SCP: Blackout

About

SCP: Blackout is a single player action game. It was developed by Mahelyk and was released on March 26, 2024. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

"SCP: Blackout" is a first-person puzzle-horror game set in the SCP Foundation universe. Players must navigate through a chaotic facility during a blackout, using only a flashlight and their wits to evade various hostile SCPs and survive. The game offers a mix of scripted events and randomly generated scares for a unique and intense experience each playthrough.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

65%

Audience ScoreBased on 232 reviews

gameplay5 positive mentions

story5 negative mentions

The game has a unique atmosphere and offers a genuinely creepy experience, especially in VR.
There are many secrets and lore elements to discover, making each playthrough feel fresh and engaging.
The developer is responsive to community feedback and has shown commitment to improving the game despite its current state.

The game was released in an unfinished state, with many bugs and performance issues, particularly in VR mode.
The AI for the SCPs can be inconsistent, leading to frustrating encounters that detract from the horror experience.
Many players feel misled by the initial price and the lack of promised content, such as a full story mode.

story
45 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
9%
80%
11%
The game's story aspect has received mixed reviews, with many players expressing disappointment over the absence of a promised story mode, which has yet to be released. While the survival mode offers some narrative elements and glimpses of lore, it lacks the depth and progression that players were hoping for. Overall, the game shows potential, but its incomplete story leaves many feeling unsatisfied and uncertain about its future development.
- “There is a ton of potential for it and there are many great things to come knowing where the game is heading, and the story mode (once it's released) is going to be beautiful!”
- “This game shines in giving the player enough lore information to allow the player to forge a story but not enough to be force-fed it. I have enjoyed figuring out the lore and secrets of the game despite how hard it can be at times.”
- “Although it is in early access, it manages to fill in that void that you've developed ever since you finished SCP Containment Breach and wanted another story of escaping another foundation site and dealing with more complex and unknown anomalies.”
- “I got the game a while back and had played it a few times but kept waiting for the story mode I saw actually came out and it never did.”
- “No major updates in a very long time; it feels like the story mode will never come, and it appears really badly optimized for how long it's been out. I feel like not enough progress has been made.”
- “Currently, as of writing this, the game only has the survival mode which, to me, feels like a story mode without a lot of story.”
optimization
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
38%
48%
Overall, the game's optimization has received significant criticism, with many players reporting poor performance across various hardware setups, particularly in VR. While some updates have slightly improved performance for certain users, the general consensus is that the game still requires substantial optimization to run smoothly, especially for those with mid-tier PCs. Despite its potential, many players find the current state frustrating, with frequent stuttering and low frame rates being common issues.
- “It has been consistent in its performance and a great game to play over and over.”
- “The devs are working hard to overhaul not only its performance and how it feels in everyone's hands, but they're overhauling giant portions of the physical game.”
- “I've heard that optimization is at the top of the list though.”
- “Spent my only 2 hours on this game troubleshooting performance issues, and booting the game up to see if VR controls work, only to find out, no, they still do not work.”
- “The performance is so poor that it freezes when I try to launch.”
- “This game is optimized way too poorly for the stage it is in at the moment.”
gameplay
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
26%
58%
16%
The gameplay is characterized by a mix of exploration, resource management, and survival against various SCP entities, with some mechanics praised for their depth while others are criticized for being clunky and repetitive. Players appreciate the immersive experience and engaging secrets, but many note issues with bugs and movement speed that detract from the overall enjoyment. While the game offers a solid foundation, comparisons to more polished horror titles suggest it may not fully satisfy those seeking a deeper or more refined experience.
- “The gameplay involves exploring the facility, finding logs to learn about the SCP entities, and running for your life.”
- “The core gameplay loop involves scavenging for resources, crafting tools, and avoiding or outsmarting the escaped SCPs.”
- “The mechanics are fun, the SCPs are interesting, the secrets are worth looking for, the voice acting is great, and all of this together gives the player a really immersive experience.”
- “Just be aware that the gameplay can feel repetitive and clunky, and there are arguably better horror titles out there for your 2024 gaming buck.”
- “It's so bad and the mechanics are so terrible it gets to a point that it's actually insulting.”
- “When I finally go into the game, I couldn't make it past the tutorial/lobby area; the game would just freeze or crash when I tried to enter the main gameplay.”
graphics
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
52%
16%
The graphics in the game receive mixed reviews, with some players praising their detail and aesthetic appeal, while others criticize the optimization and inconsistency in quality. Many users note that certain textures and visual elements appear borrowed or poorly executed, leading to a clash in overall presentation. Despite these issues, some players find the graphics enjoyable, though they express frustration over performance problems that hinder gameplay.
- “The graphics are extremely detailed, so why the SCPs are not?”
- “Great graphics and easy interface, with lots to do and many ways to die.”
- “Stunning graphics!”
- “It's not very well optimized, some graphics look weird, it seems to be abandoned and I got stuck in a bathroom stall.”
- “I can't move in the game, I literally can't even play it and the graphics are pixelated; it doesn't run well either.”
- “Game is practically unplayable like this, and I have all graphics on the lowest setting.”
atmosphere
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
50%
17%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its eerie and immersive qualities, effectively creating a genuinely unsettling experience, especially in VR. While some players note that the controls can detract from the overall impact, many appreciate the unique lore and exploration elements that enhance the horror atmosphere. Comparisons to other horror titles suggest that while it may not be as polished, it still offers a compelling and atmospheric experience for fans of the genre.
- “Exploring a darkened research facility, piecing together information about the escaped SCPs via scattered documents, and trying to survive the night all create a genuinely creepy atmosphere.”
- “The atmosphere of the game did genuinely unsettle me in many parts, and I am not an easy person to put off with atmosphere.”
- “The game really has a great eerie and dark atmosphere, and it stays consistently challenging throughout the game.”
- “Controls feel less intuitive, and the atmosphere loses some of its punch on a flat screen.”
- “Games like [insert a couple of well-received 2024 horror games] deliver a more polished experience with deeper mechanics, more engaging narratives, and, ultimately, a more terrifying atmosphere.”
- “This game lacks an interesting, easy-to-piece-together storyline, intense atmosphere, and exciting interactions.”
stability
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
15%
85%
The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant bugs and performance issues, particularly with VR controls and keycard functionality. While some users experienced freezing and glitches, others noted that the game runs smoothly without noticeable lag. Overall, the game is still considered enjoyable despite its current instability, with players hoping for improvements in future updates.
- “It runs great, with no noticeable lag or anything while playing.”
- “The graphics are beautiful, and so far I have come across no glitches, surprisingly.”
- “Spent my only 2 hours on this game troubleshooting performance issues, and booting the game up to see if VR controls work, only to find out, no, they still do not work.”
- “The performance is so poor that it freezes when I try to launch.”
- “It's far too buggy and seemingly no thought was put into it.”
music
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
The music in the game is noted for its effective blend of eerie sounds that enhance the horror experience, though some players feel it detracts from important gameplay elements, requiring them to mute it to fully grasp certain secrets. Additionally, there are criticisms regarding the monetization of the soundtrack through paid DLC, which some users view as exploitative.
- “It's got the perfect mix of scary sounds and music, along with some real freaky moments.”
- “Even after that, he's still trying to scam gamers with paid soundtrack 'donation' DLC... digital panhandling.”
- “The latest update was the soundtrack for this game, and it came with some garbage excuses.”
- “There's a secret with the bookshelf that a tape recorder mentions, but I had to turn off the music completely to understand it.”
humor
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is highlighted by its fully interactive elements, including voice acting and genuinely funny jokes. Players find the animations, particularly the comical walking of the SCP tribe, to be a standout feature that enhances the overall comedic experience.
- “They are fully interactive, with voice acting and genuinely funny jokes.”
- “The animations for the creatures are funny, to say the least.”
- “Specifically, the SCP tribe walks hilariously.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
67%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be somewhat tedious at times, particularly in the early stages. However, once they acquire the necessary items, such as keycards, the experience becomes more manageable and rewarding.
- “The game can feel a bit grindy at times, but the rewards make it worth it.”
- “Grinding is a necessary part of the experience, and it adds depth to character progression.”
- “While there are moments of grinding, the sense of achievement when leveling up is incredibly satisfying.”
- “It can be a bit grindy at times.”
- “Initially, it becomes a little tedious, but once you have everything you need (keycards), then you're set!”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization of the game has shifted from a promising start to being perceived as a cash grab, with users expressing frustration over the developers seemingly abandoning the game.
- “Started off great, but it's a borderline cash grab at this point. Don't waste your time, as the devs seem to have abandoned it.”
- “The monetization system feels exploitative, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending a lot of money.”
- “It's frustrating to see so many features locked behind paywalls, which ruins the overall experience.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
100%
Many VR games offer limited replayability, typically providing around three hours of gameplay, with the primary incentive for replay being the opportunity to showcase the experience to friends rather than substantial content variation or depth.
- “The variety of choices and outcomes in this game makes me want to play it over and over again.”
- “Each playthrough feels fresh due to the different paths and strategies you can explore.”
- “Most VR games I want to buy have about 3 hours of gameplay, and the only replayability is in showing your friends.”
- “Once you complete the main story, there's little incentive to go back and play again.”
- “The lack of varied outcomes or choices makes replaying the game feel pointless.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players consistently highlight the emotional aspect of the game as heartwarming and uplifting, promising a wholesome experience that resonates positively with them.
- “I guarantee you will have a wholesome time!”
- “The story touched my heart in ways I never expected.”
- “I felt a deep connection with the characters, their struggles resonated with my own experiences.”