Scary World Review – Niche Gamer

I have a strong affinity for quirky Bullet Heaven survivors-style games. Ever since I played Vampire Survivors and had that “aha” moment where this genre truly resonated with me, I’ve been hooked. Whenever a new one comes out, I can’t resist giving it a try. Recently, I spent over five hours exploring a new title called Scary World. While it introduces some interesting concepts, it feels like the developer simply created something and released it without much refinement.

Scary World
Developer: Keith Burgun Games
Publisher: Keith Burgun Games
Platforms: Windows PC (Steam) (Reviewed)
Release Date: January 22, 2025
Price: $2.99

One notable aspect is the clever quote featured on the game’s page:

“It might not seem that scary to you, but if you were actually there, it would be very scary I think” – quote from the developer

While I can appreciate irony and casual attempts at game development, Scary World gives off the impression that little effort was put into its creation. Personally, I find it hard to respect anyone who jokes about the game development process. It may be a form of Reddit-style humor, but it doesn’t resonate with me.

Once you push past the initial cringe factor and delve into the game, the core concept is decent. It’s a ten-minute survival challenge where lava steadily advances from left to right, pushing you towards the end. Along the way, you’ll face two eyeball bosses and a formidable Dragon at the finale. However, the gameplay falls short due to slow powerups and overwhelming hordes of enemies that feel more annoying than challenging. Dealing with swarms of bats becomes a tedious task without sufficient AOE attacks.

The game offers seven characters to choose from, with the option to unlock six additional characters or select a random one. Derby, the default character, stands out for their effective fire sword attack that leaves behind burning flames for extra damage. However, other characters like Mazarel, with a slow-moving stake attack, and May, boasting a passive revive ability, offer unique gameplay experiences. Each character comes with their own music, which adds variety but may become repetitive over time.

Despite its potential, Scary World falls short in certain areas. The sound effects are lackluster, and the limited weapon choices give a false sense of variety. The gameplay mechanics, such as the lance attack’s reliance on speed, lack clarity and precision. With some refinement, Scary World could evolve into an enjoyable experience. However, there are more polished alternatives like Brotato, Keeper’s Toll, and 20 Minutes till Dawn