Scav Prototype is set on an abandoned mining planet filled with unstable cave systems and forgotten technology. The player takes control of a lone scavenger tasked with retrieving valuable materials from beneath the planet’s surface. The environment changes with every descent, creating a new layout of tunnels and hazards each time. There is no explicit narrative; the story is implied through the process of survival and exploration. The world functions as an isolated loop — a space where descent, discovery, and failure are repeated until the system is fully understood.

Gameplay Cycle and Core Tasks

The structure of Scav Prototype is based on a repeating pattern of risk and management. The player starts at the surface, descends into the caves, and must decide how long to remain underground before returning.
The primary mechanics include:

•         Managing physical condition through hunger, fatigue, and injury.
•         Collecting resources scattered throughout the cave system.
•         Avoiding collapses, traps, and oxygen loss.
•         Returning to the surface before critical failure occurs.
  Each session forces the player to balance ambition against caution. The deeper the descent, the greater the reward — and the higher the chance of not surviving the return.

Progression and Player Strategy

Scav Prototype has no direct progression system. Instead, the player’s improvement comes from experience and adaptation. Knowledge of the cave’s behavior replaces upgrades or statistics. Recognizing danger signs, learning how to conserve energy, and deciding when to retreat become the main forms of advancement. Failure provides information rather than punishment, turning repetition into methodical learning. The structure rewards observation and self-control, making progress a reflection of the player’s awareness rather than the character’s strength.

Interface and Technical Layout

The game uses a minimal 2D interface that focuses on function. The player sees the scavenger, a set of gauges for health and supplies, and a small inventory menu. Light and sound are the main tools for orientation — limited visibility and echoing noises define space more than graphics. The lack of complex visuals keeps attention on the mechanics of movement, timing, and reaction. Each descent feels self-contained, emphasizing control through information rather than exploration for its own sake.