Slitterhead Undersells its Use of Another Genre Beyond Horror and Action

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Slitterhead Undersells its Use of Another Genre Beyond Horror and Action

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of gaming under my belt, I have seen the evolution of horror and action games, with titles like Alan Wake and Resident Evil being staples in this genre fusion. But when it comes to Bokeh Game Studios’ debut release, Slitterhead, they truly outdid themselves by seamlessly blending these genres while introducing a unique sci-fi twist.

Horror games with action elements, as well as action games with horror aspects, are quite common, and many popular series like “Alan Wake” and “Resident Evil” fall into this category. Bokeh Game Studios made it clear that their first release, “Slitterhead”, would aim to evenly blend these two genres. They wanted to create a game that combines unnerving psychological and physical horror with more action-focused gameplay and mechanics.

In the game Slitterhead, players take on the role of a ghostly figure named Hyoki, who inhabits human bodies as it seeks to annihilate grotesque monsters that have inexplicably invaded the city of Kowlong. The game’s narrative begins with a focus on the enigma surrounding these horrifying creatures and Hyoki’s relentless pursuit to eradicate them. However, an element common in science fiction soon enters the plot, gradually becoming more significant. The incorporation of this sci-fi trope effectively enhances Slitterhead’s primary genre elements and adds a captivating depth to its storyline.

Spoilers ahead for
Slitterhead
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Slitterhead Slips A Heavy Dose of Science Fiction Into Its Action and Horror

Horror Games With a Sci-Fi Bent Have Been a Rising Trend

As a passionate enthusiast of horror games, I’ve noticed an intriguing trend lately: many upcoming and recent titles are merging the realms of science fiction and horror. Titles like Alien: Isolation and Dead Space have long been hailed for their excellence in this genre, but there are also lesser-known gems like Fort Solis from last year, as well as Cronos: The New Dawn by Bloober Team and Directive 8020 from Supermassive, which seamlessly blend sci-fi and horror. Even Slitterhead, at first glance, appears to be a purely horror title, but upon delving into its narrative, it becomes clear that it too employs a popular science fiction twist.

Slitterhead’s Sci-Fi Twist Adds An Interesting Wrinkle to Its More Obvious Horror and Action Components

As I delved deeper into Slitterhead’s narrative, I stumbled upon an unexpected twist: my character, Hyoki, developed the power to leap through time. This was something I never even guessed it could do, and there were no hints of it beforehand. But once this ability manifested, it became a pivotal part of the story, deeply intertwined with the action, horror, and suspense that were already rampant.

In the storyline, Hyoki and his unique band of humans called “Rarities” find themselves repeatedly reliving a three-day time loop as they strive to vanquish the slitherheads and halt their expansion. Along the way, we discover that some influential slitherheads comprehend the impact of their actions on causality, and a select few can manipulate it, making the chase between them even more intricate. Gameplay-wise, this repetition serves as a reason for revisiting missions, each time leading to diverse outcomes, new companions, and enhanced abilities, ultimately unraveling the puzzle piece by piece.

In their quest to outsmart opponents and unravel mysteries, characters like Hyoki from Slitterhead often revisit past locations and impact current situations. As this unfolds, the science fiction elements become more prominent, offering surprising insights into the nature of Hyoki, slitterheads, their bond, and how they’re altering reality through time manipulation. By subtly veering towards sci-fi instead of sticking strictly to action-horror as suggested, Slitterhead offers a fresh, captivating experience that stands out from its genre peers.

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2024-11-10 22:04