Howdy

At the start, I still had the theory of the suicide pact between Hinako and her friends. I had figured the following. As Hinako leaves her home, it was actually the last time she was suppose to be seen by her family. Why? Because of the pact, their death day planned for that day. Probably why when she meets up with Shu they have nothing to say. But before that, her town is changing. She sees the dead bird, symbolizing herself as her name means "hatching bird." Sakuko calls her a traitor constantly. The town already being claimed by the Fog God. I initially figured the monsters represented WHY Hinako contemplated suicide, I knew it was because of female expectations. But guessing as to why Sakuko was so resentful and betrayed by her as seen in the trailers, me and my friend figured it's because she didn't die with them in the end. She had backed out.

And the Fog God is taking ahold of her. Exposing to her her inner guilt, shame, and blame for her cowardice and betrayal.

All in all, I think my first theory is well interesting. Though, the fact that it is guilt based like how it is in the second game is telling. Maybe I simply like when a story forces its protagonist to confront what they wish to hide from themselves. It's a character arc that the viewer learns over the course of the story.

I just like that.

In the end, the theme is all about misogyny. And as a girl, it obviously is relatable. Though, different customs and culture is what makes it a bit foreign as well. I can't relate to arranged marriages or the Asian values of strict family rule, compliance, and misogyny specifically from Asia. It's different than in the West. Whereas here women are viewed as these submissive feeble dolls, women in Asia are seen as tools and gifts for men. While both intertwine in some regards, it isn't as common in the West. Well, somewhat. It's complicated.

The game is all about women. And it really shoves it in your face. It gets a bit tiring at some point. Making me wish it'd showcase a different problem just for a bit. Like with the abusive family dynamic. Asian households are known to be strict, authoritative, and abusive. This could have been explored a lot more. It really would be a breather from all the misogyny marriage baggage.

Maybe because I see no problem in growing into a woman and marrying a man, it's difficult for me to see the entire horror and anxiety Hinako faces. She is arranged beyond her consent, but yet she does have feelings for Kotoyuki. She's however split between her inner child and the woman she ought to be.

And what I find strange is what makes this theme related to Silent Hill? The franchise? It's not the type to make criticism to societal problems. It's media that tells you fiction that is art meant for interpretation and solely that.

F is art too. But making a statement doesn't give Silent Hill, at least to me. It stands out as an oddball rather than a classic.

Why is Hinako so horrified of becoming a mother? A wife to a man she supposedly likes? She doesn't want to end up like her mother. But Kotoyuki seems nothing like her father. It seems she simply has intense anxiety and unresolved trauma. But she never quite acknowledges it or tries to fix it. I can't find horror in something she could well try to fix on her own: her own emotions.

Hinako's friends, the girls, I feel like they were meant for much more. It seems to me that Ryu wanted to write so much about them but it was too much. And so they squeezed in as much as they could and then left the rest in notes or the journal. They feel unfinished, especially Sakuko.

This is different than from other female side characters in the main four. Alessa, Maria, and Eileen for example: they have the core of their character, what they are defined as, and they have a clear spot as to why they are in the narrative. Alessa is the mysterious scary ghost girl, she is what causes the plot and conflict. Maria is the tempting other woman, she is a fake temptation created to misguide James. Eileen is your neighbor in danger, she is another sacrifice just like you.

But Sakuko and Rinko...

Sakuko is the shrine girl, she's scared of being alone and abandoned. Rinko is the class president, she's jealous of Hinako.

But what do they SERVE in regards to Hinako and her journey. Are they just her childhood friends who she cuts ties to mature into a traditional woman? That is all they serve then.

Her sister, Junko, warns her about having friends and how it's bound to fall apart. Rinko and Hinako have a toxic friendship. As for Sakuko...I'm not quite sure. Sakuko is simply upset because Hinako left them. That's...just it. It moves on to focus on Hinako and her arranged marriage plotline. Not really focusing on the two girls no longer.

Something that annoyed me was how fast it goes between the otherworld as the fog world. Something suddenly would knock Hinako out, and then boom, otherworld. Or, a wind blows her unconscious, and she reawakens in the fog world. It doesn't flow as well as my favorite biased magnum piece of art that I so so love and can't stop talking about. It's unfair to compare the two, but I can't help it.

It just flows so smoothly with how James goes from the Fog world to the otherworld. It's like you don't realize it until you do. From opening a door and literally walking into it, to being taken by a monster and strapped to a gurney: the world around him shifting and morphing.

Hinako on the other hand...falls asleep and wakes up. She doesn't VENTURE to this other world. But then again, they are separate girls. One, the child her. And the other, her the present day woman. I think the only time a transition to the otherworld felt good was when she was pushed down the stairs by Rinko. Falling into the otherworld essentially, where she finds Rinko in the cage. It makes sense, you know?

I just feel like it was rushed and underwritten. Don't forget how I wished it was the Fog God speaking to Hinako in her own body in that one scene. We wish for the return of supernatural elements. The cryptic aspect of an unknown being toying with you. Something like that is scary, and it's what makes Silent Hill. But that's not the case here.

It's all in Hinako's head.

And that's disappointing.

But you know what? I still like it.

I would describe the game as "you play as a young woman on her wedding day reflecting on her past and in despair has a psychological breakdown." It sounds for a good movie, but I dunno about a game. Well, maybe it's not so bad. What's Silent Hill about it? It doesn't feel like the entity has any play in HER story, but just her surroundings and the circumstances that brought it. It isn't targeting her because the Fog God simply has no role in the story. It's all about Hinako and HER manifested Silent Hill. Why it happens isn't because the God decided upon her, but because she just so happens to take pills pertaining the Claudia herb. That's all. If she hadn't? None of this would have happened. And something about that rubs me the wrong way.

Why play as Hinako then? She is another victim to the Silent Hill phenomenon. But unlike the others, she never really is IN this otherworld. It's all mental. And that's just what's missing.

I feel like there was some missed potential. Would I like the suicide pact plot more than this? Maybe a bit. But I still like what we have got. The resolution in the endings isn't so victorious but that's intended. Does it make me feel good for doing an entire run of the game again? I feel not. But hey, I haven't done so yet. Something just tells me that it's not worth it though. And that upsets me. I want to be excited and look forward to playing it again. A part of me does, but another finds it a bit dull. Seems like I'm also split just like Hinako.

I dunno if I'll platinum it anymore. I think I should since it's a Silent Hill game. But it doesn't seem as fun as say the idea of platinum-ing RE2. RE2 is full of fun and action. F can be...a bit frustrating combat wise. It's gonna be a dooser having to do that over and over again. But I like a challenge.

I'd give it a 6.5.

Maybe it's a bit better than the first game. But I'm not sure. The first game is iconic.

Here's my list for now:

SH2

SH3

SH F

SH1

(SH4 isn't here since I technically haven't finish it yet. But if it'd have a place, it'd be above F.)

There's lots of things I wish it had and lots of things I like.

I'll play it again.

I'll see what I think.

And maybe I'll learn more