Scorn the atmospheric horror game by Ebb Software is now finally available. As you plan to head into this eerie Geiger-inspired world, there's plenty that you should know beforehand Including what to expect, how long the game will take, and, whether this game is for you. In this Scorn guide hub, we plan to cover any essential information and links to our other guides to make sure you're prepared for what awaits.
Scorn Guides
Scorn Starter Guide
Scorn is a pretty gruesome and grim game. You will see gross abominations, torture, limb removal, and more. Even simply activating a switch might require you to damage yourself physically. If you're someone who is squeamish, then you likely won't enjoy Scorn as much as you're less squeamish friends.
Prepare for the game to tell you nothing
Scorn is an atmospheric game that tries to immerse players as much as possible. Because of this, there is minimal to no hud, and there is no onscreen text or explanation of any of the items that you come across. Some items that you will encounter include different weapon types, reusable health vials, and ammo for the different weapons. Your reusable items are stored in a circular membrane that you keep on you. At any time in game, you can bring up your inventory by pressing the Y button. The 8 red pods on the top will be representative of your health refills. The centre ring will represent your pistol shots, while the inner ring will represent your shotgun blast.
What do the dots next to this door mean?
As you progress through Scorn, you'll encounter a variety of doors that have a patent symbol on the right. Early on in the game, you'll get access to an unlocker that will be able to unlock doors showing the same symbol. At the start of the game, you will only have one dot filled, so will only be able to open doors with a single lit dot. As you progress through the game, you will obtain more and more of these dots to open more doors. If you find yourself at a door that you can't get through, chances are you're not too far away from collecting a new dot. Scorn is a mostly linear game, so after you upgrade your dots, you won't ever need to go back to a previous setting.
How do I solve this puzzle?
The focus of Scorns gameplay is in puzzle solving. Sometimes these puzzles are much larger than the single room you're in, or the single puzzle you're looking at. If you find yourself stuck at a puzzle, explore more, and you'll likely find a new piece of the puzzle that you didn't even know was involved. Some puzzles may involve five or six different separate segments to find the solution. Some of these solutions may also have grim outcomes. A puzzle that you'll complete early on requires an extra disembodied hand that you might need to borrow from someone else.
Scorn Guides - Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to beat Scorn?
Scorn is primarily a puzzle game so how long it will take to beat will depend on how into solving puzzles you are. The developers suggest the game will take 10 hours to complete, in my own play through it took about 7. There are some achievements you cannot get in a single play through. Even with multiple playthroughs, once you know what you're doing, it should be relatively quick.
How large is the focus on combat in Scorn?
While there are weapons and combat in Scorn, it is definitely not the focus of the game. Most enemies in the game, you'll just need to stun and run around and act more as an oppressive force, as opposed to something to clear out. Two out of the four weapons in the game are also entirely optional to pick up, as only one is required and mandatory to beat the single boss fight of the game. Killing enemies can make getting through the game a bit easier, but it's not anything to worry about. Scorn is definitely not a horror first person shooter. If you're purchasing it for that reason, then you likely will not get the experience you're after.
How many weapons are available in Scorn?
There are four different weapons that you have available to you in Scorn. Only two of them are mandatory. The first weapon you pick up acts as a plunger, the second is a pistol, the third is a shotgun, and the 4th is a grenade launcher. Ammo is quite scarce in Scorn, so be sure if you do want to use it to use it wisely. The pistol and shotgun are also missable weapons, so be sure to keep an eye out for them. They can be found near the first place that you find ammo for them.