Writer of Silent Hill reveals upcoming horror game merges supernatural and psychological terror, much like how salad dressing brings together herbs and oil, leaving the reader uncertain between feeling cravings or dread.
In a departure from his usual visual novel style, Ryukishi07, the writer behind the popular When They Cry series, has crafted a new narrative for the long-awaited Silent Hill f. This first main installment of the Silent Hill series from Konami since 2012 is set in 1960s Japan and follows the story of a high schooler named Hinako Shimizu, who finds herself stranded in a town engulfed by fog and inhabited by monstrous creatures.
At Anime Expo 2025 in LA, Ryukishi07 discussed his approach to writing Silent Hill f, comparing the blend of psychological and supernatural horror to a zippy blend of salt and balsamic. This Ol' Salad Dressing Method, as he calls it, starts with the horror elements fully intertwined and indistinguishable, much like an emulsified salad dressing. As the game progresses, these elements gradually separate, revealing deeper layers of complexity beneath the initial surface.
This narrative style is reminiscent of Silent Hill 2, in which it's difficult to distinguish the truth of Silent Hill from protagonist James Sunderland's warped state of mind. Ryukishi07 aims to deepen the immersive horror experience by making players question what is real versus imagined as the story unfolds.
Silent Hill f is not just a horror game; it also tackles themes of sadness and love, according to Ryukishi07. This emotional depth adds another layer to the horror experience beyond mere fright.
The setting of Silent Hill f in 1960s Japan marks a smart move for the Silent Hill series, as it offers a fresh perspective since the last main installment in 2012. The plot of Silent Hill f, like its predecessors, incorporates the Ol' Salad Dressing Method, blending supernatural and psychological horror to create a captivating and unsettling experience for players.
| Aspect | Description | |-------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Setting | 1960s Japan | | Narrative theme | Psychological and supernatural horror blend | | Metaphor | Like a salad dressing that begins emulsified and then separates into distinct parts | | Emotional tone | Includes sadness and love alongside horror | | Narrative precedent| Similar to Silent Hill 2, where reality and psyche blur before distinguishing themselves |
- Ryukishi07's new narrative for Silent Hill f is reminiscent of the blend of psychological and supernatural horror in Silent Hill 2.
- The Ol' Salad Dressing Method, a term coined by Ryukishi07, is applied in the plot of Silent Hill f to create a captivating and unsettling blend of supernatural and psychological horror.
- The emotional depth in Silent Hill f, which tackles themes of sadness and love, adds another layer to the horror experience beyond mere fright.
- Players of Silent Hill f will be immersed in a deep horror experience, as they are challenged to question what is real versus imagined as the story unfolds.
