Bored of PUBG? SCUM might just be what the doctor ordered. If you missed the boat, SCUM is a brutal open-world survival game with a smattering of BR DNA thrown in for good measure. Packaged under the guise of a reality TV show where convicts are placed on an island to battle it out for fame and fortune, SCUM is as brutal as it is challenging, but remains through and through a seriously enjoyable game. Here are 7 reasons to play SCUM instead of PUBG.
SCUM Isn’t A Battle Royale Game
We’ll come straight out and say it: if you’re looking for the next big battle royale phenomenon, you’re looking in the wrong place. SCUM is much more than a simple shooter/BR hybrid, it incorporates deep set realistic survival mechanics as well as exploration across a map that at times feels huge, enticing players to explore beyond their comfort zone. All this is exactly what makes SCUM so great; it isn’t a BR game. The market is saturated and a studio attempting something with a different flavor is a breath of fresh air for those tired of overused BR tropes.
Show Me The Money
Money doesn’t grow on trees as the old adage goes. SCUM is currently half the price of PUBG. Given PUBG has been out for well over eighteen months now, you’d think PUBG Corp. would have lowered the price somewhat. In any case, SCUM gets a point for this small, yet swaying factor.
Zombies and Mechs
Simple really; Zombies! In all seriousness, having threats beyond other players adds another layer of intrigue to SCUM. The zombies can spell the end of a good run, while the mechs are the gateway to better loot. Each require different tactics and truly enrich the variety of gameplay loops that make up SCUM. You’ll have to deal with them at some point and they play nicely into SCUM’s aim to have players be on guard constantly for a frantic, almost psychological survival style.
The Resurrection
As with any shooter, you can die in SCUM. And you will die. Over and over again. It’s simply that kind of game. Yet, unlikely PUBG you won’t have to find another match, queue endlessly, faffing around in the pre-game lobby chucking apples around and die within minutes of landing due to a stutter or lag spike. In SCUM, you die and immediately respawn in the location of your choice, depending on how many fame points you have to spare.
Fame Points
Speaking of fame points. At the root of SCUM is a TV show starring a cast of convicts as despicable as the next. As millions of viewers take in their bloodthirsty romp across an island littered with cameras and dangerous obstacles, those that fair best and murder in creative ways accumulate fame points. These have a very important purpose in SCUM beyond elevating you to overnight stardom. They allow you to respawn in specific locations for a price. 25 points will give you a random grid location, while 50 points will net you a respawn in vaguely the same area where you died, and 75 points will land you spot on where you died, giving you a chance to recuperate your gear or seek merciless vengeance.
Tactical
PUBG is among the more tactical BR title’s, but one where mistakes are easily forgotten as you dive into the next match. In SCUM, a sense of continuity means any encounter with another player necessitates minute preparation from weapons to a firm understanding of the lay of the land in case a swift exit strategy is required, and a robust plan of engagement. Add to that a highly detailed metabolism system where various bodily functions and requirements must be satisfied in order to survive, as well as a rich inventory, crafting system, and skill development. Such depth gives SCUM meaning where every action could potentially result in the loss of gear meticulously gathered over the space of multiple hours, or conversely a huge pay day. SCUM sees players weigh up risks and rewards for a far more cerebral experience than PUBG.
Early Access
SCUM is in Early Access. Bugs and issues are there, but don’t spoil or break the game. Publisher Devolver has been on it with providing updates and fixes, with plans to really flesh out the title moving forward. At the core of SCUM is potential and it sure packs a lot of it. The future is bright and we highly recommend getting involved on the ground floor.
