Atmospheric indie horror adventure Scorn has reached 2 million players, developer Ebb Software and publisher Kepler Interactive have confirmed. The game was released in October last year to a somewhat polarized reception, but it's clearly captivated the minds of many horror fans and curious players alike.
This news comes according to a tweet on the official Scorn Twitter account, which rather endearingly says that 2 million players have "succumbed to Scorn's allure". Ebb and Kepler go on to say that their "frozen hearts extend gratitude from the depths of despair", which is a very Scorn way of expressing thanks.
If you haven't played Scorn, it's a first-person horror game in which you explore an H.R. Giger-inspired labyrinth full of devious puzzles and terrifying monsters. Scorn arguably offers more of an experience than a linear narrative; it's often difficult to discern what significance events or characters have, although you can pretty much guarantee that they'll be horrific, whatever they might mean.
Scorn's success can likely be attributed at least in part to the fact that it was available on day one via Xbox Game Pass; this is, after all, an announcement that 2 million players have played the game, not that 2 million people have bought it. Still, for a fairly low-key horror project, that's not bad at all.
When Scorn was released, it divided critics. Some celebrated its atmosphere and clever puzzle design, while others lamented its weak combat, poor checkpoints, and lack of immersion. Our very own Andrew Stretch awarded Scorn 4.5 in his review, praising its aesthetic but criticizing its lack of narrative and inability to maintain its initially impressive sense of unease.
If you want to get a sense of Scorn for yourself, it's available to buy right now on PC and Xbox Series X|S, and you'll also find it on Xbox Game Pass. The game is also scheduled to come to PlayStation 5 at some point this year.