A beautiful yet horrifying experience...
After being announced in 2022 via livestream, Silent Hill F is the next instalment in the Silent Hill franchise, hopefully releasing this year. With the game being centred around 1960’s Japan, Silent Hill F is expected to offer fans a beautiful yet horrifying experience full of Japan’s rich cultural history against Silent Hill’s masterfully horrifying storylines.
Full of Japan's rich, cultural history against Silent Hill's masterfully horrifying storylines...
Last week, a reveal trailer was dropped on PlayStation’s YouTube channel, in it we get a glimpse of the world in which Silent Hill F will be placed. Cherry blossom trees cover the bleak and twisted town of Ebisugaoka in which our protagonist, Shimizu Hinako is tormented by a hideous figure covered in flowers.
Cherry blossom trees cover the bleak and twisted town of Ebisugaoka...
In classic Silent Hill fashion, fog covers most of the desolate and grey environment, but instead this game stylistically utilises bloodied crimson flowers to contrast the colour aesthetic of the world quite nicely. When opening the games Steam page, you are greeted with a lengthy warning which references ‘gender discrimination’, ‘child abuse’ and ‘torture’ to name a few, ending on the message “If you feel uncomfortable at any point while playing, please take a break from playing or speak to someone you trust”.
I am hoping that this game won't turn into a cesspit of gore and violence...
Undoubtedly, this has caused a stir amongst the gaming community with fans questioning just how far KONAMI are wishing to push the boundaries of psychological horror. Renowned author ‘Ryukishi07’ has been revealed as the main writer on the project whose works of fiction have been described as alternating between “macabre scenes and schoolboy humour.” which I hope he will bring to Silent Hill F and add a spin to the series which has never been seen before. That being said, I am hoping that this game won’t turn into a cesspit of gore and violence and still hold a tangible story line (which Ryukishi07 will no doubt have any trouble doing, being a horror writer for over 25 years).