Silent Hill f: Behind the Scenes

June 12, 2025

The latest KONAMI PRESS START stream included a behind the scenes featurette revealing the creative vision and development process behind Silent Hill f as well as presenting new gameplay.

With Silent Hill f, the design team aims to reintroduce the pure essence of Japanese horror into the franchise, hence the selection of the Asian-based Neobards, whose members are longtime Silent Hill fans and experienced game developers.Silent Hill f shifts the setting from the traditional American town of Silent Hill to Japan, specifically to a Shōwa-era environment rich in traditional customs and superstitions. The developers focus heavily on integrating Japanese horror’s hallmark blend of beauty and terror, aiming to create a hauntingly beautiful yet disturbing atmosphere. The protagonist, Hinako, is designed to be an ordinary person, reflecting Silent Hill’s tradition of relatable characters amidst extraordinary horrors.

Key aspects of development include crafting a fresh but accessible combat system, designing levels inspired by authentic Japanese locations such as schools and shrines, and preserving the narrative flow atop Ryukishi07’s unique storytelling style. The narrative and environment cooperation between Neobards, Konami, and Ryukishi07 ensures the maintenance and evolution of the Silent Hill series’ signature psychological horror by embedding Japanese cultural nuances and sensibilities. The result aims to appeal both to Asian players, through familiar cultural elements, and to Western players, by presenting a strikingly novel horror experience.