Slitterhead Probably \"Rough Around The Edges\" But Will Be Fresh and Original

Keiichiro Toyama, the visionary behind the Silent Hill series, is crafting a unique horror-action experience with his new game, Slitterhead. This article delves into his comments about the game's originality and its potentially "rough around the edges" nature.

Slitterhead: Originality Over Polished Perfection

A Return to Horror After a Decade

Launching November 8th, Slitterhead, from the mind of Keiichiro Toyama, promises a thrilling blend of action and horror. Toyama himself acknowledges the game might feel "rough around the edges" in a recent GameRant interview. He explains, "From the very first ‘Silent Hill,’ we've prioritized freshness and originality, even if it means some imperfections." This philosophy, he emphasizes, continues in Slitterhead.

Toyama and his studio, Bokeh Game Studio, have poured their hearts into this project, resulting in a raw and experimental feel. While the influence of Silent Hill, his 1999 debut that redefined psychological horror, is undeniable, Toyama's career has branched beyond horror since then. Siren: Blood Curse (2008) was his last foray into the genre before the Gravity Rush series. This return to horror carries significant weight of expectation.

The meaning of "rough around the edges" remains open to interpretation. Comparing Bokeh Game Studio's size (11-50 employees) to large AAA studios is a valid context. However, the involvement of industry veterans like producer Mika Takahashi, character designer Tatsuya Yoshikawa, and composer Akira Yamaoka, alongside the innovative gameplay merging elements of Gravity Rush and Siren, suggests Slitterhead will deliver on Toyama's promise of originality. Only the game's release will reveal whether the "rough edges" are a stylistic choice or a genuine concern.

Kowlong: A City Steeped in Mystery

Slitterhead unfolds in the fictional city of Kowlong (a blend of "Kowloon" and "Hong Kong"), a 1990s-inspired Asian metropolis infused with supernatural elements reminiscent of seinen manga like Gantz and Parasyte (according to Toyama and his team in a Game Watch interview).

Players become a "Hyoki," a spirit-like entity capable of inhabiting different bodies to combat terrifying "Slitterhead" enemies. These aren't your typical horror monsters; they are grotesque and unpredictable, shifting from human to nightmarish forms, blending horror with unexpected humor.

For a deeper dive into Slitterhead's gameplay and narrative, explore our related article!