With its unique body-swapping mechanics, gory blood-based weapons, and eerie Lovecraftian creatures, Slitterhead presents itself as a promising action-horror title from the creator of Silent Hill. However, while the gameplay features solid combat mechanics, the story falls short, the enemy variety is lacking, and the missions become repetitive quickly. Ultimately, Slitterhead fails to live up to its initial potential.
The game follows the player as a mysterious entity known as the ‘Night Owl’ investigating a series of murders in a fictionalized Hong Kong. The ability to possess different characters provides an interesting investigative twist, allowing players to uncover clues and infiltrate restricted areas. The concept is intriguing, but the execution lacks depth.
At its core, Slitterhead revolves around possessed individuals called ‘rarities’ who transform into powerful weapons to combat the slitterheads. The game employs a time-looping narrative structure, requiring players to revisit events and prevent crimes, adding a layer of complexity to the gameplay.
While the combat system in Slitterhead has its appeal with its quick attacks and strategic crowd manipulation, the overall experience is hindered by lackluster enemy design and repetitive missions. The limited enemy variety and recycled mission structures contribute to a sense of monotony throughout the game.
Combat Dynamics
Combat in Slitterhead offers a mix of slicing and dicing enemies with bloody blades and leveraging the environment to gain a tactical advantage. The blood-based health system adds a unique twist, requiring players to strategically manage their resources for special abilities.
While the combat system allows for diverse attack strategies as players unlock new abilities, it is not without its flaws. The lack of impactful attacks and unreliable parrying mechanics detract from the overall enjoyment of the gameplay experience.
Repetitive Challenges
One of the major drawbacks of Slitterhead is the repetitive nature of its missions. Players often find themselves retracing their steps and engaging in similar tasks across the game world. The lack of variety in enemy types and mission objectives contributes to a sense of stagnation.
Despite a few standout moments involving unique puzzles or scenarios, the majority of missions boil down to chasing monsters disguised as humans and engaging in lackluster combat sequences. The lack of innovation in mission design hampers the overall experience of playing Slitterhead.