Silent Hill F, A Deeply Emotional and Unique Chapter in the Silent Hill Franchise

Wilson Barnett | Former Associate Editor 

The Silent Hill franchise has been making a massive comeback in the last year. We got the Silent Hill 2 Remake last year and this year, the release date was announced for the film Return to Silent Hill, a remake of the original 1999 game, and the release of Silent Hill F. This game has earned the title for being one of the most standout additions to the franchise for its evolved combat, folklore, and Japanese location. 

You are Hinako Shimizu, a teenage girl in 1960s Japan whose town is overcome with an infectious curse. Everyone disappears, except for a small group of people in Hinako’s life, spider lilies bloom everywhere, and a looming presence has its eyes set on the girl. You can often find yourself between dimensions battling terrifying creatures. The two central locations you will venture through are Ebisugaoka and the Dark Shrine, presenting barrages of twisted enemies around each corner.

This game is very different from previous titles, especially the original quadrilogy. The most obvious difference is that this game takes place in 1960s Japan rather than 1990s-2000s small town in the United States. The time period allows for much more to be done in terms of folklore and visual aesthetics, though it is a huge leap from the fog-ridden town we’ve grown familiar with. The looming fog remains but the overall feel is more akin to the writer’s most well known creation. 

Silent Hill F was written by Ryukishi07, well known for ひぐらしのなく頃に (Higurashi No Naku Koro Ni) and subsequent “When They Cry” titles. Higurashi No Naku Koro Ni, or When The Cicadas Cry, is a horror visual novel series from 2002 onwards that gained an anime adaptation in 2006 by Studio Deen and a subsequent reimagining in 2020 by Studio Passione. It follows student Keiichi Maebara and his friends in Hinamizawa as he navigates a terrifying series of violent events. It’s an intense series, whether you’re playing the games or watching the anime, serving as a solid psychological horror.

Many of the elements from the series can be seen in Silent Hill F. The exploration of Japanese small town religion through the lens of an intense psychological horror is the very theme of both games. The story is fundamentally what Silent Hill tends to explore, just with the added layers of Japanese folklore and the intense psychological experiences young teens go through. 

Some fans of the series might not like this deviation from the original idea of Silent Hill. The different environment can be jarring at times, considering where the franchise started. It is visually very different from the original four games, with its typical rust and mold being replaced with flowers and overgrowth. This works for some, but not everyone.

The combat is another point of contention, being much more different than the previous games. There has always been an element to combat in the franchise, but this game is much heavier on the combat than many previous titles. On top of that, the combat system is one that requires strategy and timing. It’s less “hit and run” compared to previous titles and requires the player to think about their every action.

The story tackles many intense themes, as is Silent Hill tradition. Portrayals of abuse, bullying, mental health crises, among other topics are covered with understanding yet appropriate intensity. What Silent Hill is fundamentally about is exploring the psyche of its protagonist as their grief and trauma manifest into a personal hell, trapping the protagonist and forcing them to confront the darkest parts of their mind. Silent Hill F does this expertly. The cast of teenagers here are incredibly well written, realistic portrayals of school-age drama. It is all around an extremely well written game that captures the fundamental essence that Silent Hill has been known for in the last 26 years. 

Though drastically different from previous titles, Silent Hill F is an interesting addition to the franchise. Between its story and tense gameplay, it’s an incredibly nerve-racking game to sit through. If you’re looking for a somber tale for your Halloween kicks, this game will provide you with nothing short of a terrifying experience. 

Wilson’s score 4/5