OpenCritic
Steam
Slitterhead is a TPP survival horror developed by Bokeh Game Studio founded by Keiichiro Toyama. We play as a creature named Hyoki, capable of taking control of other beings. We use them to fight titular Slitterheads in the city of Kowlong.
Slitterhead is an action adventure game with horror elements, developed by the Japanese Bokeh Game Studio. This is a development team founded by Keiichiro Toyama - the creator of the original Silent Hill game, as well as titles from the Siren series and the warmly received Gravity Rush series.
Plot
The action of Slitterhead takes place in the city of Kowlong. During the game we play as Hyoki, a creature without both physical form and memory. The goal that guides us is to exterminate the titular Slitterheads - monstrous creatures hiding under human forms. We can achieve this by taking control over encountered individuals, starting with "Rarities" who are most compatible with us.
Gameplay
In Slitterhead we watch the action from a third-person perspective (TPP). Wearing the skin of our possessed characters, we explore the neon-lit streets and dark corners of Kowlong and eliminate hordes of Slitterheads. Hyoki's abilities provide individual "shells" with supernatural abilities. For example, they can perform jumps over long distances, which makes exploration easier. Moreover, we can swap between them at any time.
Among the enemies we have to face, we will find all sorts of creatures. Engaging in dynamic battles with adversaries, we must be constantly moving, dodging and efficiently using the available arsenal. The game provides us with an original arsenal which consists of various types of melee weapons and firearms, which Hyoki creates from the blood of his "pawns", as well as various combat skills. The range and combat potential of our abilities increases when we take control of one of the "Rarities", thanks to which we can use even more powerful attacks and abilities.
Videos and Screens
[3:16] Slitterhead Slitterhead - Trailer TGS 2024
[10:25] Slitterhead Slitterhead - Kowlong Express - Bringing Forgotten Fragments into Slitterhead
Push Square: 7 / 10 by Sammy Barker
Frustrating at times but fearlessly inventive, Slitterhead is an absolute must-play if you're looking for an original take on the survival horror genre. Serving as a spiritual successor to fan favourites like Siren, Gravity Rush, and Soul Sacrifice, this haunting tale about a body-hopping spirit – who uses humans as fodder to put a stop to the eponymous enemy – is a scintillating albeit occasionally undercooked debut from Bokeh Game Studios. Repetition and an overall lack of refinement do bring it down, but you'll be hard-pushed to find a more imaginative experience this year.
ZTGD: 6 / 10 by Ken McKown
Slitterhead is unique. That is the biggest compliment I can give it. There are things here that I love. The mood of the game, the music, and the concepts. It just doesn’t mesh well into a cohesive experience. It feels stuck in the past, which is fine in some instances, but when it comes to its crimes, it really drags it down. I promise I will never forget this game, and it is included in Game Pass, so definitely give it a whirl if you subscribe, but at full price, I might wait a little while to take the plunge.
Completexbox: 80 / 100 by Dan Boise
The game looks fine for what it is; dark and drab environments are detailed and the city feels lively. Its dark theme offers a darker color palette to properly represent the menacing threat. However, it unfortunately doesn’t benefit from the full processing power of the Xbox Series S and X consoles. It looks like early 8th generation console game, which is unfortunate. Human characters are pretty generic, but they did do a great job creating the monstrosities you’ll face. Audio wise, there’s little to no voiceover work, aside from incomprehensible muffles. The soundtrack is incredibly eclectic; some tunes are properly spooky where others sounds like the composer slid his ass across a keyboard. Given this brand new concept, there’s sure to be a few hiccups. Outdated graphics aside, combat does feel a bit loose and requires some practice to feel comfortable. It’s also rough at times facing a bigger Slitterhead and trying quickly swap powers with the d-pad and not get it. Bokeh Game Studio’s first project had somewhat high hopes given the reputation of Keiichiro Toyama, the studio head, created Silent Hill and Siren. But Slitterhead manages to be a surprising and entertaining experience. While having no scares, despite Toyama’s history, the game makes up for it with deep combat system, fun possession system and intriguing story. Sure, it’s not perfect, but if you’re looking for a unique, challenging 3rd person action game, Slitterhead is a must play.
The main pros of the game
- Unique Concept: The game features an innovative possession mechanic where players can control different characters, adding strategic depth to combat.
- Atmosphere and Art Direction: The game is praised for its captivating aesthetic, reminiscent of neon-lit cities and body horror themes, which resonate with fans of similar genres.
- Soundtrack: Akira Yamaoka's music is highlighted as a standout feature, enhancing the game's atmosphere.
- Variety in Characters: Players can choose from multiple characters with distinct abilities, allowing for varied gameplay styles and strategies.
- Engaging Story: The narrative is described as intriguing and dark, with themes that keep players invested in the unfolding plot.
The main cons of the game
- Technical Limitations: The graphics and animations are often described as dated, resembling those from previous console generations (PS2/PS3), which detracts from the overall experience.
- Repetitive Gameplay: Many reviews mention a lack of enemy variety and repetitive mission structures, leading to a feeling of monotony over time.
- Clunky Combat: While some players enjoyed the combat mechanics, others found them to be janky and lacking fluidity, especially in more chaotic situations.
- Limited Voice Acting: The absence of voice acting in many cutscenes and character interactions is noted as a missed opportunity to enhance immersion.
- Padding and Length: Some players felt the game was unnecessarily stretched out, with too many missions requiring repetition to progress.
The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users
- More Enemy Variety: Players expressed a desire for a broader range of enemies and bosses to keep combat fresh and engaging.
- Improved Combat Mechanics: Suggestions for refining the combat system to make it less clunky and more intuitive were common, particularly regarding the parry and dodge mechanics.
- Voice Acting: Many reviews indicated that the addition of voice acting could significantly enhance the narrative experience and character engagement.
- Less Linear Structure: Some players wished for a more open-world feel or less linear mission design, allowing for greater exploration and player agency.
- Additional Content: There is a desire for more content, such as DLC or expansions, to build upon the game's unique premise and gameplay mechanics.
Summary
- Overall, "Slitterhead" is recognized for its ambition and creativity, appealing to players who appreciate experimental and niche titles, despite its technical shortcomings and repetitive elements.
Summary generated on:
Slitterhead Summary
Platforms:
PC Windows
PlayStation 4
PlayStation 5
Xbox Series X/S
Developer: Bokeh Game Studio
Publisher: Bokeh Game Studio
Age restrictions: 18+
Slitterhead System Requirements
PC / Windows
Minimum: Intel Core i5-8400 4 GHz / AMD Ryzen 5 3400G 3.7 GHz, 16 GB RAM, graphic card 6 GB GeForce GTX 1060 / 8 GB Radeon RX 580, 30 GB HDD, Windows 10/11 64-bit
Recommended: Intel Core i7-8700K 4.7 GHz / AMD Ryzen 5 2600X 4.2 GHz, 16 GB RAM, graphic card 8 GB GeForce RTX 2070 / Radeon RX 6600 XT, 30 GB HDD, Windows 10/11 64-bit
New Game From Silent Hill Creator Officially on First Gameplay. Slitterhead Release Date Confirmed
Slitterhead, the new game from the creator of Silent Hill - scored a flurry of activity ahead of SGF 2024. Thanks to this, we can see gameplay from this title, as well as learn about its release date and the list of platforms it will hit.
video games
Christian Pieniazek
June 7, 2024
Slitterhead is a New Terrifying Horror Game From the Father of Silent Hill
During The Games Awards 2021 gala, we learned what the father of the Silent Hill series, Keichiro Toyamya, is working on. It will be a horror game called SlitterHead. The trailer suggests that the production will be as Japanese as possible.
video games
Hubert Sledziewski
December 10, 2021
Silent Hill Creator Reveals New Horror Game
Keiichiro Toyama is preparing a game which may interest Silent Hill fans. The creator of the original first installment showed a handful of concept arts from Bokeh studio's debut title.
video games
Jacob Blazewicz
February 15, 2021