While theSilent Hillfranchise has seen highs and lows since its inception over two decades ago, theSilent Hill 2remake has recently reignited enthusiasm around a foundational part of survival horror. Among the upcoming projects set to define the future of the IP,Silent Hill fstands out as a bold shift into a new setting that could set it even further apart from the origins of the titular town. There may now be exciting news regardingSilent Hill falready having been rated for an official release, but this doesn’t necessarily mean that fans should anticipate playing it this year.
While theGRAC board has listedSilent Hill falongside other upcoming titles set to arrive in the coming months, it’s still unclear how this will factor into its actual launch. Konami’s recent success, however, seemingly contradicts the idea of a surprise release. With a total lack of updates and promotion for the title since its initial announcement teaser, it seems likely that it’s still relatively far on the horizon.
The Recent South Korean Ratings Board Listing for Silent Hill f Could Indicate an Impending Release
The Collaboration Between Konami and Ryukishi07 is Substantial Enough to Fully Evaluate
With the involvement of theacclaimed creator ofHigurashi When They Cry, the series' step into a 1960s Japan setting has genuine potential to reinvigorate the brand with fresh ideas. Following its appearance on South Korea’s Game Rating and Administration Committee, it even seems that this project may already be content-complete.
It’s only possible to achieve an accurate rating for a product if it’s in a fully playable state, with any further adjustments typically being relatively minor relative to the whole release.Silent Hill f’s developmentmay have largely concluded by the time of its late 2024 GRAC rating, but the business interests of Konami could mean its release cycle will follow an entirely different roadmap.
Silent Hill: The Short Message’s Release Cycle Set a Precedent that Should Temper Expectations for Silent Hill f’s Launch Date
Games Are Not Always Rated in the Same Year of Release
Before excitedly looking forward toSilent Hill f, it’s important to remember theexample set bySilent Hill: The Short Message’s own rating-to-release progression. Despite being listed as rated in 2022, that title didn’t come until January 2024, possibly indicating that Konami held onto a finished product for over 16 months. It’s likely some refinement occurred to the content of the game during that period, but the fact that no truly major alterations could have taken place following a solid rating seems to show that time was instead spent on coordination and promotion. When it comes to GRAC in particular, titles such asSkull and Boneswere released nearly a year after its rating, while most major titles in recent years, while in the midst of promoting, have seen a gap of at least six to nine months.
Following the Silent Hill 2 Remake’s Marketing Strengths
Thesales of theSilent Hill 2remakein October 2024 seem to have effectively revived the IP for the foreseeable future, proving that it can generate over a million sales in days. There was an extensive marketing cycle associated with that title, however, as it received consistent coverage in trailers and showcases for around two years. Realistically, withSilent Hill fessentially having had no promotion at all so far, it’s highly improbable that Konami would risk releasing it prematurely. It might be safe to say that the game’s actual production appears to have wrapped, but there’s no telling how long its pre-release planning will go in terms of setting the stage for its eventual launch.
Silent Hill f
WHERE TO PLAY
In 1960s Japan, Shimizu Hinako’s secluded town of Ebisugaoka is consumed by a sudden fog, transforming her home into a haunting nightmare.As the town falls silent and the fog thickens, Hinako must navigate the twisted paths of Ebisugaoka, solving complex puzzles and confronting grotesque monsters to survive.Immerse yourself into Hinako’s world imagined by renowned author Ryukishi07, with entrancing music, including pieces by Akira Yamaoka, and beautiful visuals in a gripping tale of doubt, regret, and inescapable choices. Will Hinako embrace the beauty hidden within terror, or succumb to the madness that lies ahead?Discover a new chapter in the SILENT HILL series, blending psychological horror with a haunting Japanese setting.
