Silent Hill f was an amazing experience, but I wish I had known more before diving in.

I can hardly believe that Silent Hill f actually made its debut after years of silence from the franchise. Even more surprising is how impressive it turned out to be, especially following the mediocre Message and the bizarrely unpopular Ascension. But here we are, and it’s easily become my favorite horror game of the year.

The most shocking twist was its shift to a Japanese setting. For a series that has always drawn its identity from the eerie charm of midwestern Americana to appeal to Western audiences, this change was unexpected but ultimately effective.

Silent Hill f features multiple endings, and the game challenges you to earn them. To unlock certain options, you’ll need to have at least two other endings saved. This design encourages replayability, offering new experiences, events, and subtle changes that reward your efforts.

Set in a rural Japanese backdrop from the 1960s, the atmosphere feels intriguingly mysterious. After the familiar rust and chain-link fences, the vibrant red spider lilies and the otherworldly coral elements weaving through the traditional wooden structures provide a refreshing change. This new environment makes the Japanese cultural elements an integral part of the experience, and I found my unfamiliarity with Japanese culture to be a surprising hurdle. For instance, the ema and Shrine Vault puzzle doesn’t explain what an ema is when it first prompts you to find one—while you’re being pursued by an invincible monster. Japanese culture is woven throughout Silent Hill f, unapologetically. From the Omamori charms you can collect to enhance protagonist Hinako’s skills, to the Altar puzzle that requires you to figure out where to leave traditional offerings, it’s all there.

Even puzzles like the one in the classroom, which involves a box that requires knowledge of cherry blossom silhouettes, demand a solid understanding of Japanese culture. It’s refreshing to engage with a game that doesn’t cater to your every need, instead challenging you to figure things out on your own.

However, some aspects were frustratingly unclear. The difficulty settings in Silent Hill f remained confusing until well into the game. You have to make choices about them before you even start playing, but the details only become clear as you progress. I didn’t fully grasp what I had chosen until about 4-5 hours in, which is a significant portion of the game.

Be cautious about looking up the mural puzzle solution; there’s a spoiler in the screen you need to solve it.

Combat has been a divisive topic, but I found it manageable, especially after upgrading my stamina, which is crucial in fights. The Scarecrow puzzle serves as a solid test of your skills, as mistakes lead to immediate attacks. You’ll want to learn from my errors. Similarly, locating the School key can turn into a mini-boss encounter unless you have a guide to help you navigate the dangers.

One of my biggest frustrations was simply knowing where everything was. Tasks like opening the sacred door or finding Sakuko often involve convoluted searches. The missing object section and locker codes can mislead you, complicating what you’re looking for and where to find it.

Overall, one puzzle really stumped me: getting the key in front of the cage. While I eventually figured out how it worked, I mostly solved it by mashing buttons until I got lucky. Sometimes, you just have to take the wins where you can get them.