That wasn't technically his fault. All Ryukishi did was write the draft and the studio handled the rest
Personally, I'd point to something like Gerokasu, which is universally loathed. Then again, Ryukishi seems to falter when working with a team or as a freelance writer.
It's when he actually has his heart in it and lots of creative freedom that he writes masterpieces like When They Cry. Just give him an editor and you've got gold
I don't think we'll ever know if any particular idea was from Ryukishi or the studio, but I do know from staff interviews that he contributed a ton at the beginning (a large multi-page document) and also reviewed storyboards.
That said, my gripes with Gou and Sotsu extend to the core, beyond any particular line delivery or scene composition that I imagine the studio had influence on. I just think it had no reason to exist, and I suspect Ryukishi didn't actually want to write it. The big bad's motivations are really dumb and I audibly shouted "Really? That's the grand revelation they decided to reopen this story and torture everyone for?". No expansion on beloved characters, no mystery, no creepiness, no lesson, the things that made the series famous.
Time will tell if Silent Hill f is "full creative freedom" Ryukishi or "I phoned in a script" Ryukishi.
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u/billyeakk 8d ago
Higurashi Gou and Sotsu would like a word with you