Konami has managed to set a high bar for Silent Hill f, which seems to be steering the franchise in an exciting new direction under the guidance of a talented team. This latest installment is ready to keep up the momentum created by last year’s phenomenal Silent Hill 2 remake, with the hope of bringing this iconic series back into the modern gaming spotlight.
Even though Silent Hill is a cherished franchise, it’s had its share of controversies. The early entries are not merely seen as top-tier horror games—they’re viewed as some of the greatest games ever made. However, past Silent Hill 4, the series began to lose its way, marked by inconsistent releases. The franchise took a significant hit in 2014 when Konami parted ways with Hideo Kojima, who was supposed to partner with Guillermo Del Toro on Silent Hills. In the years that followed, both Konami and Silent Hill’s reputations took a nosedive, especially with the company choosing to leverage the franchise for unpopular ventures like pachinko machines. With things on the upswing now, Silent Hill f is tasked with maintaining that positive momentum.
It’s been an unexpected journey for the Silent Hill series, with Bloober Team’s Silent Hill 2 remake delighting both new players and longtime fans with its faithful retelling of the original’s legendary story. But before we get too carried away, it’s sobering to remember that the two Silent Hill projects that came before the remake weren’t received nearly as well, cementing doubts some held about the series in its current era.
Silent Hill: Ascension, which was a community-driven, interactive story, faced a wave of criticism for its mishandling of sensitive topics and an apparent over-interest in trauma. The project seemed to take all the wrong cues from classics like the original Silent Hill 2, focusing more on shock value than storytelling nuance. Criticism even reached a point where Genvid, Ascension’s developer, had to publicly deny claims that AI had written its script.
The troubles didn’t end there. Silent Hill: The Short Message, while not as heavily criticized as Ascension, still fell short of being considered a standout entry in the series. Its reviews ranged from average to quite negative, with many dismissing it as more of a silly spoof than a serious installment. Despite being free-to-play, it seems to have faded from public memory as quickly as it appeared, which says volumes about its impact.
There’s a sense of hope, though, with Silent Hill f having the potential to reset the series’ trajectory. The Silent Hill 2 remake was brilliant, but it drew on an already cherished narrative. Creating something new, as Ascension and The Short Message attempted, is a different beast entirely. Now, Silent Hill f finds itself in a position to guide the series into a bright future.
Fortunately, Silent Hill f looks promising. Its recent trailer offers a peek into its truly terrifying atmosphere and visuals that maintain the essence of Silent Hill, all while introducing fresh elements. With a passionate team at the helm, the game might just succeed in breathing new life into the franchise, offering a thrilling and polished new chapter. If all goes well, Konami will be able to look forward rather than backward, with confidence in what the future holds.
