Scauage
- December 6, 2024
- KREIDPIX
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"Scauge" is a horror game where you play as a scavenger, looting an abandoned town's ruins, only to discover a chilling nightmare. With multiple endings, realistic mechanics, and atmospheric sound, the game creates a paranoid and claustrophobic experience. Set in the ghost town of Prefield, which once thrived near rich mines, the game immerses you in a pixelated, nostalgic 3D world with unconventional puzzles and a sense of 1960s America.
PC
Windows
PlayStation
Reviews
- The game features an impressive atmosphere and sound design that effectively builds tension and suspense without relying on cheap jump scares.
- It offers multiple endings and engaging puzzles, providing good replay value for horror enthusiasts.
- The retro graphics evoke nostalgia while enhancing the eerie experience, making it a standout indie horror title.
- The game is quite short, with playtime ranging from 20 minutes to an hour, leaving some players wanting more content.
- Some puzzles are considered illogical or overly complex, leading to frustration for players trying to progress.
- The interaction prompts can be difficult to see due to poor contrast with the environment, making it easy to miss important items.
- atmosphere33 mentions
- 64 % positive mentions
- 27 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its ability to build tension and suspense without relying on cheap jump scares, creating a genuinely eerie experience reminiscent of classic horror titles. Players appreciate the retro graphics and sound design, which effectively evoke a sense of dread and nostalgia, enhancing the overall immersion. The game's focus on psychological horror and its free-to-play model make it a compelling recommendation for fans of atmospheric horror.
“The dev absolutely nailed it with the creepy atmosphere and solid gameplay.”
“Parts of it reminded me of Amnesia: The Dark Descent, with its emphasis on atmosphere to drive the action rather than combat. This approach worked well here as the team did a great job evoking a strong sense of foreboding around every corner.”
“I also have to say the graphics contribute to the atmosphere as much as the sound does, going for a PS1 Resident Evil vibe rather than photorealism. This style really works to evoke a strong sense of dread and caustic stress, as the twitchy visuals contribute to the sense that something isn't right.”
“The heavy lifting of the game is done - good ambience and sound design, visuals, and a claustrophobic atmosphere.”
- graphics23 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are praised for their retro aesthetic, reminiscent of PS1 and PS2 titles, which effectively enhances the eerie atmosphere and evokes a sense of nostalgia. Users appreciate the pixel art style and grain effects that contribute to the game's tension and dread, although some note the lack of customizable graphics settings as a drawback. Overall, the visuals are seen as a strong complement to the sound design, creating an immersive and unsettling experience.
“Even though it's an indie game, the graphics are surprisingly stunning, and the atmosphere pulls you in right from the start.”
“If you're a fan of old PS1 style graphics and neat atmospheric horror games, then you should definitely try this one out!”
“Pixel graphics evoke a pleasant feeling of nostalgia for the classic games of the past, instantly plunging into the warm atmosphere of childhood.”
“There’s no graphics settings at all, which ends up being a huge problem.”
“Low graphic, real movements.”
“Great short psychological horror game with old school pixel graphics.”
- gameplay4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The gameplay is highly praised for its engaging blend of treasure hunting and mystery-solving, creating an enthralling experience. The developers have successfully crafted a creepy atmosphere that enhances the overall gameplay, making it both exciting and immersive.
“The gameplay between searching for treasures and solving mysteries is enthralling and exciting.”
“The dev absolutely nailed it with the creepy atmosphere and solid gameplay.”
- story3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game features a compelling and chilling storyline complemented by engaging puzzles and multiple shocking endings. While the narrative is simple, it effectively enhances the overall experience, making it a worthwhile choice for fans of horror puzzle games.
“There are some dope puzzles (some go deeeeep), a great storyline, and a couple of different shocking endings.”
“All in all, a short game that you should definitely try if you're into horror puzzle games. The simple story works pretty well and it's chilling.”
“The story is fresh and the atmosphere is right on the spot.”
“The story is fresh, but it feels underdeveloped and lacks depth.”
“The narrative is predictable and fails to engage the player.”
“While the atmosphere is captivating, the story itself is simplistic and uninspired.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the game emotionally engaging, citing immersive audio and impressive graphics that enhance the overall experience and create a sense of tension throughout.
“It moved me deeply, and the audio made me feel more immersed in this game.”
“I love the graphics of this game; they made me feel on edge while it lasted.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game offers significant replayability due to its multiple endings, appealing particularly to horror enthusiasts seeking varied experiences.
“The multiple endings provide great replay value, making it an exciting choice for horror enthusiasts.”
“Each playthrough offers new challenges and surprises, keeping the experience fresh and engaging.”
“The diverse character paths and choices ensure that no two games feel the same, encouraging players to dive back in.”
- music1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music and sound effects in the game are highly praised for their ability to evoke strong emotional responses, often giving players goosebumps and enhancing the overall immersive experience.
“The music and sound effects contribute to an incredible atmosphere that gives me goosebumps.”
“The soundtrack perfectly complements the gameplay, enhancing every moment.”
“The immersive music elevates the entire experience, making it unforgettable.”
- stability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Overall, users report that the controls are stable and free of glitches, enhancing the gameplay experience. The unique "jelly" movement adds to the horror atmosphere, contributing positively to the game's stability.
“The controls are good with no glitches whatsoever, which enhances the overall experience.”
“I appreciate the jelly-like movement, as it creates a sense of being in water and adds to the horror atmosphere.”
“The stability of the game allows for smooth gameplay, making it easy to immerse myself in the experience.”
