SCUM
" Complex action-adventure survival with deep customization but plagued by bugs and poor AI "
SCUM Review
SCUM is a survival game with an ambitious scope that has been in development for over seven years, finally reaching its 1.0 release. Players praise its complex survival mechanics, including metabolism, hunting, and base building, offering a deep and challenging experience. The game features a large open-world map inspired by the Croatian coast, with improvements in graphics and environmental detail over time.
However, the 1.0 launch has been widely criticized as feeling like an unfinished early access title rather than a polished release. Common complaints include buggy and clunky gameplay systems, frustrating NPC and zombie spawn mechanics, poor AI behavior, and a cumbersome interface. Many players lament the removal or postponement of promised features, lack of meaningful endgame content, and a shift in tone that alienates longtime fans. Server issues and paywalled private servers further complicate multiplayer enjoyment.
Despite its flaws, SCUM maintains a dedicated community that appreciates its unique survival depth and potential, hoping future updates and mod support will address core problems and fulfill the game’s original vision.
Highlights
Players especially praise SCUM's deep survival mechanics such as metabolism simulation, hunting, and base building. The large open world with detailed environments and improved graphics adds immersion.
The addition of NPC enemies and new vehicles enhances gameplay variety. Solo mode and private servers offer flexible multiplayer options. The game’s unique complexity and realism set it apart from other survival titles.
Positive community aspects include dedicated private servers with friendly players and the game’s nostalgic connection to the Croatian setting, making it memorable for many.
Criticisms
Common criticisms focus on the game’s buggy and clunky mechanics, including broken spawn systems where enemies appear too close or unfairly, poor AI, and frustrating combat controls. The interface is unintuitive and tedious, with excessive menu navigation and inventory micromanagement.
Many players are disappointed by the removal or delay of promised content such as larger maps, diseases, and quest systems. The 1.0 release is seen as rushed, lacking polish, and still feeling like early access. Multiplayer is hindered by paywalled private servers and unstable server lists.
Overall, the game’s direction and balance are questioned, with some describing it as a hollow experience that fails to deliver on its initial potential.
Pros
- • Complex survival mechanics simulate metabolism and hunger realistically and deeply.
- • Large, detailed open-world map inspired by the Croatian coast with improved graphics.
- • Base building and crafting provide a rewarding long-term gameplay loop.
- • Diverse vehicles added for easier exploration and transport.
- • Solo mode offers a flexible experience for antisocial or casual players.
- • Dedicated private servers foster positive community interactions.
- • NPC enemies add challenge and variety beyond standard zombies.
Cons
- • Enemy and NPC spawn system is broken, causing unfair and frustrating encounters.
- • AI is poor, with enemies often glitching or ignoring player presence.
- • Interface and inventory management are clunky, unintuitive, and tedious.
- • Many promised features remain missing or postponed, disappointing longtime fans.
- • Combat mechanics feel janky and lack polish, reducing enjoyment.
- • Server issues and paywalls limit seamless multiplayer experience.
- • Game feels rushed and unfinished despite 1.0 release label.
Rating Criteria
About This Game
1.0 Launch
Road to 1.0 and beyond! Check out what awaits you on full release of the game on 17th June and more.
Join the SCUM island as we approach 1.0!
Features incoming with 1.0:
SCUM Island rework
Explore a completely reworked SCUM island with revamped POIs, environments, foliage and much more. From the Adriatic coast, across fields and lush forests, to cold harsh snowy mountains.
NPCs
With a new type of NPCs arriving on the island, get ready to be on the edge of your seat. Roaming through the map, every corner is now a potential firefight in both single player and multiplayer.
Full Quest implementation
Fully implemented quest system including custom files for you to make your own. Either for money or fame, the choice is yours.
Optimizations and bug fixes
The heaviest pass of optimizations and bug fixes yet. Enjoy the SCUM island as it was intended, caring only what is on the island and not underneath it.
And more...
About the Game
Explore, loot, craft and customise your way to dominance – or inevitable death. SCUM is a truly immersive and hyper realistic survival experience where you have total control of your progression.
You start as a prisoner on the super-max SCUM island under the watchful eye of the sinister TEC1 corporation. Roam the rolling fields, lush forests and other rugged terrains of the island, using skills, guts and cunning to survive.
Incredibly complex simulation makes every detail matter. Eat the right diet, keep your wounds free of infection or it won’t just be the physical threats that take your life. Seek to take out other players or join forces while you loot and craft your way to better gear and weaponry. Flex your creative muscles with extensive base building options and reinforcements that will make your fortress impenetrable.
The island is vast and full of ways to die, from fellow prisoners to killer mechs and sinister ‘puppets’ suspended between life and death. All you have is what you’re carrying – everything else is up to you. Inventory space is minimal. Progression will be tough. Noobs will die.
Oh, and one more thing… you’re not just a prisoner. TEC1 is also an entertainment company, and they’re broadcasting every triumph and failure on SCUM island to a bloodthirsty audience of millions. So smile...you’re on TV.
SCUM is built with Unreal Engine 4 and will expand throughout the Early Access period. Fans can follow details on development with weekly dev updates on the SCUM website and on Twitter @SCUMgame.
FEATURES
Complex Simulation: SCUM utilizes dozens of complex systems, allowing you to go as deep as you choose into character creation and management. Immerse yourself in the survival experience through systems that control your character’s metabolism, inertia during movement, and even how fast layers of clothing dry on and off the body. The devil is in the details...
Massive Landscape: Explore 225 square kilometres of terrain that includes dense forests, picturesque beaches, serene fields, abandoned towns and rundown airfields. This enormous terrain can be traversed by foot, land vehicles, boats or aircraft. Each location tells its own story, presenting new dangers…and opportunities, too.
Tough progression: loot what you can and craft with raw materials. Improvise, adapt and upgrade. Think smart, take risks and carry what you need. Build and protect your base with a wide range of customization options. Grow your character and become the terror of the whole island.
Omnipresent threat: Discover new ways to die in a punishing world without a moral code. Face your fellow prisoners, armed mechs, undead puppets and your own metabolic system – if your rivals don’t get you, maybe dehydration will.
Online Multiplayer: You can go solo or squad up. Survive with up to 64 players per server with the option to rent your own server.
Rock Paper Shotgun
“The developers say that they’ve created the most realistic simulation of the human metabolic system ever made, the end result of which is a fairly regular requirement that my avatar urinate and empty his bowels.”
Polygon
“Owners of the Scum Supporters Pack will get an additional two inches on their unit, which they can swing around as a badge of honor or sacrifice for bonus points elsewhere. Not even kidding.”
PC Gamer
Traverse punishing environments, looting, crafting and evading the constant threats to your life. The unprecedented levels of character customization and progression are your ultimate tools for survival.