Scornis gross, but that feels by design.Inspired by the work of H.R. Giger, developer Ebb Software has designedScornto be a game that gives players an uneasy feeling throughout. From the mechanics to the visuals to the puzzle solutions, there is a lot aboutScornthat feels uniquely unnerving, but for fans of the sci-fi/horror genre, it offers something unexpected.
After playing the 45-minute prologue ofScorn, it’s clear that Ebb Software is not trying to make an explicitly horror game. Elements that typify the genre like jump scares, funhouse-style gags, and violent combat are not a key part ofScorn, or at least in its opening moments. The developers made it a point to say thatScornbucks those typical horror trends in favor of a more puzzle-focused experience.
And the puzzles inScornare complex enough to require players to think, but well communicated through the game’s design. Because the game has a very minimalist HUD (usually only an interact icon is on-screen when necessary),Scornplayers will need to search their surroundings for solutions. In that 45-minute chunk, there wasn’t any puzzle that was confusing, but they are involved enough that players will need to find the first step in the order of operations. For example, an alien “crane” can’t grab an item before it is first lined up perfectly using a different terminal. Some of the puzzles were clever in terms of their mechanics and at least one was downright shocking when its conclusion becomes clear.
Because there was such a small sample size it’s impossible to say whetherScorncan maintain the pace of engaging puzzles throughout. What was presented in the prologue did a lot to teach some basic ideas – mostly that there is usually a terminal to start a specific puzzle. The game also draws on familiar puzzle tropes but packages them in a way that would even makeResident Evil 8’s Ethan Winterssquirm.
In addition to being inventive and creative, the puzzles inScornforce the player to do some pretty disgusting things. At first, the player is merely going through the motions – logically following a series of steps and working towards a solution that should help them progress. Then it becomes clear what that solution entails, and things get a bit more horrifying. The squeamish, the faint of heart, and those who are put off bybody horror likely will findScorndisturbingbut it’s also part of its appeal.
Visually, Scorn is instantly recognizable for its Giger inspirations, but the Ebb Software team does well not to make it feel likeAlienorPrometheus. There are both stifling corridors and more open spaces, each with that bone-like, symmetrical aesthetic.Scornalso mixes in some organic elements as well, which is where the “gross-ness” comes into play. For example, many of the terminals in the prologue required the player character to insert four fingers into tiny flesh-like holes, as if they were finger puppets.
It feels odd to say thatScornis beautiful but the visuals on display are impressive. The design of the environments pops on ahigh-end PCand there is a genuine sense of place. Granted, it is the opposite of inviting but it’s hard not to be compelled to push forward.
For just a small slice, theScornpreview is enough to establish that the game’s Giger inspirations are on point and the gameplay does not fall into the typical horror mold. Ebb Software no doubt wants to unnerve its players but in ways that make sense for this world. Creatively, the puzzles are challenging enough that they require a little bit of thought, but they are not completely obtuse. Again, the game is just plain gross in a lot of ways but it’s rare that a game can evoke that feeling. And for that alone Scorn will certainly standout next month.
Scornreleases August 06, 2025 for PC and Xbox Series X/S.
