For most newcomers, start with the Silent Hill 2 remake (2024): it retells the 2001 game as a full remake and offers a direct introduction to the series’ psychological-horror style. Choose Silent Hill f instead if a new cast and a 1960s Japanese setting appeal more. Konami says its story is designed to work for newcomers as well as returning players.
Which Silent Hill game is best to start with?
There is no need to treat the series as a single, mandatory playthrough order to make this choice. The clearest options for a new player are the Silent Hill 2 remake and Silent Hill f: one revisits a well-known story in a modern remake, while the other introduces new characters and a different setting.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Silent Hill HD Collection | $24.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Silent Hill 2 (PS5) | $29.50 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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SILENT HILL: townfall | DAY ONE EDITION - PlayStation 5 | $49.94 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Silent Hill: Homecoming - Playstation 3 | $23.70 | Buy on Amazon |
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Start with Silent Hill 2 (2024 remake) for the classic story
Silent Hill 2 is a full remake of the 2001 PlayStation 2 game, not a new numbered sequel. Its premise follows James Sunderland, who travels to Silent Hill after receiving a letter from his deceased wife. The remake updates the presentation while retaining the original game’s identity. It is the stronger fit if you want to begin with a recognized entry and its psychological-horror approach. Konami lists the remake for PS5, PC/Steam and Xbox Series X|S; the PlayStation product page covers PS5. Konami’s platform and support details are on its official Silent Hill 2 page.
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Silent Hill f is a new story set in 1960s Japan, starring high-school student Shimizu Hinako in the town of Ebisugaoka. Konami says the new characters and setting make the story enjoyable for newcomers and returning players. Pick it if that premise is more compelling to you than revisiting James Sunderland’s story. Konami lists PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Steam, Epic Games and Windows; its official game page provides the current platform information.
#1 Best Overall
- Experience the two classic Silent Hill titles previously released on PlayStation 2, Silent Hill 2: Restless Dreams & Silent Hill 3, that defined the Survival Horror genre in its early inception
- Both titles re-mastered to HD at 720p for improved graphics on PlayStation 3
- Completely updated in-game voiceover directed by series vocalist Mary Elizabeth McGlynn and soundtrack score enhancing the storytelling and ambient music within each re-mastered game
- Full PlayStation Network Trophies support integration
Silent Hill 2 remake vs Silent Hill f
| Choice | Story and setting | Best fit | Platforms listed by Konami |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silent Hill 2 (2024 remake) | Full remake of the 2001 PS2 game. James Sunderland travels to Silent Hill after receiving a letter from his deceased wife. | Players who want a modern version of the classic story or a direct introduction to the series’ psychological-horror approach. | PS5, PC/Steam and Xbox Series X|S. Check Konami’s support page and your local store. |
| Silent Hill f | New story with new characters, set in 1960s Japan. | Players more drawn to a fresh cast and setting than to a remake of the 2001 story. | PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Steam, Epic Games and Windows, according to Konami’s game page. |
These are premise-and-platform comparisons, not a measured ranking of quality, difficulty or playtime. Konami’s group report says Silent Hill f sold more than one million copies globally within two days of release; that is a publisher-reported sales milestone, not a comparison of the games’ merits.
Do you need to play the older games first?
For these two starting choices, the available official information does not establish a required order across the whole franchise. The remake tells the story of the original Silent Hill 2, while Konami presents Silent Hill f as a new story that newcomers can enjoy. Choose between them based on which premise interests you; do not assume that playing every older entry first is a prerequisite.
Rank #2
- Fully Remade to terrify modern audiences
- KONAMI's intense psychological horror masterpiece SILENT HILL 2 is made exclusively for PlayStation 5
- The main protagonist James Sunderland searches for clues in the namesake town, after receiving a mysterious letter from his wife Mary… who has long been dead
- Experience the eerie monsters and other manifestations of James' consciousness reworked after 20 years
- Made with state-of-the-art technology to play on modern entertainment systems in 4K
This is not a complete chronology or a guide to where every older game is currently available. Older-title catalogs can vary by region and store, so check local listings if you want to explore the series beyond these two entries.
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Check the platform and edition before buying
Konami’s platform listings differ in how they name PC storefronts: the Silent Hill 2 support page lists PC/Steam, while Silent Hill f information names Steam, Epic Games and Windows alongside consoles. Availability and edition details can vary by region or store, so confirm the current listing for your platform before purchase.
Rank #3
- Experienced entirely in first person, explore, evade, and survive using a limited set of weapons and tools, including a pocket television used to tune into unstable signals. Evasion is tense; combat is frenetic, while narrative driven puzzles reveal a truth that refuses to stay submerged.
- SILENT HILL: Townfall is a full-length, self-contained psychological horror set against the cold, isolated backdrop of Scotland, 1996
Konami’s launch announcement for Silent Hill f confirms a physical Day One edition as well as digital editions. That is useful if you prefer physical games, but it does not establish current stock. See the official game page for Konami’s edition and platform information.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What to expect from Silent Hill f
Series producer Motoi Okamoto described its premise this way: “In this new game, coming to PS5 on September 25, you play as Shimizu Hinako, a high schooler from Ebisugaoka, who explores her hometown as it becomes engulfed in fog and shifts nightmarishly, solving puzzles and fighting for her life in the process.” The date is part of Okamoto’s quoted announcement; check the PlayStation announcement for its original context.
Rank #4
- Enter the next chapter of Silent Hill and learn the town history
- first silent hill game on PS3
- All new next gen graphics bring silent hill to life like never before
- solve treacherous and deadly puzzles to learn dark secrets
- features an all new soundtrack by acclaimed series composer Akira Yamaoka
Should you wait for another Silent Hill game?
Konami has reported work on a remake of the first Silent Hill and on Silent Hill: Townfall. Development and release information can change; Konami’s official Silent Hill portal is the place to check for current announcements. Neither project needs to affect the choice between the two available starting points discussed here.
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