Silent Hill f review – fascinating horror game maims the monsters teenage girls face

In a genre where frenetic gameplay often takes centre stage, Silent Hill f is an anomaly - a slow-burning descent into psychological horror that demands patience and attention. Set in 1960s Japan, this game not only pays homage to the classic Silent Hill formula but also tackles complex themes of misogyny, societal expectations, and patriarchal control with unnerving effect.

Protagonist Hinako Shimizu's world is one of repression and constraint, her father's cruelty towards his wife and daughter a stark reminder of the stifling social norms that govern the small town of Ebisugaoka. Her relationships with friends Shu and Rinko are equally complicated, each harboring secrets and desires that simmer just below the surface. When an apocalyptic fog descends on the town, Hinako's world is turned upside down, and she finds herself confronting a range of twisted monsters that embody her deepest fears.

The game's use of rural Japanese mythology and superstition to explore themes of femininity, power, and societal expectations is nothing short of fascinating. By embracing the "monstrous-feminine" trope, Silent Hill f delves into the same anxieties and revulsions that have haunted horror cinema for decades - the female reproductive body being a source of abject dread.

Visually, the game is a stunning success, with each location meticulously detailed and imbued with atmosphere. From the desolate farmland to the shadowy halls of the spirit world, every environment serves the narrative with quiet effectiveness. Combat is stilted, but that's always been the case in survival horror - we're not soldiers or cops here; we're just ordinary teenagers trying to survive.

As Hinako navigates this twisted world, she must confront her own relationships and desires head-on. The game's cinematic scenes are brief but telling, capturing the complexities of friendships and societal expectations with remarkable nuance. And when it comes to endings, Silent Hill f delivers a range of outcomes that are both ghastly and hilarious - a testament to the game's willingness to push boundaries.

Ultimately, Silent Hill f is a horror game that has something to say - and says it quite loudly. By using rural mythology and superstition as a lens through which to examine patriarchal control and societal expectations, it proves that the survival horror genre still has so much to give, even 30 years after its inception. So come to Ebisugaoka with an open mind, and be prepared to immerse yourself in this slow-burning descent into psychological horror.

OMG I'm low-key obsessed w/ Silent Hill f rn! Like, who knew horror games could be so deep & meaningful? The way they tackle misogyny & societal expectations is EVERYTHING And the atmosphere is straight fire I mean, have you seen those cinematic scenes? They're SO tellingly nuanced . And can we talk about the protagonist Hinako for a sec? She's so relatable w/ her complicated relationships & inner demons . The game's use of rural mythology is genius . It's like they took all these traditional Japanese superstitions and turned them into a commentary on patriarchal control . And don't even get me started on the endings - I'm still reeling from some of them . If you haven't played Silent Hill f yet, WHAT ARE YOU EVEN DOING WITH YOUR LIFE? Go play it now and thank me later

omg u guys silent hill f is literally the best game i've played all year i mean don't get me wrong ppl who like fast paced gaming can keep their frenetic gameplay but for me its all about the atmosphere and storytelling and silent hill f nails it the way they use rural japanese mythology to explore feminist themes is so cool hinako's world is literally my worst nightmare and i love how the game doesn't shy away from tackling hard topics like misogyny and societal expectations i also need to give a shoutout to the combat mechanics which are super stilted but in a survival horror kinda way

omg I am LOVING this new silent hill game they did something so unique here - the whole femininity & power thing is just fascinating , like they're really exploring some deep anxieties and revulsions that we haven't seen in a while. and can we talk about how stunningly beautiful the environments are? I mean I'm not usually into super realistic graphics but this just feels... hauntingly lovely . and yeah combat is definitely stilted, but i think that's what makes it so scary - we're not expecting to be able to take down monsters like we would in other games. anyway can't wait to dive in & experience all the slow-burning terror for myself

I'm totally downplaying the whole Silent Hill f thing - it's just another game that's trying too hard to be deep and meaningful . I mean, who needs all those complex themes about misogyny and societal expectations when you can just have some dude jump out of a closet and scream at you? And don't even get me started on the whole "monstrous-feminine" trope - it's just a bunch of tired old cliches rehashed to fit into this game. The combat is super stilted, like they want us to feel bad for Hinako or something , and the cinematic scenes are way too short - I wish there were more cutscenes that showed our character having a beer with friends or whatever .

And honestly, the whole point of this game is just to tell us something about patriarchal control and societal expectations... like, duh? Who doesn't already know that? It's not like it's some groundbreaking revelation or anything. I mean, we've been watching horror movies for decades - how much more do we need to be told about the horrors of misogyny and patriarchy?

omg u gotta check out silent hill f!!! it's like the perfect blend of creepy atmosphere and deep storytelling i love how it tackles those heavy themes of misogyny and societal expectations its not your average jump scare fest, its more about the psychological horror that'll leave u sleeping with the lights on lol the way they incorporate rural japanese mythology is so cool too! the graphics are stunning and the combat is super stilted which just adds to the tension overall i think its a total game-changer for the survival horror genre, trust me you won't regret it

Silent Hill f is like a masterclass in psychological horror - it's all about the atmosphere and tension, not just fast-paced action... I mean, who needs run-and-gun nonsense when you can slowly creep up on your fears with Hinako? The way they explore themes of misogyny and patriarchal control through rural Japanese mythology is really fascinating, it's like a commentary on societal expectations without being too heavy-handed. And those monsters? They're like the manifestation of our deepest fears, you know? But what I love most about this game is how it doesn't shy away from showing its characters' flaws and complexities - it's all so relatable. The visuals are stunning, every location feels so immersive and detailed... I can totally see why people would be hooked on this game for hours on end!

I'm low-key obsessed with Silent Hill f right now! The way it explores themes of misogyny and patriarchal control is super unsettling but also kinda necessary - we need more games like this that aren't afraid to get real about problematic societal norms. The atmosphere in the game is seriously immersive, and I love how they used rural Japanese mythology to shed light on some pretty dark issues. It's not for everyone, but if you're into slow-burning horror with a side of social commentary, Silent Hill f might be just the thing to freak you out... in a good way

oh my goodness i just finished playing silent hill f and i am still reeling from the experience it's like a masterclass in building tension and unease. the way they tackle those heavy themes of misogyny and patriarchal control is so thought-provoking i loved how the game didn't shy away from exploring the complexities of femininity and power, even if it was uncomfortable to watch at times the atmosphere is just stunning too - every location feels like a character in its own right, and the visuals are just gorgeous what really got me though was how the game made me feel seen and heard as a woman, you know? like my feelings and emotions were being validated in this twisted world anyway, if you're a fan of horror games or just looking for something new to sink your teeth into, silent hill f is a must-play

omg I'm low-key obsessed w/ Silent Hill f it's like the devs took all these heavy themes & emotions & just... put them on a plate for you to devour. I mean, who needs fast-paced action when u can have a slow-burning fire of anxiety & dread building up inside u? the game's use of rural mythology is so underrated btw it adds this whole other layer of depth to the story that's just mindblowing

omg u gotta try silent hill f!!! it's like the ultimate slow burn horror game i mean we r used to fast paced action games but this one its all about patience & atmosphere the way they incorporate rural japanese mythology is insane and the way hinako's world is turned upside down is just masterfully done the combat might be stilted but that's half the point of survival horror, right? i love how it delves into themes of femininity & societal expectations too - it's like they're speaking straight to ur soul and dont even get me started on the endings lol some are hella creepy while others are just plain hilarious what r u waiting for, go play it now!