Combine Death Stranding’s love of delivering packages with the chaos of a cooperative survival horror game like R.E.P.O., and you aren’t far from what HakoAtama has to offer. Developed and published by Japanese indie studio Mutsumutsu Project, this upcoming horror game has you making deliveries and avoiding monsters either solo or cooperatively.
HakoAtama (literally translated as “box head”) looks funny at first glance but hides some sinister lore behind it. After strange creatures took over the surface world, some humans unfortunately lost their heads in the scuffle. Dubbed “HakoAtama,” these headless humans were locked away for their appearance. One day, the HakoAtama are given orders to run deliveries in evacuation shelters in exchange for parole. Presented with a chance to redeem themselves and recover their missing heads, the Box Heads set out on deliveries while braving the dangers of a newly occupied world.
The core gameplay loop involves delivering packages to generate revenue, which is used to keep your HakoAtama’s truck running between missions. You can carry packages by stacking them into a pile, which can be carried by hand or placed on the space where your head would normally be. While this makes delivering multiple packages at once easier and more interesting, stacking too much cargo drains your stamina and makes it easier for hostile creatures to spot and catch you.
Some deliveries hide dangerous contents that must be checked with inspection scanners that spawn in the levels. While the developers did not explicitly mention what happens when you deliver a dangerous package to a recipient, chances are it’s not anything good.
Aside from packages, items found throughout the levels can be equipped and stacked onto your headless body (the latter of which allows you to use them without dropping what is in your hands). These include flashlights, weapons, and other tools, some of which can be combined to grant unique effects. While choosing what to put on your head is important when playing solo, appointing players to equip specific items in co-op helps make the experience easier for everyone.
It’s worth noting that levels, item placements, delivery destinations, and inspection scanner locations are all randomized. When running through an evacuation shelter, careful management of your packages and knowing the level’s layout (which includes points of interest like shutters and hiding spots) will help you avoid the monsters.
As the third title developed by Mutsumutsu Project, HakoAtama’s visuals blend the hand-drawn murals of game illustrator Yoi Yoi with realistic 3D underground spaces. The monsters were created by incorporating collage techniques that make them stand out from their surroundings.
HakoAtama is set to release in 2027 for Windows (Steam). A crowdfunding campaign will launch on August 21 on Campfire, aiming to fully realize the developers’ vision for the game and highlight the excitement of its co-op aspects.
