Konami has provided an extensive look at the gameplay of Silent Hill f, a prequel that emphasizes combat more than anticipated. The game includes mechanics such as a stamina bar, timed dodges, and powerful counterattacks, which might lead one to think of it as a soulslike game. However, director Motoi Okamoto has mentioned in a recent interview that the game should not be categorized as such.

In his words:

“This is one of the things that we see—the term soulslike—being thrown around on the internet quite a bit. And I think it’s a label that’s a little bit disingenuous. Modern players will see ‘Oh, there’s a stamina meter, there’s a dodge’ and they’re like, ‘Okay, it’s a soulslike.’”

He clarified that they are striving to create an action horror experience rather than fitting it into the soulslike genre. The game is set for release on September 25, 2025, and is expected to lean heavily into J-horror elements, answering criticisms that older entries in the series strayed from those roots.