There are structures and environmental flourishes I will never forget in Scorn. Regardless of my criticisms surrounding the pacing, combat, and puzzle design, it's impossible to ignore where Ebb Software's latest title succeeds. Still, the gore and nightmarish imagery definitely scratch that itch. Seasoned horror enthusiasts might find themselves disappointed by the lack of palpable scares in Scorn. With Halloween right around the corner, we're in the midst of 'Spooky Season.' The October release date for a strange, disgusting game like Scorn makes perfect sense, and as an Xbox console exclusive launching straight into Xbox Game Pass, it's a low-risk offering for fans of the genre. This replication only furthered the slogging sense of progression for the first half of this otherwise captivating excursion. Much like the combat, though, the charm rapidly diminished, and repetitious puzzles seemingly padded the central areas of Scorn. Early on, conundrums forcing the players to maneuver towering machinery and mutilate surviving entities presented compelling brainteasers with imaginative solutions. While Scorn boasts what would be described as customary action, puzzle-solving serves as the primary gameplay mechanic in this title. However, after dispatching the same few bulbous monstrosities in eerily resemblant situations, the combat quickly grew stale. Discovering the nuances of each armament was initially stimulating and satisfying. With occasional segments featuring several encroaching enemies, this required careful consideration with every shot. In classic survival-horror fashion, players are limited to small, set allotments of ammunition and healing. I appreciated the agency these weapons provided but walked away from Scorn mostly frustrated by the tedious combat segments.Īfter dispatching the same few bulbous monstrosities in eerily resemblant situations, the combat quickly grew stale. Fighting and killing certain enemies is required to survive and even progress. The experience features a respectable amount of traditional gunplay, with bio-weapon archetypes similar to handguns, shotguns, and grenade launchers. Scorn certainly doesn't fall into this camp. The Medium is a recent example met with mixed opinions on its pacifist sensibilities. Sadly, the molasses-like slow burn of the first several chapters severely damages the pacing of this psychological horror title.įor some horror fans, 'walking simulator' is frequently used to describe or downplay narrative-focused titles with little to no combat. You're gradually introduced to an array of puzzle mechanics and traditional enemy encounters with disturbing, living weaponry. And, for the first 50% or so of the game, that will have to be enough to keep you invested. In many ways, the vivid visuals, confident sound design, and ambient music do a bulk of the heavy lifting in Scorn.

Scorn xbox