Silent Hill f Review: A Haunting Triumph for the Resurrected Franchise

Konami has released Silent Hill f. The new survival-horror game is available now. It launches on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. Developer NeoBards Entertainment helmed the project.

This title marks a major step in Konami’s revival of the iconic series. It follows the recent well-received remake of Silent Hill 2. This new chapter aims to blend classic terror with fresh mechanics.

A Disturbing Journey to 1960s Japan

Silent Hill f is set in 1960s Japan. The story unfolds in the rural town of Ebisugaoka. Players control Hinako Shimizu, a young schoolgirl struggling with societal pressures. A strange fog descends, isolating the town and unleashing horrors.

The narrative was penned by Ryukishi07, famed for Higurashi and Umineko. The plot is a dual narrative filled with disturbing, symbolic events. It explores themes of isolation and family trauma. According to early reviews, the story is both engaging and deeply unsettling.

Hinako is guided by a polite young man wearing a fox mask. The game makes heavy use of the Otherworld, the series’ dark alternate dimension. Environmental storytelling through documents and settings adds significant depth. A player journal provides further insight into Hinako’s psyche.

Balancing Action and Survival Horror

The combat system in Silent Hill f is more involved than in past series entries. It features light and heavy attacks alongside a dodge maneuver. A well-timed dodge restores stamina, a crucial resource. A “Focus” mode, powered by a Sanity gauge, allows for powerful counter-attacks.

Despite these action elements, resource management remains paramount. Stamina depletes quickly, leaving the player vulnerable. Using all Sanity can make Hinako take more damage. The system successfully maintains a core survival-horror feeling.

Enemy variety is solid, if not enormous. Each creature type has unique attack patterns and weaknesses. Boss battles are built around specific mechanics that challenge the player. The game length is approximately 12 hours for a first playthrough, with high replayability via New Game Plus and multiple endings.

Technical Presentation and Performance

Silent Hill f is built with Unreal Engine 5. The game boasts a clean visual presentation with excellent texture work. The use of Lumen lighting and volumetrics enhances the haunting, foggy atmosphere. Character models are detailed and well-animated.

On PC, the game includes a shader pre-compilation step. This minimizes one common source of stuttering. However, some traversal stuttering is still present, particularly in the open village areas. These issues are noticeable but not game-breaking for most players.

Performance is generally good on capable hardware. With DLSS enabled, the game runs at high frame rates. The audio production is a standout feature, with a soundtrack involving series veteran Akira Yamaoka. Environmental sounds are used to great effect to build tension.

Silent Hill f stands as a triumphant return for the legendary horror series. It masterfully blends new combat ideas with classic survival-horror tension. This new chapter is a must-play for franchise fans and genre enthusiasts alike.

Info at your fingertips

What is the setting of Silent Hill f?

The game is set in the 1960s in a small rural Japanese town called Ebisugaoka. This is a significant departure from the American town settings of the original games.

How does the combat work?

Combat involves light and heavy attacks, dodging, and a Focus mode. It is more action-oriented than older games but is deeply tied to stamina and sanity management to maintain a horror feel.

How long is the game?

A first playthrough of Silent Hill f takes roughly 12 hours. The experience is extended by a meaningful New Game Plus mode and multiple endings, encouraging replayability.

Are there performance issues on PC?

The game suffers from some traversal stuttering, especially in the open village area. However, it includes shader pre-compilation, which prevents the worst stuttering issues common in Unreal Engine 5 games.

Who wrote the story for Silent Hill f?

The story was written by Ryukishi07, the renowned creator of the Higurashi and Umineko visual novel series. His influence is seen in the game’s disturbing and psychologically complex narrative.