After watching the gameplay footage of Sharp head for the first time, players would be forgiven for not knowing quite which box to put it in. Blending fast-paced action with horror elements, the game seems to walk precariously on the line between the two genres. But he is certainly not alone in this sense. Many modern horror games lean more towards action than survival elements and with some innovative gameplay mechanics to show off, Sharp head will try to appeal to fans of both genres.
In a recent interview with Game Rant, CEO of developer Bokeh Game Studio, Keiichiro Toyama, sat down to talk about how Sharp head balances its action and horror elements. He mentioned how the game uses its own specific type of horror that is supposed to evoke anxiety in the player. He also said he hoped Sharp head it would attract players who would otherwise be reluctant to play horror titles.
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Slitterhead walks the fine line between action and horror
Fans of horror games tend to fall into two specific camps. They either prefer survival horror where weapons and healing items are scarce and combat encounters are few and far between, or they prefer heavier action elements with plentiful ammo and healing items never required. Where Sharp head the lands on that spectrum are slightly different, though. As the creator of the silent Hill of the series, Toyama knows all too well how to slowly build suspense through anxiety-inducing narrative and gameplay, and he explained it Sharp head should follow a similar path:
''I perceive it as having a horror atmosphere reminiscent of Japanese comics for adults (seinen manga). It combines elements of battles between supernatural abilities with horror, survival and suspense. Even though we've kept scare tactics to a minimum, I believe players will still feel the essence of horror within a narrative that evokes anxiety as it unfolds.”
Slitterhead should appeal to both action and horror fans
The success of Resident Evil 4 the remake cannot be understated, and it's easy to see why other horror games are following suit with a more action-packed approach. Even the recent one Silent Hill 2 the remake sped up the action compared to the 2001 original. As a result, action game fans should feel right at home Sharp headand the fast-paced nature of his combat. That said, Toyama hopes that the game will ultimately appeal to fans of both genres and maybe even attract some players who might otherwise never really engage with horror titles before:
''The combat and action elements are designed to be accessible to those accustomed to traditional action games. I hope to also appeal to those who might be hesitant to play a horror game and would encourage them to give it a try.”
Sharp head has a strong sense of identity, which is at the heart of its action and horror approach. With Toyama, the game has someone at the helm who understands horror in its purest form, and that should be exciting for fans of his previous works. The game's core possession mechanic feels fresh and exciting, with the protagonist able to jump from one NPC body to the next, and coupled with its setting and premise, this makes Sharp head an exciting prospect for fans.
- Released
- November 8, 2024
- Developer(s).
- Bokeh Game Studio
- Publisher(s).
- Bokeh Game Studio
- CERS
- M