Arriving this September, 'Silent Hill f' stars a high school girl brandishing a steel pipe—a sight that has certainly turned some heads. The production team confirmed that this title focuses heavily on melee combat, marking a departure from the Silent Hill 2 remake by cranking up the action elements.

Sony Interactive Entertainment shared the key takeaways from the 'Silent Hill f Tokyo Media Premiere' via the official PlayStation Blog on the 1st. The event featured Konami producer Motoi Okamoto, composer Akira Yamaoka, writer Ryukishi07, and Neobards Entertainment director Al Yang and producer Albert Lee.

The real talking point here is the shift toward melee-centric combat. Producer Okamoto noted, "Every weapon you pick up in this title is for close-quarters engagement. You'll need to read monster movements carefully, choosing between evasion and striking with split-second improvisation."

When pushed into a corner, players can rely on a 'deflection' mechanic. Perfectly dodging an attack triggers a counter-evasion that restores stamina, allowing for a follow-up strike. It’s all about resource management—health, stamina, sanity, and weapon durability. Director Yang added, "It’s a system designed to reflect the protagonist's adrenaline-fueled tension while being hunted, rather than just mindless action."

During the follow-up interview, the team addressed the elephant in the room: while last year’s Silent Hill 2 remake intentionally sidelined action, this one feels like the polar opposite. Producer Okamoto explained, "The Silent Hill 2 remake was rooted in staying faithful to the original's flavour. With this title, we wanted to embrace the joy of action from the start. We know the series isn't exactly known for high-octane combat, but we wanted to explore that potential, which is why we chose Neobards Entertainment—a studio that excels at action games—to broaden our reach to new players seeking a tense experience."

Beyond the combat, we learned that 'Silent Hill f' is set in 1960s Japan, featuring a labyrinthine map designed to disorient. Producer Okamoto explained, "With complex buildings creating blind spots and visibility hampered by fog and darkness, the game thrives on the tension of not knowing where the next threat is lurking."

The game blends beauty with grotesque visuals, punctuated by Japanese-style puzzles. Writer Ryukishi07 mentioned researching historical events from 1960s Japan, which influence the narrative. The puzzles, too, are intricately woven into the story and the protagonist's emotional state.

Expect five different endings, including the series’ staple UFO ending, with a single playthrough clocking in at around 12 to 13 hours. Players can offer tributes at shrines, which act as save points, to earn 'merit' points. These points are then spent to upgrade stats or acquire talismans—special gear that carries over to subsequent playthroughs, allowing the player to gradually bolster the protagonist.

Set in a rural Japanese village in the 1960s, the story follows a high school student named Hinako Shimizu. Hinako goes from living an ordinary life to finding the village engulfed in fog and twisted into something horrific, forcing Hinako to embark on a desperate journey armed with nothing but a steel pipe.

As for the enigmatic 'f' in the title, the production team remains coy, noting it carries multiple meanings that they aren't ready to disclose just yet. 'Silent Hill f' launches on September 25 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S, with full Korean subtitle support.