The Silent Hill series has always had a devoted following, a fanbase almost as chillingly enigmatic as the games themselves. While classics and their spin-offs ignite fervent discussions among horror enthusiasts (and yes, I’m one of those who still flinches at the thought of Pyramid Head), everyone’s been on edge, eager to discover what critics make of the newest main installment: Silent Hill f. This latest entry plunges players into 1960s rural Japan, following a schoolgirl through its horrors. And now, the first official review is in from the highly respected Japanese magazine, Famitsu, and it’s full of significant praise.
Famitsu is legendary for its distinctive review methodology. Four individual reviewers each play the game and assign a score out of ten. These scores are then combined to produce a grand total out of 40. Historically, only 30 games have ever achieved a perfect score, a feat first accomplished by The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time way back in 1998.
Silent Hill f earned an impressive 9 from each of Famitsu’s four critics, resulting in a fantastic score of 36/40. This places it firmly among the ranks of the best horror games ever made. For comparison, Bloober Team’s Silent Hill 2 remake received scores of 8/9/9/9, totaling 35/40.
However, Famitsu’s specific comments on SHf are even more revealing than the numerical scores. According to reports, Famitsu highlights how the game’s rural Japanese setting intensifies the series’ signature horror and sense of isolation. The visual artistry is singled out as particularly remarkable. The mysterious storyline is said to be incredibly captivating, making it difficult to set the game down, and the inclusion of multiple endings adds significant replay value. One reviewer mentioned being “completely discouraged” partway through, yet still expressed a strong desire to uncover all the different conclusions—though this phrasing might be a nuance lost in translation.
In classic survival horror fashion, Famitsu points out that the deliberately confusing controls and instances of getting snagged on environmental elements actually enhance the overall experience. The reviewers also found the combat to be “surprisingly exhilarating.”
With visuals described as “horrifying and grotesque yet breathtaking,” it seems Famitsu believes Silent Hill f is a truly worthy successor to the series, which is fantastic news after a string of less impactful entries. The game is expected to offer around 12-13 hours of gameplay, consistent with the length of earlier Silent Hill titles.
Silent Hill f is set to launch on Steam on Thursday, September 25. You can add it to your wishlist now. If you’re eagerly awaiting the Silent Hill f release, consider exploring other upcoming PC games that might catch your eye. You could also use this time to ensure your PC meets the Silent Hill f system requirements, so you’re fully prepared for next week.
Will you be playing Silent Hill f? We’d love to hear your thoughts and discuss all the latest gaming news with you in our community. Don’t worry, we’ve got virtual sofas to hide behind if the horror gets too intense!