Slitterhead can’t make the same mistakes as Ghostwire: Tokyo

Cutter head It will be the debut title from developer Bokeh Game Studio, founded by Silent Hill Creator Keiichiro Toyama. Given Toyama’s history and the game’s early marketing, many expect Cutter head be a solid horror title, centered around unsettling creature design and a disturbing narrative premise.

But it also seems that Cutter head won’t shy away from action, as evidenced by the Summer Game Fest trailer. The game appeared to be something of a spiritual successor to Silent Hill either Sirenbut now it seeks to have more in common with action and horror titles like Ghostwire: Tokyo. He Phantom cable The comparison may be particularly relevant, as both games are set in urban Japanese locations, overrun by evil spirits and bathed in neon lights. Another interesting comparison is how both games have been marketed, as Ghostwire: Tokyo It initially seemed to be much more horror-focused before revealing itself as an open-world FPS with horror themes. Cutter head History could repeat itself in this regard.

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Slitterhead’s release date could put the title between a rock and a hard place

Slitterhead’s launch window may put it in an awkward position of facing stiff competition or risking being overlooked.

Hopefully, Slitterhead won’t lose sight of its horror elements.

Slitterhead is looking more and more like an action game

This summer Cutter head The gameplay trailer shed light on its mechanics, many of which seem surprisingly unique and inventive for the horror genre, which is typically more concerned with atmosphere, story, and enemy design than experimental gameplay. Players can possess multiple characters, who appear to have distinct shape-shifting abilities and combat styles. The trailer showcased a fast-paced and dynamic style of combat, seemingly requiring mastery of different melee skills and possession mechanics to defeat the game’s various grotesque enemies.

It looks interesting, but not exactly scary. The gameplay footage stands in contrast to the game’s initial presentation in 2021, which explicitly references Toyama’s background as a creator of Silent Hill and calls Cutter head A “new challenge in the horror genre,” which clearly suggests that this would be a horror title. This echoes the advertising of Ghostwire: Tokyowhich started out focusing on the horror elements of the game before revealing that it would in fact be more of a horror-themed action game.

This was a disappointment for some players who were looking forward to it. Phantom cableThe horror elements, which were largely underplayed in the final product. Cutter head It still has the opportunity to deliver some serious scares despite its apparent emphasis on combat, since unlike games like Survive Some players may believe that combat and horror are compatible. That said, making players too powerful or more concerned with things like reaction time or pulling off cool moves that wouldn’t look out of place in The devil can cry risks undermining more nuanced aspects of atmosphere and tone.

Combining the action and horror elements of Slitterhead

Many have argued that Cutter head isn’t meant to be a horror game, but that’s not entirely true. It’s very evident, not only from the approach to the game’s art direction, but also from its marketing, which aims to lean heavily on horror aspects. At the same time, there’s no denying that its combat takes a top spot. But Cutter head can be differentiated from Ghostwire: Tokyowhich also puts players in the shoes of a superpowered protagonist, keeping their eyes on the bloody, gruesome ball.

Body horror is an area that Cutter head We could afford to focus on that. Body horror plays a major role in most horror experiences, as creatures like zombies and vampires certainly incorporate aspects of the subgenre. Cutter headThe unique premise of, specifically in regards to the possession mechanics, could provide an opportunity for a more intimate take on body horror, one that the player themselves is closely connected to through the means of interactivity. In this way, Cutter head It could retain its unique combat framework while still being appropriately terrifying.

Cutter head

Slitterhead is a horror game from Silent Hill creator Keiichiro Toyama and new developer Bokeh Game Studio. It’s set in a world overrun by deadly parasite-like creatures.

Released

November 8, 2024

Developer(s)

Bokeh Game Studio

Editor(s)

Bokeh Game Studio

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