Slitterhead

Kowlong’s cramped alleys, neon signs, and red-light districts create a grimy supernatural hunting ground where paranoia matters as much as violence. You play Hyoki, a bodiless being with no past, who drifts through the city searching for Slitterheads: grotesque predators hiding behind ordinary human faces. The result is an unsettling action-adventure with a distinctly Japanese horror sensibility, balancing urban decay, body horror, and a mystery that gradually explains why Hyoki and these creatures exist. Its mood is oppressive and strange rather than purely frightening, with every crowded street potentially concealing another monster.

Hyoki’s defining ability is possession, letting him jump between civilians to evade danger, cross blocked routes, follow leads, and infiltrate hostile groups without a conventional physical body. Fights revolve around sacrificing a host’s health to shape blood into blades and other weapons, then abandoning that body when it becomes too damaged; quick switching is essential when Slitterheads overwhelm the screen. Special human allies called Rarities serve as stronger, recurring vessels with individual combat styles and skills, making them central to both survival and story progression. Missions mix investigation, pursuit, traversal, and arena-like boss encounters, while the host-swapping system adds an unusual tactical layer to what could otherwise be a straightforward brawler.

What stands out most is the way possession affects both movement and combat: civilians are not background decoration, but disposable opportunities and escape routes. The rough-edged presentation, eccentric creature designs, and deliberately disorienting tone reflect the sensibilities of director Keiichiro Toyama, known for Silent Hill, Siren, and Gravity Rush. Combat can feel chaotic and takes patience to understand, especially because fragile hosts demand constant awareness of positioning and available bodies. Slitterhead suits players who enjoy unconventional horror-action games and surreal Japanese urban fiction more than those seeking the polished rhythm of Devil May Cry; newcomers can manage it, but veterans willing to engage with its odd systems get the most from it.