Slitterhead

89%
Game Brain Score Based on 323 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • music
Slitterhead Game Cover
Slitterhead is a fun and satisfying horror combat game. It has a lot of variety in designs with plot twists that will keep you guessing after each chapter.
Starting at $29.99Buy now
Get on Steam Get on Epic Games Store Get on PS Store

"Slitterhead" is a single-player action game set in the neon-lit streets of Kowlong, where players take on the role of the memory-less "Hyoki" determined to eradicate the monstrous "Slitterheads." As Hyoki, seek out human allies, infiltrate dangerous organizations, and harness the power of blood in battles. Uncover the mystery behind Hyoki's existence and the Slitterheads as the suspenseful drama unfolds. Ingenious music and awesome story & gameplay await.

  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

89%
Audience ScoreBased on 323 reviews
story66 positive mentions
optimization3 negative mentions
  • Unique and ambitious gameplay mechanics, particularly the possession system that allows players to switch between characters during combat.
  • Strong atmosphere and art direction, reminiscent of classic horror games, with a captivating setting in a stylized version of Kowloon.
  • Engaging soundtrack by Akira Yamaoka that enhances the overall experience and complements the game's themes.
  • Repetitive gameplay and enemy variety, leading to a sense of monotony in the later stages of the game.
  • Combat can feel clunky and unrefined, with issues related to hit detection and the parry system that may frustrate players.
  • Lack of voice acting and some technical limitations, such as dated graphics and minimal character models, detract from the overall immersion.
  • story218 mentions

    The story of "Slitterhead" is described as intriguing and unique, featuring a blend of horror and action elements with a nonlinear narrative that encourages players to piece together the plot themselves. However, many reviewers noted issues such as repetitive mission structures, a lack of voice acting, and a convoluted progression system that detracts from the overall experience. While the atmosphere and character designs are praised, the storytelling often feels rough around the edges, leading to a mixed reception regarding its depth and engagement.

    • “The story will slowly unravel as you play and it expects you to put the pieces together yourself - it won't hold your hand explaining everything to you - and the experience is better for it.”
    • “I was fully invested and couldn’t wait for the next tidbit of story to be revealed in the moments between missions; it feels like a good horror movie or comic book.”
    • “The story is intriguing and kept me going to see where it all headed...”
    • “The story starts strong with its mysterious premise but loses steam with its slow pace and convoluted twists.”
    • “Story-wise, pretty much nothing is truly resolved by its conclusion, and not in a good way.”
    • “You will be replaying a lot of missions using the same area, albeit under different story scenarios.”
  • gameplay140 mentions

    The gameplay of "Slitterhead" is characterized by its unique possession mechanic, allowing players to switch between characters mid-battle, which adds depth to combat and exploration. While the mechanics can be complex and initially challenging, they become engaging once mastered, despite some criticisms regarding repetitive enemy designs and inconsistent parry timing. Overall, the game offers a blend of adventure, chase, and combat sequences, set against a backdrop of intriguing story elements and a distinctive atmosphere, though it suffers from a lack of polish and variety in visuals and level design.

    • “The gameplay is a mix of adventure, chase, and combat sequences.”
    • “The game’s unique mechanic allows you to switch between bodies mid-battle, using each host’s abilities to fight grotesque monsters.”
    • “The combat is surprisingly smooth, but you can't fight the game; the main mechanic is swapping bodies, so yes, it's easy for someone to get stunned, but you can swap instantly, mid-stun.”
    • “The parry system is inconsistent as to when the indicator will show up and the timing window mixed with the award hit indicator makes the whole mechanic feel off.”
    • “No ultra widescreen support, gameplay gets repetitive after about 2 hours, you're constantly retreading the same areas over and over again with different dialogue that isn't voiced.”
    • “The combat is so-so, but the biggest issue is the main mechanic of the game, possession, which becomes tiresome to use very early on.”
  • music75 mentions

    The music in the game, primarily composed by Akira Yamaoka, has received widespread acclaim for its unique and atmospheric qualities, enhancing the overall experience. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as one of the standout features, praising its variety, experimentation, and ability to evoke strong emotions, despite some criticism regarding the selection in the deluxe edition. Overall, the music is described as a perfect complement to the game's art style and narrative, contributing significantly to its immersive vibe.

    • “The menu and sound design is incredible, and the soundtrack by Akira Yamaoka is some of his best work yet.”
    • “The music features lots of variety and experimentation plus some of the best chilling-in-between-missions-menu music I’ve heard.”
    • “Akira Yamaoka's soundtrack is of course excellent and it gives a lot to the game's overall vibes.”
    • “That said, I must admit the soundtrack packaged in the deluxe edition is disappointingly selective; the tracks included could have been arranged to a longer length, and more unique tracks could have been included.”
    • “Music/soundtrack: 6/10”
    • “What is also interesting is that it doesn't sound much like previous soundtracks composed by Yamaoka.”
  • graphics70 mentions

    The graphics of "Slitterhead" are generally viewed as dated and indicative of a low-budget production, often compared to last-gen titles. However, many reviewers appreciate the game's unique art style and atmospheric design, which compensate for the technical limitations. While not groundbreaking, the visuals are described as cohesive and fitting within the game's overall aesthetic, contributing to an engaging experience despite their shortcomings.

    • “Slitterhead is a game that forgoes any pretence of cutting-edge graphics and instead takes a risk to present us with something truly interesting, reminding me of the early PS3 era where graphics had already become good enough and some developers still had the vision to create new experiences.”
    • “Budget character models and not-so-impressive visuals are made up for by stellar art direction and minimalist UI design.”
    • “Visuals are amazing, can't help but stop and adore the neon-lit streets of fictional Kowloon.”
    • “You can tell it's made on a budget; the levels are short, cut scenes are mostly just text, and there's a lack of polish to the graphics. However, Slitterhead has engaging gameplay once you appreciate what's being asked of you, and an interesting story.”
    • “The graphics are somewhat underwhelming (almost old-gen), the combat and controls are far from smooth, and you can see all the technical limitations of a game that’s almost indie-level.”
    • “It's got clunky combat, disappointing visuals, and some repetitive missions.”
  • atmosphere32 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its unique and immersive qualities, featuring beautiful environments, a haunting soundtrack, and a distinct art style that evokes a sense of nostalgia and unease. While some players note restrictions in gameplay freedom and linearity, the overall mood and thematic depth create a captivating experience that stands out in the gaming landscape. Despite its flaws, the atmosphere is described as unforgettable, with many reviewers highlighting its ability to evoke strong emotions and a sense of place.

    • “The game oozes with unique atmosphere which I haven't experienced in other games.”
    • “Bokeh Game Studio absolutely nailed the atmosphere and ambiance with this game; it's simply amazing and it completely immerses you in this nightmarish city.”
    • “While it certainly has its flaws, the unsettling atmosphere and grotesque creature designs kept me hooked from beginning to end.”
    • “Atmosphere is unreal, feels like Wong Kar-wai and Christopher Doyle teamed up yet again to give us a neon-soaked noir visual masterpiece; you can almost smell the gutters in this game.”
    • “With an eerie atmosphere, creepy creature designs, and a city that feels alive, it’s unforgettable.”
  • humor7 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by its bizarre and morbidly funny elements, such as quirky character transformations and absurd scenarios involving unlikely allies like a grocery store worker or an old grandma. While some animations elicit laughter, particularly the blood-related ones, the overall comedic impact is enhanced by the game's unique storytelling and character interactions, despite some repetitiveness. Players appreciate the blend of sleazy and gross humor, making for an entertaining experience.

    • “The ability to hop between hosts during battle and gaining new powerful allies in the form of a grocery store worker or an old grandma are interesting and funny ideas.”
    • “It's sleazy, it's gross, it's bizarre, it's morbidly funny and I loved every second of it, warts and all.”
    • “Attacks feel weighty, and most animations (except blood ripper and blood popper, they made me laugh every time I used them) look good, especially for the polearm-wielding rarities.”
  • character development6 mentions

    Character development is highlighted by impressive and unique character designs that contribute to an engaging team dynamic, sparking curiosity about each character's background and abilities. However, while the designs are celebrated, the depth of character development is noted to be somewhat superficial, lacking the complexity typically found in RPGs. Overall, the characters are enjoyable but do not reach a level of profound narrative engagement.

    • “Character designs are great, and I love the rag-tag team of rarities you assemble.”
    • “The character design is fun and honestly exciting; I constantly found myself wondering who would join the team and what they'd play like. There's enough writing here to get a strong sense of each host.”
    • “The sound and character design are amazing, but the world lacks depth and the gameplay is not all that fun because the cognitive challenges are lacking and there's little meaning in what I can do.”
    • “Also, had really some surprising character designs you wouldn't usually see as selectable main characters.”
    • “I actually love the character designs and details in the settings.”
  • stability5 mentions

    The game demonstrates excellent stability, with users reporting zero frame drops, bugs, crashes, or glitches, and smooth performance across platforms, including Linux and Steam Deck. Overall, it is praised for its reliable functionality and seamless gameplay experience.

    • “The game runs great on Linux, for those who care.”
    • “Plus, it runs great to boot.”
    • “Amazing soundtrack and runs great on Deck!”
    • “This game is an absolute gem, if you're looking for broad appeal and AAA open-world buggy-ness, look elsewhere.”
  • optimization4 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed feedback, with some players experiencing stuttering and camera issues, particularly in the final 30% of gameplay. However, others found that adjusting settings significantly improved performance, leading to a more enjoyable experience. Overall, while there are notable performance challenges, some players have successfully optimized their gameplay.

    • “It's pretty out there and it's a refreshing performance.”
    • “Performance:”
    • “Stuttering and camera issues made the last 30% of gameplay rough.”
    • “Performance issues persisted throughout the game, making it frustrating to play.”
    • “Despite adjusting the settings, the optimization still left much to be desired.”
  • replayability3 mentions

    The game offers solid replayability through its engaging storytelling and diverse characters, despite primarily relying on text for narrative delivery. Players are encouraged to revisit missions, and the creative level design, reminiscent of budget-conscious titles like Nier, enhances the overall experience.

    • “The game is still fun to play, encourages replayability, and manages to create pretty sceneries (the nightclub looks pretty cool).”
    • “They also worked around budget limitations in clever ways similar to games like Nier, in terms of level replayability.”
    • “The storytelling is primarily done through text, which limits the replayability since most of the experience feels the same on subsequent playthroughs.”
    • “While there are some clever design choices, the overall level replayability is hindered by budget limitations, making it feel repetitive.”
    • “The reliance on text for storytelling means that once you've experienced the narrative, there's little incentive to replay the game.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    The game features a commendable monetization model with zero microtransactions or DLCs, allowing players to unlock all costumes and items solely through gameplay. This approach has been praised as conceptually awesome, contrasting with the misleading previews and advertisements.

    • “+0 microtransactions and DLCs; all costumes and items can be unlocked through missions, and that's the only way to obtain them!”
    • “The game offers a fair monetization model, allowing players to earn everything through gameplay without spending extra money.”
    • “I appreciate that there are no paywalls; all content is accessible through in-game achievements.”
    • “Zero microtransactions and DLCs; all costumes and items can be unlocked through missions, and that's the only way to obtain them!”
    • “The monetization model is refreshing, as it allows players to earn everything through gameplay without spending extra money.”
    • “It's frustrating to see games that rely heavily on microtransactions, but this one stands out by offering a complete experience without additional costs.”
  • grinding2 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game, particularly related to deciphering cipher dialogue, to be tedious, especially in the late-game. Despite this, many still consider the game a strong contender for Game of the Year, indicating that the overall experience outweighs the grinding frustrations.

    • “Don't even get me started with the cipher dialogue. Credit to the guy who managed to decipher it, but I believe it shouldn't be that tedious for a mid-story.”
    • “I've heard late-game gets tedious, but I can't imagine this not being in my Game of the Year list, even if it's like, number 3 or whatever.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

66% average critic score

Buy Slitterhead

Play time

19hMedian play time
17hAverage play time
12-21hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

Videos

Similar Games

Game News