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Upon discovering that Silent Hill f would be taking place in a fictional Japanese town rather than the iconic American setting the franchise is known for, I felt some apprehension. However these doubts about the game losing its classic Silent Hill feel disappeared the moment I entered the Shadow Temple, which serves as Silent Hill f's version of the franchise's haunted alternate dimension. Armed only with a paper lantern, I took my first steps and was struck by a strong feeling of familiarity. I knew this place, but I couldn't recall the source.

A Blast from the Past

After a moment for hazy memories of a game I once rented from a video rental store to resurface. Initially, I couldn't remember the game's name, wondering if I was mixing it up with a Fatal Frame entry or if I had dreamt it up. But after a bit of searching, I found the answer: Kuon, FromSoft's forgotten J-horror masterpiece from the mid-2000s.

Kuon's awkward fighting mechanics holds back an otherwise deeply atmospheric experience.

Shared Elements

Set in Heian-period Japan, Kuon has numerous parallels with Silent Hill f. The narrative centers on two sisters (although there are three playable characters), and gamers explore the endless halls of the massive Fujiwaya estate and creep through a eerie local temple. Each title focus on an ancient ritual and let you play as a somewhat underpowered young female protagonist who is unaware of the full horror she confronts, deciphering mysteries and scraping through encounters with terrifying creatures lurking around every corner.

Key Differences

The biggest difference between Silent Hill f and Kuon lies in the combat system. Silent Hill f is far more forgiving and user-friendly (perhaps a bit too easy), while Kuon is bound to make you frustrated. The battle system is unfortunate, and this is probably why the game didn't gain traction in the United States. It's not the tough but satisfying signature FromSoftware style fans love today. Kuon's battles are frustrating for all the wrong reasons, and at times it's so irritating that you might want to quit. Hitting enemies is incredibly difficult, and while the game includes some unique features (like battle cards and the power to heal), the controls are just janky, especially considering its release year.

An Enduring Impact

Even with its issues, Kuon remains one of my favorite classic horror games, and playing Silent Hill f feels like revisiting my beloved spooky location. Should you happen to have access to a original copy of Kuon (launched in Japan first, but not arriving to the West in 2006), it's worth a try. But if you're craving a great Japanese horror game that isn't overly annoyed, Silent Hill f will definitely deliver. It is like a contemporary take of Kuon, one I can actually recommend to others without the caveat about the difficult fights.

Still, it's a good idea to see a gameplay video of Kuon just to witness the title screen's deeply creepy blinking face, which continues to disturb me to this day.