Slitterheads Unorthodox Protagonist is a Storytelling and Gameplay Boon

Slitterheads Unorthodox Protagonist is a Storytelling and Gameplay Boon

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of gaming under my belt, I must say that Slitterhead has piqued my interest with its innovative approach to protagonists. Having played countless horror games, I can attest that a complex and well-developed protagonist can significantly elevate the experience. However, Slitterhead’s decision to focus on multiple characters, especially the enigmatic Rarities, is a refreshing twist.


In Slitterhead, players assume the role of a spirit named Hyoki, but it’s important to note that Hyoki isn’t the only character that players will come to understand deeply. There are other characters whose control players may also experience.

Absolutely, the game “Slitterhead” primarily centers on its possession mechanic, with a mix of ordinary humans and unique characters known as Rarities. As a result, “Slitterhead” doesn’t need to create a single human protagonist in depth, since players frequently switch host bodies and encounter the same Rarities throughout their gameplay experience.

Horror Protagonists Often Demand a Great Deal of Complexity

Horror games without complex or evolving main characters sometimes fall short of their full potential. This doesn’t automatically mean that the character needs to have dialogue, as Isaac Clarke from Dead Space effectively shows (until the remake provided him with voiceovers). In simpler terms, a compelling horror game can be weakened if the protagonist isn’t well-developed or interesting.

Indeed, games like “Until Dawn”, “Soma”, and “Parasite Eve” demonstrate how a strong narrative and fully-realized characters can significantly enhance a game. For instance, “Until Dawn” stands out due to its multiple playable protagonists, each of whom can offer more depth than their initial archetypes might suggest if developed effectively.

Personally speaking, I’m captivated by how the latest remake of Silent Hill 2 presents a protagonist who might not be conventionally likable – James Sunderland is deeply entrenched in grief and navigates more in moral ambiguity than any other space. This intriguing character trait makes it all the more compelling to explore.

Slitterhead Solves a Protagonist Issue by Featuring Multiple

Unique individuals, referred to as Rarities, will be playable characters in addition to regular humans. These special characters have greater strength than typical humans and possess a unique compatibility with Hyoki. If any characters hold the key to advancing the storyline and revealing the secrets of Kowlong, it’s these extraordinary beings. There is a possibility that Hyoki was once human – possibly even a Rarity itself – before becoming a disembodied spirit able to inhabit living beings at will. The character Slitterhead skillfully avoids the clumsy expository moments often associated with an ordinary protagonist’s explanation since it serves as the players’ initial introduction to the narrative.

If Slitterhead’s main theme is possession and its impact on gameplay, it could be that Hyoki is a ghostly entity throughout the entire game. Removing the possession mechanic early on might seem inconsistent or premature, especially before the game ends and credits are shown. However, this setup could significantly enhance Slitterhead by allowing it to concentrate more on developing the characters that players embody as spirits, rather than just focusing on combat and action.

In a similar fashion, this expansion would broaden the narrative possibilities for Slitterhead, potentially uncovering the unique connections between each Rarity and Hyoki. For instance, we learn that Hyoki rescued Julee, while Alex is also tracking Slitterheads for a yet-to-be-disclosed purpose.

As a gamer immersed in this world, I’ve noticed that the rare characters, or Rarities as they’re called, come from various backgrounds. Their tales and shared experiences often form the backbone of the narrative as we chase and defeat Slitterheads. So far, details about these unique characters have been revealed gradually, and I can’t wait to see each one develop further, not just in gameplay but also in the storyline. It would be fantastic if they each had distinct backgrounds and lore that tied them more deeply to the horrific events surrounding Slitterheads.

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2024-11-01 17:06