With my last experience with a Compile Heart game being rather lacklustre, that game being the forgettable drifting racing game Neptunia Riders VS Dogoos, I was eager to see a redemption arc that would see the developer offer an experience with the heart and soul which has made their previously released mainline games good, even if not AAA-hitters. The next game of theirs to come to the block and stand judgment is Scar-Lead Salvation, co-developed alongside Neilo Inc. Billed as a 3D sci-fi roguelite shooter for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and (in the future) the Xbox Series X|S, and announced back in February with an air of mystery around it. Does the change in genre and theme see them thrive in a new non-RPG sector of the industry or fail to thrive? Read on to find out!
As someone who loves a good sci-fi anime narrative, I was genuinely eager to see what Scar-Lead Salvation had in store for us. The premise is simple enough, familiar yet intriguing: the protagonist, Willow Martin, awakens amnesiac in a shadowy military complex, guided only by an irksome AI companion and burdened by a cryptic set of digits incrementally branded upon her face with each passing death. While the concept of humanity’s desperate struggle against alien forces isn’t groundbreaking, the drip-fed revelations manage to sustain enough intrigue to propel you forward through multiple runs. Unfortunately, the sparse and repetitive interactions between Willow and her AI partner occasionally undermine the storytelling potential, risking player fatigue as tantalising plot threads often feel vague rather than compellingly mysterious.
Scar-Lead Salvation embodies a distinctly anime-styled aesthetic, blending crisp cel-shaded characters against minimalist industrial backdrops. Willow herself is stylishly designed, albeit with Compile Heart’s predictable flair for fan service through progressively damaged armour – a concept promising more than it ultimately delivers. However, environments quickly fall into a monotonous loop of repetitive corridors and a sparse range of enemy types, an area I wish Compile Heart would devote more time to in all their games. Boss encounters inject much-needed creativity into the mix; however, some inconsistent performance issues detract from the epic nature of these encounters.
Turning to audio and voice acting, Scar-Lead Salvation delivers a functional yet unremarkable experience. The soundtrack provides an adequate sci-fi atmosphere, comfortable and identifiable, yet it seldom elevates the tension or excitement in tandem with gameplay intensity. Voice performances, notably Willow’s portrayal, lend authenticity and emotional depth; however, the AI’s deliberately exaggerated “chatbot” personality overstays its welcome. Ultimately, while the auditory elements capably support the game’s themes, they rarely rise to become standout features in their own right.
Gameplay in Scar-Lead Salvation centres around its roguelite, bullet-hell shooter mechanics, blending fast-paced gunplay with agile movement options. The roguelite genre is being heavily explored in gaming nowadays. Hence, it needs to offer something special to stand out not only against those titles at the AAA level but also the handcrafted indie games with much love put into them. Players control Willow, whose rapid mobility, including sprinting, double-jumping, and a dash known as Mirage Shift, forms the core of dodging the intense, screen-filling projectile patterns that enemies deploy. Combat is responsive, with weapons offering distinct handling and strategic uses; however, weapon upgrades feel superficial, rarely delivering a satisfying sense of progression or tangible improvement.
Due to the monotonous room layouts and sparse variety of enemies on offer, the roguelike structure doesn’t lend itself as well to Scar-Lead Salvation as it does other games. Early stages provide insufficient challenge and result in extended periods of repetitive gameplay punctuated only by brief boss encounters. While Exo Upgrades add minor tactical depth, the limited number and lack of meaningful synergy significantly diminish replay value. Additionally, the necessity of traversing lengthy, empty corridors between battles slows down gameplay, frustrating the otherwise fluid combat rhythm.
Despite these structural shortcomings, Scar-Lead Salvation does shine intermittently in its core combat loop. This is particularly notable during boss fights and denser enemy engagements, where strategic dash timing and the melee parry mechanic become necessary and rewarding when done correctly. The Onslaught mode, which provides brief invincibility and boosted attack power, offers exhilarating moments of triumph, incentivising skilled play. Nonetheless, these highlights struggle to offset the game’s pacing issues fully and repetitiveness, ultimately leaving Scar-Lead Salvation’s gameplay feeling unfulfilled in its potential.
Given another year of development, Scar-Lead Salvation might have genuinely provided the redemption arc I was eager to witness from Compile Heart. Its foundations are solid, from the responsive combat mechanics to the appealing anime-inspired visuals and a few intriguing narrative concepts here and there. However, as it currently stands, the repetitive gameplay loop, lacklustre audio experience, and performance inconsistencies prevent it from fully thriving. Nevertheless, there’s potential here. Compile Heart and Neilo Inc. have demonstrated their ability to break new ground, and perhaps their next attempt will finally deliver the polished, captivating experience fans are hoping for.
Final Score for Scar-Lead Salvation
This review was conducted on a digital PC copy of Scar-Lead Salvation, with a code provided by western publisher Idea Factory International to facilitate this review.
Scar-Lead Salvation is currently available to purchase on the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and Windows PC (via Steam), with an Xbox Series X|S version planned for release in the future.
