NEO Scavenger is a turn-based survival RPG released by Blue Bottle Games in late 2014. The player roams a post-apocalyptic Michigan, simply trying to survive. The game is tile-based, with a complex combat system that is entirely described through text.


The combat system is one that sticks out. It's somewhat reminiscent of the original Wasteland, but instead of a hit point system, damage is actually done to the combantants.The commands are a little more complex than a lot of systems, if you're knocked down, for instance, you can either get up, roll away, or grab the enemy by the ankles and pull 'em down. Most combat is completely optional too, you can sneak away, talk your way out of it, or simply avoid it in general.

Plenty of skills and flaws are selectable from the start, and more skills are able to be obtained later in the game. This encourages trial and error, which is more acceptable in this, considering the survival mechanics, as opposed to a more traditional RPG with cutscenes and dungeons you have to go through in the beginning. Speaking of survival mechanics, they're fantastic; this game is the survival game I've been waiting for. Food and water can be obtained in a myriad of ways. The crafting system is really general, so materials can usually be substituted for others, as opposed to needing very specific things.

The quite clear flaw to all this (at least to some people) is almost unavoidable, and it's that it's not a casual-friendly experience. It's not extremely hard to get into, but a lack of experience and foresight is bound to get you killed on occasion. The randomness of your start also might decide your fate more-so than your skill, depending on the direction you go, but this was either pretty easy to bounce back from, or simply rare.

Pros
• Survival mechanics are pretty lifelike and full of depth.
  
• Combat is complex, and completely option if you decide you don't want to.
  
• Easy to pick up and play, but still a pretty deep and lengthy game if you aren't as bad as I am.
  
  
  Cons
• Not casual-friendly, although if you put a little time, thought, and elbow grease in it, you shouldn't have too many problems.
  
• Random map can screw you over early game on occasion.

Final Thoughts:
If you like survival games, or late-eighties CRPGs like Wasteland, than you'll find a pretty polished combination that's certain to pull quite a few hours out of you.
Rating: 9/10

This review was written for and is published on the Lit Reviews [LR] curator page.

[b]NEO Scavenger is a turn-based survival RPG released by Blue Bottle Games in late 2014. The player roams a post-apocalyptic Michigan, simply trying to survive. The game is tile-based, with a complex combat system that is entirely described through text. [/b] The combat system is one that sticks out. It's somewhat reminiscent of the original Wasteland, but instead of a hit point system, damage is actually done to the combantants.The commands are a little more complex than a lot of systems, if you're knocked down, for instance, you can either get up, roll away, or grab the enemy by the ankles and pull 'em down. Most combat is completely optional too, you can sneak away, talk your way out of it, or simply avoid it in general. Plenty of skills and flaws are selectable from the start, and more skills are able to be obtained later in the game. This encourages trial and error, which is more acceptable in this, considering the survival mechanics, as opposed to a more traditional RPG with cutscenes and dungeons you have to go through in the beginning. Speaking of survival mechanics, they're fantastic; this game is the survival game I've been waiting for. Food and water can be obtained in a myriad of ways. The crafting system is really general, so materials can usually be substituted for others, as opposed to needing very specific things. The quite clear flaw to all this (at least to some people) is almost unavoidable, and it's that it's not a casual-friendly experience. It's not extremely hard to get into, but a lack of experience and foresight is bound to get you killed on occasion. The randomness of your start also might decide your fate more-so than your skill, depending on the direction you go, but this was either pretty easy to bounce back from, or simply rare. [list] [h1]Pros[/h1] [*]Survival mechanics are pretty lifelike and full of depth. [*]Combat is complex, and completely option if you decide you don't want to. [*]Easy to pick up and play, but still a pretty deep and lengthy game if you aren't as bad as I am. [h1]Cons[/h1] [*]Not casual-friendly, although if you put a little time, thought, and elbow grease in it, you shouldn't have too many problems. [*]Random map can screw you over early game on occasion. [/list] [u][b]Final Thoughts[/b]:[/u] If you like survival games, or late-eighties CRPGs like Wasteland, than you'll find a pretty polished combination that's certain to pull quite a few hours out of you. [b]Rating:[/b] 9/10 [quote]This review was written for and is published on the [url=steamproxy.net/steamstore/curator/24515397] Lit Reviews [LR] curator page. [/url] [/quote]