Scars Above

About Scars Above

Scars Above launches players into a grim sci-fi survival shooter developed by Mad Head Games and published by Prime Matter. Released on February 28, 2023, this title targets PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Series X|S, and PC. You step in as Dr Kate Ward, part of the SCAR team sent to investigate a massive alien artifact called The Metahedron. Things go wrong immediately when the structure drags your crew to an unknown planet. You must survive alone while hunting for survivors and figuring out why this place feels so hostile. The game blends intense combat with exploration across varied biomes. It aims for that specific sweet spot between punishing difficulty and a narrative that keeps you moving forward without hand-holding through its mystery.

Gameplay

You control Kate Ward from a third-person perspective while managing health, energy, and equipment in real time. The core loop involves scavenging the environment for crafting materials to build shields, ammo, and healing items since resources are scarce. Combat feels weighty as you engage enemies using a variety of firearms and melee attacks that require precise timing. You will frequently face overwhelming odds where stealth or tactical positioning matters more than raw firepower. A typical session sees you clearing out hostile creatures, hacking terminals for lore, and navigating treacherous terrain to locate your missing teammates. The game does not offer a traditional minimap, forcing you to orient yourself using landmarks and environmental cues during long traverses between objectives.

What Players Think

The reception from players reflects the game's challenging nature with an IGDB score of 69.4 out of 100 based on fourteen ratings. Community data shows an average achievement unlock rate of 45.5 percent across all forty-five available trophies, indicating a steep learning curve for many users. Most players spend around ten to twelve hours completing the main story before moving on to side content or replaying sections to find missed collectibles. Review snippets often mention the satisfying combat mechanics but criticize the occasional clunky camera angles during intense firefights. The mood tends to be one of frustrated determination rather than casual fun, as the game demands patience and strategic planning from anyone hoping to reach the ending.

PlayPile's Take

This title works best for players who enjoy punishing difficulty curves and do not mind dying repeatedly while learning enemy patterns. You should buy it if you find joy in resource management and exploring dark environments without constant direction. The price sits at a historical low of 2.99 on GOG, making the risk minimal for those willing to tackle its hurdles. With forty-five achievements scattered throughout, completionists will have plenty of goals to chase after finishing the campaign. Avoid this if you prefer a linear narrative or want an action game where failure feels temporary rather than a core mechanic.

Storyline

A colossal and enigmatic alien structure appears in Earth's orbit and stuns the entire world; humanity names it ‘The Metahedron’. The Sentient Contact Assessment and Response team (SCAR) - consisting of scientists and engineers - is sent to investigate. Things don’t go as planned and the Metahedron hauls the team across space onto a mysterious extrasolar planet. Playing the role of Dr Kate Ward - a SCAR member - who wakes up dazed, alone in a strange, hostile environment. Determined to survive, you set out to find your crew and unravel the mystery behind what’s happened.