Japanese action-adventure game "Slitterhead" is the debut of Bokeh Game Studio. It was released on November 8, 2024, for PS4, PS5, PC, and Xbox Series X/S…
The gameplay is set in the former Kowloon Walled City and pays homage to the movie “Chungking Express”. Its design draws inspiration from manga such as “Gantz”, “Parasyte”, and “Tokyo Ghoul”.
Keiichiro Toyama`s "Slitterhead" is anything but an ordinary third-person horror action game. If you're open to trying new experiences, maybe you'll enjoy it. However, don't go in expecting a high-budget, triple-A game. It's more of an indie title with really cool concepts. While it's not a horror game, it has a horror aesthetic, featuring lots of blood, body horror, gore, and even some nudity.
This brief review will help you master your legion of hosts, tapping into the power of Rarity and using civilians as expendable assets in your fight to cleanse the Kowloon Walled City of monstrous Slitterheads.
Gameplay tips
In this game players control various humans, turning them into pawns against the monsters. To succeed, they need to abandon any emotional attachment to their hosts.
As a Hyoki, a disembodied spirit, you can possess nearly any human you encounter, turning them into playable characters at the touch of a button.
Most civilians, serve as shields, decoys, and sources of blood to fuel health and power gauges.
When low on health, players can sacrifice bystanders for blood to recover, or shift into a new body for safety. As a Hyoki, switching hosts frequently is essential for survival and maintaining a tactical advantage.
Civilians gain temporary stat boosts when possessed, and Slitterheads often focus on your previous host until they notice the change, giving you a momentary edge.
The game’s large variety of characters and combat strategies can feel overwhelming, but remember: it’s your survival that matters, not theirs.
By taking a strategic, RTS-like approach, you can use Possession Mode to pause, assess, and select the most advantageous host to counter the Slitterheads.
This might involve possessing a civilian for surprise attacks or distracting Slitterheads with War Cry to protect your Rarity.
As you progress, you’ll unlock different Rarity, each with unique abilities. For example, Julee is a versatile close-range attacker with Sonic Claws and health-boosting abilities, while Blake specializes in ranged combat with his Bloody Shot skill.
Choosing the right Rarity and pairing them with a suitable Companion—another Rarity who joins in larger battles—is crucial for maximizing their effectiveness. Some powerful combinations include Anita’s ability to create a mob with Devil’s Scent and Alex’s crowd-control abilities, allowing for devastating group attacks.
Defensive skills become critical for players as the game progresses, especially against tougher Slitterhead variations.
Mastering guard and parry timing will allow players to fend off multi-hit attacks and build up Blood Time’s counter-attack advantage. Although difficult to learn, parrying becomes invaluable, slowing time to give you the upper hand in fights, especially against bosses.
We hope, with our short review you’ll be prepared to navigate dangerous Kowloon Walled City streets, exploiting every host in your fight against the Slitterheads.
In conclusion
"Slitterhead" is a dark, provocative, and visually brutal game that immerses players in an atmosphere they’ve been eagerly awaiting. It showcases incredible creativity, especially in the bold use of “forbidden magic”, like blood magic and possession abilities. While it’s not a traditional horror game, it’s filled with a heavy atmosphere and a mystery that gradually unfolds. Special attention should be given to Akira Yamaoka’s music—it’s stunning and captivating…
