Quarries of Scred

About

Quarries of Scred is a challenging, procedurally generated mining game. You play as a brave miner, navigating treacherous caves to collect Scred, the universe's most valuable mineral. With permadeath, randomized levels, and a variety of tools, each playthrough is unique and exhilarating. Watch out for alien creatures and hazards as you dig deeper for greater rewards!

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

89%

Audience ScoreBased on 56 reviews

gameplay6 positive mentions

story2 negative mentions

Quarries of Scred offers a challenging and addictive gameplay experience that rewards careful planning and strategy.
The retro-inspired graphics and morbid chiptune soundtrack create a nostalgic atmosphere that appeals to fans of classic arcade games.
The game features procedurally generated levels and a high skill ceiling, ensuring high replayability and a sense of accomplishment with each successful run.

The game lacks a fullscreen option and has limited graphical settings, which can detract from the overall experience.
Many players find the instant-death mechanics frustrating, as even minor mistakes can lead to immediate game over.
The controls and keybindings are not well-documented, leading to confusion and a steep learning curve for new players.

gameplay
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
36%
21%
The gameplay of "Quarries of Scred" is characterized by its simple yet brutal mechanics, reminiscent of classic titles like Boulder Dash, which create an addictive "just one more try" experience. While the core gameplay can become repetitive, it offers a satisfying challenge that rewards players for mastering its mechanics. Overall, it provides solid value for its price, appealing to those seeking a nostalgic and punishing puzzle experience.
- “The mechanics are brutal but quite simple to understand.”
- “That being said, the gameplay is very simple and addictive.”
- “It's brutal, it's challenging, and it's also pretty satisfying when you can finish a run after grasping the basics of the mechanics.”
- “Quarries of Scred is a retro pixel 'mining' game, ripping off the mechanic from the 80's game Boulder Dash.”
- “TL;DR: mechanically simple game is surprisingly disappointing; Xbox 360 pad not detected or working at all.”
- “The core gameplay, however, is insanely repetitive.”
graphics
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
50%
25%
The game's graphics are a mixed bag, featuring retro pixel art that some find charming while others deem unattractive and simplistic. While it lacks a fullscreen option and may not surpass the original games it emulates, the variety of graphical styles available caters to different preferences, from C64-inspired visuals to modern tilesets. Overall, the graphics are seen as fitting for the game's nostalgic theme, complemented by a well-received soundtrack.
- “The look of Scred is something that may draw you in if you love retro-inspired graphics and minimalistic pixel work.”
- “None of that really matters though because Scred comes with a whole selection of graphical styles and choices.”
- “The plethora of available art styles means this is a delight to look at whether you prefer C64-inspired graphics or a more modern tileset, and the soundtrack is superb.”
- “The game doesn't have a working fullscreen, features ugly retro pixel graphics, yet doesn't exceed the original games it was ripping off.”
- “It might be too little of a game for some, and the graphics are ugly as sin.”
- “I for one have never been a fan of ASCII artwork, mostly due to personal preference.”
music
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
22%
33%
The music in the game is widely praised for its engaging and fitting soundtrack, which complements the retro-inspired visuals. While the chiptune loops are described as both enjoyable and calming, some players find certain sound effects repetitive and grating. Overall, the soundtrack enhances the gaming experience, making it both fun and challenging.
- “The soundtrack - a morbid chiptune loop - is an absolute banger.”
- “It is a fun, calm, and at the same time rage-inducing game with simple graphics and soothing music to go by.”
- “While the music tracks are just fine, there are some sound effects that become grating on the ears as they repeat over and over.”
- “The soundtrack - a morbid chiptune loop - is an abject banger.”
- “Just as the game's visuals are inspired by retro old school games, the music and sound effects are as well.”
replayability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
Players consistently highlight the high replayability of the game, noting its simplicity, balance, and fun factor as key elements that encourage repeated play. Many reviews emphasize that the game offers "oodles" of replay value, making it an engaging experience that players return to frequently.
- “It's simple, balanced, fun, and has a lot of replay value.”
- “It's endlessly replayable.”
- “Scred is incredibly fun and replayable.”
- “All of these add to the heap of replay value the game has.”
- “Like I mentioned earlier, the game has oodles of replay value.”
story
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The story aspect of the game is centered around a personal journey, with players engaging in randomly generated challenges that create a sense of ongoing struggle and motivation to improve their scores. This narrative of perseverance and competition keeps players invested and returning for more.
- “What does one spend his hard-earned cash on?”
- “The randomly generated quests will keep you coming back for more punishment, and the daily challenges will have you nervously inching deeper in the quest for a higher score.”