Sometimes a game is revealed that really looks like it's bringing something original to the table. In an industry rife with sequels and remasters, it can be refreshing to see a new IP that wants to give gamers something they've never seen before. Koch Media is one game company that really seems to be following this philosophy in 2021, as it has announced a handful of original titles under an all-new publishing label known as Prime Matter. These games range from action RPGs to high-octane shooters, but one of the most original games can be found in Scars Above.
Scars Above may look like any other action horror game on the surface, but looking deeper players can find a whole range of narrative and thematic inspirations that are seldom seen in the video game industry. When making any story to a game, it can be tempting to go with a safe choice that developers know gamers will be familiar with, but Scars Above will be taking a different approach. Game Rant attended a Koch Media pre-show that detailed how Mad Head Studio is taking the road less traveled with Scars Above.
The Inspiration Behind Scars Above
The style of Scars Above takes a rather unique approach, in that it combines the tone of two dramatically different properties to make one mind-bending result. The primary influences for Scars Above are Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and the Alien films, which sounds like a very strange combination on paper.
In reality, however, they combine to make a world that not only plays on the terror of gamers, but the fascinating wonder that comes with being thrust into a new world. In a statement to Game Rant, Scars Above Creative Director Ivan Zorkic spoke more about how the worlds of Alice and Alien actually made for a fitting combination.
"Combining these two and the tones are not that drastically different when you think about it; they go well together - the sense of wonder and the sense of terror, intertwined. I think that's, actually, a big part of human nature - to be scared, but not to be conquered by fear in the pursuit of for answers. And that's what Scars Above is all about."
Scars Above seems interested in giving players an experience that is both entertaining, and thought-provoking. It appears to take an almost artistic approach to the action horror genre where many other games are more focused on frights. It should be interesting to see what the final product will look like moving forward, and if Scars Above will really be able to live up to its lofty inspirations.
Scars Above is currently in development for a 2022 release on PC and consoles.