14 DAY TRIAL // When NEO Scavenger starts, players can choose a number of advantages for their character, using a limited number of points, and they can also choose to saddle them with some weaknesses, probably in order to get a bigger allowance of points to spend.
Initially, I selected lockpicking, hacking and hiding, trying to role play a sort of roque who aims to explore the post-apocalyptic hexes without being detected, but able to gain access to a lot of loot and then use it to become more powerful.
That attempt ended relatively quickly when the laptop I found and its associated battery proved to not be enough to protect me from the jaws of a dog that quickly found me, chased me down and then basically ate me for dinner (NEO Scavenger does not offer so much detail but it’s a great title to exercise one’s imagination).
I then went the other way and created a build which combined melee skills, a muscular build and survival skills, and I thrived for a while, able to take out two early game enemies and then use their supplies to stay alive, but I did a stupid thing after that and ate some uncooked mushrooms, which had negative effects.
The game does not offer too much info about the effects that those initial choices have, but it’s fascinating to see how you can mix and match elements to try and create a more effective survivor.
NEO Scavenger blends randomness and difficulty really well
The rogue-like nature and the difficulty of the title can be frustrating sometimes, but as I also argued in my review, NEO Scavenger never feels like an impossible game that asks players to perform tasks that are beyond the reach of a normal gamer.
The simple fact that a new set of characteristics can be taken each time means there’s a chance that they will mesh well with the circumstances and will create a solid starting place for a campaign to evolve.
And then, a weird disease will creep in and will take out even a solid sniper rifle-armed muscular guy who fails to check the water he is drinking.
