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Scars Above similar games & best alternatives

Scars Above

PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 • 2023

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Quick resume

Scars Above is a challenging sci-fi third-person action adventure shooter combining the rewarding feel of overcoming difficulty with a compelling and intricate story, set in a mysterious alien world to explore.

Global score

77/100

Genres

Action, Adventure, Shooter

Similar games

    Pros

    • Engaging sci-fi story
    • Interesting elemental combat mechanics
    • Atmospheric and varied environments
    • Responsive controls and smooth gameplay
    • Good voice acting and soundtrack

    Cons

    • Linear level design with limited exploration
    • Short game length with limited replay value
    • Clunky character animations and lip sync
    • Punishing save system causing repetition
    • Some bugs and technical rough edges

    Analysis

    A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Expression, Fellowship, Cooperation, Competition. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Violence. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Continuation, Value.

    How to use the graph
    Similar games map

    Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Motivations” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

    • Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
    • Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
    • Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
    • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

    Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers.

    Motivations

    • Autonomy
      3

      "Players have freedom to choose weapons, gadgets, and combat strategies, but the game is largely linear with fixed progression paths."

    • Competence
      3

      "Combat requires skillful timing, aiming at weak points, and strategic use of elemental weapons and gadgets, providing a moderate challenge."

    • Competition
      -4

      "The game is single-player focused with no PvP or leaderboards; players focus on personal progression and story experience."

    • Continuation
      -2

      "Game is relatively short and linear; some players report frustration with repetition and save system, limiting long habitual play."

    • Cooperation
      -5

      "Entirely single-player experience with no multiplayer or cooperative elements."

    • Creativity
      2

      "Players can combine elemental weapons and gadgets creatively in combat, but level design and story progression are fixed and linear."

    • Domination
      -5

      "No social or multiplayer dominance elements; interactions are individual and narrative-driven."

    • Escapism
      4

      "Immersive sci-fi story and atmospheric environments provide a strong escape from real life."

    • Expectation
      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily for enjoyment and interest; no evidence of obligation or external pressure to play."

    • Experimenting
      3

      "Players experiment with weapon combos and tactics, though exploration is limited by linear level design."

    • Exploration
      1

      "Some exploration of environments and hidden paths exists, but overall the game is linear with limited open areas."

    • Expression
      -3

      "Minimal character customization or self-expression; mostly standardized character and environment presentation."

    • Fantasy
      4

      "Strong sci-fi fantasy setting with alien worlds, creatures, and speculative technology."

    • Fellowship
      -5

      "No social or community features; entirely solo experience."

    • Growth
      3

      "Players develop skills and abilities through knowledge acquisition and combat progression."

    • Health
      -5

      "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related features."

    • Idle
      -3

      "Requires focused attention and engagement; not designed for background or idle play."

    • Intimacy
      -5

      "No social or emotional relationship building; interactions are limited to narrative and solo play."

    • Leadership
      -5

      "No leadership or group management roles; single-player experience."

    • Progression
      4

      "Players accumulate weapons, gadgets, and skill upgrades as they advance through the story."

    • Relaxation
      1

      "Some players find the game relaxing and immersive, but others report frustration with repetition and difficulty spikes."

    • Sensation
      3

      "Enjoyable audiovisual experience with atmospheric sound design and detailed environments."

    • Status
      -5

      "No social recognition or status systems present."

    • Story
      4

      "Engaging sci-fi narrative with character-driven plot and mystery elements."

    • Strategy
      3

      "Combat and gadget use require tactical thinking and planning to exploit enemy weaknesses."

    • Thrill
      2

      "Some suspense and tension from challenging combat and horror elements, but not extreme."

    • Value
      0

      "Mixed player opinions on value; some recommend buying on sale due to short length and limited replayability."

    • Violence
      3

      "Combat involves shooting and defeating alien creatures with weapons and gadgets."

    • Survival
      2

      "Players manage resources and environmental hazards to survive hostile alien world."

    Where to buy

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    Last update: 29/04/2026