“I have to be honest, I have turned from a skeptic to a believer of this revival franchise.”

The name “Silent Hill” conjures images of fog-laden streets, psychological horror, and a profound sense of unease. Since 1999, Konami’s Silent Hill has haunted gamers, delivering some of the most iconic and terrifying experiences in the horror genre. From the original’s unsettling atmosphere to the groundbreaking psychological depths of Silent Hill 2, the series cemented its place in gaming history.

The cancellation of Silent Hills and its playable teaser, P.T., left a gaping void, a chilling reminder of what could have been. Now, after years of anticipation, Konami is resurrecting the franchise, and Silent Hill f promises a fresh, yet disturbingly familiar, descent into madness.

A New Vision, Familiar Horrors

Silent Hill f is being developed by Neobards Entertainment, a studio with a history of working on notable titles. Neobards has contributed to several Resident Evil titles, including Resident Evil Re:Verse and Resident Evil Resistance, demonstrating their experience within established horror franchises.

They also worked on remasters such as the Resident Evil Origins Collection and Onimusha: Warlords, showing they have experience with handling and updating classic games; were the main development team for the Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection, showing they are able to handle beloved franchises with care; contributed to the development of Marvel’s Avengers; and have also worked on mobile platforms, as seen with Dynasty Warriors M.

This new installment marks a significant departure in setting while retaining the core essence of the series’ psychological horror.

Mature Content: A Glimpse Into The Macabre

The official Silent Hill f rating provides a stark preview of the game’s intense content. Silent Hill f is rated ESRB Mature 17+ in the U.S., PEGI 18 in Europe, and CERO:Z in Japan.

The ESRB rating details “Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, and Strong Language.” Content warnings include depictions of graphic violence, body horror, and themes of psychological trauma. This confirms the game’s commitment to delivering a truly unsettling experience. These ratings are subject to change as development continues.

In Japan, Silent Hill f has received an 18+ rating (CERO:Z), making it the first game in the franchise to reach that level of maturity. While these ratings are subject to change as development continues, it’s notable that previous mainline Silent Hill games released in Japan were rated for younger audiences, typically CERO:C (15+) or CERO:D (17+).

To understand the potential intensity of Silent Hill f, it’s essential to examine the game’s mature content description, which is prominently displayed on both the official website and its Steam store page. It states:

“This game contains depictions of gender discrimination, child abuse, bullying, drug-induced hallucinations, torture, and graphic violence. This game is set in Japan in the 1960s and contains depictions based on the customs and culture of that time. These depictions do not reflect the opinions or values of the developers or any individuals involved. If you feel uncomfortable at any point while playing, please take a break from playing or speak to someone you trust.”

Ryukishi07’S Pen: A Master Of Narrative Horror

The script for Silent Hill f is being penned by Ryukishi07, the renowned writer behind the Higurashi When They Cry series. His involvement signals a focus on intricate storytelling and psychological depth. Ryukishi07 has expressed his deep respect for the Silent Hill franchise, emphasizing his desire to explore the themes of fear and human fragility that define the series. His approach promises to deliver a narrative that is both disturbing and thought-provoking, delving into the darkest corners of the human psyche.

Kera’s Designs: Unsettling Beauty And Grotesque Horror

Character and creature designs are being handled by kera, a visual artist known for their distinctive and often unsettling style. Their contributions promise to create a world populated by truly memorable and terrifying entities. Kera’s artistic style lends itself well to the body horror aspects of Silent Hill f.

The floral decay, and twisting of human forms that are shown in the trailers are very much in line with Kera’s artistic style. The designs seen in trailers and promotional material already hint at a blend of eerie beauty and grotesque horror, perfectly complementing the game’s overall atmosphere.

A Japanese Setting: A New Kind Of Terror

Silent “Ebisugaoka” Hill: A New Kind Of Terror In Japan

Silent Hill f marks a significant departure from the series’ traditional American setting, taking place in 1960s feudal Japan. This shift in location offers a fresh perspective on the Silent Hill formula, incorporating elements of Japanese folklore and cultural anxieties. The trailers reveal a hauntingly beautiful, yet decaying, rural Japanese town called Ebisugaoka, setting the stage for a unique and terrifying experience. The setting is a key element of the horror. The contrast of the beauty of the setting with the grotesque horror is a key part of Silent Hill f.

As Ryukishi07 explained:

“Firstly, on the one hand, Silent Hill is a setting, one that has seen many memories, stories, and much pain. In other words it’s a physical place, with a dark history. On the other hand, Silent Hill is also about portraying characters’ struggles with the evil within themselves, sin, discontent, and conflict in a visually striking way. It’s a gateway into the psychological battles of the human mind. Of these two interpretations, if we consider the latter to be closer to the core of Silent Hill, then we can see how this game is very much a Silent Hill.” (Silent Hill transmission, 2025)

Ebisugaoka is based on a real location: Kanayama, Gero, in the Gifu Prefecture. The developers went to Kanayama to take reference pictures and record the atmosphere and environmental sounds and interpret them into a period accurate town. Kanayama is a town known for its beautiful landscape and historical architecture that fits the period piece for the 1960s.

The Silent Hill Phenomenon

It is worth to note that in Silent Hill: The Short Message, the player will find a document titled, “The Silent Hill Phenomenon” which entails the global pandemic where the people affected by it, claimed to see fog–even on fair-weather days– and lose consciousness shortly after. This narrative expands the entire Silent Hill franchise as the characters’ experiences and journey throughout their respective games is not only confined in the Silent Hill town. This explained why Silent Hill f does not sound far-fetched from the location premise.

Story Synopsis

Set in 1960s Japan, in the fictional town of Ebisugaoka, Silent Hill f follows Hinako Shimizu, an ordinary teenager whose life is upended when a mysterious fog suddenly rolls into town, transforming it into a horrific nightmare. Hinako must navigate this altered reality, solve macabre puzzles, and combat grotesque monsters to survive and face a crucial decision. The story explores themes of beauty within terror, as the town’s beauty becomes unsettlingly intertwined with grotesque horror. While a standalone story, the developers have included Easter eggs for longtime fans of the franchise.

Characters

Shimizu Hinako is he teenage protagonist of Silent Hill f. Her ordinary life is shattered when a mysterious fog engulfs her town. She is forced to fight for survival and make difficult choices in a transformed, nightmarish world.

As of now, the trailer also hinted at other characters, such as women in kimono and kitsune masks, as well as a boy, but not much is known about them.

Themes Of Terror And Trauma

A central concept is the Japanese horror aesthetic of finding “the beauty in terror.” This suggests that extreme beauty, when pushed to its limits, can become deeply unsettling. This theme is reflected in the game’s visuals, where decaying beauty and grotesque horror intertwine. The game explores the psychological impact of societal pressures, particularly on its protagonist. Themes of doubt, regret, and inescapable choices are prominent. The game also deals with the effects of trauma on the human psyche.

Setting the game in 1960s Japan allows for the exploration of unique cultural anxieties. Elements of Japanese folklore and societal expectations of that era will play a role in the horror. The visual style heavily emphasizes body horror, with themes of floral decay and the distortion of the human form. This reflects anxieties about physical deterioration and the fragility of the body. As with previous Silent Hill games, Silent Hill f explores the nature of fear itself, delving into the darkest corners of the human psyche. The game also tackles some very heavy social issues. Content warnings have been given for the game, pointing out that there will be depictions of gender discrimination, child abuse, and bullying.

Hauntingly Blooming

Adding to the unsettling atmosphere, it is hard to ignore the red spider lily (Higanbana) plaguing the town Ebisugaoka. The flower plays a prominent role in Silent Hill f. In Japanese folklore, this flower is deeply associated with death, the afterlife, and final farewells. It is also believed to grow in Diyu (Hell) and guide the dead. Its presence in the game reinforces themes of loss and the supernatural, while visually enhancing the game’s body horror elements and connecting its narrative to rich Japanese cultural symbolism.

Gameplay: Going Back To Classics

Silent Hill f is expected to retain the series’ focus on exploration, puzzle-solving, and psychological horror. Players can anticipate navigating the erie environment, uncovering the secrets of the town, and confronting the nightmarish creatures that inhabit it. The emphasis on narrative and atmosphere suggests a gameplay experience that prioritizes the Silent Hill trademark of immersion and psychological impact.

Moreover, the game hints at a combat experience gameplay. The players may use axes, crowbars, knives, and spears to defend against and kill enemy creatures in melee-style combat (ESRB, 2025). However, as of now, there was no mention of ranged-weapon combat.

Pre-Orders: Awaiting The Descent To Dread

As of this article, pre-order details have not been released. However, the game is now available to add to ‘wishlist’ on PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC via Steam, Microsoft Store and the Epic Games Store.The physical edition will be available to pre-order at select retailers, including a limited edition steelbook. Fans are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to secure their copy of this highly anticipated return to the Silent Hill universe.

Silent Hill f represents a bold new chapter in the franchise, promising to deliver a terrifying and unforgettable experience. With its unique setting, compelling narrative, and unsettling visuals, it’s poised to reignite the fears of a new generation of gamers while honoring the legacy of the series.