This guide provides detailed solutions for all major puzzles in Silent Hill f. Puzzles vary by difficulty level: Story (easier, with more hints), Hard (standard challenge), and Lost in the Fog (most difficult, often requiring external knowledge or obscure clues). Some later puzzles vary by ending (there are 4 endings) rather than difficulty.
There are 13 puzzles in total, with the last one in New Game+. Spoilers for game progression are unavoidable.
Use the journal (where Hinako adds clues) for in-game hints, as puzzles often update it automatically.
1. Altar Puzzle
Location: Shrine Path
This puzzle involves placing five offerings (Rat, Fish, Kimono, Vase, Paper Fan) on altar pedestals based on hidden symbols or clues.
| Difficulty | Step-by-Step Solution |
|---|---|
| Story | 1. Examine each offering by pressing △ to reveal knot images. 2. Match knots to pedestal symbols. 3. Placement: Back Left: Rat, Back Right: Fish, Front Left: Kimono, Front Middle: Vase, Front Right: Paper Fan. |
| Hard | 1. Examine and rotate each offering with △ to find plant/flower patterns. 2. Match patterns to pedestal clues (e.g., fish has no flower but a leaf). 3. Placement: Back Left: Fish, Back Right: Kimono, Front Left: Paper Fan, Front Middle: Vase, Front Right: Rat. |
| Lost in the Fog | 1. Refer to a hidden note for flora representations (e.g., knowledge of plants like kudzu may be needed). 2. Match items accordingly. 3. Placement: Back Left: Fish, Back Right: Rat, Front Left: Paper Fan, Front Middle: Kimono, Front Right: Vase. |
2. Shrine Vault Puzzle
Location: Shrine Path
This puzzle requires flipping ema to reveal symbols for a combination lock on the vault door. Collect the lock dial from one ema.
| Difficulty | Step-by-Step Solution |
|---|---|
| Story | 1. Locate ema with images: Crane, Serpent, Tortoise. 2. Hold L1 and press × to flip; note symbols in journal. 3. Symbols: Crane (circle with horizontal line), Serpent (circle with vertical line), Tortoise (snake with V under head). 4. Input at vault to open. |
| Hard | 1. Locate ema with: Lightning, Decayed Tree, Kudzu (green leaves, purple flower). 2. Flip to reveal symbols. 3. Symbols: Lightning (circle with two vertical lines), Decayed Tree (circle with cross), Kudzu (square with T in middle). 4. Read note near fox statue for clues: “Lightning... decayed tree... kudzu”. 5. Input at vault. |
| Lost in the Fog | 1. Locate ema with Yokai spirits (demonic household objects: Carriage, Umbrella, Kettle). 2. Flip (each has four symbols); use clues to select correct one. 3. Symbols: Carriage (circle with two vertical lines), Umbrella (circle with upside-down Y), Kettle (snake with V under head). 4. Input at vault. |
After solving, grab the Stone Key inside to progress.
3. Field Puzzle
Location: Ebisugaoka Second Visit
Find the correct scarecrow in each batch (5 areas), remove a needle to get direction. Wrong choice awakens enemies (Ayakakashi).
| Difficulty | Step-by-Step Solution |
|---|---|
| Story | 1. Identify scarecrows resembling Hinako (female, red tie, clean short hair, sailor uniform). 2. Areas: 1st - Left, holding sickle; 2nd - Middle, no sickles; 3rd - Right, head upside down; 4th - Middle, arms out, looking sideways; 5th - Back, strung up like cross. |
| Hard | 1. Identify based on prompts (resembling friends like Rinko: medium hair, half ponytail, red tie, sailor uniform). 2. Areas: 1st - Behind left, smile with mask on back head; 2nd - Middle, sickle in back; 3rd - Back, not looked at by others; 4th - Right, frown; 5th - Middle back, strung up with sickle in back. |
| Lost in the Fog | 1. Similar to Hard, but more obscure prompts. 2. Areas: 1st - Left, head upside down; 2nd - Back, strung up with sickle on ground; 3rd - Behind corpse on ground, no sickle; 4th - Middle, between Shu and Rinko scarecrows looking at each other; 5th - Follow four corpse arms pointing to lonesome scarecrow. |
4. Stairwell Puzzle
Location: Ebisugaoka Middle School
Simple key-finding puzzle to unlock the stairwell.
| Difficulty | Step-by-Step Solution |
|---|---|
| Story | 1. Enter open classroom, pick up scrunched paper for hairpin clue. 2. Climb out window, crawl into rabbit hutch corner, find hairpin in basket. 3. Use hairpin to pick lock on faculty room drawer for 2F key. 4. Unlock second floor. |
| Hard | 1. Go outside via classroom window, head west. 2. Find key by blue flower patch. 3. Use key to unlock second floor. |
| Lost in the Fog | 1. Go outside via classroom window, head west, climb up (e.g., ladder or stairs) to a hidden spot. 2. Search for the key in an obscure location (use journal clues for exact position). 3. Use key to unlock second floor. |
5. Secret Box Puzzle
Location: Ebisugaoka Middle School
Rotate box and slide panels to reveal symbols matching clues from letters. Three rounds.
| Difficulty | Step-by-Step Solution |
|---|---|
| Story | 1. Round 1: Slide to expose sweet/tart fruits - Side 1: Bottom Row; Side 2: Top Row. 2. Round 2: Show all journals - Side 1: Second and Third Row; Side 2: Second Row. 3. Round 3: Show Sakura in Full Bloom - Side 1: No Change; Side 2: Third Row. 4. Obtain classroom key. |
| Hard | 1. Round 1: Fruits - Side 1: Top Right, Middle Left, Bottom Right; Side 2: Top Right, Bottom Left, Bottom Right. 2. Round 2: Journals - Side 1: Top Right, Middle Left, Bottom Left; Side 2: Middle Right, Bottom Right. 3. Round 3: Sakura - Side 1: Middle Right; Side 2: Top Right, Bottom Right. 4. Obtain key. |
| Lost in the Fog | 1. Round 1: Fruits (White Row lighter wood, Brown darker) - Side 1: First White (Orange), Third Left Brown (Apple); Side 2: First Left Brown (Cherries), Second Right Brown (Strawberry), Third Right Brown (Grapes), Fourth White (Pineapple). 2. Round 2: Journals - Side 1: First White, Second White, Second Left Brown, Fourth White; Side 2: Third Left Brown. 3. Round 3: Sakura - Side 1: First Left Brown, Third White, Third Right Brown; Side 2: First Left Brown. 4. Obtain key. |
6. Locker Puzzle
Location: Ebisugaoka Middle School
Unlock lockers using codes; main one is Asakura Ayumi's for Key to the Back Mountains. Optional lockers for extras.
| Difficulty | Step-by-Step Solution |
|---|---|
| Story | 1. Use notes to translate letters to numbers. 2. Asakura Ayumi: SEA – 534. 3. Optional: Aoi Takeshi AOI – 401, Tsuchiya Taiko 377, Suga Yosie SOS – 505. |
| Hard | 1. Asakura Ayumi: BUS – 865. 2. Optional same as Story. |
| Lost in the Fog | 1. Asakura Ayumi: EGG – 399. 2. Optional same as Story. |
7. Light Puzzle
Location: Worship Hall
Rotate rabbit and fox statues on two platforms to level cages, then use lantern shades on lights to access key.
| Difficulty | Step-by-Step Solution |
|---|---|
| Story | 1. Left Platform: Fox and Rabbit facing each other. 2. Right Platform: Fox and Rabbit facing each other. 3. Grab shades from cages, place on lights. |
| Hard | 1. Left Platform: Fox and Rabbit facing away from each other. 2. Right Platform: Fox and Rabbit facing away from each other. 3. Grab shades, place on lights. |
| Lost in the Fog | 1. Left Platform: Fox and Rabbit facing away from each other. 2. Right Platform: Fox and Rabbit both facing left. 3. Grab shades, place on lights. |
8. Memories Puzzle
Location: Worship Hall
Collect Shu’s Prized Possessions and place them on empty pedestals. Number varies by difficulty.
No ending variations.
9. Scales Puzzle
Location: Shimizu Residence
Balance scales with five dolls; varies by ending, not difficulty.
| Ending | Step-by-Step Solution |
|---|---|
| Ending 1 | Left Scale: Headless Doll; Right Scale: All others. |
| Ending 2 | Left Scale: Headless Doll, Half Mask Doll; Right Scale: All others. |
| Ending 3 | Left Scale: Hinako Doll (blue shirt), Half Mask Doll; Right Scale: All others. |
| Ending 4 | Left Scale: Hinako Doll (blue shirt); Right Scale: All others. |
10. Ominous Photo Puzzle
Location: Shimizu Residence
Place Hinako's photo and rotate others; varies by ending.
| Ending | Step-by-Step Solution |
|---|---|
| Ending 1 | 1. Place Hinako's photo. 2. All upright except Hinako upside down. |
| Ending 2 | 1. Place Hinako's photo. 2. Hinako and parents upright; friends upside down. |
| Ending 3 | 1. Place Hinako's photo. 2. Hinako, Shu, Sakuko upright; parents and Rinko upside down. |
| Ending 4 | 1. Place Hinako's photo. 2. Hinako upright; all others upside down. |
11. My Room Puzzle
Location: Shimizu Residence
Place three crests on plaque, flipping some of them; varies by ending.
| Ending | Step-by-Step Solution |
|---|---|
| Ending 1 | Left: Swords; Right: Fox; Top: Heavens; Bottom: Nothing (flip Scales). |
| Ending 2 | Left: Scales; Right: Black Bird (flip Swords); Top: Fox; Bottom: Nothing (flip Heavens). |
| Ending 3 | Left: White Bird (flip Fox); Right: Scales; Top: Swords; Bottom: Nothing (flip Heavens). |
| Ending 4 | Left: White Bird (flip Fox); Right: Black Bird (flip Swords); Top: Nothing (flip Scales); Bottom: Heavens. |
12. Mural Puzzle
Location: Treasure Hall
Place three crests (Fox Mask, White Sparrow, Black Sparrow) in slots; varies by ending.
| Ending | Step-by-Step Solution |
|---|---|
| Ending 1 | Fox Mask far left (Fox with fan); White Sparrow top middle (Fox pulling lantern); Black Sparrow right (Fox pulling rope). |
| Ending 2 | Fox Mask far left (Fox with fan); Black Sparrow next (lantern in red cage); White Sparrow bottom middle (resting Fox). |
| Ending 3 | Fox Mask top left (Fox holding lantern); White Sparrow bottom right (running Fox); Black Sparrow next. |
| Ending 4 | Fox Mask top left (Fox holding lantern); Black Sparrow below (in red cage); White Sparrow below (lantern in red cage). |
13. Crimson Water Puzzle
Location: Main Hall (New Game+)
Ring 3 of 5 bells in order, timed with fountain clack; same for all difficulties.
| Difficulty | Step-by-Step Solution |
|---|---|
| All (Story, Hard, Lost in the Fog) | 1. Ring Bell 1 (Volcano, near temple entrance). 2. Ring Bell 2 (Water, on small island next to puzzle stone). 3. Ring Bell 3 (Tree, on stone bridge right path). 4. Time each ring with fountain's clacking sound. |