How Slitterhead’s NPCs Differ From Most Other Games

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How Slitterhead's NPCs Differ From Most Other Games

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of gaming under my belt, I have to say that Bokeh Game Studio’s debut title, Slitterhead, has left me utterly spellbound. The game’s unique possession-based gameplay and deeply developed NPCs have created an immersive experience like no other.

In video games, Non-Player Characters (NPCs) can take various roles such as friends, allies, adversaries, or even romantic interests. However, in Bokeh Game Studio’s inaugural horror-action title Slitterhead, these characters serve an entirely unique purpose: they become vessels for the player character—the formless, memory-erasing Hyoki—to inhabit. As players advance through Slitterhead, they do so by taking control of different NPCs and leveraging their distinct abilities to vanquish the titular creatures. To achieve this, the Bokeh Game Studio team meticulously crafted NPCs that feel unlike those typically found in games.

The team behind Slitterhead shared insights about creating their studio’s debut original IP with Game Rant. They outlined how the gameplay centered around possession, building upon the “sightjacking” concept from Siren, required NPCs with rich backstories and relatable personalities for players to engage with. In stark contrast, the Hyoki – a being without identity solely focused on eradicating Slitterheads – lacks such depth.

Creating These NPCs Was A Major Development Challenge

Keiichiro Toyama, the mind behind Slitterhead and CEO at Bokeh Game Studios, shared that creating Non-Player Characters (NPCs) was one of the toughest hurdles he encountered during game development. In his words, “NPCs are often viewed as elements to tweak when managing processing power, but for this project, we had to prioritize them in the design of our levels.

During the course of the game, numerous Non-Player Characters (NPCs) can be taken over by the Hyoki. The team carefully evaluated various aspects such as each NPC’s movement patterns, special abilities that the Hyoki could utilize, their responses to encounters with Slitterhead enemies, and other relevant factors. Takahashi drew inspiration from his previous work, Gravity Rush, noting its abundance of interactive NPCs, which closely aligns with his vision for Slitterhead.

The NPCs The Hyoki Can Possess Each Feel Unique

Since the Hyoki character offers a great deal of versatility, the array of Non-Player Characters (NPCs) it can host becomes the game’s main source of intrigue and detail. Each NPC in the game is meticulously designed with a deep backstory that players can unravel as they advance through the narrative of Slitterhead. During development, Toyama explained that the team paid close attention to each NPC’s function, not only within the storyline but also in the world of Kowlong.

It was crucial to make sure that Non-Player Characters (NPCs) appeared entirely authentic within their surroundings. To illustrate, although the facade of the brothel might be glamorous, the interior, specifically the back room, depicted the workers moving casually around in casual clothing, giving an air of ease.

In the game ‘Slitterhead’, players are advised to interact with multiple Non-Player Characters (NPCs) rather than focusing on just one. The range of choices isn’t confined to humans, as the Hyoki can control several dogs that aid in sniffing out scents and discovering new locations or hidden areas. These dogs gained popularity online after a brief sneak peek in one of ‘Slitterhead’s early trailers.

NPCs Are Used To Create Both Intrigue And Horror

However, the game does feature a profound horror element – players may have to sacrifice their new NPC friends to the Slitterheads in order to progress further. Although Slitterhead features the fast-paced gameplay of an action title, its story is one of deep and abiding horror and anxiety. Those familiar with Toyama’s previous work, such as the Silent Hill series, should be prepared to experience horror and tragedy alike in the mysterious, haunted world of Kowlong.

Among the many possessable NPCs in Slitterhead are Rarities, which differ from standard NPCs in one key way: they retain consciousness when possessed by the Hyoki. Toyama revealed that “this dynamic significantly impacts the narrative development, creating powerful twists in the story.” He encouraged players to seek out these Rarities, whose personalities and histories will impact Slitterhead’s story in a way far beyond what the average video game NPC can do.

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2024-10-31 17:35