Summary
Slitterheadis an upcoming third-person survival horror action title that looks to be taking inspiration from a range of genre games both old and new. First announced in 2021,Slitterheadrecently received another spotlight at theSummer Game Fest, where more of its characters, setting, combat, and other mechanics were shown in greater detail. The game appears to be channeling familiar vibes from recognizable franchises likeResident Evilwhile putting its own surreal stamp on them, promising players an unnerving adventure through a version of Tokyo seemingly overrun with supernatural and grotesque monstrosities.
Based on the above and other elements seen inSlitterhead’s gameplay trailer, it also displays some strong resemblances to 2022’s paranormal FPS,Ghostwire: Tokyo. Developed by Tango Gameworks (founded by Shinji Mikami,Resident EvilCreator and Director), the studio had previously produced two horror entries in itsThe Evil WithinIP. Last year, Tango was recognized and praised for its action rhythm beat-em-up,Hi-Fi Rush, hailed as one of the best games of 2023. Despite this achievement and acclaim, though, to the shock and disappointment of many fans and fellow developers, Tango was recently closed by Microsoft Studios in May 2024, highlighting some of the disheartening instability in the present industry climate. With the hope of aGhostwirefollowup sadly not looking likely due to this, at least at this time, fans who were wishing for more games inGhostwire’s vein may yet get an experience closely adjacent in the form ofSlitterhead.
Slitterheadcurrently has a July 10, 2025, release date.
Slitterheadis the latest creation by Keiichiro Toyama, known forSilent Hill1andGravity Rush. It will be the debut title developed by his newly-founded Bokeh Game Studio after departing Sony. Among the number ofhorror games shown at the 2024Summer Game Fest,Slitterhead’s vision of a surreal story set in Tokyo brings to mind many ofGhostwire: Tokyo’s flavorings. WhileSlitterheadcertainly seems to differ in other aspects, the two do appear to share some broad parallels, which may pique players' interest who enjoyed whatGhostwireoffered.
Ghostwire: Tokyocenters on a sort of paranormal invasion, with the city suddenly under threat from supernatural monsters and psychological terrors shaped bytraditional Japanese folkloreand modern urban legends, producing an arresting array of fantastically terrifying and creepy creatures that players have to deal with while uncovering the mystery of what caused the event. Entities like demons, specters, and other mythological figures flooded the streets of the city that were otherwise eerily empty of humans. Leads Akito and KK must use their combined physical and psychic powers to overcome the hordes of these “Visitors” pouring into the earthly realm and besettingGhostwire’s haunted world. Similarly,Slitterhead’s depiction looks to be infested with all manner of otherworldly abominations, whose appearances at times cross over into the Lovecraftian realm of cosmic horrors.
Ghostwire: Tokyowas essentially a first-person shooter, though with magic spells instead of firearms, in a fairly large open-world map comprising a version of Tokyo’s Shibuya section and surrounding areas.Slitterhead, as mentioned, will be third-personsurvival horroraction that also looks to focus heavily on a possession mechanic, as can be gleaned from the gameplay footage. But the foreboding atmosphere present in both, particularly with their unsettling enemies and the oppressive design of the city itself, make them appear closely linked in terms of story setup, world building, and artistic vision.
Given the unfortunate situation around Tango, andSlitterhead’s inspirations and other design pedigrees, it could fill the space left by the loss of a potentialGhostwire: Toykosequel.Slitterheadmight thus end up feeling like a closely related and enjoyable spiritual successor toGhostwirein many ways, and provide a similarly satisfying horror gaming experience with complementary vibes for fans who wanted to see more from the latter.
Slitterhead
WHERE TO PLAY
Set in the densely cluttered streets of “Kowlong,” filled with obscurity and chaos, this battle action-adventure game casts players as the “Hyoki,” an entity devoid of memory and physical form. His only motive is to eradicate the monstrous beings known as “Slitterheads” crawling around the city, disguising themselves as humans.Roaming the vibrant neon-lit cityscape, players must seek out allies among humans known as “Rarities,” infiltrate and track dangerous organizations, and engage in battles harnessing the power of blood. As the suspenseful drama unfolds, delve into the mystery behind Hyoki’s existence and the appearance of the Slitterheads.
