Fandom divided over Silent Hill f’s “souls‑like” combat as September release approaches

Fans debate Silent Hill f’s melee-heavy, degradable weapon system and whether it honours classic franchise combat.

Fans of Silent Hill are debating the series’ latest direction as new gameplay footage for Silent Hill f surfaces ahead of its September 25 release. The combat system—which features melee-heavy mechanics, degradable weapons, and boss encounters reminiscent of Souls-like games—has sparked a division within the community.

One player praised the visual detail and quality of the game yet expressed concern over combat responsiveness: “I’m a bit worried … specifically how enemies react (or don’t react) when taking hits.”

Others are uneasy about the emphasis on timed counters and action-heavy sequences. One comment: “Even if it ends up being amazing, I feel apprehensive about a Silent Hill game having combat that evokes the counter timings of Sekiro.”

Several fans cited past entries like Silent Hill 4: The Room and Silent Hill Origins, which also included degradable weapons, as precedent, but voiced concern that weapon durability might discourage exploration.

One remarked: “If I’m burning through my decent weapons at every stop … I’m eventually going to stop exploring to conserve resources.”

Despite the criticism, some supporters hope for redemption. One fan referenced Bloober Team—developers of Silent Hill 2 Remake—expressing a wish the team behind f might similarly “prove me wrong.”

Silent Hill f was first revealed in 2022 and further detailed in March 2025. Developed by Neobards Entertainment with design by Kera and a script from When They Cry writer Ryukishi07, it unfolds in 1960s Japan. Players assume the role of teenager Hinako Shimizu, exploring the fog-shrouded town of Ebisugaoka as events take a nightmarish turn.