I'm glad the developers didn't hold back in this respect.

I'm genuinely frightened at the thought of what some of these puzzles might look like in the Lost in the Fog difficulty, but you can only unlock that in New Game Plus.

What's also fascinating is how the story of Silent Hill f unfolds. It's not just told in cutscenes and dialogue, but also in various items you pick up along the way. Silent Hill f rewards the inquisitive adventurer, so be sure to check every nook and cranny before you press on to the next nightmarish encounter.

Art thou player or audience?

Silent Hill f doesn't just stand out through its gameplay and narrative, but also through its art style. Moments of the macabre and nightmarish imagery are juxtaposed with beauty at every step. It's a common theme laid throughout the game, and it serves to amplify its unsettling nature.

The score is also an incredible aspect of the experience, led by series veteran Akira Yamaoka. Traditional Japanese melodies fill the atmosphere, feeling both haunting and dreamy in a fantastical way. It helps to put you into the shoes of Hinako as she struggles to find herself and her place within the world.

NeoBards did a great job of bringing this world to life using Unreal Engine 5. I experienced some dropped frames closer to the end of the game, but I'm hoping these missteps can be amended before it reaches players' hands.

Playing on PS5 Pro was an utter delight. I can't stress enough just how breathtaking this game looks, despite its tormented and unsettling nature. It's a true wonder to behold, and it may just leave you with some lingering nightmares.

Silent Hill f: Verdict

I can write about Silent Hill f for days. It's a total delight as much as it is a terrifying prelude for even more exciting Silent Hill experiences in the future. I'm still wrapping my head around this incredible story. I also love the setting.

The stellar composition and psychological story make for a Silent Hill that feels familiar yet totally new. It's one of the most disturbing video games I've ever played and a highlight of the series.

It makes me question if I'm really writing this review, or if I'm truly the same person I was before I started playing Silent Hill f. Here's to hoping I can find myself again as I trek into New Game Plus.