Silent Hill F thrusts players into a uniquely unsettling 1960s Japan, a setting that, while fresh, retains the series’ signature blend of atmospheric horror and mind-bending puzzles. Early in your venture into the chilling spirit realm, you’ll encounter a particularly stubborn obstacle: the Shrine Vault puzzle.
Please note: This comprehensive solution is tailored for the ‘Hard’ puzzle difficulty, which is considered the standard challenge setting for the game.
Cracking the Shrine Vault Puzzle
To unlock the Shrine Vault, you must locate and interact with three specific ‘Ema’ – small wooden plaques – scattered across three distinct locations. This intricate process begins immediately after you acquire the ceremonial knife and follow the enigmatic Fox mask man into a new, locked area. While your in-game map will highlight the general vicinity of these three locations, the key lies in identifying the correct Ema within each. Each area contains only one relevant Ema, and once you’ve successfully extracted its symbol, that specific spot will no longer be interactive.
It’s worth mentioning that the exact Ema placement might vary between playthroughs, but rest assured, only one unique symbol awaits in each designated area. If your initial search in a location yields no results, simply move on to the next one.
The symbols required for the combination lock are prominently displayed on Emas featuring distinct designs. While the precise combination order is found within your in-game journal, the three crucial Ema symbols you’re hunting for are:
- Lightning
- Decayed Tree
- Kudzu (a pink flower accompanied by large green leaves)
For clarity, here’s a description of each:
There’s no need to manually jot down these symbols; they are automatically recorded in your journal the moment you discover them. Once all three symbols are safely logged, head back to the combination lock. Input the symbols precisely as they appear in a top-down sequence within your journal, and the path forward will be revealed.