Last week, Konami launched its new game: Silent Hill f. This game runs on Unreal Engine 5, but it doesn’t look as amazing as some other titles using the same engine. While testing it, I found that the graphics were a bit lacking. However, I discovered hidden settings called “True Epic” that significantly enhance the visual quality.
Surprisingly, Silent Hill f doesn’t allow you to access these higher graphics settings directly in the game. Instead, you need to edit an INI file on your computer. After making these adjustments, the improvements are real, not just a placebo effect.
For example, without the “True Epic” settings, plants in the game appear flat and lack depth. But once you unlock those settings, they gain proper shadows and look much more realistic.
One thing to note: Hardware Lumen only enhances reflections and doesn’t really improve lighting or shadows. If you’re content with the default visuals, you can skip this option. However, upgrading shadow quality and global illumination dramatically boosts the overall appearance of the game.
But be aware that these settings can affect performance. On my powerful NVIDIA RTX 5090, I found it difficult to maintain 60FPS at 4K resolution while using the “True Epic” settings. To achieve smoother gameplay, I had to enable DLSS Quality.
If you’re curious about how to unlock these settings, you can create an Engine.ini file in your “AppData\Local\SHf\Saved\Config\Windows” folder and paste the relevant code into it. After that, make sure to set the file as “Read Only.” This will keep your enhancements intact.
Here’s the code you need:
[SystemSettings]
r.Lumen.HardwareRayTracing=1 … (additional code)
After applying these settings, my screenshots show a much more vibrant and immersive Silent Hill f. It seems the developers might have hidden these options to avoid complaints about performance issues, similar to the backlash faced by the developers of *Crysis* in the past. Many players back then focused more on performance than the enhancements available.
Rest assured, using these settings doesn’t negatively impact the game’s atmosphere. Performance may dip, but the visuals are worth it.
On another note, I tried the DLSS 4 Multi-Frame Gen Mod. I recommend avoiding it for now, as it causes significant stuttering. Instead, consider using OptiScaler or enabling Smooth Motion from your control panel for a better experience.
To sum up, Silent Hill f has great potential. With a few adjustments, you can unlock visual quality that really enhances the gaming experience. Keep an eye on community forums and expert reviews for updates and tips!
For more details on optimization for modern games, check out this article from IGN on improving game performance.
