Silent Hill f Fans Divided Over Soulslike Combat Ahead of September 25 Release

Silent Hill f is bringing a brand-new story, a 1960s Japanese setting, and a heavy focus on melee combat — but that combat is exactly what’s splitting the fanbase before launch. While the game looks incredible in terms of detail, design, and atmosphere, early footage has raised concerns about “soulslike” elements, enemy reactions, and degradable weapons. Some players are excited about the change in pace, while others fear it might compromise the series’ core psychological horror identity.

The new entry follows Shimizu Hinako, a teenager from the rural town of Ebisugaoka, whose home becomes shrouded in fog and transformed into a nightmarish version of itself. Players will explore the town, solve puzzles grounded in psychological themes, and face grotesque enemies designed by artist Kera. The story, written by When They Cry creator Ryukishi07, builds toward a “beautiful yet terrifying” choice that defines the game’s ending.

One of the biggest talking points right now is the shift to a more action-oriented combat system compared to last year’s Silent Hill 2 remake. Pre-release footage shows Hinako wielding melee weapons like pipes and knives, facing off against mannequin-like enemies in close-quarters encounters. These fights feature challenging patterns and counter timings that some players feel are closer to Sekiro or other soulslike games than traditional Silent Hill. While some enjoy the added intensity, others believe it risks alienating fans who value tension and atmosphere over mechanical precision.

Weapon degradation has also been singled out. While it’s not new to the series — Silent Hill 4: The Room and Silent Hill Origins had similar mechanics — the concern is that it might discourage exploration. One fan pointed out that if weapons break too quickly, players may avoid searching for memos or hidden details just to conserve resources. This, they fear, could limit the immersive, slow-burn pacing that defines Silent Hill.

There’s also the matter of enemy hit reactions. In multiple gameplay clips, enemies seem unresponsive until their health is nearly depleted, particularly when struck with heavy weapons. Longtime players have noted that even the original PS1 game had flinch animations for every hit, and the lack of that feedback in 2025 feels like a step backward. As one comment summed it up:

“It’s 2025, and even the original had better hit reactions.”

This split in opinion mirrors the lead-up to the Silent Hill 2 remake, which faced its own skepticism before launch. That game eventually became one of the most celebrated horror titles in recent years, even earning perfect scores from some critics. The hope is that Silent Hill f will follow the same path — winning over doubters once they can play it themselves.

For context, Silent Hill f was first revealed in 2022 as part of Konami’s four-game revival plan. It took until March 2025 for significant new information to surface, by which time Silent Hill 2 remake had been released to acclaim. Developer Neobards Entertainment, known for assisting on Resident Evil projects, is leading production, with Akira Yamaoka and Kensuke Inage composing a score that blends nostalgia with a fresh Japanese horror tone.

The game’s core design philosophy — “Find the beauty in terror” — is reflected in its four main pillars: authentic 1960s Japan environments, striking monster designs that merge elegance with dread, puzzles tied to psychological anguish and Japanese culture, and unique, melee-focused combat. These elements aim to make Silent Hill f accessible for newcomers while delivering enough depth and atmosphere for longtime fans. In our earlier coverage of why Silent Hill f isn’t set in the real Silent Hill, we noted how the setting shift opened up new storytelling opportunities without abandoning the franchise’s essence.

Importantly, this is a standalone spinoff, meaning you don’t need prior series knowledge to enjoy it. That’s something Konami has emphasized repeatedly, as we also mentioned in our guide for newcomers to Silent Hill f. The developers have also included Easter eggs for returning fans — small nods that connect it to the larger Silent Hill universe.

Pre-orders are live across platforms, with PS5 players benefiting from an enhanced graphics mode on PS5 Pro that maintains visual fidelity at a stable framerate. That should make for smoother melee sequences and richer environmental detail. As we covered in our pre-order breakdown, the game leans into both psychological storytelling and intense survival challenges, giving players multiple reasons to dive in on day one.

Still, the debate over combat won’t be settled until players get their hands on it. Some believe the souls-like comparison is overblown, pointing out that Silent Hill has always evolved its gameplay between entries. Others feel the tone and pacing could suffer if mechanics take too much inspiration from action-driven genres. Whatever the outcome, the wait is nearly over, and the fog will roll in for everyone on September 25.