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Silent Hill f setting: Ebisugaoka, 1960s Japan, and what is new

Silent Hill f leaves the foggy American town behind. Here is the setting and what changes for the series, with light spoilers only.

Aktualisiert am 2026-10-09 · 3 Min. Lesezeit

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Silent Hill f came out on September 25, 2025 for PS5, PC and Xbox Series X|S. It follows a high school student named Hinako Shimizu in the 1960s. The story is set in Ebisugaoka, a fictional Japanese town. This is a big shift for the series, so it helps to know what to expect.

Key takeaways

  • Time and place: 1960s Japan, in the fictional town of Ebisugaoka.
  • Writer: Ryukishi07, known for the visual novel Higurashi When They Cry.
  • No guns; combat is melee with dodging and parrying.
  • It is a standalone story, so no earlier game is needed.

The town of Ebisugaoka

Ebisugaoka is not a real place. Wikipedia reports that its look was based on the Kanayama area of Gero in Gifu, Japan. Fog and monsters take over the town, and you explore it as Hinako. Because the story is in a Japanese village, the game uses local ideas such as shrines and charms called omamori.

Images are provided by Steam and belong to their publishers.

How it differs from older Silent Hill games

TopicOlder games (for example the Silent Hill 2 remake)Silent Hill f
PlaceAmerican town of Silent HillEbisugaoka, Japan
TimeDifferent eras1960s
WeaponsMelee and firearmsMelee only
StyleWestern and Japanese blendKonami says "100% Japanese horror"

Konami felt the series had become too Westernized, so it chose a writer who understands Japanese horror. The developers also say they wanted fear to come from beauty and from inner struggles, not only from monsters.

Why the setting matters

The change is not only a new backdrop. A small Japanese town in the 1960s brings social rules, family pressure and school life into the story. Wikipedia notes that one reviewer felt the dread came from the pressure to be who society expects. That is a different kind of fear from the guilt-driven stories of older games, and it is why fans see Silent Hill f as a fresh start.

Gameplay that fits the setting

Weapons wear out and break. You manage health, stamina and sanity. Shrines act as save points and let you turn items into Faith, which pays for upgrades and charms. There are five endings, and some need New Game Plus.

SILENT HILL f – Official Reveal Trailer · YouTube

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Next steps: read our Silent Hill f beginner guide or the Silent Hill hub.

FAQ

Where is Silent Hill f set?

In Ebisugaoka, a fictional Japanese town, in the 1960s.

Is Ebisugaoka a real town?

No. Its look was based on the Kanayama area of Gero, Gifu, per Wikipedia.

Do I need to play older Silent Hill games first?

No. Silent Hill f is a standalone story.

Does Silent Hill f have guns?

No. Combat is melee only.

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