SCUM Game Cover

"SCUM is an open-world, massively multiplayer survival game with horror elements, where players start as prisoners on a treacherous island. The complex simulation emphasizes the importance of every detail, from diet and injury prevention to combat and crafting. With vast terrain, numerous threats, and various modes including PvP and co-op, SCUM offers a unique, immersive, and highly replayable experience."

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
  • Cloud
  • NVIDIA GeForce NOW

Reviews

75%
Audience ScoreBased on 33,719 reviews
gameplay892 positive mentions
optimization330 negative mentions
  • gameplay3,014 mentions

    The gameplay of "Scum" is characterized by its intricate survival mechanics, including a detailed metabolism system that requires players to manage their character's nutrition and health meticulously. While many players appreciate the depth and realism these mechanics bring, others find them overwhelming and tedious, leading to a gameplay experience that can feel slow and repetitive. Additionally, issues such as clunky combat mechanics, frustrating AI behavior, and server performance problems detract from the overall enjoyment, leaving the game in a state that some players feel is not yet fully polished or engaging.

    • “Developed by Gamepires and Croteam, this game has earned its spot as a genre-defining experience, combining intense survival mechanics with strategic gameplay and a unique character development system.”
    • “The complexity of crafting materials, or 'grinding' to build bases, the inner workings of vehicle mechanics, charging batteries, repairing guns with the parts of an identical gun, and resource gathering restrictions (only carry 2 large logs at a time) are just a few ways this game immerses you into the survival mentality.”
    • “The survival mechanics, the rarity of loot, and the puppets made it an interesting challenge to scout out a town and scavenge for supplies.”
    • “The spawn mechanic is horrible; clear an area, then watch the puppets spawn all around you.”
    • “The whole time I'm playing this game, I'm trying to figure out what the designer was thinking for most of the major mechanics and UI.”
    • “The gameplay is immensely boring.”
  • graphics1,650 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players praising the stunning visuals, detailed environments, and realistic weather effects. However, there are significant concerns regarding optimization, as numerous users report performance issues, crashes, and high demands on hardware, particularly for lower-end systems. Overall, while the graphics are often described as beautiful and immersive, the game's performance and stability issues detract from the experience for many players.

    • “The graphics are stunning, creating a captivating atmosphere that enhances the overall gaming experience.”
    • “Scum boasts breathtaking visuals that will leave players in awe.”
    • “The graphics are absolutely incredible and the gameplay, although clunky, is great and satisfying.”
    • “Game has trash graphics and mechanics.”
    • “Graphics are muddy with blurry textures and awful animations (devs tried to blame my machine for it).”
    • “The graphics are not very impressive at all.”
  • optimization1,206 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed feedback from users, with many highlighting significant performance issues, including stuttering, lag, and low frame rates, particularly in populated areas or during intense gameplay. While some players report improvements and decent performance on high-end systems, others express frustration over the game's inability to run smoothly even on capable hardware. Overall, there is a consensus that the game requires substantial optimization work to enhance the user experience and address ongoing technical problems.

    • “Game is beautiful and runs great with new optimizations and graphics options.”
    • “The performance of this game is great, so optimized and you feel the dedication of the developers.”
    • “The optimization is better by tons and the content is growing more and more with each release.”
    • “Terrible unoptimized garbage.”
    • “The game is a decent bit more optimized so as long as you are in servers with less than 80 people you should be alright.”
    • “The performance issues are bad.”
  • stability953 mentions

    The stability of the game is a significant concern among players, with numerous reports of bugs, glitches, and performance issues that detract from the overall experience. Many users express frustration over game-breaking glitches, such as disappearing items, erratic enemy behavior, and frequent crashes, which have persisted despite the game's long development period. While some acknowledge the potential for improvement and appreciate the developers' efforts to address issues, the consensus is that the game remains too unstable for a full recommendation at this time.

    • “The game runs great and my computer is really not that impressive at all.”
    • “Game is not totally bug free but there are none that make the game unplayable, when there is, it is fixed even quicker. The whole team involved with this title are passionate about it and it shows.”
    • “For early access, the game runs great; there is a ton to do and explore.”
    • “I've played it on and off for years as I do love the design and concepts - but for all of those years, it has been nothing but a frustrating battle against all of the bugs and glitches and game-killing faults.”
    • “The game is a buggy mess. I would have gotten my money back on this trash of a game if Steam would have let me, but in trying to even get this buggy game to run, I played it for one hour and they refused to refund me.”
    • “The game is extremely buggy and feels very unfinished, the optimization is terrible but the concept and mechanics of the game are fun.”
  • story716 mentions

    The game's story aspect is largely criticized for its absence, with many players expressing disappointment over the lack of a narrative, missions, or objectives beyond basic survival. While some acknowledge a minimal backstory related to being a prisoner on an island, the consensus is that the game feels empty without engaging quests or character-driven plots. Players are hopeful for future updates that will introduce more structured content, including missions and NPC interactions, to enhance the overall experience.

    • “I have thoroughly enjoyed my 277 hours so far (200~ single player) and now branching into multiplayer -- immersive visuals and I actually really love that there are no quests (yet?) guiding me.”
    • “The game has an incredible lore/backstory unlike any FPS/survival game I have ever come across.”
    • “The world is evolving, the devs are active, the story gets deeper as we go.”
    • “You just spawn in the air, nothing to tell you what's going on with the game, no story, nothing at the beginning to help you get a grasp of your objectives or what's going on.”
    • “Despite the store page description as a 'story driven survival game' and the videos and screenshots strongly suggesting that there is at least some story aspects to the game, there is no story at all, once the tutorial is completed that's it, everything else is left to you.”
    • “There are no missions, no campaign, no NPCs besides vendors.”
  • grinding505 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 slow pace of crafting, resource gathering, and base building, often leading to frustration and boredom, especially when combined with bugs and loss of progress. While some players appreciate the depth and realism, the consensus is that the grind can feel more like a chore than an engaging gameplay experience, making it difficult for casual players to enjoy.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding, better start reincarnating.”
    • “So much grinding you will no longer have a life.”
    • “Everything matters in this game, and it's not tedious; it's just not a fast-paced get to end game in 3 hours if done right like on Rust gameplay.”
    • “The result is a game that has some extremely cool and tense moments, but the sparse excitement that comes from this game is often scattered across an extremely tedious, painstaking, and overly laborious timeline full of mechanics that seem to pay no mind to whether or not they're any fun at all.”
    • “You will spend hours grinding the most boring gameplay loop just to realize there's a super tiny limited number of uses on everything to once again force an artificially bloated play time.”
    • “This game has become such a tedious boring mess that kills any/all fun to be had in it.”
  • humor293 mentions

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with many players finding it both entertaining and absurd, particularly in the context of its survival mechanics and quirky character interactions. Players often highlight the comedic elements, such as the "laughing zombies" and humorous item descriptions, which contribute to a lighthearted atmosphere, especially when playing with friends. However, some reviews express disappointment with the game's overall execution, suggesting that while the humor is present, it can sometimes feel forced or overshadowed by bugs and gameplay frustrations.

    • “Teaming up with fellow players led to both hilarious antics and desperate attempts not to become zombie chow together.”
    • “The devs have a quirky sense of humor and seem to care about what the players want.”
    • “This game has had me and my friends laughing for hours at times and is an enjoyable experience.”
    • “This game is not funny anymore... so the game is scum like your game name :d”
    • “It's such a long, drawn-out experience that it's not funny anymore.”
    • “This is a joke... I can understand bugs and being killed from time to time because of them, but this is not a funny joke.”
  • atmosphere102 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its stunning graphics, immersive environments, and dynamic weather systems that enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the sense of tension and danger, particularly at night, although some feel that the sound design and variety of environmental effects could be improved. While many find the atmosphere captivating and engaging, a few critiques highlight a lack of depth compared to other survival games, suggesting that it could benefit from more atmospheric sounds and varied experiences.

    • “The visuals are stunning, creating a captivating atmosphere that enhances the overall gaming experience.”
    • “The diverse landscapes and dynamic weather systems create an atmospheric setting that draws players into its immersive world.”
    • “The atmosphere of the game alone is enough to pull you into your screen as if you were playing in VR.”
    • “For beginners, it sucks; the fighting with zombies is clunky, and there's not much atmosphere.”
    • “No music, so you can enjoy the boring game atmosphere as they're hoping you fall asleep so you can't get your money back from this scam of a game.”
    • “The atmosphere, various amounts of loot and crafting you can forge, and the need to survive complement each other efficiently.”
  • monetization93 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game has drawn significant criticism, with many players labeling it a "cash grab" due to the early release of multiple paid DLCs and cosmetic packs before the game is fully polished or completed. Users express frustration over the perceived prioritization of microtransactions and cosmetic sales over essential game development and bug fixes, leading to a lack of trust in the developers' commitment to improving the game. Overall, the sentiment suggests that the monetization approach undermines the game's potential and player experience.

    • “Monetization of cosmetics continues.”
    • “Developers recently sold out to a company known for microtransactions and cash shops.”
    • “My only hope is that Croteam and Gamepires will not ruin their own game with cheap monetization and keep making SCUM what it can evolve into – the de-facto open world survival game.”
    • “This was a fairly decent game, with some interesting mechanics; unfortunately, this is now owned by Jagex, a game development company that tries to milk its player base to the bone and passes awful updates. They have killed several games they have bought, and I would not trust this game publisher. I cannot recommend this game unless you enjoy suffering and misery.”
    • “I don't really understand how there is DLC available before the game is finished - feels like a cash grab which makes me wonder if the game will ever be done.”
    • “The lack of optimization, bugs, and lackluster content make this a frustrating experience that ultimately feels like a cash grab.”
  • music76 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players enjoying the variety and immersion it provides, particularly through in-game radios and the ability to play personal music. However, others criticize the music as repetitive or distracting, suggesting that it detracts from the overall experience. While some appreciate the inclusion of musical instruments and the option to listen to their own playlists, others feel that the game's sound design could be improved for a more engaging atmosphere.

    • “There is a lot when it comes to the immersion of the game and the sound and music don't disappoint.”
    • “But driving in this game is pretty cool too and nice music where some of it I just had to add to my Spotify playlist afterwards.”
    • “The music radio in this game can be heard through radios in hand or vehicles which is absolutely amazing.”
    • “No music, so you can enjoy the boring game atmosphere as they're hoping you fall asleep so you can't get your money back from this scam of a game.”
    • “All in all it's just the same song and dance we've seen before except it's not done as well.”
    • “Takes at least 5 minutes to open and load, music also lags while loading and it closes fullscreen to windowed version.”
  • replayability53 mentions

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag; while some players find it highly replayable due to its procedural content and character customization, others criticize the lack of meaningful endgame content and player-driven narratives, which limits long-term engagement. Many users express hope for future updates to enhance replay value, but current feedback suggests that the game may feel stale after initial playthroughs. Overall, the potential for replayability exists, but it heavily depends on upcoming improvements and content additions.

    • “The game is designed to be highly replayable, with procedurally generated content and events.”
    • “The replayability of this game is outstanding, due to the above mentioned features, along with its character customization.”
    • “This game has a ton of replay value and is amazing with friends.”
    • “Furthermore, while scum's potential for engaging PvP encounters and teamwork is evident, the lack of player-driven narratives or meaningful endgame content diminishes the longevity and replayability.”
    • “Obviously have the talent to make the game more playable; I would stop focusing on making more guns and adding items/vehicles every single update and instead focus on adding quests/NPCs/bandits that have camps set up/more animals/improve base building... because the game is very stale at this point and sure a first timer will get 10+ hours of fun in single player, but after that it's rinse and repeat.”
    • “Once vehicles are implemented I may revisit the game, but as it stands I just can't see any real replayability here.”
  • emotional44 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game elicits a wide range of feelings, from heartbreak and frustration over losses and steep learning curves to moments of nostalgia and connection during gameplay. Players report intense experiences that can lead to tears, whether from the harsh realities of survival or the joy of meaningful interactions, highlighting the game's ability to evoke strong emotional responses. However, some also caution that the game's difficulty and mechanics can be overwhelming, potentially impacting players' emotional well-being.

    • “Well, this game is emotional in more ways than one.”
    • “Best game I've played in years; it made me laugh, cry, fear for my life, and has made me feel like I could survive out in a desolate wasteland.”
    • “Tears welled up in his eyes when he realized what exactly was at stake.”
  • character development21 mentions

    The character development in "Scum" is highly praised for its complexity and realism, featuring an advanced metabolism and skill system that significantly impacts gameplay. Players can customize their characters in ways that affect their physical attributes and performance, making choices about diet and exercise crucial for survival. While the character design options are currently limited, the depth of the character development mechanics sets "Scum" apart from other survival games, offering a unique and immersive experience.

    • “Character development in 'Scum' takes character customization to the next level with its advanced metabolism and skill system.”
    • “Scum is really well made and updates quite regularly; just the character development alone is pretty insane. Everything you eat and do consumes calories that you have to burn off, your character can get overweight if you eat too much fatty food, or they can get very athletic and buff if they have a high protein diet with lots of exercise, which in turn helps you run faster and further, decrease weapon recoil, carry more, and perform various actions a little quicker.”
    • “The food and health system is extremely complex, and the way the character design affects your playstyle is unique to say the least.”
    • “Although the screenshots might give you the mental image of a co-operative survival colony builder (and this is possible with a large group of friends), with an emphasis on well-being and nutrition, as well as character development, it plays no different than DayZ, Tarkov, or PUBG in practice.”
    • “Character design is limited right now to four options for the female characters and six for the male.”
    • “The female character designer is a choice between three presets, worse than the last, with the black preset just... really, really bad.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

23hMedian play time
242hAverage play time
5-140hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 355 analyzed playthroughs

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