Slitterhead Probably "Rough Around The Edges" But Will Be Fresh and Original

Keiichiro Toyama, the visionary behind the Silent Hill franchise, is crafting a unique horror-action experience with his new game, Slitterhead. This article delves into his comments about the game's originality and its potentially "rough around the edges" nature.

Silent Hill Creator Delivers a Fresh, Original Horror Experience – Despite Imperfections

Slitterhead: A Return to Horror After a Decade

Launching November 8th, Slitterhead, from Silent Hill creator Keiichiro Toyama and his studio, Bokeh Game Studio, promises a blend of action and horror. Toyama himself acknowledges the game might have a few imperfections, stating in a GameRant interview, "From the very first ‘Silent Hill,’ we have maintained a commitment to freshness and originality, even if it means being a bit rough around the edges. That attitude has remained consistent throughout my works and in ‘Slitterhead.’"

Bokeh Game Studio's innovative approach is evident in Slitterhead's raw and experimental style. While the influence of Toyama's seminal work, Silent Hill (1999), is undeniable, Slitterhead marks his return to the horror genre after a significant hiatus following 2008's Siren: Blood Curse. His subsequent work on the Gravity Rush series further heightens anticipation for this comeback.

The meaning of "rough around the edges" remains open to interpretation. Considering Bokeh Game Studio's size (11-50 employees) compared to larger AAA studios, some imperfections are understandable. However, the involvement of industry veterans like producer Mika Takahashi, character designer Tatsuya Yoshikawa, and composer Akira Yamaoka, combined with the promising gameplay elements inspired by Gravity Rush and Siren, suggests Slitterhead will indeed be a fresh and original title. Only time will tell if the "rough edges" are a stylistic choice or a genuine concern.

Exploring the Fictional City of Kowlong

Slitterhead unfolds in the fictional city of Kowlong—a blend of "Kowloon" and "Hong Kong"—a 1990s-inspired Asian metropolis infused with supernatural elements reminiscent of seinen manga like Gantz and Parasyte (as noted by Toyama and his team in a Game Watch interview).

Players assume the role of a "Hyoki," a spirit-like entity capable of inhabiting different bodies to combat terrifying "Slitterhead" enemies. These are not your typical horror monsters; they're grotesque, unpredictable, and often shift from human to nightmarish forms, blending horror with a touch of the bizarre.

For a deeper dive into Slitterhead's gameplay and narrative, explore our related articles.