We love horror games. More like horror games like the long-awaited Scorn. Why? Well, for one because it’s a game that has a strong influence from H.R. Giger’s works. And we love H.R. Giger’s works here. In movies, video games and pretty much every other art-form you can think of.
Secondly, we love promoting new games, and finally, we love survival/horror/adventure games. We do have some amazing articles about them not gonna lie. Just go to IndieGala’s blog and you’ll be able to find the ones that you love the most. Like the one about Overgrown: Genesis. We love that one.
However, the focus and main theme of this article is Scorn. It’s the game that inspired this entire article. But we simply can’t go on any further with the article, without a brief presentation of the game itself.
What’s Scorn All About You Might Ask?
Developed by Ebb Software and published by Kepler Interactive is an upcoming first-person shooter action game for everyone that loves the works of Giger. Indeed. The game is inspired by the works of visual artists H. R. Giger and Zdzisław Beksiński and it’s been one of our most awaited games of 2022. Well, now that it’s finally out and about…
Scorn is an atmospheric first-person horror adventure game set in a nightmarish universe of odd forms and somber tapestry.
It is designed around the idea of “being thrown into the world”. Isolated and lost inside this dream-like world, you will explore different interconnected regions in a non-linear fashion. The unsettling environment is a character itself.
And what are some of the Steam user comments saying about the game?
*Best game out there! Eerie ambient, great ideas and fun and addictive gameplay. says Skill 365 in his Steam review.
*While Chaoskater adds: If you’re interested in a slow burn, highly mysterious and nightmarish journey through the most beautiful hell, while admiring what I can only describe as a impressively crafted bio mechanical fever dream, SCORN is for you!
Full Body Awareness And Cohesive Lived-In World
Every location contains its own theme (story), puzzles and characters that are integral in creating a cohesive world. Throughout the game, you will open up new areas, acquire different skill sets, weapons, and various items and try to comprehend the sights presented to you.
Scorn takes place in an open-ended world with different interconnected regions. Each region is a maze-like structure with various rooms and paths to discover. All the storytelling happens in-game, with no cut-scenes to distract you from the grisly reality of the living, breathing world you’re in. But keep your eyes open – the game won’t show you any sympathy if you miss something important on your uneasy travels.
And in it, you will control a skinless humanoid. A humanoid lost on a fictional nightmarish alien planet filled with odd creatures and living techno-organic structures composed of machines, steel, flesh, and bone. You will also explore different interconnected regions in a non-linear fashion. Searching for answers that will explain more about the game’s world. Scorn was initially planned for October 21st, but it arrived a week earlier.
The game is available for purchase here at IndieGala. But so is the Scorn Delixe Edition. Get it here with a 10% off no less.
Scorn And The Development Hell
And what a development hell it was. Scorn has been in development hell since 2014. The team at Ebb Software introduced Scorn to the masses back then with a Kickstarter that eventually failed due to a lack of exposure. However, while the company encountered bad luck its first go around, things quickly changed in Ebb’s favor. According to an interview with PC Gamer, project lead Ljubomir Peklar stumbled into an investor by “pure luck.” This benefactor helped the company get back on its feet, and that injection of cash gave Ebb Software the confidence — and the marketing budget — to try a second Kickstarter campaign. This time the company succeeded.
The second campaign, while successful, did not pan out as intended. As you probably know by now, Kickstarter projects often are at odds with schedules, and games are usually delivered late. Scorn’s projected release date of October 2018 came and went. Not everything went 100% according to plan, but for those who were patient, their has been rewarded.
And Which Games Had The Similar Fate As Scorn?
Well, that’s what we’re for. Scorn is not the first nor the last game that got out of development hell. Plenty of other games had a similar journey, while some of them never got a release date. That’s right we’re gonna include games that got out after spending time in development hell. And games that never got the chance that they deserved. Which games are we talking about? Scroll down to find out.
UnReal World
Here’s a fun fact: UnReal World got in the Guinness World Record for having the longest continual development and support. 26 years of support. Yes. It’s one of, if not the longest-running games in existence, with a ludicrously long development phase of 26 years. Going from 1990, all the way through to 2016. And even to this day, the game still receives the odd update over on its Steam page. Not to mention, UnReal World is allegedly the first sandbox roguelike RPG, according to Finnish duo Sami Maaranen and Erkka Lehmus. And what’s it all about? UnReal World features aspects from Finnish mythology and folklore. For instance, the game simulates a harsh environment where survival is the main challenge for most players. However, UnReal World has been praised for its depth, realism, atmosphere and immersion, and value. It’s worth the shot.
Duke Nukem Forever
Here’s another one for the books. Duke Nukem Forever. It’s a game that has it all. Explicit content, backlash and praise. Duke Nukem Forever first came about back in 1997, shortly after the release of its prequel, Duke Nukem 3D. However, the final product got a 2011 release date, after having spent the last 14 years in development hell. During that time, the game had a relatively small development staff by modern standards, and conflicts between 3D Realms and its publisher, Take-Two Interactive. And let’s not forget the subsequent bankruptcy of 3D Realms. It’s no wonder the game took so long to see the light of the day.
Duke Nukem Forever is available for purchase here at IndieGala.
Diablo III
Development began in 2000 by Blizzard North and continued until the studio closed in 2005. An entirely new development began in 2006, and the game got a 2012 release date. And here’s the thing. A trailer for the former famously has Tychus Findlay saying, “Hell. It’s about time.” To put this into context, after the release of Diablo II: Lord of Destruction in June 2001, Blizzard would release Warcraft-related games exclusively for the next 9 years. But what’s it all about? Well, Diablo III is Set 20 years after the events of Diablo II of course. And you get to play as one of seven character classes – Barbarian, Crusader, Demon Hunter, Monk, Necromancer, Witch Doctor, or Wizard. Not to mention, you got the task of defeating the Lord of Terror, Diablo. As in previous games in the series. But hey. It eventually got out didn’t it?
Alan Wake
Alan Wake was first announced way back in 2004 but was finally released in the Spring of 2010. However, the PC version took two years longer. Only to finally see the light in 2012. So, yeah. It’s not UnReal World time of waiting, but it’s still a long time to wait for a game nonetheless. So, what was behind that delay? Well, the studio’s decision to make the story more linear was one of the culprits. Rather than a classic open-world game. After an intense two-month period, the team reworked the game to be a more traditional linear game broken into an episodic approach, and yes. It was all worth it in the end. But if you’re a fan of the Alan Wake game, you have another reason to rejoice. Alan Wake II was announced at The Game Awards 2021 in December and is planned for release in 2023.
Alan Wake is available for purchase here at IndieGala.
Half-Life 2 Episode Three
This one never got the chance to see the light of the day. We told ya that we might have some of them on this list. And Half-Life 2: Episode Three is one example of that notorious cancelation policy. A canceled first-person shooter game developed by Valve, Episode Three was announced in May 2006, with a release planned by Christmas 2007. Following the cliffhanger ending of Episode Two (2007), it was widely anticipated but… Episode Three was eventually got the boot. Why? Well, Valve felt the episodic format was limiting their ambition. And they failed to find a unifying idea to direct the project. But hey. After canceling several further Half-Life games, Valve released a VR game, Half-Life: Alyx, in 2020. A small consolation prize for the fans of Half-Life.
But…What Are Your Thoughts On Scorn?
We’d love to know all about them. And feel free to let us know about the game they came out of development hell that you love the most.
