Early reviews of Silent Hill f are in. Visuals, sound design and setting praised, though some combat issues noted.
Silent Hill f already enjoys a positive review consensus. Only 8% of critics have mixed feelings about its gameplay, especially the fighting sequences.
SH f is a brand-new entry in the franchise, transporting its players to 1960s Japan. Developed by NeoBards and written by Ryukishi07 (author of brilliant visual novels like Higurashi no Naku Koro ni), the title offers an entirely fresh take on the classic Silent Hill formula. The first reviews confirm that statement by praising SH f for its unique visuals, scenery, and haunting vibe!
The unexpected shift of the setting to Japan and the introduction of gameplay innovations to the iconic Silent Hill series may sound like a recipe for disaster. Still, recent reviews show that the developer knows exactly what it’s doing. As we can see on Metacritic, early reviewers praise the title for its suffocating aura, visuals, multiple endings, and clever writing. The game is so impressive that many consider it equal to, or even better than, Silent Hill 2.
As Radio Times writes (rating 5/5), “Silent Hill f marks the return of the franchise in a big way. It’s revitalised, it’s exciting, it’s haunting, and it’s terrifying. With the doors wide open for more horror and experimentation to expand the franchise, I can’t wait for more.”
According to Dexerto (rating 5/5), “Silent Hill f is a bold new direction for Konami’s iconic survival horror series. While it may put a heavier emphasis on combat, NeoBards has expertly concocted a nightmarish cocktail oozing with enough stomach-churning monsters, disgustingly beautiful environments, and psychological dread to be just as good, if not better than, Silent Hill 2.”
Dexerto’s comment about the battle isn’t the only one, as many reviewers point out its lack of refinement. As IGN notes (rating 70/100), “Silent Hill presents a fresh new setting to explore and a fascinatingly dark story to unravel, but its melee-focused combat takes a big swing that doesn’t quite land.”
We can see a similar review from GAMES.CH (DE) (rating 73/100) – “Silent Hill f shows some good approaches and, in some parts, even presents itself as innovative for the series, without losing sight of the essence of Silent Hill. But the unintuitive, schematic, and too sluggish combat system significantly dampens gameplay and immersion. [https://www.metacritic.com/game/silent-hill-f/]
However, most reviewers seem willing to overlook the average fighting sequences in favor of experiencing the unique vibe of this brand-new title. Aside from this one underdeveloped feature, SH f truly delivers something fans have been waiting for ever since the release date of the unbeatable Silent Hill 2. This leaves us with one question: Will the new changes appeal to fans of classic Silent Hill games?
As player feedback on these reviews confirms on Reddit, series enthusiasts don’t care all that much about the battles. In response to the critics’ reviews, one player wrote, “I’m sold. I don’t play Silent Hill for the combat.”
But it was user ConstructionMurky469 who best summed up players’ expectations by writing:
Comment
byu/More_Comfortable_139 from discussion
insilenthill
Since SH f is currently the sixteenth most-wishlisted title on Steam, we can safely say that the unfavorable reviews didn’t kill the hype for this latest entry in the series! And as a reminder, SH f is set to release on September 25, 2025, for PC, Xbox Series X/S, and PlayStation 5, so hurry up to pre-order its Deluxe Edition for 48-hour early access and play before everyone else!