Silent Hill continues to transform after its notable release in September. In a game where silence weighs as much as screams, where the deserted streets of the city of Ebisugaoka resonate with suffering, this new update 1.10 offers a breath of fresh air to players. Particularly to those whom the game had left bloodless from the first hours of their journey with Hinako, the teenager at the heart of hell.
A softened difficulty without betraying the atmosphere of the game
The main new feature of this patch is the introduction of “Casual” difficulty modeaccessible from the launch of a New Game, or after several successive Game Overs if you play in Story mode or beyond. This option, designed for players unfamiliar with demanding horror games, makes the combat less punishing while retaining the suffocating atmosphere specific to the series.
The heroine’s endurance Shimizu Hinako now regenerates more quickly, and the distribution of enemies has been lightened in several sections. The number of unavoidable fights has also been reduced, making exploration less frustrating and smoother.
A New Game + more flexible, but still deserved
Another notable addition: the possibility of skip certain sequences in the mode New Game +. Once the riddle of the fresco has been solved, the game suggests moving directly to a more advanced phase, located in the corridor of the Sanctuary of Darkness. A welcome function for those who want to relive the experience without going through phases already known.
Be careful, however: using this option blocks the unlocking of certain trophies linked to skipped stages. The game remains faithful to its logic of reward through perseverance.
Technical improvements and burst fixes
On the technical side, the update includes a new motion blur option in the graphics settings (on PS5 and Xbox Series), and fixes a multitude of bugssome critics. Among the most notable:
- Fixed a Shu duplication bug during a cutscene.
- Fixed an issue preventing Hinako from reacting after dodging.
- Abnormal disappearances of enemies or combat items in several levels.
- Blockages linked to Fog Monster or to entities of type Sakuko.
- Autosave issues that could cause the heroine to die immediately upon reloading.
- Adjustments to Sakuko’s Diary to guarantee its completion in New Game + mode.
- Dozens of minor fixes affecting audio, collisions, interface or graphical effects.
Finally, a bug preventing access to the endings screen after the first playthrough has been fixed, allowing players to fully explore the game’s multiple narrative paths.
Silent Hill f: a refined experience, but still oppressive
By lightening up some frustrating aspects without touching on the heart of the horror, this update shows that Konami is listening to its community. Hinako’s Nightmare remains intense, but now more players will be able to immerse themselves in it without being crushed too early by the game’s mechanics.
While we are still waiting for news on possible expansions or additional content, Silent Hill gently traces its path between respecting the DNA of the series and modernizing the gameplay. And in a mist as thick as that of Ebisugaoka, this clarity feels good.