Scorn proves that in order to effectively evoke horror, a game doesn’t necessarily need to be scary. While many horror games employ jump scares and constantly ratchet tension to keep players on edge, Scorn‘s greatest weapon is its atmosphere. Those looking for a more traditional horror experience may not find one within Scorn, but what they will find is a wholly unnerving, disturbing world to explore.
Among horror games with immersive atmospheres, what sets Scorn apart is its real-world inspirations. Scorn‘s world is distinctly Gigeresque, inspired by the works of H.R. Giger and Zdzisław Beksiński, the former being well known for designing many signature elements of the Alien franchise, including the titular xenomorph. Ebb Software took those inspirations and made the world of Scorn their own, but the finished result was arguably even more horrific than the sum of its parts. Even without many dynamic gameplay elements, simply traversing Scorn‘s biomechanical labyrinth and solving its puzzles would be enough to rattle even the most seasoned horror fans.
In Scorn, players are dropped into a world of disturbingly organic machines and flesh-based architecture with no exposition or fanfare. As the player gets their bearings without any direction from the game itself, they encounter increasingly grotesque mechanisms and creatures. That process of aimless, morbid discovery is the lifeblood of Scorn, which never lets players’ stomachs settle for long. Scorn‘s place among the best horror games of 2022 may be cemented by its masterful use of body horror, making it the perfect challenge for players that tend to seek out – or perhaps avoid – that particular flavor of fear.
Scorn’s Atmosphere Overshadows Its Combat, And That’s Okay
While the emphasis of Scorn‘s horror is placed on its environments and ambiance, it does provide a more traditional source of action and horror through first-person shooter combat. The weapons themselves all maintain Scorn‘s signature biomechanical style with nauseatingly organic designs and animations. Many of the Scorn‘s object interactions follow this same philosophy, with buttons, levers, and the like all requiring some biological interface that harms or invades the player character. Unfortunately, this style does not translate directly to substance. Scorn‘s weapons often feel punishing or counterintuitive, which could be an effective, intentional design choice. Early looks at the game drew comparisons between Scorn‘s violent combat and DOOM Eternal, but in the case of the former, the gunplay can sometimes feel frustrating and unnecessary.
Questionable combat aside, Scorn delivers on its promise of a unique and powerful brand of horror, drawing on some of the most horrific imagery in history to create a world that won’t soon leave the thoughts of those that experience it. The unsettling progression of its puzzles, revealing layers of deeply disturbing and mysterious secrets, guides players through a horror experience unlike many others. Scorn‘s idiosyncrasies only serve to reinforce its clear creative vision, and for those that are tempted by that vision, it’s certainly worth experiencing firsthand.
