Summary
Slitterheadis the compelling new action horror title bySilent Hillcreator Keiichiro Toyama. Blending a variety of genres into one wild-looking ride,Slitterheadaims to put a new spin on action-packed combat and gruesome body horror. Now that the game has an official release date of November 8, the anticipation has grown even stronger for this unique take on possession and monsters.
Character possession is one of the key mechanics within the game.Slitterhead’s focus on possessionputs players in control of a spirit known as the Hyoki, which is a supernatural entity that can jump between the souls of characters. It’s an essential part of how the game works, as staying too long in one character’s body can be detrimental.Slitterhead’s possession loop requires players to use the unique skills of each character in order to defeat the absolutely horrific monsters that developer Bokeh Game Studio has brought to life. This use of character possession is an intriguing mechanic, and it could really showcase one of the game’s more obvious strong points: its art direction.
Slitterheadis a fascinating concept, but it can also be difficult to pull off. The game’s first gameplay trailer revealed a beautiful game, but seeing the actual combat and gameplay in action looked to be choppy and unfinished. This could, of course, be early footage that isn’t as polished as it will be at launch, but the strong art direction is undeniable.Slitterheadseems to be a big departure fromSilent Hill, but Toyama’s love of jaw-dropping visuals clearly hasn’t stopped. Based on previews,Slitterhead’s monsters look downright disgusting, but the possession mechanics are also set to highlight the diverse citizens of the fictional Kowlong.
Theofficial gameplay trailer forSlitterheadthat was revealed at Summer Game Fest showcased a variety of citizens being used in the game’s possession loop mechanic. Some citizens in the trailer look like everyday people who probably don’t hold up too well against the likes ofSlitterhead’s monsters. However, other possessable characters appear to be taken straight out of an anime or action movie. One character is a girl with a power that turns her hands into blade-like appendages, while another character is a cool shotgun-wielding guy on a motorcycle who also happens to have a flame sword.
Slitterhead’s character design is all over the place, and that’s incredibly exciting. Since players have to be strategic with possessing and leaving characters, it will be fascinating to see what sets each citizen apart from one another. The game’s vast character diversity is a testament to the art direction and design, as each possession will have to feel unique in order to keepSlitterheadfrom growing stale. So far,2024 is stacked with horror, andSlitterheadis turning the genre on its head with this approach to playable characters.
So far, it seems like there isn’t any game likeSlitterheadaround. If the game is able to properly deliver on its premise, it could prove to be a great success. Blending the body horror ofThe Thingandthe action ofGhostwire Tokyois a bold move, but the game’s success may really hinge on the playable characters that can be possessed. As of now,Slitterhead’s art direction promises there will be unique characters around every corner, and it needs to live up to that promise.
AsNovember 8 draws closer, it will be made clear whetherSlitterheadsticks the landing or not. From the gut-churning monsters to the everyday citizens of Kowlong,Slitterheadcould be one of the most visually interesting games of the year.
