Silent Hill f has finally been revealed, and despite the lack of a release date, it’s already dazzling with its creature designs, oppressive atmosphere, and intriguing story. Writer Ryukishi07 shared his thoughts on the official site (translation via Gematsu) on the franchise and how he’s poured “all my efforts into this story.”
“To this day, I remember the feeling of my first encounter with the suffocating and oppressive atmosphere of Silent Hill. It still deeply haunts me, and it still utterly fascinates me. It’s an honor to find myself involved with a series I have so many memories with.
“I’ve poured all my efforts into this story, so much so that I don’t think I would mind if it was the last thing I ever wrote. To me, the Silent Hill series is more than just a collection of stories, it’s a medium; an amazing, phenomenal way of exploring and experiencing a person’s heart and mind. It’s my hope that players out there will come to appreciate it in the same way. And to all of our overseas friends, I hope you’ll enjoy a look at what Silent Hill might be like if set somewhere a little different, like Japan.”
Character and creature designer kera also outlined their love for the franchise, noting how Silent Hill f’s monster designs were “the hardest” to create. “I love the Silent Hill series, and it’s been a big influence on me. In particular, I am constantly remembering Silent Hill 2, the messages on the walls, the music, and the monster designs.
“So, when it came to Silent Hill f, and bringing the setting to Japan, we had to come up with something that felt just a little different, and I had to really think about how to get that feeling. The monster designs were the hardest. I had to consider everything that’s come in Silent Hill before and figure out how to take this game in a different direction, but still be Silent Hill. It might not be the exact same blood-smeared, rusting scenery, but I sincerely hope you’ll enjoy our vision and the world we’ve created.”
Silent Hill f is in development for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC. It’s set in a fictional town in 1960s Japan facing the dreaded fog. Shimizu Hinako is the protagonist – a troubled student under all kinds of societal pressure (with content warnings including bullying and child abuse). Caught up in the horrors of the fog, she must fight, solve puzzles, and ultimately survive.
The trailer offered glimpses of some creatures players will encounter, including twisted figures with knives, rapidly spreading red flowers, amalgamations of heads and arms, and more. Stay tuned for more details and a potential release date, especially since it was rated recently in South Korea.