It may not have the PS Studios ident, but make no mistake, veteran director Keiichiro Toyama’s upcoming Slitterhead is every bit the spiritual successor to Siren. The ex-Japan Studio man’s debut independent projects builds on the idea of Sightjacking, introducing a possession-style system which allows you to hop between the bodies of different NPCs.
This actually makes for some fascinating gameplay possibilities, and there’s a pinch of Gravity Rush in this Tokyo Game Show demo, as we see how traversal works using the body hopping mechanics. The system is also used during combat; hopping from one person to another works a little like a dodge, as you cycle through disposable human flesh.
Core combat has never been the strength of Toyama’s games, and once again it looks a little dry here. But overall, we’re captivated by the 90s Hong Kong-style setting and horrific, insect-like monsters. If your heart skipped a beat after this week’s Siren rumours, then you’re almost certainly going to want to add this title to your wishlist.
[source youtube.com]
Comments 18
Going to need a demo for this one. I want to be hyped, Toyama has made plenty of fun games, but nothing shown on this one is making it seem like a must buy.
Hope this is good. One positive about this generation and the previous one is it has been a second golden age for horror games. There was a time, like late oughts, where horror games were pretty few and far between
It looked a little less janky for this showing. I am looking forward to it, though.
My only disappointment with this game (albeit minor) is that it seems like a more fast-paced horror action title than the unsettling slow-paced survival horror of yesteryear.
It is nice to see that there is still some originality in gaming.
I really like the concept for this game.... but from what I watched, the combat looks very stiff. Put it back in oven for now.
I was originally excited for this game as I was expecting a survival horror game, then I saw the gameplay and lost all interest. I might give it a go when it eventually joins playstation plus.
How’s that similar to gravity rush…? I haven’t played GR in over a decade.
I’ve never had a game disappoint me so much from its initial teaser to now.
I was really expecting something, more unique maybe? This seems like a very generic action game with a few neat elements, but without any of the signature horror aesthetic I expected going into this.
Maybe it’s a me problem for expecting too much, but this needs more time in the oven regardless, even though it’s not for me, for those who are looking forward to it they deserve the best possible version on day one.
There's something vaguely 3rd Birthday about the possession mechanic. Not at all what I was expecting this game to be, but hopefully it ends up better than 3rd Birthday 😅
It has a bit of a Ghostwire Tokyo vibe although I hope I'm wrong and there is more horror to this title considering those involved.
Also guess no physical copy in the UK?
Just wondering whether there's a physical copy releasing in the UK? I can only seem to find one at Play Asia.
@DonJorginho I feel exactly the same. The only other game that comes to mind is Ghostwire, which was far more a generic action game that I ever expected. I don’t even know what I wanted out of this one either, but right now it looks like a modern rendition of the janky PS3 era off-kilter action games. That’s fine. I like those. But I didn’t want Slitterhead to be one of those. Again, not sure what I wanted it to be, maybe I just wanted it to seem more modern, but I was ready to preorder this two years ago and now I think I’ll wait for a good sale.
I want to like it, but good lord, it looks so janky. Far too much for a title that seems much heavier on action than on scares.
@Yousef- You don't remember Kat being a supernatural abomination who jumped in and out of human bodies like meat suits?
No it's not? The graphics and art style look very unappealing and the game seems very unserious to be compared to a horror game like Siren.
I really like Toyama's games so I definitely want to get this.
Soon as I saw the game play trailer for this I was done. Game looks like sh#t.
The concept is cool for sure. I also loved Gravity Rush 1 and 2 so I want to be into this one. I'm concerned about the polish level though. I'm fine with some jank but it looks like it needs a few more months in the oven.
This looks like late ps2 / early ps3 game graphics, quite blurry and terrible models and animation. I know gameplay and atmosphere are key, but I think it looks migraine inducing with the way it teleports around and squinting to see what your actually aiming at. I don't think a few more months would benefit this game, as it looks like it requires a complete graphics overall. Never mind the ai of the npcs. That instance where the person was falling of the building and transferred to someone in the small crowd of people, and no one reacted to the body hitting the ground.
This is looking more polished, in my opinion. Haters gonna hate, but I’m pumped for this game! Preordered and ready to Slitter, baby!
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