Scurge: Hive

A GBA Classic, now perfectly playable on your PC. Think of a 2.5D isometric metroid game. Controls for the menu is a bit wonky at first and I wish you could just click things with your mouse, but that's about it. Luckily once you figured it out, you can remap the keys quite easily. I truly love this game. It's very clearly inspired by Metroid (Fusion in particular if I'm not mistaken), and I remember playing this game at a friend's house. For the longest time I actually forgot the name of the game but I'm glad I found it again. Nintendo ain't releasing the Metroid games for PC so this is as close to a PC Metroid game as you can get. It's not a perfect port, like I said the menus are a bit wonky and it's still a GBA game in the end, but what I appreciate is oh my god they actually fixed the controls. In case you don't know, the GBA has a problem with isometric games where the controls are a bit..Strange to say the least. Pressing up makes you not go upwards but diagonally upwards to the right. To go straight up you actually had to press both left + right. It was a strange yet SOMEHOW popular quirk a lot of these isometric games had at the time. And I'm glad to say that annoying quirk is completely gone now. Up means up, and diagonally up means diagonally up. Case closed. It makes the game a lot more playable. I haven't played a lot of this yet and will update my review if I get more issues with the game but for now, I'm just enjoying my classic game. It's a great port. Though..15 dollars seems a bit much for a GBA rerelease like this. I'd say grab it on sale for a couple of bucks if you could. 10 bucks would've been enough honestly.

Emulation is junk. Can't remap controller buttons either. Wish I had tried it out during the refund window.

Fantastic GBA game. Kinda hard and the isometric view is a little wonky when it comes to some platforming but overall I love the game. Lots of backtracking too, though I like that kinda stuff.

It's a good game with some rough edges to it, though i'm not sure I would call it a Metroidvania. Story and aesthetics are clearly inspired by Metroid Fusion but I think it's best described as a linear isometric action-adventure game. Throughout the game you have to manage an infection meter that effectively acts as a time limit, but save points are never to far away, optional collectibles don't exist and puzzles are very easy to solve. Enemies are numerous and agressive, but they all drop health so it's never to difficult. The game's biggest flaw comes from it being a GBA/NDS title, with the screen a bit too zoomed in, though I don't see it as a dealbreaker. The port itself is perfectly functional, if a little basic and runs well on Steam Deck.

A pretty incredible top-down (vaguely zelda-ish in a sense, but still more sci-fi like Metroid) search action game with actually decently difficult combat and fun weapon and item ideas that deserves to have way more recognition than it got. This version is just a modified build of mGBA shipping with an embedded ROM of the game (that you sadly cannot extract), so keep that in mind. They added some achievements and cheats, but that's about the only "extra features" you'll find in this. Runs fine though.

Познакомился с игрой впервые в 2012ом году на китайской консольке func gp-06. Игра безумно понравилась своим стилем, этакий космический биопанк, но все же тогда показалась сложной, да и устройство не обладало высокой отзывчивостью, так что дропнул ее. Но сейчас разбирая свои старые вещи, нашел ту самую консольку, нашел название той самой игры и уже сейчас полностью заценил ее официальный порт, но уже на стим деке. В целом ощущается здорово, инпут лаг не заметил и вообще замечательный платформер если бы не финальный босс, который портит все впечатление от игры, благо в эмуляторе была возможность включить читы и пропустить этот нудный файт))). Ну а еще почему-то есть небольшое искажение звука, которое чувствуется еще сильнее если включить ограничение кадров, но это мелочи.

Scurge: Hive è un metroidvania isometrico concepito per le indimenticabili console portatili GBA e NDS nell'ormai lontano 2006. In questo gioco impersonerete Jenosa Arma, una cacciatrice di taglie che dovrà compiere una pericolosa missione. Equipaggiata con un’armatura bio-protettiva che le permette di resistere alla contaminazione per un tempo limitato, Jenosa deve esplorare ambienti ostili, risolvere enigmi, affrontare creature infette e gestire costantemente un indicatore di infezione in tempo reale di gioco che minaccia di sopraffarla. Questa meccanica, peculiare e tesissima, scandisce il ritmo dell’avventura e dona al gioco una tensione costante, mentre il design isometrico unisce esplorazione, combattimento e piattaforme in un equilibrio quasi claustrofobico. Questa versione ha inoltre introdotto le seguenti opzioni per il gioco: - Rewind e turbo - Save state - Filtri per lo schermo - Galleria - Trucchi Il gioco vi permetterà anche di scegliere anche se giocare con la versione occidentale, oppure con quella giapponese. Se amate il genere a cui appartiene Scurge, vi consiglio di recuperare questa piccola perla del passato.

Scurge: Hive is a compact science-fiction action adventure that blends isometric combat, exploration, platforming, puzzle solving, and character progression into an experience that proudly retains its old-school foundations. Developed by Orbital Media and published by Ratalaika Games S.L. and Shinyuden, this version preserves the identity of the original handheld adventure while adding conveniences that make it considerably easier to approach today. Its combination of an isolated research facility, an infectious alien threat, an agile bounty hunter, and interconnected environments creates an adventure that feels more ambitious than its relatively straightforward premise initially suggests. The story follows bounty hunter Jenosa Arma after she is sent to a distant planet to investigate and recover material from a secret research laboratory. The mission has already deteriorated badly by the time she arrives. A dangerous organism known as Scurge has overwhelmed the facility, infecting biological creatures and machinery while turning the installation into an increasingly hostile environment. Jenosa's protective suit keeps her from immediately succumbing to the infection, but it cannot make her completely immune. This gives the story an effective sense of urgency because the protagonist is not merely hunting an external enemy; she is continuously exposed to the same contamination that destroyed the facility. That infection becomes an important gameplay mechanic rather than existing purely as background storytelling. Jenosa must keep the spread of Scurge under control while exploring, fighting enemies, and searching for a way forward. It creates persistent pressure during exploration and complements the game's dangerous atmosphere. Instead of encouraging players to wander indefinitely without consequences, the system makes survival an active consideration. The mechanic is simple enough to understand but gives the adventure a recognizable identity that separates it from more conventional isometric shooters. Combat places considerable emphasis on positioning and movement. Jenosa can attack enemies with an arsenal that becomes more capable over the course of the adventure, and different situations encourage players to keep moving rather than relying entirely on brute force. The isometric perspective makes battles visually distinctive, especially when enemies approach from several directions, although it can occasionally make judging distances more difficult. This is most noticeable during platforming sequences, where understanding elevation and landing positions can require greater precision than expected. Exploration plays an equally important role. The adventure is divided across six major levels containing enemies, environmental challenges, puzzles, platforming sequences, and bosses. Progression gradually expands Jenosa's capabilities, giving players reasons to become familiar with the environments rather than treating each location as a disposable corridor. The result carries some Metroidvania qualities without abandoning the more focused structure associated with portable action games. Finding routes, surviving hazardous areas, improving equipment, and learning how different mechanics interact creates a satisfying progression loop. Boss encounters provide some of the game's more memorable tests because they demand an understanding of movement, positioning, attack timing, and available weapons. A dedicated Boss Rush mode extends this aspect beyond the main adventure, allowing players to concentrate on these battles and improve their performance. It is a welcome addition for anyone who enjoys the more arcade-oriented side of the combat system, particularly because repeated attempts can reveal patterns that may not be immediately obvious during a first encounter. Visually, the game embraces its pixel-art heritage rather than attempting to transform itself into something resembling a contemporary 3D production. Industrial interiors, futuristic equipment, machinery, creatures, and infected environments establish an appropriately hostile science-fiction atmosphere. The isometric viewpoint gives locations a recognizable visual structure, while the pixel graphics preserve the character of the original presentation. It can naturally appear modest beside modern action adventures, but the consistency of the artwork works in its favor. Players with an appreciation for retro graphics are likely to find the presentation charming rather than simply dated. The updated version becomes particularly attractive because of its quality-of-life options. Save states allow progress to be preserved with far greater flexibility, while rewind functionality can undo troublesome mistakes without forcing players to replay substantial sections. Cheats are also available for those more interested in exploring the game than overcoming every challenge under its original rules. These features are optional, so players wanting a more traditional experience can largely ignore them, while newcomers have tools capable of reducing some of the frustration associated with older game design. There are still limitations that modern conveniences cannot completely remove. Isometric platforming can occasionally feel awkward, certain movement situations demand patience, and the overall structure reflects an era when portable games were generally designed around smaller environments and more concentrated campaigns. Some combat encounters can also become repetitive once familiar enemy behaviors have been mastered. Anyone expecting the enormous amount of content, fluid camera control, or extensive customization found in contemporary action RPGs should adjust those expectations accordingly. Steam Deck is a particularly suitable way to experience the game because its portable origins translate naturally to a handheld PC. Controller-based play fits the action well, and the relatively straightforward presentation is well suited to the Deck's display. The availability of modern conveniences such as save states and rewind also complements shorter portable sessions. While individual SteamOS or Proton behavior can change with updates, the game's design and controller-oriented structure make handheld play an appealing option. Ultimately, Scurge: Hive is worthwhile because its various systems reinforce one another. The infection mechanic creates urgency, exploration supplies discovery, upgrades provide progression, platforming adds variety, and combat prevents the journey through the compromised facility from becoming passive. It unquestionably shows its age in several areas, particularly movement and isometric navigation, but its distinctive mechanics and focused science-fiction atmosphere remain engaging. The preservation-focused enhancements make it easier for modern audiences to appreciate what made the original unusual without stripping away its retro personality. For players interested in classic action adventures, isometric shooters, or Metroidvania-influenced exploration, it offers a surprisingly substantial and distinctive journey. Rating: 7/10