Get Ready for Slitterhead: Upcoming Action Horror Game Lets You Possess a Dog

Bokeh Game Studio, the team behind Slitterhead, has recently unveiled new gameplay footage at Pax West, showcasing the game’s intriguing possession mechanic. One of the standout features is the ability for players to take control of a dog. Created by Keiichiro Toyama, the mastermind behind Silent Hill, Slitterhead was first announced in 2021. It garnered significant attention during this year’s Summer Game Fest, where its mechanics and unsettling body horror elements were highlighted.

Set in the eerie, fictional streets of Kowlong, Slitterhead invites players to control Hyoki, a supernatural entity with the power to possess the city's residents. The goal is to cleanse the city of terrifying monsters through these possessions. With comparisons already drawn to Ghostwire: Tokyo by Tango Gameworks, horror enthusiasts are hopeful that Slitterhead will maintain its dark atmosphere amidst its action-packed gameplay.

Slitterhead’s Innovative Possession Mechanic

At Pax West, Gematsu shared detailed footage of Slitterhead’s gameplay, focusing on its unique possession feature. Players will guide Hyoki as it inhabits various locals to navigate intense chase sequences and engage in combat. Notably, the game highlights a feature where Hyoki can possess a stray dog. This mechanic allows players to use the canine's enhanced sense of smell to track scents through shadowy alleyways, adding a fresh twist to the horror experience.

Unique Mechanics and Artistic Direction

Bokeh Game Studio’s approach to animal encounters in Slitterhead takes gaming to new heights. The possession mechanic is inspired by Toyama’s 2003 survival horror game, Siren, and incorporates elements from his 2012 title, Gravity Rush. This system challenges players’ ethics by presenting human bodies as expendable vessels.

The game's artistic direction features anime-style characters and fearsome monsters reminiscent of The Thing and Beetlejuice. This visual style, combined with the possession mechanic, promises to appeal to fans of horror anime like Jujutsu Kaisen and Parasyte.

Release Date and Industry Context

Slitterhead is set to launch on November 8, just missing the October release window, which is traditionally packed with horror titles. This October features remakes of Silent Hill 2 and Until Dawn, as well as Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred. With such a competitive release schedule, Slitterhead will need to stand out with its originality to capture the horror community's attention.