Scanner Sombre

 PC
User Score
6.9

Mixed or average reviews- based on 28 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 28
  3. Negative: 4 out of 28

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  1. Klewer
    Jan 21, 2018
    6
    While it's not a bad little "waling simulator" with some minor platforming as such, there is not really much game play there to keep you involved and can be played in in 2 hours comfortably. No replay ability, nice atmosphere and interesting setting but only worth it at a cheap price.
  2. Ravarath
    Apr 30, 2017
    9
    This game caught me unaware. Very simple, very short yet so immersive. The ambiance, the story, the music makes this game a very unique and refreshing experience that wll leave player under lingering impression and craving for more. After finishing I still catch myself asking "what would happen if..." (no spoilers!). Fans of Amnesia and Penumbra should not be disappointed as this game getsThis game caught me unaware. Very simple, very short yet so immersive. The ambiance, the story, the music makes this game a very unique and refreshing experience that wll leave player under lingering impression and craving for more. After finishing I still catch myself asking "what would happen if..." (no spoilers!). Fans of Amnesia and Penumbra should not be disappointed as this game gets creepy pretty soon (in a good way, nothing like Outlast 2).
    So... Is it worth full price? I don't think so, it's a little too short but you should grab it on sale without hesitation!    … Expand
  3. matsuko
    May 4, 2017
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I'm a huge fan of photogrammetry and cloud points, so this game has its chance with me, and I don't regret any second for buying this. Put your headphones and dive into a dark red green and yellow world.
    My only regret is the ending of the game, which is, in my opinion, too much emphatic maybe    … Expand
  4. RagingPoet
    Dec 2, 2018
    8
    Conversion of Scanner Sombre to VR is amazing, It feels like the game was initially designed for it(except for the very first part, where you can get stuck in a tent). Stylish visuals convert to 360 format without any noticeable loses in resolution. And great sound design makes ordinary VR teleporting feel like actually stepping.
  5. Brodacious
    Jan 3, 2018
    0
    Literally unplayable. I have nothing connected to my PC besides a mouse, keyboard, and a controller, and even if I unplug the controller I can't even select the menu options. Even if I'm fast enough to click "new game", all I see is green and the camera constantly spins upward. If I try to correct my view the game crashes. Garbage.
  6. Deothor
    Sep 14, 2018
    7
    It's NOT a game like most other.
    You don't shoot.
    Don't loot.
    Don't do whatever new games make you do.
    You simply explore and move forward. And once you are done with the game, you don't restart the match but think about its meaning.
  7. AstiX
    Jan 14, 2021
    9
    THE GOOD

    Incredibly innovative and original concept. You can't see anything because it's pitch black, but you use a special scanner to gradually uncover the geometry of the caves you're exploring, dot by dot. Also, the upgrades make for a nice change of pace. For some reason I found using the scanner oddly satisfying to use and fun to play around with. I was pretty impressed that every    THE GOOD

    Incredibly innovative and original concept. You can't see anything because it's pitch black, but you use a special scanner to gradually uncover the geometry of the caves you're exploring, dot by dot. Also, the upgrades make for a nice change of pace. For some reason I found using the scanner oddly satisfying to use and fun to play around with. I was pretty impressed that every dot you generate stays throughout the whole game, resulting in an impressive sight of millions of dots throughout the entire cave system and for some unique looking visuals as you "draw" each new area. This, combined with great sound design allows you to unleash your imagination. I also loved the music which was cleverly used in some awe-inspiring moments.

    THE MEH

    It doesn't do much with the intriguing and mysterious story it supposedly wants to tell. Only a few lines of text to convey the protagonist's thoughts and some "echos" from the cave's past events, but there didn't seem to be any driving plot. Also, I felt like there was some attempt at horror with some monster sounds that try to spook you halfway into the game, but it was a one time thing and it was never explained what it actually was, however I might have missed something.    … Expand
  8. Trofim
    Dec 29, 2021
    9
    Simple but eternal plot and story.
    Interesting game mechanic, I didn't saw any simillar mechanics anywhere.
  9. KrakenOfPepsi
    Oct 15, 2019
    5
    I pretty much lost all interest in this one once I realised there are actually no enemies in the entire game. The only real threat comes from some easy platforming. The core mechanics are nifty, but don't hold enough substance on their own. And while the visuals may look stunning, they're not enough to carry the game on their own. The story itself is pretty forgettable, and the overallI pretty much lost all interest in this one once I realised there are actually no enemies in the entire game. The only real threat comes from some easy platforming. The core mechanics are nifty, but don't hold enough substance on their own. And while the visuals may look stunning, they're not enough to carry the game on their own. The story itself is pretty forgettable, and the overall experience honestly isn't worth having. I could maybe recommend this one to people with access to a VR headset, but even then I don't know if it would really help the game that much. Pass on this one.… Expand
  10. moonlaba
    Jan 17, 2022
    6
    청각을 주고 시각은 스스로 채워나간다는 독특한 방식의 게임. 다만 그 이상을 보여주지 못하고 그대로 끝나버리는게 아쉬운 부분......
  11. Mr_Conelrad
    Apr 8, 2020
    10
    This game playing on a regular computer is kinda average, but playing in VR is amazing. I usually have to stop and take a break when playing anything in VR for more than 30 minutes, but I went through start to finish and had a blast. I agree with the walking simulator aspect of it, and see why people might be turned off, but it is a fantastic experience playing it in VR.

    Non-VR, 6.5/10    This game playing on a regular computer is kinda average, but playing in VR is amazing. I usually have to stop and take a break when playing anything in VR for more than 30 minutes, but I went through start to finish and had a blast. I agree with the walking simulator aspect of it, and see why people might be turned off, but it is a fantastic experience playing it in VR.

    Non-VR, 6.5/10
    VR, 10/10, must play.

    Agree, not really any replayability (new game+ gives you all the upgrades at the start, and all that changes is you can now see something at the beginning you couldn't before (I can't say because it would be a spoiler). But a great experience in VR.    … Expand
  12. hoanns
    Jun 6, 2020
    7
    A unique walking/exploration sim + has beautiful & creepy moments + unique gameplay mechanic + less boring than normal walking sims + immersive VR mode - constantly crashing in VR (mostly at the end) - only teleportation movement in VR
  13. QAOSbringer
    Feb 25, 2023
    5
    Starts fresh, ends cliche. I liked the scanning system in this game, however the story was really boring. I had high hopes for this game, but the story seems following very similar route to many other indie games. What a twist (sarcastic smiley here).

    5: Below average - It may not appeal to everyone, but there are interesting ideas from time to time.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
67

Mixed or average reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 13
  3. Negative: 1 out of 13
  1. CD-Action
    Jun 30, 2017
    65
    Let’s not kid ourselves – Scanner Sombre is a one-trick pony. It’s a great, memorable trick though, as one could expect from Introversion Software. It’s a shame that the game is so short (ca. 2 hours) and linear and that the story is almost nonexistent. [07/2017, p.67]
  2. DarkStation
    Jun 27, 2017
    60
    It’s a shame, really. Scanner Sombre felt more like a glorified tech demo than a proper game. With its short length and mostly shallow gameplay, it’s a bit difficult to justify the $12 price tag. However, it boasts a very well done gimmick as well as a memorable atmosphere. If you’re looking for a short, but sweet exploration game, then this is for you. If you’re looking for something a bit meatier, however, you should probably give this a pass.
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  3. games(TM)
    Jun 23, 2017
    70
    A beautiful technicolor journey into darkness. [Issue#188, p.83]
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