‘Slitterhead’ Review – A Lack of Polish Drags Down a Promising Game

The gaming world has been abuzz with the resurgence of the Silent Hill franchise in 2024, with the conclusion of Silent Hill: Ascension, the free Short Message, and the acclaimed remake of Silent Hill 2. Now, the conversation has shifted to Slitterhead, the debut title from Bokeh Game Studio, led by Keiichiro Toyama, the director of the original Silent Hill. Slitterhead, an action-horror game, blends elements of Toyama's previous work, Siren, with a unique possession mechanic and a focus on shapeshifting monsters terrorizing the fictional city of Kowlong.

Slitterhead: A Supernatural Thriller with Ambitious Gameplay, Uneven Execution

Possession and Melee Combat: A Unique Blend

Slitterhead's core gameplay revolves around the player's ability to possess various NPCs in their hunt for the mysterious Slitterhead creatures. This possession mechanic, reminiscent of Siren's "sightjacking" gimmick, adds a layer of depth to the melee-focused combat. Players must strategically swap between possessed bodies, utilizing each character's unique abilities to overcome the challenges presented by the shapeshifting foes.The combat system itself is a mixed bag, with a lot of moving parts that don't always come together seamlessly. The melee combat, while satisfying in its own right, is hampered by sluggish animations and a lack of precision in targeting enemies. The addition of the possession mechanic adds an extra layer of complexity, but it doesn't always feel fully integrated into the core combat loop.

Traversal and Puzzle-Solving: Clever Ideas, Uneven Execution

Beyond the combat, Slitterhead offers moments of traversal and puzzle-solving that involve a combination of grappling, blood magic, and body-hopping. The ability to possess NPCs and use their unique abilities to reach new areas or solve environmental puzzles is a clever concept, but it's not always executed with the same level of polish as the combat.The traversal sequences, particularly the chase scenes where players must pursue fleeing Slitterheads, can be exhilarating when they work. However, the game's quirks, such as the finicky grappling system and the abrupt transitions between gameplay and cutscenes, can disrupt the flow and momentum of these sequences.

Narrative Ambition: A Scattershot Approach

Slitterhead's narrative is equally ambitious, weaving together elements of amnesia, shapeshifting monsters, time travel, cults, and military plots. While the game tackles these themes with a certain level of complexity, the overall execution can feel scattershot and overwhelming at times.The narrative is presented through a combination of mission-based investigations, conversations with the game's "rarity" characters, and surreal cutscenes. The lack of fully voiced dialogue in these scenes can diminish the impact of some of the more dramatic moments, though the game's atmospheric soundtrack, composed by Akira Yamaoka, helps to maintain a sense of unease and tension.

Progression and Customization: Depth, but Lack of Incentive

The progression system in Slitterhead revolves around the "rarity" characters, each with their own unique abilities and skill trees. While this system adds a layer of depth to the combat, the lack of non-combat abilities or meaningful synergies between characters can make it difficult to find a compelling reason to experiment with different combinations.The time loop mechanic, which allows players to revisit previous missions with new knowledge, is an interesting concept, but the linear nature of the levels and the limited rewards for exploration can make the experience feel more like a chore than a rewarding challenge.

Visual Style and Polish: A Mixed Bag

Slitterhead's visual style is a mixed bag, with the game's neon-drenched city streets capturing a distinct 90s vibe, but the character models and enemy designs feeling somewhat dated and unambitious. The lack of visual polish extends to the animation, with many of the non-combat sequences feeling stiff and lifeless.The game's technical performance is also a bit of a mixed bag, with the action sequences generally running smoothly, but the frequent interruptions and transitions between gameplay and cutscenes causing the experience to feel segmented and janky at times.

A Flawed Gem: Slitterhead's Strengths and Weaknesses

Slitterhead is a game defined by its ambition, with a wealth of ideas and mechanics that don't always coalesce into a cohesive whole. When the game's various systems click, the result is an exhilarating and unique supernatural thriller, but the lack of polish and the scattershot approach to both gameplay and narrative can often undermine the overall experience.Keiichiro Toyama's commitment to originality is evident in Slitterhead, but the game's rough edges can be a hindrance to the core fun that the player is trying to enjoy. There's a compelling core to the game, but it needed more refinement and focus to truly shine.Ultimately, Slitterhead is a flawed gem, a game that showcases the developer's creativity and vision, but struggles to fully realize its potential. For those willing to look past the game's shortcomings, there's a memorable and unique experience to be found, but it's one that is often hampered by its own ambition.