Silent Hill creator says his new title Slitterhead is a modern action-game take on Siren 

Bokeh Game Studio’s Slitterhead was recently announced for a November 8, 2024 release. The game’s development is being led by Keiichiro Toyama, the creator of the Silent Hill, Siren and Gravity Rush franchises. Working with him are composer Akira Yamaoka of Silent Hill fame and Tatsuya Yoshikawa, the character designer of the Breath of Fire and Devil May Cry series. The three developers recently gave comments about the upcoming Slitterhead at a media event. 

Slitterhead is a 3D action-adventure game set in the neon-lit city of Kowlong, where players assume the role of the bodiless entity Hyoki. As Hyoki, you possess the bodies of humans to fight brain-devouring parasites called Slitterheads. Using the blood of humans, you create weapons to engage the Slitterheads in fast-paced battle, hopping to different hosts when wounded. 

According to Famitsu, when asked about what inspired this human possession mechanic, Toyama replied that Slitterhead’s “fundamental concept is to reinterpret Siren as a modern action game.” Siren, released in 2003, is a survival horror game in which the player uses a psychic ability called “sightjacking” to take over nearby targets’ sense of vision and hearing. This system allows the player to collect information about the game field, such as where important items are located. 

Toyama says that Slitterhead will reinterpret and extend the concept of sightjacking. While Siren was less about combat and more about stealth (sightjacking left you immobile and vulnerable), it seems Slitterhead will spin some of the predecessor’s mechanics into a heavily action-focused game (as indicated by the latest trailer). Although Slitterhead is about possessing bodies rather than senses, Toyama mentions that the game will allow players to catch occasional glimpses of other characters’ points of view, “as a form of fanservice” for Siren enthusiasts. 

Commenting on the game’s “edginess,” Toyama says he is aware that Slitterhead will not be a title that appeals to the great majority, but at the same time, he does not intend to market it only towards a select few who “get it.” Instead, the creator hopes to show people a new, outside-the-box game that stands out for its entertainment value. 

As an aside, Slitterhead’s trailer shows the protagonist possessing a dog, but Toyama has thankfully confirmed that there will be no battle or bloodshed involving animals. 

Slitterhead is scheduled to be released on November 8 for the PC (Steam/Epic Games Store), PS5/PS4 and Xbox Series X|S.