Silent Hill f (2025) – Review

Silent Hill f is a striking, eerie reinvention of the franchise, moving the horror away from foggy American streets to 1960s rural Japan. Its aesthetic shift—lush countrysides infected by crimson parasitic flora—creates one of the most unsettling atmospheres in the series. But while the visuals and storytelling are strong, the gameplay struggles to fully match that ambition.

Narrative & Atmosphere

Penned by Ryūkishi07 (Higurashi), the story dives into themes of guilt, alienation, and psychological decay. The player character’s descent into Silent Hill’s curse is framed by invasive blossoms that consume both the environment and human flesh. It’s grotesque, beautiful, and memorable.

The atmosphere is where Silent Hill f shines. The suffocating sound design—whispers under the wind, creaking floorboards, blossoms blooming with a sickening squelch—keeps tension high. Artistically, the game is stunning, presenting horror that is poetic as much as it is disturbing.

Gameplay & Structure

Here’s where cracks appear. Exploration is immersive, and puzzles can be clever, but they’re inconsistent—some atmospheric, others tedious. Chase sequences, meant to inspire panic, sometimes come across as clunky due to awkward controls. Combat is sparse, but when it appears, it feels more like a chore than catharsis.

The pacing is deliberate, almost too much so. Fans looking for constant engagement may find stretches of exploration more meandering than meaningful.

Presentation

Visually, it’s a feast. The crimson flora motif is unforgettable, a unique take on Silent Hill’s “living nightmare.” The music, a blend of mournful strings and unsettling industrial tones, lingers long after playing. Performances are solid, though some supporting characters lack depth compared to the protagonist’s psychological spiral.

Verdict

Silent Hill f is an ambitious, bold reimagining of a classic franchise. It succeeds in atmosphere and storytelling but falters in gameplay execution. It’s uneven, but when it works, it’s terrifying in a way few modern horror games can match.

Final Score: 7/10 – Beautifully haunting, narratively powerful, but weighed down by uneven gameplay.