Silent Hill f is not a sequel to any of the existing Silent Hill games. Instead, much like Silent Hill 2, it will offer a standalone story, "independent from the series." This was confirmed by publisher Konami on X/Twitter, stating that the latest installment in the horror series, typically set in a sleepy resort town on America's east coast, will be "a completely new title" that "people who have never played the Silent Hill series can enjoy."
This approach isn't entirely new for Silent Hill. While Silent Hill 1, Silent Hill 3, and Silent Hill Origins are interconnected, other entries, such as Silent Hill 2, have less tangible links to the town. Additionally, parts of Silent Hill 4: The Room and Homecoming take place outside the titular town. Konami's statement clarifies that understanding Silent Hill f's 1960s Japanese setting will not require prior knowledge of the 26-year-old series.
Set in 1960s Japan, Silent Hill f follows the story of Shimizu Hinako, a teenager grappling with societal and familial pressures. The narrative is penned by Ryukishi07, the creator of the When They Cry visual novel series. As shown in the Japanese-language reveal trailer from March, Silent Hill f marks the first game in the franchise to receive an 18+ rating certification in Japan.
While the game is still in development and ratings may change, previous Silent Hill titles like Silent Hill, Silent Hill 2, Silent Hill 3, and Silent Hill: The Room were rated CERO:C for ages 15 and older in Japan. Other games in the series developed outside Japan typically received CERO:C or CERO:D ratings (ages 17+). Silent Hill f is rated Mature in the U.S., PEGI 18 in Europe, and CERO:Z in Japan.
As of now, there is no release date for Silent Hill f, and no further details have been shared about No Code's upcoming Silent Hill game, Townfall.
