Silent Hill f has arrived, bringing a fresh, albeit divisive, experience to the iconic horror franchise. Set in 1960s Japan, the game is lauded for its ambitious narrative and striking visuals, but faces criticism for its clunky combat and inconsistent atmosphere. Reviews highlight a compelling story that explores heavy themes, yet the gameplay mechanics, particularly combat, have proven to be a significant sticking point for many.
Key Takeaways
- Narrative Ambition: The game is praised for its bold and engaging story, tackling complex themes with a unique approach.
- Visuals and Atmosphere: Cinematics are beautifully directed, and the environments, while sometimes inconsistent, offer moments of genuine dread.
- Combat Woes: The melee-based combat system is frequently described as awful, atrocious, tedious, and frustratingly sludgy.
- Pacing Issues: Some sections are noted as being dull and drawn-out, with disjointed pacing contributing to the overall experience.
- Return to Form Potential: Despite its flaws, many see Silent Hill f as a significant step for the series, offering a unique and memorable, if imperfect, horror experience.
A Bold Narrative in a Troubled Package
Critics have widely acknowledged Silent Hill f’s narrative ambition, with writer Ryukishi07’s engagement with themes of gender, family, and maturity being a standout feature. The game’s story, centered around protagonist Hinako in 1960s Japan, is described as intriguing and emotionally weighty. The cinematic presentation and performances further elevate these narrative elements, making for compelling moments that can even drive players to seek multiple playthroughs to uncover hidden revelations.
The Combat Conundrum
However, the gameplay mechanics, particularly the combat, have been a major point of contention. Reviewers consistently describe the melee combat as one of the worst experienced, citing slow, frustrating, and overly complex systems that detract from the horror. The inclusion of stamina, sanity bars, weapon durability, and intricate counterattack mechanics is seen by some as unnecessary padding for a simple act of fighting. The enemy AI and janky dodge mechanics further exacerbate these issues, making encounters a chore rather than a thrill.
Atmosphere and Pacing
While the game successfully captures some of the series’ signature dread with its foggy alleyways and grotesque imagery, other environments are noted as being too mundane or clean, leading to an inconsistent atmosphere. The transitions between the real world and the otherworld are also criticized for being contrived or unexplained, contributing to a disjointed pacing. Despite these drawbacks, moments of genuine creepiness, such as the scarecrows, are highlighted as effective.
A Divisive but Memorable Experience
Ultimately, Silent Hill f is positioned as a game that inspires strong, opposing opinions. While some will be put off by its significant gameplay flaws, others will champion its creative risks, compelling story, and unique vision. It’s a title that, for better or worse, aims to push the boundaries of the Silent Hill franchise, offering an experience that is undeniably memorable, even if it stumbles along the way.
### Sources
- Silent Hill f review: a bold and daring new entry in the series that overcomes some serious flaws, TechRadar.
- I’ve been scared witless by Silent Hill f – but not on my PS5 Pro, T3.
- Silent Hill f review | PC Gamer, PC Gamer.
- A Banger Year For Horror Gaming — GameTyrant, GameTyrant.
- Silent Hill F would be better if the combat was less enjoyable, or if there was just less combat, PC Gamer.
