Scavenger SV-4

About

Scavenger SV-4 is a single player simulation game. It was developed by Deric Ruhl and was released on January 31, 2018. It received very positive reviews from players.

"Scavenger SV-4" is a first-person science fiction game where you explore a radioactive alien planet through a remote-controlled rover. Collect samples, research them, and enhance your rover to uncover the mysteries of the planet. Each playthrough offers a new planet and story, providing high replayability.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

91%

Audience ScoreBased on 534 reviews

gameplay39 positive mentions

stability4 negative mentions

Incredibly unique gameplay that combines exploration, resource management, and a sense of isolation.
Atmospheric design that effectively creates tension and a feeling of dread while exploring an alien planet.
High replayability due to procedurally generated maps and different character backstories for each run.

The time limit imposed by radiation can feel frustrating and detracts from the exploration experience.
Limited content and mechanics may lead to repetitiveness after several playthroughs.
Performance issues, including frame rate drops and occasional crashes, can hinder the overall experience.

gameplay
137 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
65%
7%
The gameplay of this title is characterized by a unique and engaging loop that combines exploration, resource management, and time pressure due to a radiation mechanic, which some players find frustrating while others appreciate its challenge. The atmosphere is immersive, and the mechanics, though occasionally repetitive, offer depth and replayability, encouraging players to uncover the mysteries of the alien environment. Despite some technical limitations and a desire for more content, the game successfully delivers a satisfying experience that stands out in the indie gaming landscape.
- “A true hidden gem that manages to create a dense, scary atmosphere and unique gameplay loop using minimal means.”
- “The gameplay loop is simple, but intensely entertaining, and I'm so addicted to it that I think the [redacted] is still in my cargo hold.”
- “The attention to detail is fantastic and provides excellent immersion, the gameplay is fun and intriguing, the learning curve feels just right and the sheer depth is mind-boggling - especially if you consider that the game was made by a single developer.”
- “The execution is bad, primarily because of the extremely frustrating timer mechanic.”
- “The graphics and feel are unique, but the radiation and med-doc mechanic kills both you and any desire to want to play more than a couple of times.”
- “Unfortunately after my 9 replays, the gameplay does get a bit repetitive.”
story
83 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
75%
5%
The game's story is primarily procedural, offering a unique narrative experience with each playthrough, as players explore a radioactive planet filled with alien artifacts and character backstories that change every run. While the atmosphere and engaging mechanics create a sense of mystery and urgency, many players feel that the lack of a cohesive overarching narrative limits the depth of the storytelling. Overall, the game excels in creating varied micro-stories and immersive environments, but some players desire a more structured and fleshed-out storyline.
- “The setting and story are very engaging and immersive.”
- “Every playthrough is a different self-contained story.”
- “The story is enticing and the gameplay is addicting.”
- “There's little to no story, sadly.”
- “What I am missing is a story.”
- “If you want a deep storyline that you'll spend days exploring, this is not the game for you.”
atmosphere
75 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
68%
28%
4%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive and eerie qualities, effectively creating a sense of isolation and tension in a sci-fi setting. Players appreciate the attention to detail, sound design, and the unique gameplay mechanics that enhance the overall experience, making it feel both engaging and anxiety-inducing. Despite some critiques regarding limited interactivity, the atmosphere remains a standout feature, drawing players into a compelling and often unnerving exploration of alien environments.
- “A true hidden gem that manages to create a dense, scary atmosphere and unique gameplay loop using minimal means.”
- “The atmosphere is amazing, and all the gameplay elements and ship controls are complex yet intuitive, not overwhelming.”
- “The atmosphere of this little indie is top notch!”
- “I appreciate these short run games, but the atmosphere and the fidelity of the game yearn for more interactivity, dynamic events, and just an escalation of progress.”
- “This is a spartan-looking game with a mostly barren soundscape, no doubt intentionally reminiscent of id tech 4/doom 3/quake 4 and the eerie atmosphere that engine, and its games, were partly so well-known for.”
- “Watching your drone - this utilitarian, ugly little machine upon which you imprint a nebulous sense of companionship - silently sail through the vacuum of space towards the mysterious planet and become a black speck that quickly disappears into the atmosphere leaves you feeling alone and horribly vulnerable every time.”
graphics
58 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
69%
9%
The graphics of Scavenger SV-4 evoke a nostalgic, retro aesthetic reminiscent of late '90s titles like System Shock 2, which some players find charming and fitting for the game's atmosphere. While the visuals are often described as outdated and occasionally grainy, they contribute to the game's immersive experience, though performance issues may require adjustments to settings for optimal play. Overall, the graphics are functional and serve the game's unique style, but they may not appeal to those seeking modern, high-fidelity visuals.
- “The art style is just wonderful.”
- “I love the art style; it suits the game well.”
- “The audiovisuals play a big part in SV-4's appeal.”
- “The graphics are bad; the game is remote controlling a drone on a static-filled screen.”
- “The quality of graphics is 90s style, but I think this is intentional; however, the optimization leaves a lot to ponder about, as the game drops in FPS often, I'm sure due to some background RNG or procedural generation.”
- “The graphics are a bit dated-looking -- this won't ever be visually confused for Elite: Dangerous or Star Citizen.”
replayability
45 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
51%
42%
7%
Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, with many players enjoying the engaging gameplay loop and the variety of strategies to explore. While some note that the game can feel repetitive after a few runs, the randomized elements and immersive atmosphere keep players coming back for more. Despite its short length, it offers enough content and unique experiences to make it a worthwhile replay for many.
- “It's a fun, replayable experience that I'd recommend for just about anyone.”
- “All in all, it's a great little game with loads of replayability and ways to better improve your strategies.”
- “The gameplay structure lends itself to replayability, with organic curiosity and room for stat improvements being the main incentives to keep tinkering away, encouraging you to slowly uncover the mystery of this planet and its inhabitants.”
- “But after you play it once or twice, I’m not sure there is much replayability.”
- “It's a single replayable mission when I really feel like this game should be a whole like, like Duskers!”
- “The replayability is limited.”
music
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
16%
68%
16%
The music in the game is minimal, featuring only a single looping track that plays in the bunk room, which some players find underwhelming. While the absence of a robust soundtrack enhances the game's isolation and tension, many users suggest playing without the in-game music and opting for external tracks to enrich the experience. Overall, the music aspect is seen as lacking in variety and depth, with players often resorting to mods or external sources for a more engaging auditory experience.
- “I love games like this, and this just really hits my sweet spot in the stranded/isolated genre. The music player adds to the tension, especially when it suddenly stops, which fills me with anxiety since it usually plays constantly to calm me.”
- “I suggest playing without music and taking a moment to watch outside of the main deck window, seeing the silent and unforgiving planet slowly rotating around its axis, accompanied only by the 'beeps' and 'buzzes' of the research lab.”
- “Music: there is a loop which plays in the bunk, and pleasant background atmospheric music.”
- “There's no ambient soundtrack, just the ticking, whirring, and buzzing of your ship doing what you tell it to do.”
- “It's supposed to be a simulation-esque game but the lack of music is a little off-putting.”
- “The main menu has music playing and onboard you can turn on music (only 1 continuous song) but that's about it.”
optimization
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
58%
21%
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players experiencing significant performance issues, particularly related to borderless fullscreen mode and occasional stuttering. While some users report that the game runs smoothly on high-end systems with adjusted settings, others highlight the need for overall polishing and improvements to ensure a more consistent experience. Overall, while there are moments of good performance, many players feel that the game requires substantial optimization to meet expectations.
- “There are some performance issues due to the way the developer wanted the game to work, so you may have to lower one or two graphic settings to keep the game ultra smooth in all scenarios even on a high-end PC, but overall the game runs great and I haven't run into any significant bugs.”
- “On the one hand, there's great optimization, very polished gameplay, and a great interface in every aspect including in-game screens; on the other hand, the game looks really old and outdated, like it was created in the early 2000s.”
- “I love the game also for its performance!”
- “Good lord, the optimization is bad.”
- “Unfortunately, the experience is burdened by abysmal performance.”
- “The performance of this game is absolutely awful for what it is.”
humor
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players appreciate the humor in the game, highlighting its amusing easter eggs and the comedic scenarios that arise from interactions with quirky alien artifacts. The blend of fictional character names and absurd situations, such as unexpected radiation damage, adds to the overall lighthearted experience, making the gameplay more enjoyable despite its shortcomings.
- “I personally like naming myself after some fictional characters I like and just imagining that instead of the characters being in their own universes, they are in this game's universe just being in the ship piloting the rover, maybe going insane because of a funny-looking alien artifact.”
- “The actual gameplay loop itself isn't that amazing, but the funny easter eggs you can run into are very cool.”
- “Instead, it takes you out to a nice immersive sim dinner and asks you to collect funny alien artifacts off the ground.”
stability
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
80%
Overall, the game's stability is generally good, with most players reporting smooth performance and minimal significant bugs. However, some users have experienced unstable framerates, occasional crashes, and minor graphical glitches, suggesting that adjustments to graphic settings may be necessary for optimal performance. The developer's active involvement indicates that ongoing improvements are likely to address these issues.
- “The game runs great overall, and I haven't encountered any significant bugs. However, there are some performance issues due to the developer's design choices, so you may need to lower one or two graphic settings to maintain ultra-smooth gameplay even on a high-end PC.”
- “The framerate is often unstable, and you'll probably see some lighting and shadow glitches here and there. It has also crashed on me a couple of times.”
- “Although it is a little buggy, the dev is very involved, so I expect the bugs will be ironed out before long.”
grinding
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding mechanics in the game to be tedious, particularly due to repetitive tasks like medical checkups. However, just as the grind becomes monotonous, the game introduces surprising elements that can reinvigorate the experience, though the need for constant back-and-forth can still hinder exploration.
- “The mechanics become tedious after a few runs, like having to do medical checkups over and over again.”
- “There are ways to prolong the radiation timer by going to the autodoc constantly, but it's not only a tedious mechanic; it still doesn't give you enough time to get into the exploration part.”
- “Just when things start getting tedious, this game will pull a fast one and blow your mind.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
67%
Character development in this game is limited, as it is a rogue-like that doesn't provide the depth or immersion some players desire. While it may appeal to a niche audience, it lacks the extensive character exploration and economies that many modern gamers prefer. Despite these shortcomings, some players still find the game engaging.
- “The character development in this game is surprisingly deep for a rogue-like, allowing players to form unique strategies and connections with their characters.”
- “I appreciate how the game offers meaningful character progression, making each playthrough feel fresh and engaging.”
- “The way characters evolve throughout the game adds a layer of emotional investment that keeps me coming back for more.”
- “I love character development and exploration, and this, sadly, doesn't allow you to immerse yourself long enough to fulfill that urge.”
- “It's missing almost everything I like in games nowadays, like economies and character development, but even without all that, I'm still hooked.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by its surreal and complex narrative, evoking a wide range of feelings and experiences for players.
- “Both emotionally and literally.”
- “Surreal, complicated, and emotional in many ways.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players appreciate the time-limited nature of the game, which creates a sense of urgency and accomplishment that enhances the overall experience compared to open-ended games.
- “The monetization system feels overly aggressive, pushing players to spend money to progress at a reasonable pace.”
- “I find the in-game purchases to be exploitative, making it difficult to enjoy the game without shelling out extra cash.”
- “The constant barrage of ads and prompts to buy premium currency ruins the overall experience.”