Slitterhead
is finally here, and if you’re diving into this new horror game from Keiichiro Toyama—his first since 2008’s Siren: Blood Curse—you’re in for a wild experience. While there are parts that might feel a bit confusing or rough, the game showcases the unique weirdness that only Toyama can deliver in this genre.
The unsettling vibe is present throughout, with the game’s second mission hitting all the right notes, setting up an eerie adventure as you peel away the layers of truth in Slitterhead.
Getting Started in Sleepless Zone
In Slitterhead, Sleepless Zone is the second mission you’ll tackle. This time, Julee is back in action, but you’ll have no additional Rarities at this stage. After finishing the Lurking Parasite task and discovering the Slitterhead operation linked to a Brothel, your sights are now set on the Golden Qilin.
Infiltrating the Golden Qilin
Your first goal is to enter the Golden Qilin, which isn’t as straightforward as simply walking in the front door. If you try this, a Mafia Man guarding the entrance will send you packing. Thankfully, there’s an alternate entry.
Head to the right of the front door and locate a staircase that leads to an apartment above. Climb to the top, and turn to face the Golden Qilin; you should see an open window with an employee nearby. Use your possession ability to take control of this individual—voilà, you’re now inside the Golden Qilin!
Gathering Information on Anita
Now that you’re inside the Golden Qilin, explore the hallways and climb the stairs until you find yourself in a dimly lit room filled with Mafia members and Sex Workers. Your mission here is to gather intel on the establishment’s Boss. Approach the table to the right and speak with the Sex Worker there.
From her, you’ll learn about someone named Anita, which leads you to seek further information. You’ll also notice a booth separated by dividers with two Sex Workers—one in a black dress and the other in green. Talk to the woman in green for more details about Anita.
Looking for the Manager
Armed with new information about Anita, your next task is to locate the Manager of the establishment, found on the upper floor terrace of the Golden Qilin. Ascend the stairs to a dimly lit red area, then take a left and continue down the hallway until you reach another staircase.
Continue up this staircase to the rooftop, where you’ll encounter a woman in a stylish white dress adorned with a large rose. Interact with her to find out she’s the Manager, who will inform you that entry to the Waiting Area is prohibited.
Entering the Waiting Area
Try to open the locked door to the Waiting Room, but the Manager will warn you against it. Next, approach a couple chatting by some boxes to hear about someone who broke into the Waiting Room recently. This will prompt a shirtless man to appear on his balcony from a nearby apartment.
Possess this man and navigate through the apartment complex to another balcony where you can peek into the Waiting Room. Use your possession skills once more to take control of a Sex Worker inside, allowing you to progress your investigation.
Continuing Your Investigation
Inside the Waiting Room, move through the room to find a Sex Worker smoking a cigarette. Conversation here will yield additional information about Anita, revealing that she is on the bottom floor of the building.
Head downstairs to discover a pair of Sex Workers near a window—one in a zebra-striped dress and the other in red. Speak with the woman in the zebra dress to trigger a cutscene, where Anita walks by, prompting you to follow her.
Chasing After Anita
Once you step outside, you’ll see Anita disappear down the stairs in an instant, leading you to pursue her. But as you approach the stairs, a Slitterhead will leap out of the Golden Qilin, blocking your path.
Even without Julee for this confrontation, the fight remains manageable, thanks to several civilians around who you can possess if needed. Make use of your Blood Popper and Blood Ripper abilities for effective damage.
A solid strategy involves switching to random civilians, using War Cry to attract the Slitterhead’s attention, and then switching again to unleash some free hits. This will ensure you defeat it quickly and gain access to explore further.
Attempting to Reach the Boss
After examining the Slitterhead’s body, you will discover the Boss is located on the top floor of the Golden Qilin. With this intel, head toward where Anita went, only to find a locked red door blocking your way.
Look up and to the right of the door to spot a man on his balcony. Possess him, and look across to another balcony where another man stands. After taking control of him, you can gain entrance into the large apartment complex. Follow the hallway to the elevator and ride it up to the next floor.
Navigate through the next hallways until you find a lounge area where several residents are playing games. Enter to trigger a cutscene in which one resident transforms into a Slitterhead, prompting yet another encounter. Handle this battle as you did before!
Reaching the Boss’s Location
Once you defeat the Slitterhead here, move through the backroom and step onto the balcony connected to a massive scaffolding. Traverse the scaffolding to leap to the opposite building’s entrance.
Rush through the door to the lobby, where yet another Slitterhead will emerge from a bystander. This encounter is similar to the previous ones, so you should manage it without issues.
Charge up the stairs to reach the large double doors leading to the Boss’s room. Interact with the doors to kick off your final encounter for this mission!
Defeating the Giant Leaf Insect Slitterhead
As you open the doors, you’ll trigger a cutscene in which the Boss will send their subordinates to challenge you first. While it’s technically possible to attack the Boss right away, resist the urge; they will immediately transform into the Giant Leaf Insect Slitterhead, forcing you to contend with both subordinates simultaneously.
Be patient, prioritize taking down the two subordinates first, and wait for Julee to join the fray; she’ll be crucial in this battle. Once she’s in the mix, her Sonic Claws Skill will make quick work of the subordinates.
Defeating them will compel the Boss to transform into the Giant Leaf Insect Slitterhead, kicking off the real battle. Fortunately, there will be plenty of civilians around, allowing you to switch between them as needed for assistance and distractions.
Whenever the Slitterhead is distracted, switch back to Julee and use her Revive All Skill to restore her health. Alternatively, absorb blood from the ground using R1/RB to keep her health up. Regularly use her parry and unleash Sonic Claws whenever possible to deal significant damage, and you’ll take it down in no time!
Rewards for Sleepless Zone
Clearing Sleepless Zone for the first time rewards you with Seven Skill Tokens, enabling you to upgrade Julee and enhance her abilities. Spend these tokens wisely—consider boosting her Active Skills or other enhancements.
Also, remember that completing this mission unlocks additional ‘Talk’ conversations; make sure to engage with them all before moving on, as they are vital for unlocking further missions and Rarities!