Silent Hill f: the franchise leaves the Western inspiration behind for a walk through a terrifying Japan
, by Quentin
The return of Silent Hill with a brand new game is already quite event in the world of video games and for fans of the horror franchise, but this entry, called Silent Hill f, already seems to be unlike any other game in the IP.
It bids farewell to its characters and its very Western inspirations for a plunge into a terrifying Japan. This proposal has generated enormous enthusiasm among gamers and offers a breath of fresh air to the saga.
Neobards Entertainment is in charge of the project, but... who is this studio?
It's also a whole new experience for the devçs at Neobards Entertainment, the ones tasked by Konami to do this project. The Hong Kong-based studio has previously collaborated with Capcom on Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster, Resident Evil Re:Verse, and Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection.
They also took part in the development of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and Marvel's Avengers for Square Enix.
But this time, the stakes are one a whole new leve: they are starting from scratch and have to create their first original game with Silent Hill f. It's an ambitious undertaking, both for Konami and for the Chinese studio.
To achieve this, they decided to surround themselves with the best talent, including Ryūkishi07 for the game's storyline and the legendary composer of the saga, Akira Yamaoka.
For production, Konami called on Motoi Okamoto, who made his debut at Nintendo working on iconic titles such as Pikmin, Super Mario 64 DS, Luigi's Mansion, and The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker.
This isn't the first Silent Hill he's produced, as he already made a name for himself with the remake of Silent Hill 2, as well as the much-maligned Silent Hill: The Short Message, a free but very short and boring experience.
The person who absolutely must be introduced, given how central his role will be in the game, is Ryūkishi07, author of the visual novels Higurashi no Naku Koro ni and Umineko no Naku Koro ni. He enjoys a successful career and is well-regarded by the public for his creations.
A game that's different, both in its atmosphere and gameplay
Between its initial announcement at Silent Hill Transmission in 2022 and today, just a few weeks before its release on September 25, 2025, we know a lot more about it, particularly thanks to initial feedback from the press, who have had the chance to try the game at length.
The overall impression seems positive, but still mixed. Some criticize it for gameplay that focuses more on action at the expense of horror, as well as combat that feels both unpolished and quite slow.
The shift towards action had already begun with Bloober Team's remake of Silent Hill 2, which added more confrontation phases than in the original, while taking advantage of a combat system that had been completely overhauled, where the original episode had fallen short.
What really sets this title apart is its immersion in 1960s Japan, with creatures inspired by the country's folklore and typical settings.
You play as the female protagonist, a girl called Shimizu Hinako. Konami describes this teenager as struggling against the expectations of her friends, family, and society. We should understand why this young girl, known for her joy and energy, has gradually become more reserved and lost her smile.
We hope for a mature and well-crafted storyline, far from certain clichés about teenage life. Silent Hill has often excelled in its double meanings and second readings, so expectations are very high.
Finally, on the purely technical side, Neobards Entertainment, like many others, relies on Unreal Engine 5, whose qualities are well established. Nevertheless, the gameplay images reassure us that the title has a clear artistic direction. We will find the famous fog that characterizes the franchise, as well as its disturbing imagery.
We won't have to wait long to discover Silent Hill f in its entirety, as it will be released on September 25 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
What are your expectations and fears regarding Silent Hill f? Let us know in the comments!