Since the initial Silent Hill Transmission event in October 2022, fans of the franchise have been eagerly awaiting more details on the enigmatic Silent Hill f. Though it was announced alongside other significant projects like Silent Hill Townfall and the Silent Hill 2 remake by Bloober Team, it’s Silent Hill f that has piqued the most interest, thanks in large part to the involvement of the celebrated writer from the When They Cry series, Ryukishi07. The developer behind this project, NeoBards Entertainment, has a modest portfolio, mainly comprising a couple of recent Resident Evil spin-offs and various support roles and ports. Therefore, the fact that Silent Hill f presents itself as a mainline entry to the series — even in its initial teaser — was quite noteworthy.
Jump to March 2025, and Silent Hill f has been showcased in its very own segment of the Silent Hill Transmission. Although the presentation was somewhat scant on gameplay specifics and didn’t offer a release date, it succeeded in amping up the intrigue surrounding SHf. Set in the fictional town of Ebisugaoka during the 1960s, this game marks the first time the Silent Hill series steps into a Japanese setting, offering fans a novel perspective through the character Shimizu Hinako. The extended trailer provided more peeks into the game but also left audiences with more questions than answers, particularly regarding how it would manage a core mechanic emblematic of the Silent Hill experience.
In terms of gameplay, according to official sources, Silent Hill f will blend puzzle-solving with monster combat, staying true to its roots. While specific details on the game’s adjustable puzzle and combat difficulty levels are yet to be disclosed, eagle-eyed viewers have spotted the return of a classic combat element in the trailer. Hinako is depicted wielding a metal pipe, an iconic makeshift weapon frequently utilized by past protagonists of the series. Even set in 1960s Japan, the metal pipe remains a fitting choice. However, this raises the question of whether players can expect additional combat tools.
Typically, Silent Hill offers a range of weaponry beyond just a metal pipe. The precedent set by previous installments suggests a diverse arsenal, with melee and firearm options emerging as players progress. Weapons usually range from simple knives obtained early on to more sophisticated guns, hefty bludgeons, and even unique items like the Great Knife or a katana unveiled later in the game. Some titles in the series have experimented with breakable weapons, but Silent Hill f could innovate by offering a fresh take on how this renowned weapon is integrated.
Opting for a single weapon could present interesting advantages, especially in a survival horror context where evasion often trumps confrontation. The prominence of a specific weapon, such as Heather’s knife in Silent Hill 3, can imbue it with a sense of identity, and it seems Silent Hill f is positioning Hinako’s metal pipe in a similar light. Given the Japanese setting, the presence of a katana would make sense, whereas firearms might feel out of place compared to their prevalence in the American iterations of Silent Hill. This focus could align player expectations more realistically.
There’s a possibility that subsequent playthroughs might unlock additional combat tools. The katana could be an intriguing, if whimsical, addition. Nevertheless, Silent Hill f can craft a unique gameplay experience revolving around a singular pipe. By expanding the strategic options for offense and defense, the game could guide players to favor specific approaches. The notion of being saddled with an inadequate weapon, thereby encouraging players to dodge the nightmarish creatures rather than confront them, might deepen the horror immersion. It’ll be fascinating to see if Silent Hill f embraces this novel approach to the series’ signature combat style.
