After seeing gameplay footage ofSlitterheadfor the first time, gamers would be forgiven for not quite knowing which box to put it in. Blending fast-paced action with horror elements, the game seems to precariously walk the line between the two genres. It’s certainly not alone in this regard, though. Several modern horror games lean more toward action than survival elements, and with some innovative gameplay mechanics to show off,Slitterheadwill be looking to appeal to fans of both genres.
In a recent interview with Game Rant, developer Bokeh Game Studio CEO Keiichiro Toyama sat down to talk abouthowSlitterheadbalances its action and horror elements. He touched on how the game uses its own specific brand of horror which should evoke anxiety in the player. He also mentioned that he hopedSlitterheadwould attract gamers who are otherwise hesitant about playing horror titles.
Fans of horror games tend to fall into two specific camps. They either prefer survival horror where weapons and healing items are scarce and combat encounters are few and far between, or they prefer heavier action elements with ammo plentiful and healing items never in demand. WhereSlitterheadlands on that spectrum is a little different, though. As thecreator of theSilent Hillseries, Toyama knows all too well how to slowly build suspense through an anxiety-inducing narrative and gameplay, and he explained thatSlitterheadshould follow a similar path:
‘‘I perceive it as having a horror feel reminiscent ofJapanese adult comics (seinen manga). It blends elements of battles between supernatural abilities with horror, survival, and suspense. While we’ve minimized straightforward scare tactics, I believe players will still feel the essence of horror within a narrative that evokes anxiety through its unfolding story.’’
The success of theResident Evil 4remake cannot be understated, and it’s easy to see why other horror games are following suit with a more full-on action approach. Even the recentSilent Hill 2remake cranked up the actionwhen compared to the 2001 original. As a result, fans of action games should feel at home withSlitterhead’s gameplay mechanics and the fast-paced nature of its combat. That said, Toyama is hopeful that the game can ultimately attract fans of both genres and maybe even entice some gamers who have otherwise never really engaged with horror titles before:
‘‘The combat and action elements are designed to be accessible for those accustomed to mainstream action games. I hope to attract even those who might be hesitant about playing a horror game, and would encourage them to give it a try.’’
Slitterheadhas a strong sense of identity, with that being at the core of its action and horror approach. With Toyama, the game has someone who understands horror in its purest form at the helm, and this should be exciting for fans of his previous work. The game’s main possession mechanic feels fresh and exciting, with the protagonist able to jump from one NPC body to the next, and along with its setting and premise, this makesSlitterheadan exciting prospect for fans.
