Scorn ignites the weird corners of our imaginations

Scorn seeps into our mind and ignites the strange, hallowed depths of our imaginations--and I love every minute of it.

As a fan of weird body horror the likes you find in David Cronenberg or Clive Barker films, I love it when games get weird. I've openly praised Madmind Studio's new hellishly grotesque game Agony every chance I get, and I always want to see video game adaptations of this blasphemously dark and plain exotic style. And through the magic of indies, my wish is being fulfilled.

Scorn is the type of game I've always wanted to see in the video game world. In a sense, the developers at Ebb Software are making my dreams come true--well, maybe "nightmares" is more apt. The game, which takes stark visual queues from the unnerving phantasms of H.R. Giger's art or Zdzislaw Beksinski's otherworldly visions, is a first-person horror title that's been successfully funded on Kickstarter. At the time of publication Scorn has raised $196,003, more than $20,000 over their initial goal.

12

VIEW GALLERY - 12 IMAGES

Apparently I'm not the only one who wants to get lost in this misshapen, twisted universe where the very walls are alive and pulsing with malignant life, Cronenberg-style. The bleak--yet wonderfully macabre--environments bring to mind countless Giger and Beksinski paintings, but also conjure up HP Lovecraft, King, and even bits and pieces from films like The Cell. There's so much here to discover and get lost in, and the game is like a magnet to our dark imaginations, the same way moths are drawn to a flame that could burn them up.

"Scorn is an atmospheric first person horror adventure game set in a nightmarish universe of odd forms and somber tapestry. It is designed around an idea of "being thrown into the world". Isolated and lost inside this dreamlike world you will explore different interconnected regions in a nonlinear fashion. The unsettling environment is a character itself. Every location contains its own theme (story), puzzles and characters that are integral in creating a cohesive world. Throughout the game you will open up new areas, acquire different skill sets, weapons, various items and try to comprehend the sights presented to you."

The 21-person team at Ebb Software have been making Scorn for the past two years now, and opened the Kickstarter to raise additional funds to polish and perfect their outlandish creation.

If you like what you see, consider pledging to get Scorn out there. The devs have released a new demo for contributors to play (disclaimer: I haven't donated or pledged any money into this project). I know that games-makers like EA and Activision probably won't ever make a game like this, but I'm glad that someone out there is taking the chance to envision this exotic, unsettling and weird world full of mystery and awe.

Scorn's first chapter is slated to release sometime in 2018 on Windows PC via Steam, and I for one can't wait to play the finished version.

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12