Scavengers
- January 25, 2021
- Improbable Worlds Limited
- 8h median play time
Scavengers is your strategic survival battleground. Enter a free-to-play action shooter where squads of three compete to survive and dominate in a hybrid of sandbox-style PVE and class-based PVP. Choose from a roster of adaptive Explorers, arm yourself with a combination of unique abilities and weapons, and conquer the challenges of a hostile wasteland. Outthink and outfight enemy players and the …
Reviews
- gameplay594 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its unique blend of PvE and PvP elements, dynamic weather, and crafting mechanics, which add depth and strategy. However, criticisms focus on issues such as unbalanced matchmaking, repetitive gameplay loops, and a steep learning curve for new players, often exacerbated by pay-to-win mechanics and performance problems. Overall, while the core gameplay is seen as innovative and engaging, it requires significant refinement and balancing to enhance the player experience.
“The game features a dynamic weather system and day-night cycle, adding depth and challenge to gameplay.”
“With its evolving gameplay and engaging mechanics, it's a game worth exploring for fans of survival and multiplayer shooters.”
“Great game and fantastic gameplay loop.”
“Good idea, bad execution; gameplay is pretty underwhelming and also very rough.”
“Game ran like shit and the gameplay was not worth the frames.”
“The gameplay loop is bad as it doesn't funnel players together until the very end, and it incentivizes not fighting but sneaking onboard, because you lose most of your progression if you die.”
- optimization216 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many players reporting severe performance issues such as stuttering, frame drops, and lag, even on high-end systems. While some users note slight improvements over time, the consensus is that significant optimization work is still needed to make the game playable and enjoyable. Overall, the game's current state is considered poorly optimized, impacting the overall experience.
“Performance got a lot better.”
“Its really cool concept of a game, and very well optimized for an early access.”
“I will definitely come back when the game is fully out of early access and common mistakes in the form of optimization are eliminated.”
“Game is extremely unoptimized.”
“Not optimized at all, constant freezing and stuttering makes it almost impossible to play.”
“Very poorly optimized game, never lagged this much in a game before.”
- graphics186 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
Overall, the graphics of the game receive a mixed reception, with many players praising their quality and aesthetic appeal, particularly in snowy environments and detailed effects. However, several reviews highlight significant optimization issues, leading to frame drops and performance problems even on high-end PCs. While some players find the visuals stunning and comparable to AAA titles, others criticize them as outdated or poorly executed, especially in terms of stability and clarity.
“The graphics are mind-blowing, especially the snow and weather effects.”
“Seriously, don't pass on giving it a shot; the graphics are also AAA quality, which I was not expecting.”
“The graphics are excellent and the learning curve needs some work.”
“Gameplay is repetitive and graphics look like PlayStation 3 graphics.”
“Game is a strobe light sim because of the graphical issues; I literally have an Nvidia 3080 and it feels like I'm about to have a seizure.”
“The graphics optimization is pretty bad, often dropping FPS and lag.”
- grinding99 mentions
- 3 % positive mentions
- 1 % neutral mentions
- 96 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with players describing it as excessively tedious and time-consuming. Many reviews highlight the imbalance between new and experienced players, where those who grind more have significant advantages, leading to a frustrating experience for newcomers. While some players find enjoyment in the grind, the general consensus is that the progression system feels more like a chore than a rewarding gameplay element, often detracting from the overall fun of the game.
“The extraction is the hardest part of the game, sure, but this is no farming simulator.”
“A bit grindy... sometimes.”
“One long, tedious grind.”
“The game is ok but way too grindy and imbalanced.”
“Overall this system creates a toxic environment where the rich get richer, and being a new player is absolutely not worth it - you will be scrapping for breadcrumbs filled with bad RNG to maybe unlock some things to even begin to stand a chance against teams decked out in epic/legendary gear who will not only beat you with bigger experience, but also better, more specialized gear and faster farming which allows them to hit endgame earlier.”
“The progression system is grindy, and materials RNG luck... so clearly the more hours, the more unlocked, leaving new players in the dust.”
- story84 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 82 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The game's story is perceived as underdeveloped, with many players expressing a desire for a more engaging narrative and expanded lore. While some appreciate the mechanics and potential for storytelling, they feel the current focus on PvP and battle royale elements detracts from a meaningful story experience. Overall, there is a consensus that the game could benefit from additional story missions and content updates to enhance the narrative aspect.
“The game experience is great, I love the mechanics and thought-out storyline.”
“I was very surprised at how good this game was in early access, everything from the graphics to the story is brilliant!”
“The 'story' literally makes no sense, the netcode is absolute dogshit, and cheaters, because of course there are.”
“Not much is happening the entire game aside from you running around and doing boring missions and shooting creeps.”
“I enjoyed the map for what it was mostly but I do wish or hope they implement a backstory with some depth into why the world has gone to hell in a handbasket because it seems like I could really get into the lore of the game for the most part.”
- stability73 mentions
- 3 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 97 % negative mentions
The game's stability is a mixed bag, with many players reporting a range of bugs and glitches typical of early access titles, including freezing, lag, and optimization issues. While some users find the game enjoyable despite these problems, others express frustration over its performance, particularly during gameplay. Overall, while the game shows potential, significant stability improvements are needed to enhance the player experience.
“No glitches.”
“Yes, it's early access so there's lots of room to improve, but the current release isn't buggy. Servers haven't had issues since launch day, and there's no way to buy an advantage in the store right now.”
“The game is extremely buggy, more so than any other beta game I've played before.”
“Not only is this game the least optimized piece of software I've ever played (and I played PUBG on release) but the glitches, bugs, broken maps, rendering issues, crashing, and audio sync issues entirely break the experience.”
“It's a great game, it's just a tad buggy and is not fully complete, but that is par for the course with early access games.”
- monetization35 mentions
- 6 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 49 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has drawn mixed reviews, with many players criticizing the heavy reliance on microtransactions and the perception of a cash grab, particularly in terms of gear and character progression rather than just cosmetic items. While some acknowledge that microtransactions are expected in free-to-play titles, there are concerns about the game's lag and the impact of ads on gameplay, leading to frustration among users. Overall, players express a desire for a more balanced approach that limits in-game purchases to cosmetics rather than essential gameplay elements.
“It's okay for a free-to-play game to have microtransactions and a store full of paid content/DLCs.”
“The premium currency in the game (chips) can be used to bypass the time it takes for research to finish, but this just seems like the monetization route they are going for, which honestly blows.”
“The other main problem aside from the meatgrinder effect is that the devs do not reward you with chips like they used to since they implemented in-game purchases for the chips; they have reduced the amount you can win in-game by way too much.”
“One thing that worries me is the near predatory monetization which almost fully focuses on gear and character progression rather than skins and other cosmetics.”
“Every other free-to-play PC game does a battle pass or some cosmetics for monetization, and I get that the devs have to make money somehow, but all this does is annoy me and make me want to play it less.”
- atmosphere17 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its unique and visually appealing design, reminiscent of titles like Generation Zero and Defiance, featuring a post-apocalyptic world filled with icy landscapes and futuristic elements. However, some players express frustration with performance issues and the impact of pay-to-win mechanics on the overall experience, which can detract from the enjoyment of the immersive environment. Despite these concerns, the blend of battle royale and survival mechanics contributes to a captivating atmosphere that many find engaging.
“One of the better battle royale games - its atmosphere reminds me of Generation Zero, which is a good thing.”
“This game has a very unique atmosphere in many ways, whether that be noticeable when running through the icy abandoned world it is set in or through the amazing, post-apocalyptic structures that are carefully spread across the world. It also has a great design with the UI and heroes having futuristic and scientifically advanced equipment, only to be used in a lonely, alien-filled world, culminating in battles on an amazingly crafted spaceship.”
“The survival mechanics add a neat twist to the battle royale atmosphere, without being so impactful that you have to spend most of your game worrying about them.”
“Matchmaking places you against players who have been playing since release, and due to the fact you can unlock stronger weapons and loadouts based on how much time you've played, this creates an extremely frustrating atmosphere for players who are only just learning the game.”
“The overall atmosphere and play are bland and just boring.”
“Let's see what makes this game unique: battle royale (mostly sucks), winter atmosphere with heat and food features (Darwin's Project and survival games). The game claims to be a sandbox, but the only sandbox part about it is the stolen game designs that have been forced together into this game. Gameplay is a mess, and the NPCs are the only ones that have any kind of brain compared to most of the teammates you will find.”
- music16 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising the dramatic and epic soundtrack that enhances gameplay, particularly during intense moments like battles. Some players consider it memorable and reminiscent of cinematic scores, while others find it weak and uninspiring. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as a significant aspect that can elevate the gaming experience, despite some dissenting opinions.
“I think we can hold this game in our memory by listening to the soundtrack.”
“The main theme of this game is one of my all-time favorite game soundtracks.”
“The music is so dramatic which leads to amazingly intense duels, mainly at the end of a match when the spaceship lands and all players flock towards it as the music picks up and different players strategize in different ways.”
“Music is turned off entirely.”
“Music was boring and weak.”
“I love the executions, though I love that; practically the only good thing I can say about this is that the music sucks too. The style is trying to be like Borderlands 2, it's bad. Maybe give it some time, but it's not good right now.”
- humor15 mentions
- 93 % positive mentions
- -13 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with many players finding it genuinely funny, especially when playing with friends or experiencing unexpected glitches. However, some critiques highlight that certain aspects, like the battle royale mechanics and resource deconstruction, are humorously flawed, adding to the overall comedic experience. Overall, while the game has its share of amusing moments, the humor often stems from its bugs and design choices rather than intentional comedic elements.
“Deconstructing materials for a universal trade currency can be done, but the rate is hilariously bad.”
“It's so funny to play with friends.”
“The only good part about the game is my friend Donny kept falling through the world and it was hilarious.”
“Is it supposed to be funny that a game studio named after snow makes a game set in winter?”
“The jokes feel forced and often miss the mark, leaving me more confused than amused.”
“I expected clever humor, but instead, I got tired clichés that fell flat.”
- replayability6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The game is noted for its high replayability, with users highlighting an engaging crafting system that encourages multiple playthroughs. Some players hope for optimizations to enhance performance on medium-spec PCs, but overall, the game is considered infinitely replayable.
“Infinitely replayable.”
“Hope they optimize it and make it more playable for medium spec PCs.”
“Good crafting system behind it that pushes replayability.”
- character development2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Character development in this game is criticized for being lackluster, with character designs described as generic and unmemorable, making it difficult for players to distinguish between them. While the concept and art are noted as interesting, they are overshadowed by the overall blandness of the gameplay and mechanics.
“The character designs are boring as hell and it's impossible to tell them apart at range, so you have no idea who you're fighting.”
“The only thing good about this game is its interesting concept and art/character design, which are sadly ruined by generic and overwhelmingly bland gameplay, mechanics, movement, sound design, and pretty much everything else about this piece of early access garbage that tarnishes what it means to be a remotely enjoyable video game.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is perceived positively, with users noting the wholesome design choices that reflect the creator's values. However, technical issues, such as control bugs, detract from the overall experience, potentially impacting players' emotional engagement.