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Scars Above (PS5) Review
Developer: Mad Head Games
Publisher: Prime Matter
Genre: Third-Person Action / Sci-Fi Adventure
Release: 2023
Scars Above is a science-fiction action-adventure that combines third-person shooting, exploration, environmental puzzles and light RPG mechanics. Developed by Mad Head Games, it places players in the role of Dr. Kate Ward, a scientist and member of the SCAR team who becomes stranded on an alien world after investigating a mysterious extraterrestrial structure known as the Metahedron.
The game clearly draws inspiration from science-fiction games such as Returnal, Dead Space and Control, but takes a more straightforward approach. Its relatively short campaign, atmospheric environments and emphasis on scientific experimentation make it an interesting experience, although repetitive combat and limited exploration prevent it from reaching the heights of its inspirations.
Gameplay & Mechanics
The core gameplay revolves around third-person shooting combined with elemental weapons and environmental interactions.
Kate begins with relatively basic equipment but gradually acquires different weapons capable of exploiting enemy weaknesses. Fire, ice, electricity and other effects can be used against different creatures and environmental objects.
This gives combat a degree of tactical depth. Rather than simply holding down the trigger, players need to identify enemy weaknesses and choose the appropriate weapon or effect.
Dodging is also important. Many enemies rely on ranged attacks, charging attacks or area-of-effect abilities, meaning positioning and movement are essential.
However, combat can become repetitive over time. Enemy types are reused frequently, and encounters sometimes feel designed around gradually wearing down enemies rather than providing genuinely varied challenges.
Strengths
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Satisfying third-person shooting.
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Elemental weapons encourage experimentation.
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Enemy weaknesses provide tactical choices.
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Dodging and positioning are important.
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Weapon upgrades provide useful progression.
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Combat is easy to understand.
Weaknesses
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Enemy variety is limited.
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Combat encounters can become repetitive.
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Some enemies have large health pools.
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Weapon switching can occasionally feel cumbersome.
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The combat lacks the polish of larger AAA action games.
Exploration & World Design
The alien world is one of the game's strongest elements.
The environments are strange, hostile and visually distinctive, ranging from frozen landscapes and alien forests to underground facilities and mysterious structures. The game does a good job of creating the impression that Kate is exploring a genuinely unfamiliar planet.
Exploration is generally linear, however. Although there are optional paths and hidden resources, the game doesn't provide a large open world.
Environmental puzzles occasionally require the player to use weapons or abilities in unconventional ways. Freezing water, activating mechanisms and manipulating environmental hazards help break up the shooting.
The world design works particularly well when exploration and scientific investigation come together. Kate isn't simply a soldier wandering through an alien planet; she is a scientist trying to understand what she has encountered.
Story & Themes
The story follows Dr. Kate Ward and the SCAR team as they investigate the mysterious Metahedron. After the structure causes a catastrophic event, Kate finds herself alone on an alien planet populated by hostile creatures.
The narrative focuses heavily on scientific curiosity, survival and humanity's attempt to understand something vastly more advanced than itself.
Kate is an appealing protagonist because she is presented primarily as a scientist rather than a conventional action hero. Her analytical approach fits the game's premise and provides some interesting dialogue and observations.
The mystery surrounding the Metahedron is enough to maintain interest, although the story doesn't always explore its ideas as deeply as it could.
Some characters receive limited development, and the narrative can occasionally feel predictable. Nevertheless, the science-fiction atmosphere and mystery provide a solid reason to continue through the campaign.
Mission Design & Progression
The campaign follows a relatively straightforward structure. Players explore new areas, fight enemies, solve environmental puzzles, collect resources and occasionally face bosses.
Progression comes from discovering new weapons, upgrades and abilities. Some upgrades improve Kate's combat effectiveness, while others provide additional options for exploration.
The game doesn't overwhelm the player with complicated RPG systems. This makes progression easy to understand but also means there isn't a huge amount of character customization.
Boss encounters are generally the highlights of the combat system. They require players to understand attack patterns, exploit weaknesses and make effective use of the available weapons.
The main campaign is also fairly short, which works in its favor to some degree. The game manages to avoid becoming excessively bloated, although players looking for a lengthy sci-fi adventure may find the experience somewhat brief.
Final Verdict
Scars Above is a solid science-fiction action-adventure that succeeds primarily through its atmosphere and straightforward gameplay. The combination of alien exploration, scientific investigation, third-person shooting and elemental weapons gives it a distinctive identity, even though its influences are easy to recognize.
Its biggest weakness is a lack of depth. Combat eventually becomes repetitive, exploration is relatively linear and the RPG systems are fairly simple. The story also has interesting ideas that could have been developed further.
Nevertheless, the game's focused structure works in its favor. Rather than stretching its mechanics across an enormous open world, Scars Above delivers a compact science-fiction adventure with a clear beginning, middle and end. Players who enjoy atmospheric sci-fi games and don't mind a smaller-budget production will find plenty to appreciate.
Score: 7/10
