Silent Hill f producer Motoi Okamoto discussed the game's soulslike comparisons in a recent interview, where he largely rejected the label. The developer also offered some advice for longtime fans concerned about Silent Hill f combat being too different from prior installments.
During the initial wave of Silent Hill f previews from early August 2025, the word "soulslike" has come up more than once. Early impressions noted features such as a stamina bar, stat upgrades at checkpoints, and a strong emphasis on dodging. Boss encounters were also described as significant difficulty spikes that required players to learn attack patterns to progress. These observations fueled soulslike comparisons that raised concerns among some fans about how Silent Hill f will ultimately play.
Silent Hill f English Voice Actor Revealed
The English voice actor for Silent Hill f protagonist Hinako Shimizu is a well-known actress with multiple AAA game credits to her name.
Silent Hill f Is Not a Soulslike, Developer Says
Silent Hill f producer Motoi Okamoto addressed these concerns in a new interview held as part of the Xbox Gamescom 2025 broadcast on August 21. "This game is not a soulslike," the industry veteran said through an interpreter. Elaborating on this point, Okamoto described Silent Hill f as "fundamentally a horror-based, action-based experience." The comment echoed his earlier remarks about Silent Hill f featuring more action than previous entries in the franchise.
Silent Hill f Will Offer a Way to 'Replicate the Authentic Silent Hill Experience'
The August 21 interview with the Silent Hill f developer also saw Okamoto offer advice to longtime fans concerned about the game’s action focus. He recommended anyone who fits the bill to play in Story Mode, saying the setting will "replicate the authentic Silent Hill experience." The suggestion reflects how earlier mainline entries in the series, while unsettling, were not widely regarded as mechanically difficult. Developer Neobards Entertainment has previously confirmed that the survival horror title will include separate difficulty sliders for combat and puzzles.
In a prior interview held in early August 2025, Okamoto said that Silent Hill f focuses more on action in a bid to attract new audiences. He argued that younger players expect challenging, engaging combat, which the upcoming survival horror title aims to deliver. Some fans at the time took this remark as further evidence that Silent Hill f would adopt soulslike—or perhaps soulslite—combat, a notion that Okamoto has now dismissed.
This game is not a soulslike. It's fundamentally a horror-based, action-based experience.
The first series installment set in Japan, Silent Hill f is on track for a September 25 release. The Unreal Engine 5-powered game will be available day-one on the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. The PC version of Silent Hill f will be available through Steam, the Epic Games Store, and the Microsoft Store. Pre-orders are presently open, with the base game priced at $69.99 and the Digital Deluxe edition at $79.99. The latter includes two days of early access, a pink rabbit costume for the protagonist, and digital versions of the Silent Hill f artbook and soundtrack.
Silent Hill f
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 86 /100 Critics Rec: 87%
- Released
- September 25, 2025
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity
- Developer(s)
- Neobards Entertainment
- Publisher(s)
- Konami
WHERE TO PLAY
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 5
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror, Action
