SILENT HILL f Review — Ryukishi07’s Haunting 1960s Japan, Flawed Combat
A beautifully creepy Silent Hill spin-off that nails atmosphere, sound and art direction — but stumbles in combat and forces multiple replays to see the full story. Great for mood seekers, frustrating for those who hate clunky action.
SILENT HILL f drops you into a foggy 1960s Japanese town and leans hard into mood, folklore and Ryukishi07’s knack for unsettling mysteries. If you came for eerie sound design and gorgeous environments, this hits its mark — just don’t expect combat to carry the same polish.
You play as Hinako in Ebisugaoka, a compact but beautifully rendered mountain town that slowly folds into grotesque otherworlds. Core gameplay mixes exploration, inventory management, environmental puzzles (with difficulty-specific solutions), and frequent melee encounters. Combat uses stamina, a sanity/focus mechanic, weapon durability and counters — a Souls-like seasoning that divides opinions: bosses often land, regular encounters can feel repetitive and clunky. The game brags five endings; your first run gives a set outcome, then New Game+ runs reveal more scenes, different bosses and alternate routes. Audio is a highlight — 3D mix, Akira Yamaoka contributions and traditional Japanese textures make the soundscape memorable. Visuals are lush in 4K, the creature and shrine designs are striking, and the deluxe edition bundles soundtrack, artbook and a costume. Some PC players reported stutters and performance quirks at launch, but patches and settings tweaks have improved things for many.
SILENT HILL f is a beautifully written, gorgeously realised psychological horror with real narrative ambition — held back by divisive combat and a replay structure that demands patience. Pick it up on sale if combat is a dealbreaker; otherwise it’s worth playing for the mood alone.
Pros
- Stunning atmosphere, art direction and immersive 3D audio
- Layered, unsettling story by Ryukishi07 with meaningful symbolism
- High replay value — New Game+ changes, multiple endings and hidden scenes
Cons
- Combat feels clunky, stamina/durability systems often interrupt tension
- You must replay several times to see the full story — can feel tedious
Player Opinion
Players praise the atmosphere, visuals, soundtrack and Ryukishi07’s writing — many call the town and monster design standout elements. Criticism concentrates on combat (stamina, weapon degradation, clunky dodge) and pacing: forced fights and repeated content make some runs feel like a slog. Performance hiccups on certain PC setups and the need for multiple playthroughs to unlock the full truth pushed some to wait for a sale. If you love slow-burn psychological horror and digging through notes and cutscenes, you’ll likely be hooked; if you hate Souls-like stamina systems and repetitive combat, lower your expectations.