Silent Hill f is going to be one of the most unique entries in the series, and one that definitely does not hold your hand. According to early hands-on impressions from IGN and GameInformer, this is a creepy, combat, and very puzzle-driven horror game set in a terrifying 1960s Japan.
You will play as Hinako, a young girl escaping her father by heading to the mist-covered town of Ebisugaoka, where things immediately take a weird turn. Red spider lilies bloom out of nowhere, the fog is thick enough to get lost in, and the streets turn into a maze of narrow paths, blind corners, and vertical layers that just scream “you are not leaving here.” And you will have to fight your way through it all if you indeed want to leave this place!
Puzzles and Exploration Come First
Silent Hill f does not look like it your usual horror game where you just walk and be scared. The town is full of puzzles, and you can absolutely feel Ryukishi07’s (famous for Higurashi) mark! You have to do things like matching specific prayer plaques, or tracking down the right scarecrow in a looping foggy field. It is the kind of puzzle design that feels like classic Silent Hill in all the best ways.
You will also come across optional locations like the home of the town doctor, where you can find a ton of creepy little mystery. Exploration feels meaningful, with side content that seems worth the detour.
Melee-Only Combat With Soulslike Vibes
There are no guns in Silent Hill f. You have no choice but to fight in melee. Players can get access to weapons like bats, knives, sickles, pipes, and even a naginata polearm. You can hold three weapons at once, but they will take damage and eventually break, unless you use tool kits to repair them. The goal is to strategically plan and decide if it is worth to fight right now, or not.
The combat system also features light and heavy attacks, dodging, and blocking with heavy weapons, but everything costs stamina. If you dodge too many times in a row, you will be totally out of energy, and certain bosses (one in particular was called “infuriatingly tough“) require non-stop dodging and countering just to survive. Several previewers reportedly spent over an hour trying to beat just one demo boss. So if it is not your thing to fight the same boss for hours… You may be disappointed by that one.
There is also a Sanity system. You can “Focus” during combat to slow time and counterattack, but this drains your sanity meter. You can regain some sanity through special items or if you offer valuables at shrines.
Shrines, Perks, and Endings
Throughout the game, you will find prayer shrines that act as checkpoints and let you equip helpful ‘omamori’ charms. Those are perks that reduce stamina drain or boost survivability for example. You can also spend a currency called Faith, earned by exploring and offering valuables, to gain new charms or refill your sanity.
Oh, and yes, the game features multiple endings (5 in total), including the return of the fan-favorite UFO ending!
On top of all that, the game also offers:
- A fantastic 3D audio and sound design that is extremely effective at setting the mood.
- Combat feels inspired by Silent Hill 4, but has a stamina/dodge mechanic that is almost Soulslike.
- The town’s layout and surreal, shifting elements give off major Silent Hill 1 and 2 energy.
- Monsters are fast, deadly, and way harder to avoid than in past games.
- There is even a mysterious white-haired man in the town who seems to want to help, or does he?
Basically, if you are looking for an easy game, Silent Hill f might not be it. But if you want intense puzzles, hard melee combat, and deep psychological horror, you will have a really good time. It is tough, weird, terrifying, and absolutely exactly what Silent Hill fans have been waiting for.
One thing is sure, you should keep an eye on our latest news for more information about the game soon!
