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The humidity in Tokyo has reached 35 degrees, and, unfortunately, so have the death tolls. Since the Edo period, summer in Japan has been tied to the emergence of supernatural entities. This season is notorious for a malevolent spirit’s presence. As temperatures rise, the boundaries between the living and the deceased start to dissolve, allowing trapped ghosts to potentially cross into our world.

Amidst this stifling atmosphere, I found myself exploring the mist-wrapped landscape of Japan in Silent Hill F. Set in the fictional town of Holy Island during the 1960s, players step into the dusty shoes of Hinako, a misunderstood teenage girl. Regardless of the summer season, Hinako’s journey begins in a dark setting as she escapes from her abusive, alcoholic father, wandering the intricately crafted streets of her homeland. Unable to live up to the beauty of her older sister, she faces ridicule from her peers.

“Gender is a central theme in the story,” hints series producer Motoi Okamoto. “We can’t delve into too much detail, but the 1960s marked the beginning of the women’s rights movement in Japan, which significantly influenced our choice of setting.”

Despite the town’s eerie ambiance, Evisugaoka presents a beautifully luxurious virtual environment. As we explore the streets, we’re compelled to inspect every cobblestone nook, slide open translucent bamboo doors, and admire the exquisite details of each Inazumi Shrine. This is a refreshing departure from the typical depictions of Japan in games, often portraying neon-lit Tokyo or the epic tale of an ancient samurai.

“Japanese horror games set in Japan haven’t seen any significant releases in the last decade,” claims Okamoto. “While Silent Hill has traditionally blended Western and Japanese horror, I’ve noticed Japan’s essence slowly diminishing. This is why Silent Hill F aims to enhance the Japanese theme more robustly.”

It doesn’t take long for the town’s unsettling charm to devolve into pure terror. As fog envelops Evisugaoka, Hinako is pursued by a puppet show, chasing the strikingly beautiful red tendrils sprouting from the ground. These crimson flowers can ensnare your feet during battles, leaving you helpless as a mannequin-like monster gazes upon you with judgment.

Notably, Silent Hill F does not feature firearms; instead, Hinako wields various makeshift weapons: daggers, baseball bats, and even magic. The gameplay consists of intense melee combat, with perfectly-timed dodges and counters replenishing Hinako’s stamina for follow-up attacks, evoking a dark, Souls-like survival horror atmosphere.

“One of my early goals for this game was to incorporate more action,” explains Okamoto. “However, being a horror game, we can’t fully commit to action without balancing it with tense moments. I believe we’ve achieved a delicate equilibrium.”

At first, I was doubtful. The initial hour of Silent Hill F felt cumbersome and repetitive, with attacks and dodges that lacked precision, resulting in disorienting early deaths. But as I persevered through the frustrations, I eventually found myself more engaged during a heightened battle—a sign that the combat rhythm is there. While the uneven difficulty in this preview build may need adjustments before release, I’ve experienced a late demo boss that killed me over 30 times, yet the brutal battles meld seamlessly with survival horrors.

“Many people say they enjoy the thrill of horror games, but I believe what they truly appreciate is the tension,” remarks Al Yang, the game director from Neobaldo’s Konami. “The fear of the unknown is one aspect, but constant jump scares quickly become tiresome.”

Instead, Silent Hill F embeds stress into every system. Drawing from Lovecraftian elements, players must monitor a sanity meter and make offerings at shrines to stabilize Hinako’s mental state. “You need to keep track of how close your candle is really,” Yang emphasizes. That creates tension.”

As I navigated through the compact alleys, the tightly arranged streets transitioned into misty rice fields and eerie abandoned farms. Yet, despite the horrors lurking in Evisugaoka, every monster carries a relatable human thread in Silent Hill F. As the town descends into chaos and Hinako searches for her friends, flashbacks and poignant dialogues keep players invested in her journey across time. Like previous installments, each encounter possesses a dream-like quality, further grounded by the meticulously crafted 60s setting.

“When navigating historical periods, if you delve too deeply, it can become disconnected from our familiar reality and veer into fantasy,” states Ryukishi07, the screenwriter for Silent Hill F, regarding the 60s setting. “While rooted in reality now, there’s little space for interpretation. I’ve always appreciated the possibilities that arise from the interplay between past and present—that’s right where fantasy and reality converge.”

It feels fitting to revisit Silent Hill during Japan’s equivalent of Halloween. This franchise, once thought to be lifeless and buried, now rises again, much like the spirit of Japan.

“When I became involved with Silent Hill, my vision was to deliver more than just a remake,” Okamoto shares. “We could have merely appeased old fans with nostalgia, but I was hopeful for progression. I believe fans can place more faith in Silent Hill’s revival…and that this journey will continue.”

Silent Hill F is set to release on PC, PS5, and Xbox on September 25th.