Bokeh Game Studio, founded by legendary developer Keiichiro Toyama in 2020, today released the company’s first title, action-horror game Slitterhead, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC via Epic Game Store and Steam.
Slitterhead launches with support for the just-launched PlayStation 5 Pro, delivering visual enhancements including improved resolutions and visual effects.
Stalk the streets of Kowlong as bodiless entity Hyoki, inhabiting human and animal bodies to traverse the streets and engage in blood-drenched combat while unraveling the mystery of the Slitterheads.
In a press release from today, Bokeh Game Studio Founder and Creator Keiichiro Toyama said:
It is incredibly challenging to create a new studio and game, and we faced no shortage of unexpected obstacles throughout development. Our team looked this challenge in the face and have persevered, and we feel a sense of joy that we can present this game to fans.
We don’t view Slitterhead as a traditional blockbuster action game or horror title, like Hyoki it defies easy comparisons. We hope fans will enjoy the possession mechanics and action combat as they explore Kowlong and get to know its complex residents. The story has many unexpected twists and terrifying scenarios that we hope players will face head on and without hesitation.
Set in the densely cluttered streets of Kowlong, filled with obscurity and chaos, this battle action-adventure game 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” crawling around 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 suspenseful drama unfolds, delve into the mystery behind Hyoki’s existence and the appearance of the Slitterheads.
KEY FEATURES:
- Bodiless “Hyoki” Exposes the Demons Nesting in the Pleasure District: The entity called “Hyoki” finds himself wandering amidst the chaos of Kowlong, plagued by the enigmatic monsters known as “Slitterheads” which mimic humans. Though bereft of all memories, he holds one resolute intention: to eradicate every last Slitterhead. Infiltrating the city, he sets out on a mission to hunt down the Slitterheads masquerading within human society; not knowing that his journey will delve into the mysteries beyond the existence of both himself and the Slitterheads.
- Possession-based High Speed Action: Devoid of physical form, Hyoki’s ability allows him to possess and control human bodies at will, turning the people wandering the city into his pawns. With this power he can slip through barriers, assume the identity of specific individuals, and infiltrate dangerous areas and organizations. By rapidly switching hosts, he can also traverse the city at high speed or overwhelm an enemy without regard for human life.
- Thrilling Combat Using the Power of Blood: While human bodies are fragile, Hyoki can burn their life force, turning blood into weapons to confront the ferocious Slitterheads. Even when critically wounded, he can continue fighting by switching hosts efficiently. By possessing “Rarities”, specific humans who share high sync with Hyoki, he is able to unleash even more powerful attacks and activate various abilities. The cooperative relationship with these “Rarities” holds the key to uncovering the deepening mysteries in the city of Kowlong.
Slitterhead is developed and published digitally on PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Windows PC via Epic Game Store and Steam by Bokeh Game Studio.
The title is available digitally for $49.99, and as a physical PS5 Day 1 Edition in North America distributed by XSEED Games with a MSRP of $59.99, including a physical copy of the game, a CD of original songs from the game composed by Akira Yamaoka, an artbook with over 100 pages filled with gruesome details, and a sticker sheet, all housed within a custom outer box.
For more info on Bokeh Game Studio, visit their official website and follow them on social media on X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Be sure to check out the launch trailer for the game below.
