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Bokeh Game Studio Introduces Slitterhead Characters from Kowlong’s Seamy Underbelly, More Combat Skills, and a Stage Set in the "Sleepless Zone”

We've definitely been in the 'Sleepless Zone' waiting for news about the characters and combat.

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October 2, 2024

6 Min Read

[This unedited press release is made available courtesy of Game Developer and its partnership with notable game PR-related resource Games Press]

Bokeh Game Studio :

Bokeh Game Studio, founded by legendary developer Keiichiro Toyama in 2020, today introduced a slew of new character, skill, and stage details for the highly anticipated horror action adventure game, Slitterhead. Scheduled for release this Nov. 8 on PS4™,  PS5™, Xbox Series X|S, and Windows PC via Epic Game Store and Steam, this latest  collection of info and assets include characters Anita and Edo, details on combat, and the “Mong Tsui” stage.

CHARACTERS

Anita 

Working in a massage parlor run by the criminal organization "Golden Qilin", Anita was always somewhat of an outsider among her peers. Although she has always been somewhat of an outsider among her peers, her recent colder demeanor has raised suspicions among the women around her.

Edo

Experiencing homelessness and living day by day in the bustling streets of Kowlong, his only companion is a dog. Once a part of the glamorous world of show business, he is now reluctant to reveal how he lost it all.


Michelle
The manager of the nightclub "Moon Flower", who also secretly oversees a massage parlor. Known for her caring nature, she is highly respected by the women under her care. She has recently become concerned about Anita, whose behavior has become increasingly suspicious...


COMBAT

Blood Weapon

A host's blood can be consumed to generate a "Blood Weapon", which is used by pressing the attack button repeatedly for a series of consecutive attacks. While in stance with the weapon, the player will be able to block most enemy attacks, allowing them to follow up with a powerful counter strike. However, blocking too many times will cause the weapon to break, causing the player to lose a small amount of health each time.


Edo Skills

Deflect All (Active Skill)

Automatically deflects all attacks that can be deflected. Effective only when primed and focused on an enemy.

Angel Step (Active Skill)

An evasion technique combined with movement. The player can attack during Angel Step, making combo attacks possible. And when focusing on an enemy, the player can step to the side then slip around to their back.

Burning Edge (Common Skill)

Reduces Blood Weapon durability to the extreme in exchange for greatly increased attack power for a short time

Combat Basics - Possession

By "possessing" another host and jumping from one body to the next, Hyoki can avoid danger itself. Human bodies are frail and quickly fall to enemy attacks or suffer enough damage. During times when both guarding and evasion are difficult, use possession to swiftly escape, and do not hesitate to discard bodies when they are no longer of use. Even Rarities have trouble defeating enemies alone, so use humans in the area aggressively.

Deflect & Evade

Enemy attacks can be repelled and neutralized with "Deflect"-- A guide will display in the direction just before an enemy attacks. While in a defensive stance (guard), it will activate if the camera is shifted in that direction right when the guide lights up. When Deflect is successful, it will throw the enemy off balance and allow for a counterattack, as well as restoring Blood Weapon durability. Attacks that do not display a guide cannot be deflected. Use evasion or possession to deal with them.

Blood Time

Successfully deflecting multiple attacks will activate “Blood Time”, causing time to slow down allowing the player to attack the enemy Slitterhead uninterrupted for its duration. The “Blood Time” gauge displays in the center of the screen while active

Intermissions 
 

Mission-based gameplay and conversations during "Intermissions" that hold the key to the story. Players can progress through the game by selecting missions, choosing up to two Rarities to accompany them each time. 

  • The core gameplay revolves around tracking down the whereabouts of the Slitterheads hidden throughout each area and defeating them. 

  • There is a diverse range of missions, from some focused heavily on combat with others requiring the player to stealthily move around the stage.

  • The order of the missions and combinations of characters are generally up to the player to choose, allowing them to consider which Rarities/Skills they want to strategically use in the mission.

  • After completing a mission, players will move to the "Intermission" screen, where they can engage with the Rarities in conversations, enhance their abilities, change costumes etc. Unlocking new conversations is essential as new missions can be unlocked through particular ones.

STAGE

Mong Tsui

Each mission features unique stages with various scenarios, including open cities where players can explore freely, as well as buildings where they must stealthily evade surveillance. This time we will introduce "Mong Tsui", an area where not only the Slitterheads disguised as humans are lurking about, but even the ordinary inhabitants tend to be suspicious.

Spreading through the heart of Kowlong, this vibrant district is also known as the "Sleepless Zone". While dazzling neon sign boards line up through the crowded streets, the shadows are filled with criminal organizations and brothel rings, making it a dangerous area regarded as the epitome of chaos and depravity.
 

I must eliminate them...ALL… 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.

Developed and published by Bokeh Game Studio, Slitterhead will be available digitally for $49.99, and features feature 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. This title has been rated M for “Mature” by the ESRB.

For more information on Bokeh Game Studio, visit their official website and follow them on social media on X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

 

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