Slitterhead Reviews
If you can get past the jankiness, Slitterhead has a certain quality that makes it oddly compelling. Everything from the plot to the gameplay and the graphics is a strange combination of insanely dated and bizarrely structured. It's a bizarre, shambling mess of a game that has a flavor all its own, but it never quite manages to come together into something cohesive.
There can never be a suitable rating for a game like Slitterhead. Poor, bare and repetitive, yet unique, original and full of charm. Those looking for something different in the gaming landscape will probably be satisfied, while those who want a clean product on par with modern homogeneity should look elsewhere.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Slitterhead’s issues run pretty deep as it’s a repetitive experience that doesn’t really play around in its horror aspects nearly as much as it should. Slitterheads run from you as opposed to the player being stalked or hunted. The game shows its hand very early and never changes up its combat, exploration, or mission design. There are genuinely maybe four unique missions here that then get repeated countless times in favor of a time travel story of “how do we fix it this time” that doesn’t pay off. There are interesting ideas here that could translate to a more improved sequel, but nothing here indicates that this game will do well enough to even warrant one.
The game looks fine for what it is; dark and drab environments are detailed and the city feels lively. Its dark theme offers a darker color palette to properly represent the menacing threat. However, it unfortunately doesn’t benefit from the full processing power of the Xbox Series S and X consoles. It looks like early 8th generation console game, which is unfortunate. Human characters are pretty generic, but they did do a great job creating the monstrosities you’ll face. Audio wise, there’s little to no voiceover work, aside from incomprehensible muffles. The soundtrack is incredibly eclectic; some tunes are properly spooky where others sounds like the composer slid his ass across a keyboard. Given this brand new concept, there’s sure to be a few hiccups. Outdated graphics aside, combat does feel a bit loose and requires some practice to feel comfortable. It’s also rough at times facing a bigger Slitterhead and trying quickly swap powers with the d-pad and not get it. Bokeh Game Studio’s first project had somewhat high hopes given the reputation of Keiichiro Toyama, the studio head, created Silent Hill and Siren. But Slitterhead manages to be a surprising and entertaining experience. While having no scares, despite Toyama’s history, the game makes up for it with deep combat system, fun possession system and intriguing story. Sure, it’s not perfect, but if you’re looking for a unique, challenging 3rd person action game, Slitterhead is a must play.
It’s great that the game retains the nostalgic feel of '90s Hong Kong, but the gameplay itself feels like something from console generations past. While it may not suit everyone, those with the right taste might still find it unexpectedly enjoyable.
Review in Korean | Read full review
"I feel extremely conflicted when I think deeply about Slitterhead. On the one hand, it's a return to the side of Toyama's mind that gave us Silent Hill, with Slitterhead presenting players with an otherworldly tale that thrives on surrealism and its gripping central mystery. On the other, it's a sub-par action game that weighs down its novel ideas with combat that feels weightless and unimpactful. Whether the combat is a deal breaker for the average player is going to depend on how much they value everything that Toyama and his team at Bokeh Studios have got right. For this writer, the answer to that conundrum is that on the whole, Slitterhead's positives do outweigh its negatives. It feels like Toyama is untethered again, and while not every design choice has worked out for the best, the fact that we have the horror legend operating independently and willing to create something unlike anything else is something to be celebrated."
Slitterhead exemplifies what an indie developer with ambitious ideas can achieve within limited means. Where one system falters, another aspect of the game steps up, maintaining a balance between innovation and feasibility. While more resources could have enhanced the combat and voice acting, Slitterhead ultimately succeeds as a character-driven horror game with a focus on storytelling and atmosphere. For fans of narrative-driven horror, Slitterhead is a captivating experience that breaks the mold.
Despite its innovative gameplay, its lack of variety and somewhat confounding story hold it back. As an action game, the fast-paced body possession system is addicting, but it doesn't provide as many challenges as you'd expect from its length.
Slitterhead may be a bit rough around the edges, but the core concept and story are intriguing enough to make this worth trying. There really aren’t many games like this, and I recommend it to anyone who has an interest in strange and dark titles.
Slitterhead has a weirdly intriguing plot and cool art design wasted by endless repetition and outdated game design. There’s something here, and I found Slitterhead pulling me in during the first few hours. It was the last 80% of the game that was a dreadful experience.
Slitterhead is a mixed bag at times, but it is an intriguing and enjoyable time for the most part. The combat feels great and utilizing abilities, regular attacks, deflecting, and swapping bodies on the fly makes for a very rewarding experience. The story itself is wonderful, and the visuals exemplify the horrific nature of these monsters and how they form. It can feel a bit stiff at times, and I wasn't a fan of how the backstory was told, but it's still a great time that feels unique against the current lineup of horror games. It is hit or miss on the Steam Deck in some areas, but it will hold for the most part. It feels great on the portable screen, especially with HDR support. Overall, this is a wonderful experience, and I highly recommend it!
Slitterhead delivers an intriguing horror story and fast action, but its exploration sections feel watered down, lacking in player agency.
In some regards Slitterhead is fantastic. It offers an engaging story told through the perspective of several characters, a simple yet fun combat system that excels through the ability to possess different people at any moment and super cool monster design in the Slitterheads. Unfortunately a lot of the other aspects feel very underbaked. Stealth isn’t engaging at all and sometimes kills all the momentum the game had going, the controls are always snappy enough for what you want to do and some aspects of the presentation feel very oldschool. As a package the game is a lot of fun though and offers a glimpse into what the developers at Bokeh Game Studio are able to do in the future. That is certainly bright and hopefully brings more somewhat unique titles like Slitterhead certainly is.
Review in German | Read full review
Slitterhead has 'cult classic' written all over it with its gritty atmosphere, unsettling creature designs and old-school appeal, though it lacks polish and a satisfying combat system.
Slitterhead offers a quirky, exotic horror-action experience with flaws in dialogue and gameplay, but those who embrace its oddities will find a bizarre, twist-filled story, intense monster combat, and a true cult-classic feel from Bokeh Game Studio.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
Slitterhead is a divisive horror game that will either fascinate or frustrate players. Its unique blend of action, body horror, and surreal storytelling, coupled with a haunting soundtrack by Akira Yamaoka, creates an unforgettable, albeit flawed, experience.
Review in German | Read full review