It might not be perfect—in fact, you could find any number of faults with it, especially in the gameplay department—but Silent Hill f is quite an astonishing, effective horror game, all-told. It’s compelling representation of adolescent psychology, abuse, superstition, and the dangers of a cultish mentality make it uniquely unnerving, and Shimizu Hinako is one of the most painfully relatable, likable horror protagonists I’ve had the pleasure of following in a long time.
Minor spoilers ahead for Silent Hill f.
Again, while one could certainly criticize certain mechanical or technical elements of Silent Hill f (a frustrating, wonky camera is one major gripe that comes to mind), it’s hard to argue against the merits of its narrative. Through a combination of appropriately baffling cinematics, environmental storytelling, and Easter eggs, Silent Hill f weaves a captivating tale, told in a particularly engaging manner. One storytelling tool that the game makes frequent use of is Hinako’s in-game journal, whose pages are regularly populated with information about monsters, characters, locations, et cetera. Through this rather pedestrian gameplay feature, Silent Hill f is able to provide a more robust narrative experience, while also elevating certain aspects of its gameplay.
Why Silent Hill f's Journal Is a Masterstroke
Journal Entries Are a Crucial Pillar of Silent Hill f's Narrative Construction
Hinako’s journal is filled with pressing, transformative information that can’t be found anywhere else in-game. For instance, Hinako will often make decisions in cutscenes or conversations that don’t entirely make sense—unless you read the journal. Since the journal is written from her perspective, it offers invaluable insight into how she views certain characters, especially major players like Shu and Junko, which in turn explains why she acts as she does during certain interactions.
To cite a specific example, I was initially under the impression that Hinako and Shu were romantically involved: their awkwardness in early scenes felt characteristic of two teenagers with feelings for each other. Upon reading Hinako’s journal entries about Shu, however, I came to understand their relationship on a much deeper level, and the awkwardness then became a sign of Hinako’s complex feelings about gender and social dynamics. Not only did this help me to better understand Shu and Hinako’s relationship, but also Hinako’s psyche, and Silent Hill f‘s broader themes.
The journal reveals vital lore elements as well. Players get some degree of exposition regarding Ebisugaoka’s past in cutscenes and the like, but for a full understanding of the town’s history, particularly as it relates to the game’s supernatural events, reading relevant journal entries is critical. In this way, the journal is mandatory reading for anyone invested in Silent Hill f‘s story and world.
Worth nothing is that these journal entries are exceptionally well-written and compelling, serving as powerful literary passages in and of themselves.
Silent Hill f's Journal Is a Boon for Gameplay as Much as Narrative
It’s not just storytelling that’s buttressed by Hinako’s journal: gameplay is massively improved as well. The most obvious way that this manifests is through Silent Hill f‘s many puzzles, which often involve reading various text clues and applying them to a logical challenge. All of these clues are saved in Hinako’s journal, verbatim, making puzzle-solving immeasurably smoother without necessarily undermining their difficulty. It’s a small quality-of-life feature, but an impactful one. The journal also includes practical information about some enemies, which can help flesh out your combat strategy through insights into weaknesses and other key characteristics. In short, don’t sleep on Silent Hill f‘s journal—it’s an elegant and essential part of the broader experience.