Restful Hill f: A Gruesome Tale with an Unfiltered ESRB Rating

Silent Hill f has received a rating from the ESRB in the United States, and the summary of the rating is among the most detailed and intense I have ever encountered.

If you missed it, the first cinematic trailer for Silent Hill f provides a glimpse of some of the horrifying entities the unfortunate protagonist, Hinako, will have to confront. The trailer showcases some of the most disturbing creatures I have ever seen in the long legacy of the Silent Hill franchise, but this ESRB rating summary indicates that it is merely a taste of what’s to come.

It’s important to highlight that all these significant details are quite alarming and could be considered spoiler territory if you prefer to experience Silent Hill f without any foreknowledge. If that applies to you, turn back now.

With that clarified, here we go: the ESRB reports that Silent Hill f includes scenes where enemy attacks result in the player character “being impaled in the neck and/or having their faces torn apart.” Additionally, “cutscenes sometimes portray gore and severe acts of violence: a character being burned alive in a cage; a woman branded with a hot iron; entrails and sinew presented on platters at a fantastical celebration/ceremony; a character amputating her own arm; a character slicing parts of another character’s face during a ritual.”

It’s noteworthy that Silent Hill f has also recently received a rating in Japan, and it is the first game in the series’ 26-year history to be rated 18+ in that country. Furthermore, its Steam disclaimer is causing even seasoned horror fans to feel uneasy, recommending players to “please take a break” if they experience “discomfort” while engaging with the game. All of this hints at a more sinister, raw, and graphic game compared to the past somber, gritty, and bloody Silent Hill titles.

Renowned Higurashi When They Cry creator Ryukishi07 has stated he worked diligently on the Silent Hill f narrative, asserting, “I don’t think I would mind if it were the last thing I ever wrote.”