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Scars Above

Scars Above is a well-crafted third-person shooter with plenty of options to take on the punishing alien world you find yourself in.
Scars Above Game Cover
74%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
stability, grinding
76% User Score Based on 1,571 reviews
Critic Score 65%Based on 2 reviews

Platforms

PCAmazon LunaCloudXbox OneXboxWindows
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Scars Above Game Cover

About

Scars Above is a single player action adventure game. It was developed by Mad Head Games and was released on February 28, 2023. It received mostly positive reviews from both critics and players.

Scars Above is a challenging sci-fi third-person action adventure shooter combining the rewarding feel of overcoming difficulty with a compelling and intricate story, set in a mysterious alien world to explore.Some things were not meant to be discovered…A colossal and enigmatic alien structure appears in Earth's orbit and stuns the entire world; humanity names it ‘The Metahedron’. The Sentient Con…

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Scars Above screenshot
Scars Above screenshot
Scars Above screenshot
Scars Above screenshot
Scars Above screenshot
Scars Above screenshot
Scars Above screenshot
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76%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,571 reviews
story520 positive mentions
stability54 negative mentions
  • Engaging story with interesting twists and a compelling sci-fi narrative.
  • Unique elemental combat mechanics that encourage strategic thinking and resource management.
  • Visually appealing environments and atmospheric sound design that enhance the overall experience.
  • Clunky controls and stiff character animations detract from immersion and fluidity in gameplay.
  • Repetitive enemy design and predictable combat encounters can lead to a lack of excitement.
  • The save system is frustrating, as it respawns all enemies and can lead to tedious backtracking after deaths.
  • story
    1,064 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of "Scars Above" is generally described as engaging yet somewhat predictable, drawing on classic sci-fi themes and tropes. While some players appreciate its intriguing premise and character development, others criticize it for being linear and lacking depth, with dialogue that can feel flat or clichéd. Overall, the narrative is seen as a highlight of the game, providing enough interest to keep players invested, despite some technical and pacing issues.

    • “The story is engaging, with twists that kept me guessing, and the combat mechanics are both dynamic and rewarding.”
    • “The story is interesting and the combat is fun in my opinion.”
    • “The story is intriguing and well-written, with plenty of twists and surprises along the way.”
    • “I should have written more down as I was playing because the story is wack and so is the gameplay.”
    • “Nothing in the story or with the character building (or lack thereof) gives you any inclination to build any connection or care for any of the characters.”
    • “The pacing also felt off, and the story, which I had hoped would be a redeeming factor, didn’t grab me at all.”
  • gameplay
    661 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "Scars Above" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting its clunky mechanics and poor hit detection, which detracts from the overall experience. While some appreciate the elemental combat system and the integration of puzzles, others find the gameplay repetitive and frustrating, particularly due to the linear progression and reliance on save points that can lead to tedious backtracking. Overall, the game offers a fun yet flawed experience, with potential for improvement in future iterations.

    • “The gameplay, while simple, works very well and never becomes boring.”
    • “Gameplay is fun, it doesn't overstay its welcome.”
    • “The gameplay is fun and the story is good; what more do you want?”
    • “Gameplay is clunky with the worst part being the hit detection.”
    • “Unfortunately, the gameplay is too repetitive and can tire you out.”
    • “The gameplay itself is clunky and lacks polish.”
  • graphics
    309 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many players noting that while the environments and overall aesthetic can be visually appealing, character models and animations often fall short, appearing outdated or lacking detail. Some reviewers appreciate the atmospheric design and artistic direction, likening it to titles like Mass Effect and Returnal, while others criticize the graphics as mediocre or reminiscent of older generations. Overall, the visuals are generally considered decent for a AA title, but they could benefit from further polish and refinement.

    • “The visuals for this game are top tier, the soundtrack is very pretty and the realism makes you feel like you're playing a movie all at the same time.”
    • “The graphics and environments are atmospheric, and the soundtrack is amazing, adding a lot to the immersion.”
    • “The stunning visuals and immersive world-building really draw you in, while the challenging gameplay offers a satisfying sense of accomplishment.”
    • “The graphics are underwhelming, and while I initially hoped the atmosphere would pull me in, it just feels flat and uninspired.”
    • “The graphics look like they're from the PS3 when I could see them.”
    • “Visuals lack experienced craftsmanship and the animation work in both cutscenes and dialogues feels like a student project at times.”
  • music
    96 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players praising its atmospheric quality and comparisons to the iconic soundtrack of Mass Effect. While some found the soundtrack to be immersive and fitting for the game's sci-fi themes, others felt it was underutilized or generic, lacking in presence during gameplay. Overall, the music is often highlighted as a strong point, enhancing the game's atmosphere despite some criticisms regarding its originality and frequency.

    • “The soundtrack is absolutely phenomenal.”
    • “The music was actually really good for the whole game: atmospheric, interesting, fitting.”
    • “Great soundtrack, solid ambient sound design, and voice acting that actually holds up.”
    • “The soundtrack is rather generic and could serve as filler for just about any and all sci-fi media existent.”
    • “Only complaints are that you can easily 100% beat this in under 8 hours and the soundtrack is barely there.”
    • “Music is minimal and ambient, making it a great fit to the existing mood.”
  • atmosphere
    92 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and captivating qualities, featuring stunning visuals, atmospheric sound design, and a compelling soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. While some players find the environments and graphics underwhelming or lacking in originality, many appreciate the eerie and otherworldly beauty that contributes to a sense of exploration and tension. Overall, the game's atmosphere stands out as a significant strength, effectively drawing players into its unique sci-fi setting despite some gameplay shortcomings.

    • “Environments often deliver the feeling of otherworldly beauty, with twisted plants, glowing structures, and atmospheric vistas that convey the scale of the planet.”
    • “The atmosphere was great; I was always on edge due to how often enemy spawns made me jump.”
    • “The eerie atmosphere, coupled with the stunning visuals, creates a sense of foreboding and sets the tone for the unforgiving journey ahead.”
    • “The graphics are underwhelming, and while I initially hoped the atmosphere would pull me in, it just feels flat and uninspired.”
    • “While 'Scars Above' successfully captures the eerie atmosphere of an alien world, it fails to deliver a lasting emotional impact.”
    • “The effects would have needed a bit more polish and seem a bit outdated, and sadly the atmosphere suffers because of that.”
  • stability
    62 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players reporting smooth performance and no significant bugs or crashes, while others have experienced frequent freezes, graphical glitches, and minor bugs that disrupt gameplay. Overall, while some users praise the game's technical execution, many highlight persistent issues that detract from the experience, suggesting it may not be fully polished at launch.

    • “The game works, it doesn't crash, it doesn't have bugs, runs great and looks good.”
    • “I had no glitches, the game played smoothly.”
    • “This game runs fantastic, it's easy to get over 200 fps and it does not stutter, also the game seems to be mostly bug free.”
    • “It's just mired in technical glitches, obtuse game design, and drab (very drab) lighting and color.”
    • “The game freezes after about 10 minutes at a random action and has to be closed with the Windows Task Manager.”
    • “Constant graphical glitches, stuttering, and freezing ruin the flow and quite literally make the game unplayable at points.”
  • optimization
    62 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization received mixed reviews, with many players reporting smooth performance and high frame rates on various hardware, including the Steam Deck and high-end PCs. However, some users experienced significant issues such as stuttering, crashes, and poor performance in specific areas, particularly in snowy biomes. Overall, while the game performs well for many, it still requires further optimization to address the inconsistencies and technical glitches reported by some players.

    • “Loved it, it's well optimized to even run on Steam Deck fairly well with good visual presentation.”
    • “Game was well optimized.”
    • “Performance is fine, I’m getting between 90-120fps at ultra with a 3070 + 5800x3d @2954x1231 (77% scale of my 3840x1600 ultrawide).”
    • “Unfortunately, the game suffers from frequent crashes, excessive RAM usage, and poorly optimized animations.”
    • “The optimization is horrible; I was running around with the highest settings without issue until I reached the snowy biome... then even with the lowest settings there are lag spikes, it's just bad.”
    • “Constant graphical glitches, stuttering, and freezing ruin the flow and quite literally make the game unplayable at points.”
  • grinding
    40 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, often exacerbated by high difficulty, linear progression, and a respawn system that resets enemies. Many reviews highlight the repetitive combat and unpolished mechanics, which contribute to a sense of monotony and dissatisfaction, particularly during boss fights. While some appreciate the game's respect for their time, the general consensus is that the grinding elements detract from the overall enjoyment.

    • “Gameplay is really good, progression is linear, combat feels nice and intuitive, and exploration isn't too grindy.”
    • “There is no grinding for experience in order to buy the next special ability or reach a level.”
    • “Not grindy but not very long either.”
    • “At least with other games, even if I die over and over again, if I was at least enjoying the battle I will try again, but here, I just found it tedious and frustrating.”
    • “However, the game’s respawn system—resetting all enemies upon checkpoint use—adds unnecessary frustration, especially when coupled with limited ammo and tedious backtracking.”
    • “Not being able to save right before the fight, but having to walk and fight random monsters each time up to the point where you trigger the boss fight is tedious when the boss smashes you in two hits.”
  • replayability
    33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game has been widely criticized for its lack of replayability, with many players noting that it can be completed in a short time frame of around 5 to 10 hours. Users expressed disappointment over the absence of manual saves and collectible tracking, which further diminishes the incentive to replay. Overall, while the game offers an enjoyable experience, it is often described as a "finish and forget" title, best purchased on sale due to its limited replay value.

    • “Replayability is limited, but definitely an entertaining experience.”
    • “Definitely not worth it at full price because the game is quite short and doesn't have much replayability, but it is worth it when on sale.”
    • “I can recommend this game based on the steep sale of my purchase price, which was $8 -- I don't think I'd pull the trigger on this one at $40, largely because it's short and I'm uncertain if it'd have any replay value, but it's definitely been a solid and entertaining bargain at $8.”
    • “I really enjoyed this game, but it has no replay value and is rather short. In 9 hours, I completed the game entirely, but it was a good experience, so I would recommend it when on sale.”
    • “Overall, this game is enjoyable with a good story, a decent combat system, and easy puzzle solving. However, without replay value, you just play once and uninstall, making it one of those games that you finish and forget.”
    • “Replayability is non-existent, and the entire playthrough took me 7 hours.”
  • emotional
    29 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting a lack of depth in character development and emotional engagement. While some moments are described as surprisingly emotional, overall, the dialogue and character interactions often feel flat and unconvincing, undermining the potential for a more impactful narrative. Despite a few standout scenes, the game struggles to create lasting emotional connections, leaving players feeling detached from the story and its characters.

    • “The game needed more moments to establish emotional connections—perhaps through additional interactions, heroic sacrifices, or surprising betrayals.”
    • “A stronger emotional connection with the characters would have given their presence more weight.”
    • “I usually don't play single players quite often, I usually don't finish them quite often either... but this was intriguing, interesting, engaging, emotional - all in all a good experience.”
    • “Characters are a bit uninteresting, and the face of our hero is somewhat bored, as if she was reading a boring story and not fighting monsters on a dangerous planet.”
    • “I thought it would be just another linear game with a boring story and combat, but I was mistaken.”
  • character development
    14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players feeling that it is insufficient to foster a strong emotional connection to the characters. While some appreciated the protagonist's development and the overall story, others criticized the lack of depth and motivation for key characters, leading to a sense of indifference towards their arcs. Overall, there is a consensus that the game could benefit from more nuanced character development and improved character designs.

    • “The ending leaves room for another adventure, and I hope the developers expand on the mechanics, story depth, and character development in the next installment.”
    • “Game has a solid story, good character development of the protagonist, pacing, nice enemy design and fights, especially the bosses, and variety, weapons, gadgets, items, everything pretty well flushed out.”
    • “Character development for all felt sufficient but not enough to get attached to.”
    • “Naya's motivations and character development being non-existent for most of the game led to a feeling of not caring about her story when it was told toward the end.”
    • “Very little character development, if any; the story would have been better served with a twist ending.”
    • “It felt a lot like the first Tomb Raider reboot where all of Lara's so-called 'character development' was just bad stuff happening to her and changing her into someone new.”
  • humor
    10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is largely derived from its quirky gameplay and the hilariously poor facial animations, which players found amusing rather than off-putting. Many reviewers noted that the game's linearity and odd cutscenes contributed to a lighthearted experience, often leading to shared laughter among friends during play. Overall, while the humor may not be intentional, it adds a unique charm that keeps players engaged.

    • “Mc looking at the last boss with 'anger' was hilarious.”
    • “The only reason I didn't drop the game and just move on was because I was hanging out with friends on Discord and we were laughing at the game together.”
    • “Character facial expressions and movements are chonky but funny.”
  • monetization
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization model of the game is generally well-received, with no intrusive in-game purchases and a reasonable price point of 34 euros. While there are optional cosmetic microtransactions available, some users noted a lack of features like an ads speed slider that could enhance gameplay. Overall, the game is praised for being mostly bug-free at launch.

    • “Access to featured in-game microtransactions with optional cosmetic variations!”
    • “But still, that is a very slight criticism for a game that came out mostly bug-free without in-game purchases and for only 40 (34 currently) euros.”
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65%Critics’ scoreBased on 2 critic reviews
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10h Median play time
10h Average play time
7-13h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 29 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Scars Above is a action adventure game.

Scars Above is available on PC, Xbox One, Windows, Amazon Luna and others.

On average players spend around 10 hours playing Scars Above.

Scars Above was released on February 28, 2023.

Scars Above was developed by Mad Head Games.

Scars Above has received mostly positive reviews from both players and critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its stability.

Scars Above is a single player game.

Similar games include Moon Mystery, Chernobylite, Cronos: The New Dawn, Evil West, Kena Bridge of Spirits and others.