Silent Hill Review – A Haunting Return to Form with Modern Flair

Silent Hill f, released on August 19, 2025, for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, marks a bold new chapter for Konami’s iconic horror franchise. Developed by NeoBards Entertainment with oversight from original series veterans, this reimagining of the Silent Hill universe introduces a rural Japanese setting and a fresh protagonist, while retaining the series’ psychological horror roots. Earning an impressive 86/100 (Generally Favorable), Silent Hill f delivers a chilling, atmospheric experience that blends classic tension with modern polish, though minor pacing issues and a steep price tag keep it from perfection. For fans and newcomers, it’s a triumphant return that rekindles the franchise’s eerie magic.

A Tale of Grief and Otherworldly Horror Set in a fog-shrouded 1960s Japanese countryside, Silent Hill f follows Ayako, a teenage girl drawn into a nightmarish dimension after a personal tragedy. The 12–15-hour campaign explores themes of guilt, loss, and redemption, unfolding through cryptic notes, unsettling visions, and encounters with grotesque creatures tied to Ayako’s psyche. The narrative is quintessential Silent Hill—dense, ambiguous, and emotionally raw—elevated by strong voice acting and a script that balances subtlety with horror. Unlike Silent Hill 2’s urban decay, the rural setting, with its decaying shrines and overgrown fields, feels fresh yet familiar. However, the story’s midsection drags with repetitive exploration segments, and some plot threads resolve abruptly. X posts praise the atmosphere—“It’s pure Silent Hill dread!”—but note, “The story loses steam before the finale.” Compared to 2025’s HOTEL BARCELONA, Silent Hill f’s narrative is far more cohesive, cementing its place as a series highlight.

Tense Gameplay with Modern Refinements Gameplay blends survival horror staples—exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat—with modern tweaks. Ayako navigates claustrophobic environments, solving intricate puzzles like decoding Shinto rituals or aligning constellation patterns, which feel rewarding and true to the series’ cerebral roots. Combat is deliberate, with scarce ammo and fragile weapons like pipes or revolvers, forcing players to choose between fighting or fleeing. New “Memory Shifts” let Ayako manipulate environments, like altering a room’s layout to reveal hidden paths, adding depth to exploration. While responsive, the controls can feel stiff during frantic encounters, and enemy variety is limited, with only a handful of creature types. A dynamic difficulty system adjusts enemy toughness based on player performance, enhancing accessibility, while options like subtitles and colorblind modes broaden appeal. Co-op is absent, but a New Game+ mode with alternate endings encourages replayability. X users lauded the tension: “Puzzles and monsters are terrifyingly perfect, but I wish there were more enemy types.”

A Visual and Auditory Nightmare Visually, Silent Hill f is a stunner, running at 4K/60 FPS on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, with a 30 FPS fidelity mode for enhanced detail. The Unreal Engine 5-powered world drips with atmosphere—moss-covered shrines, flickering lanterns, and a persistent fog create a haunting aesthetic. Creature designs, blending organic and surreal elements, are grotesque yet poignant, reflecting Ayako’s trauma. PC performance is solid, though some reported stuttering in dense areas, addressed in a day-one patch. Akira Yamaoka’s haunting soundtrack, paired with dynamic sound design—creaking wood, distant wails—amplifies the dread, while PS5’s DualSense haptics make every heartbeat and weapon recoil visceral. Compared to 2025’s Dead Space remake, Silent Hill f prioritizes atmosphere over gore, though its visuals occasionally lack texture variety.

A Worthy Revival with Room to Grow Priced at $70, Silent Hill f includes extras like a digital artbook and alternate costumes, but the absence of multiplayer or robust endgame content stings at this price. Accessibility features and a polished interface make it welcoming, but the campaign’s pacing hiccups and limited enemy roster prevent it from reaching the heights of Silent Hill 2’s remake. X feedback reflects the enthusiasm: “Best Silent Hill in years, but $70 feels steep for 15 hours.” Compared to Resident Evil 4’s remake, it leans harder into psychological horror than action, a choice fans appreciate.

Silent Hill f earns its 86/100 for its haunting atmosphere, gripping narrative, and polished presentation, making it a must-play for horror fans and a strong return for the franchise. While not flawless, its blend of classic dread and modern refinement sets a high bar for Konami’s future. Here’s hoping the series builds on this chilling foundation.