There’s a newSilent Hill ftrailer hot off the presses, which does far more to illuminate the game’s cerebral, unsettling story than the brief teaser Konami revealed back in 2022. Of course, as is typical forSilent Hill, the trailer also introduces a slew of tantalizingnew questions aboutSilent Hill f’s setting, story, and gameplay particulars.
Silent Hill fwill follow a teenage girl named Shimizu Hinako as she becomes embedded in a mysterious fog engulfing the small Japanese town of Ebisugaoka. This premise should sound immediately familiar to anyone with a cursory understanding ofSilent Hill, but Hinako’s story is ostensibly embarking into uncharted waters for the franchise, being far removed from its typical US setting. At the same time, certain tonal and thematic elements seem to be returning from previous entries, as Hinako’s age and vulnerability are more than a little reminiscent of Heather Mason, the heroine ofSilent Hill 3. Moreover, the intense, intimate psych-horror teased in theSilent Hill ftrailer could mean that the game is taking some notes fromSilent Hill 2.
Silent Hill f Has Silent Hill 2 Vibes, and That’s a Good Thing
Silent Hill 2’s Uncomfortable Psychological Horror Defines the Franchise
Silent Hill 2is regularly cited as the best entry in the series, and for good reason. The firstSilent Hillcertainly had psychological horror elements, but its narrative is far more entrenched in the external, supernatural facets of the titular town. That is to say, much of the horror is derived fromthe malignant actions of theSilent Hillcult, which protagonist Harry Mason is pitted against.Silent Hill 2massively underplays the cult’s importance in the story, and what’s left is intense, unfeeling, and inexplicable psychological torture leveled against James Sunderland, which is far more terrifying.
SinceSH2’s initial release, the series has attempted to recapture this psychological intensity, with mixed results. EvenSilent Hill 3, which is far more akin to the firstSilent Hilldue to its focus on the cult, draws upon Heather’s psyche for environmental and narrative elements in a manner similar toSilent Hill 2. But while post-SH2games have struggled to recreate the visceral nightmare ofJames Sunderland’s descent into madness,Silent Hill fcould strike the right balance with its approach.
Silent Hill f’s Hinako Looks Like an Appropriately Tortured Silent Hill Protagonist
Enigmatic though it may be,Silent Hill f’s most recent trailersuggests a number of evocative story details that hearken back toSH2. Hinako certainly seems to be struggling with some sort of psychological trauma or illness, even before the mysterious fog rolls into town, as she is depicted in a slight fugue state, staring into encroaching fog that only she can see, while surrounded by her friends. Voiceover indicates deep-seated paranoia on Hinako’s part: “Friends don’t last forever. They will betray you, eventually. Just as they say you betrayed them.”
These lines suggest that Hinako is plagued by guilt, or else she has a very severe persecution complex. The VO goes on to hint at a weighty decision, saying that it’s up to Hinako to decide “whether [her friends'] worth is justified.” Other notable story hints include the VO chastising Hinako for pretending “to not know what’s going on,” and a series of sketches of one male NPC, possibly indicating an obsession. Together, these elements paint a picture of an ethically ambiguous and complex character, more so than a traditional, aspirational hero, which seems like agreat protagonist forSilent Hill fto hang its hat on.
Silent Hill f
WHERE TO PLAY
In 1960s Japan, Shimizu Hinako’s secluded town of Ebisugaoka is consumed by a sudden fog, transforming her home into a haunting nightmare.As the town falls silent and the fog thickens, Hinako must navigate the twisted paths of Ebisugaoka, solving complex puzzles and confronting grotesque monsters to survive.Immerse yourself into Hinako’s world imagined by renowned author Ryukishi07, with entrancing music, including pieces by Akira Yamaoka, and beautiful visuals in a gripping tale of doubt, regret, and inescapable choices. Will Hinako embrace the beauty hidden within terror, or succumb to the madness that lies ahead?Discover a new chapter in the SILENT HILL series, blending psychological horror with a haunting Japanese setting.
