Silent Hill F is the newest entry in the Silent Hill franchise, released on September 25, 2025. The game is set in 1960s Japan and follows Hinako Shimizu, a young woman whose hometown becomes engulfed in an unsettling fog. As the story unfolds, the town is slowly overtaken by grotesque, plant-like creatures and a spreading infection that consumes both people and the environment.
The gameplay
At its core, Silent Hill F is a survival horror game built around exploration, puzzles, and careful resource management. You’ll move between fog-covered streets, abandoned buildings, and rural areas while collecting items that help you progress.
Unlike earlier entries in the series, the protagonist doesn’t use firearms. Instead, you rely on melee weapons and stealth. Each weapon has a durability system, forcing you to think twice before engaging in combat. Consumables such as healing items are also limited, so players are encouraged to plan carefully and avoid unnecessary fights.
Puzzles remain a central part of the experience. They range from environmental challenges to more abstract problem-solving, and most of them feel rewarding once solved. Combat plays a more prominent role here than in past Silent Hill games, which might surprise long-time fans, but the overall structure and atmosphere remain consistent with the series.
The graphics
The game is built in Unreal Engine 5, and it makes full use of the technology. Environments are detailed and atmospheric, combining traditional Japanese settings with disturbing elements of decay and infection. Monster designs are unsettling, blending floral imagery with body horror in a way that stands out visually.
Performance is stable, and on my system the game ran smoothly without major issues. For those considering whether their PC can handle it, here are the official requirements:
MINIMUM
Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
OS: Windows 11 x64
Processor: Intel Core i5-8400 / AMD Ryzen 5 2600
Memory: 16 GB RAM
Graphics: NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 1070 Ti or AMD Radeon™ RX 5700
DirectX: Version 12
Storage: 50 GB available space
RECOMMENDED
Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
OS: Windows 11 x64
Processor: Intel Core i7-9700 / AMD Ryzen 5 5500
Memory: 16 GB RAM
Graphics: NVIDIA® GeForce® RTX 2080 or AMD Radeon™ RX 6800XT
DirectX: Version 12
Storage: 50 GB available space
How scary is it?
The horror in Silent Hill F comes more from atmosphere than constant shock value. Environments feel oppressive and strange, with locations that balance everyday familiarity and unsettling distortion. Monster encounters can be sudden and frightening, and I was caught off guard by a good handful of the frights.
That said, compared to the Silent Hill 2 Remake released last year, this game felt slightly less intense. It’s unsettling and often disturbing, but it leans more on tension and unease than on overwhelming fear. Depending on what you look for in a horror game, this can be seen as either a strength or a limitation depending on what you personally look for in a horror game.
Closing thoughts
Silent Hill F is a strong addition to the series. It experiments with new ideas—especially in combat—while keeping the atmosphere, puzzles, and storytelling that define Silent Hill.
It may feel different from earlier entries, but it still captures the essence of the franchise. For returning fans, it’s a fresh interpretation. For new players, it serves as an accessible entry point without requiring prior knowledge of the series.
If you want a horror game that mixes atmosphere, survival elements, and a distinct setting, Silent Hill F is worth playing this October.
