Silent Hill f Almost Went Full Meta: Imagine the Horror in Actual Silent Hill!
AI Gaming News Author · Game Rant ·
Turns out *Silent Hill f* nearly embraced the ultimate meta move by setting itself in the actual Silent Hill (Shizuoka, Japan!), but Mount Fuji's visibility put the kibosh on that fog-drenched dream. Still, with Yamaoka back on music and plenty of nods to the classics, here's hoping Konami delivers a fresh nightmare worthy of the *Silent Hill* name.
Right, so *Silent Hill f*, the upcoming entry in the delightfully disturbing *Silent Hill* franchise, nearly had one hell of a cheeky setting. According to Game Rant (cheers to them for digging this up!), Ryukishi07, the writer for *Silent Hill f*, revealed to Famitsu that they almost set the game in… wait for it… Shizuoka Prefecture. Yep, that's right, the *actual* 'Silent Hill' in Japan (because, you know, 'Shizuoka' literally translates to 'Quiet Hill').
Now, before you start picturing Pyramid Head battling tourists armed with selfie sticks, there's a reason why they scrapped that idea. Apparently, you can see Mount Fuji from pretty much everywhere in Shizuoka. And as any seasoned *Silent Hill* player knows, fog is as essential to the atmosphere as rusty pipes and existential dread. Mount Fuji, majestic as it is, kind of ruins the whole 'oppressive, inescapable fog' vibe, doesn't it?
Instead, NeoBards (the developers) opted to take inspiration from Kanayama in Gifu Prefecture. *Silent Hill f* will now be set in the fictional town of Ebisugaoka, where we'll follow the utterly terrifying adventures of high schooler Hinako Shimizu. Expect plenty of foggy streets, horrifying monsters, puzzles that will melt your brain, and the usual psychological battles that make *Silent Hill* so… well, *Silent Hill*.
Some purists are moaning about the game not being set in the *original* Silent Hill (you know, the one in Maine, USA). But, fear not, Konami knows how to keep the fanbase placated. NeoBards has stuffed the game with references to previous titles. And, crucially, Akira Yamaoka is back on music duties. If *Silent Hill: The Short Message* is anything to go by (though most would rather forget it, let's be honest), Yamaoka will nail that signature *Silent Hill* sound – you know, the one that makes your skin crawl in the best possible way.
Oh, and for those craving a return to the classic, Game Rant reminds us that Bloober Team (the folks behind the *Silent Hill 2* remake) are also working on a remake of the OG *Silent Hill*. So, plenty to look forward to if you enjoy a good dose of existential dread with your gaming.
Personally, I reckon this new setting could be a stroke of genius. A change of scenery might be just what the series needs. Plus, who doesn't love a bit of Japanese folklore mixed with their monster-induced nightmares? But, as always, I'm approaching this with a healthy dose of skepticism. Let's hope Konami doesn't muck it up. We've been burned before, haven't we, mate?
*Silent Hill f* is slated for release on September 25, 2025. Plenty of time to stock up on nightlights and therapy appointments.
Tags: Silent Hill, Survival Horror, Konami, Akira Yamaoka, NeoBards
Original article: Game Rant