In a recent interview, Motoi Okamoto, the producer of Silent Hill f, dismissed the classification of the game as a soulslike. He emphasized that it is fundamentally a horror-based action game, addressing concerns from veteran fans regarding the game’s combat mechanics.

During the early previews of Silent Hill f, features such as a stamina bar and challenging boss encounters gave rise to the comparison with soulslike games, which worried some long-term fans. In a broadcast at Xbox Gamescom 2025, Okamoto reiterated, “This game is not a soulslike; it’s fundamentally a horror-based, action-based experience.”

For fans apprehensive about the action focus in Silent Hill f, Okamoto suggested opting for Story Mode, claiming it would replicate the authentic Silent Hill experience. He clarified that previous entries, while eerie, were not designed to be mechanically punishing. Moreover, the game will incorporate adjustable difficulty settings for combat and puzzles, allowing players to tailor their experience.