NEO Scavenger

 PC
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. Games Master UK
    Feb 22, 2015
    69
    A bleak-but-enjoyable survival game that's occasionally just a little too harsh for its own good. [Mar 2015, p.72]
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  2. Game World Navigator Magazine
    Jan 24, 2015
    67
    Top games of survival genre, alas, are all built from an action or platformer base, which are rather constraining for a thoughtful (or just not-so-agile) player. So NEO Scavenger offers a unique experience: surviving with the luxury of turn-based gameplay. [Feb 2015]
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Awards & Rankings

72
#72 Best PC Game of 2012
99
#99 Most Shared PC Game of 2012

User Reviews

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User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 65 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 49 out of 65
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 65
  3. Negative: 8 out of 65
  1. Sevenless
    Dec 15, 2013
    9
    If you like roguelikes, this game is well worth the 10$. Graphics are appealing and set the scene, UI could use some fine tuning but overallIf you like roguelikes, this game is well worth the 10$. Graphics are appealing and set the scene, UI could use some fine tuning but overall it does better than most roguelikes you're likely used to anyway.

    If you've never played a roguelike before: It's a brutal, permadeath, unforgiving game that will kill you ten ways to sunday for the first hours of play. If you're into intense hardcore experiences, this might be something to look into (but there are other free roguelikes if you'd like a cheaper introduction to the genre).    … Full Review »
  2. Multipurpose
    Jan 22, 2014
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click full review link to view. Frustration does not even begin to sum up the experience of this game. Neither does satisfaction. This is a game where complacency costs you 12 hours of gameplay in a single stupid decision.

    This game certainly still needs some polishing, but that is to be expected from a beta-release. Neo Scavenger pits you, an unarmed - clueless - protagonist against a motley crew of the worst of the worst. Thrown into a post-apocalyptic world with naught but a hospital gown, you must find clothing to stave off pneumonia. Shelter to rest in. A campsite to stash your laughable scavenged loot - there are no infinite backpacks in this game, you're limited to a realistic carrying amount. Want to pick up a shopping trolley to carry more stuff in? Fine, but it'll cost you; reduced speed, inability to run, being burdened, easier for enemies to pick you off.

    Neo Scavenger has a learning curve that is frustratingly high. You will not survive for more than a few hours on your first dozen runs. The first time you think you're playing well, you've maybe got a rifle, 3 or 4 rounds, a place to call home, and some futuristic technology - such as a water purity tester, but then you get cocky. You don't come back to your camp before it's dark, and suddenly you're pulling in a shopping cart 3 hours of work that you refuse to drop, and so you're caught by a group of looters or raiders, and you're dead in a matter of seconds - you're dead before you even realise it.

    This is an ultimate game of survival. You really need to think every decision you make out. There is a feel of grinding to it - you spend hours going from ruin to ruin looting nothing but trash, you stop to scavenge some berries for food and water, then you go back to camp, drop anything of value off, and restart again, slowly finding 1 bullet here, 1 course of antibiotics there, etc. I hope before the proper release the author adds some more random elements to the game, there is a storyline to this game, and various amusing NPCs/Cities in the game for you to explore. But there is a lot of repetition that is hopefully overcome with an increase in textures, elements, items, NPCs etc. as the game is developed.

    I also feel there really does need to be some sort of step back from the permadeath element. I'm not saying there should be an autosave feature every turn, but some sort of progress saving feature that compensates you from a death due to extreme randomness. For instance I died in the main city of the game due to an ingame mechanic that simply had my character hit by a car randomly while walking the streets, game over, start again from turn 1. That's just outright not fair, and impossible to avoid.

    Anyway, fantastic game for those out there who enjoy a challenge. You will hate this game for a very long time, but also love it.    … Full Review »
  3. GameReviews35
    Dec 13, 2013
    2
    I'm not sure what's with the recent trend of perma-death games where the creators really don't want you to actually win. In this game, youI'm not sure what's with the recent trend of perma-death games where the creators really don't want you to actually win. In this game, you start with no equipment, not even a backpack to hold moss, and you're tracked every turn by enemies with hunting rifles. You spend over 60% of the game time clicking "Run!" and "Confirm" and then eventually -attempt- to retreat from combat. The only equipment you're likely to find is tree branches. You can't even hold a recipe for a strap for the rifle you will never get. According to the creators, there's no XP since "progress comes from learning how to play the game better, and using your strengths to your advantage" but all you'll do is walk around for a while before dying.… Full Review »
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