Konami is pushing for a big Silent Hill revival with a swathe of content, but Silent Hill f seems like it could have the most potential to truly revive the series. Konami's October 19 Silent Hill transmission revealed details on a bounty of horror in the fog, with no less than 4 new games and a new film, but not all of these look to have the same potential. Silent Hill f is a big unknown, but it looks different enough to capture the imagination.
Revealed after each of the other new Silent Hill game and movie announcements, Silent Hill f's trailer depicted a Japanese locale, a first for the series, as the others have all been set in America. No real details accompanied the cinematic trailer other than some credits, likely meaning this title is still a good way off. It also seems to potentially be the next sequential entry in the series, with its being reserved for the end of the show, though there's no way to know for sure at this early stage.
Silent Hill f brings new ideas and soul to the table, while seemingly looking to maintain the series' staple surreal horror qualities.The first two Silent Hill games were lightening in a bottle, and the sequels had the unfortunate task of appealing to what fans expected of the series, while also balancing new and interesting qualities to keep things fresh. The original Silent Hill games were followed by others developed outside Konami, which ultimately did not fare especially well, seemingly affected more by current media trends than a strong narrative interest. While risky, horror is at its best when it's unpredictable, and Silent Hill f looks ready to throw curveballs to longtime fans of the series.
Konami Is Putting Silent Hill F In Good Hands
Silent Hill f's change of location isn't the game's only apparent difference. Ryukishi07, an author and artist best known for their work on the When They Cry series, is credited for the new game's story. Konami has seemed content to put the Silent Hill license in new hands ever since the problems with Hideo Kojima and the lost Silent Hills game. Ryukishi07's work is predominately horror focusing on subverting expectations and getting readers/players to become attached to characters, often only to enact horrible fates upon them that may or may not be within the player's control. Needless to say, such a writing talent seems like it would fit naturally with the surreal and hopeless horror of Silent Hill.
Silent Hill is certainly a series with lots of ups and downs, successes and failures. Even with the bubbly honeymoon period of its return, it's perhaps unrealistic for fans to expect every new attempt at a new Silent Hill game to land, especially after the series had laid dormant for so long. Out of all the new Silent Hill titles however, Silent Hill f could have the best shot at returning a pulse to the revered horror series.
