Scorched Sun

About Scorched Sun

Scorched Sun is a PC-only indie RPG with puzzle and survival horror elements released on December 31, 2026. Developed by Skeleton Coffee Games, it’s a short single-player game set in a secluded monastery village. You play an initiate sent to investigate a lost contact with the order. The game blends top-down exploration with turn-based combat, emphasizing resource management and environmental storytelling. Its eerie atmosphere and methodical pacing make it feel like a minimalist horror puzzle box. Fans of slow-burn narratives and tactical challenges might find it compelling, though the 6.2-hour average playtime suggests it’s not a long-term commitment.

Gameplay

You navigate a top-down grid, scanning crumbling ruins for clues while fending off hostile entities in turn-based battles. Combat requires careful positioning, each move drains stamina, and enemies exploit weaknesses in your formation. Resource scarcity is key: you collect limited healing items and ammunition, forcing tough choices. Puzzles involve rearranging environmental objects to unlock areas, often tied to lore about the monastery’s downfall. Sessions typically last 1, 2 hours, balancing exploration and combat in short bursts. Controls are responsive, but the camera can frustrate during tight encounters. The game’s difficulty spikes mid-game, demanding precise planning and replaying earlier sections for missed clues.

What Players Think

Scorched Sun holds a 78% PlayPile score but splits opinions. 42% of players finish it, with 74% completing achievements. Average playtime is 6.2 hours, though 30% of players quit before halfway. Community moods are mixed: 22% call it “addictive,” while 18% dismiss it as “overhyped.” Steam reviews highlight its atmospheric tension but note repetitive puzzle designs. One user wrote, “The first half is tense and clever, but the ending feels rushed.” Another praised, “It nails that isolation vibe, even if the combat gets tedious.” With 37 achievements (34% completion rate), the game rewards persistence but struggles to maintain momentum past its midpoint.

PlayPile's Take

Scorched Sun is a $29.99 gamble for fans of cerebral horror and tactical puzzles. It shines in its first hour, with strong environmental storytelling and tense encounters, but falters in pacing and replay value. If you enjoy methodical exploration and don’t mind a short runtime, it’s worth a shot. However, the repetitive combat and underdeveloped lore may leave you unimpressed. Achievements add minor incentive, but don’t expect a deep RPG. Play it if you want a spooky, low-effort diversion, just don’t expect anything impressive.

Storyline

The order has sent you to investigate why they have lost contact with a monastery set in a small village. Upon arrival, you will notice that the situation is not as simple as you thought.