Silent Hill F was released Sept. 25, 2025. It marks a revival of the iconic horror series, set this time in a Japanese high school during the 1960s.
The story follows Hinako Shimizu, a teenage girl investigating her hometown of Ebisugaoka, Japan, after it becomes consumed by fog and grotesque monsters. The narrative is written by Ryukishi07, best known for his “When They Cry” visual novel series. His vision promises a story that is both complex and deeply disturbing.
Silent Hill F’s plot draws heavily on psychological horror, exploring Hinako’s mental state and traumatic past. Players gradually uncover her backstory and connection to the supernatural events surrounding her. Puzzle-solving plays an important role, often requiring abstract thought. Like its predecessors, the game uses a third-person perspective, and its combat reflects the style of classic Silent Hill titles.
The visuals blend beauty and decay, presenting a haunting, plant-consumed world. Striking graphics create an unsettling environment that mixes Japanese folklore with Silent Hill’s signature psychological atmosphere. As in past installments, multiple endings are possible, shaped by the player’s choices and reflecting the protagonist’s growth.
The characters and setting further enrich the story. Hinako, burdened by cruel societal and family expectations, becomes quiet and withdrawn in the shadow of her abusive father. The town of Ebisugaoka, a fading mountain community steeped in devotion to the fox deity O-Inarisama, reflects her psychological torment. The town’s dark history becomes as much a character as Hinako herself.
Along her journey, Hinako encounters childhood friends Shu, a doctor’s son who secretly loves her, and Sakuko, a dreamy ritual expert. Other figures include a mysterious person in a fox mask and a host of monstrous creatures born from the town’s corruption.
Silent Hill F fuses folklore, psychological horror, and survival gameplay, offering players a deeply immersive and terrifying experience in a world both beautiful and grotesque.
