Video Games
New ‘Slitterhead’ Developer Diary Explores Inspirations for the Game’s Setting [Video]
Bokeh Game Studio are switching things up a bit with the impending release of their action-horror title Slitterhead. Their new video is a developer diary (the first in a series of behind-the-scenes videos) titled “Kowlong Express: Bringing Forgotten Fragments into Slitterhead”, which follows Slitterhead creator Keiichiro Toyama as he revisits locations that lingered in his memories for decades and became the inspiration for the game’s setting.
Throughout the developer diary, Toyama explores the “energy and dynamism” that he was drawn to, and a less controlled, more chaotic era that existed before his travels, both of which played into his desire to bring the world in his mind to life in Slitterhead. “I thought it could be interesting to try and replicate that atmosphere in a game,” explains Toyama.
For example, Toyama talked about referencing Kowloon Walled City, which had been used previously in Sony’s 1997 PS1 game Kowloon’s Gate, and even Ghost in the Shell. “What attracts me is the duality. On one hand, you have the disorder and chaotic streets, while on the other hand you have these refined buildings that naturally blend together.”
Set in the densely cluttered streets of Kowlong, the story for Slitterhead casts players as the “Hyoki,” an entity devoid of memory and physical form. His only motive is to eradicate the monstrous beings known as “Slitterheads” that have infested the city, disguising themselves as humans.
Roaming the vibrant neon-lit cityscape, Hyoki must seek out allies among humans known as “Rarities,” infiltrate and track dangerous organizations, and engage in battles harnessing the power of blood. As the story progresses, players will delve into the mystery behind Hyoki’s existence and the appearance of the Slitterheads.
Slitterhead will arrive November 8 digitally for PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store, Xbox Series, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5. The game will also see a physical PS5 “Day 1 Edition” release in North America.
The House of The Dead fans have a new rail shooter to dive into with Alex Rassloff‘s MEATHOOK, which will be launching on Steam on July 21. If you can’t wait that long, you can check out the demo, which features seven of the game’s 10 levels.
This survival horror FPS sees you being captured by a mysterious cult, which has killed your partner and suspended you from a conveyor mechanism like a piece of meat. Making matter worse, you’re now forced to partake in a collection of ritualistic challenges, collecting weapons and cleansing the tunnels of cultists that are looking to carve you up.
Sporting throwback PS1-style graphics and gore, MEATHOOK also features a tactile physics-driven weapon system as well as a unique manual reload feature. You navigate the small interconnected levels by selecting markers to move along the conveyor that takes you throughout the levels. You’ll be stocking up on resources such as food, ammo, keys and guns.
For added replay, there are multiple paths to discover, as well as a few shortcuts. There are also secret items to discover for the completionists in mind.