Silent Hill f is the first properly new title in the series since 2012’s Silent Hill: Downpour. There have been remasters and smaller entries since then, along with the well-reviewed Silent Hill 2 remake, but Silent Hill f being a new game is a big deal. 2025 in general is a big year for Konami, as they also released their first Metal Gear game, albeit a remake, in ages.
The great thing about the Silent Hill series is that it’s mostly an anthology horror setup where each game and story is different from the last. That also means that comparisons are inevitable. Since Silent Hill 2 remake was just released last year, let’s check in on all the ways Silent Hill f outdoes its predecessor, as well as the ways the remake shines brighter.
Good: The Opening Song
The Sound Design Is Foreign And Unreal
Silent Hill f is a game that demands to be played with headphones, even if players have a good sound setup. The Silent Hill 2 remake has a good sound system too, but Silent Hill f is more frightening, as there are many noises that will be unfamiliar to a Western audience.
The various bell and bug noises, for example, can throw players off in a good way. The true hero of the sound design is the opening song, “Mayoi Uta,” which is truly haunting and feels right at home with Japanese horror cinema.
Good: The Combat Upgrades
Dodging And Countering
In some ways, Hinako from Silent Hill f moves a bit slower than James in the Silent Hill 2 remake, but both of them are built like tanks. This comes with the territory of horror games, as tank controls have been part of the genre formula for a long time. That said, Hinako does have more combat moves at her disposal than James.
She can dodge enemies more swiftly as long as her Stamina is full. Good timing will execute a Perfect Dodge, and there is even a countering system. If players want to do more damage, they can also use Focus on an enemy in Silent Hill f if their Sanity levels are high enough. Finally, the item wheel is more accessible, and all of these things will help players with combat in the long run. They are also things that James in Silent Hill 2 distinctly lacks.
Bad: Breakable Weapons
Up A Creek And Without A Steel Pipe
Silent Hill f’s combat upgrades are indeed a positive, but there is one huge downside to the melee-focused design. Like many Silent Hill titles, Silent Hill f features weapon durability, which is something a lot of players don’t like, even in non-horror games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
Players can use Toolkits to repair their weapons in Silent Hill f, but they are a limited resource, so it’s not a perfect solution. The Silent Hill 2 remake has permanent melee and ranged weapons, which was a good change for the better.
Good: Monsters Are Aggressive
The f Stands For Frightening
This could be a positive or a negative for some, depending on what players want out of their horror games. If they want to feel in control during the game’s combat, then they should play the Silent Hill 2 remake, as monsters are easy to predict and slay, as most are slow-moving. They’re scary, but they don’t pose much of a threat.
Silent Hill f’s monsters, on the other hand, are born predators. These doll-like creatures will hide on roofs and give chase, which makes the game a more frightening experience, which is ultimately a good thing. Plus, some of them respawn in areas that can be frustrating, but again, this makes things scarier too.
Good: The RPG Elements
Make Hinako Stronger
Silent Hill f has some upgradable RPG mechanics if players like having sense of progression in their horror games. Players can find items called Ema, which they can use to upgrade things like Hinako’s Health, Stamina, and Sanity at shrines. They will need Faith to do this as well, which is like the game’s currency, and players get it by selling items.
Also, players can find accessories called Omamori, which create special effects like allowing Hinako to heal during combat without getting interrupted. Omamori slots can be upgraded at shrines, too. Suffice it to say, the Silent Hill 2 remake lacks this same RPG kick.
Bad: An Adult Story Is Better For Some
This Is A Teenage Wasteland
In many ways, the story in Silent Hill f is simpler than in Silent Hill 2. It’s about a high school girl with father issues who wanders into her town only to find it abandoned, save for some of her friends. While Hinako will meet strangers on her journey, it’s mostly filled with familiar characters who play things straight.
The Silent Hill 2 remake, on the other hand, is more unsettling as James tries to find his wife within the titular Silent Hill. Every character he comes across is lost, unhelpful, and strange. This sense of mystery adds to the terror, and for adults playing, this makes the Silent Hill 2 remake more unsettling. Teens may like Silent Hill f more, but overall, it’s a slightly less compelling narrative for a horror game.
Good: Hinako’s Notebook
Adds Charm To The World
Finally, to end things positively for Silent Hill f, there’s a cute element that makes Hinako a more charming protagonist as a teen. Whenever she sees something new, she will make a note in her journal. Sometimes she relates things that are currently happening to something from her past.
For example, there’s a UFO game she used to play with Shu when they were kids, and she draws an elaborate scene in her journal to illustrate this memory. It’s one of the few games where players will be frequently compelled to look at their journal, and James lacks that whimsy as a horror lead.