SCP: Contain and Extract is an action game for PC that places players in the role of specialized mercenaries entering a compromised SCP Foundation site. The core experience centers on tactical operations to recover lost intelligence, neutralize threats, and secure anomalous entities and objects through careful procedures rather than direct confrontation.
Gameplay
Players navigate the chaotic environment of Site-19, where standard containment protocols have collapsed. The primary loop involves locating SCPs, assessing their behavior on site, and applying the correct containment method to achieve higher grades of success. A three-star rating system evaluates each operation, with perfect scores depending on precise execution and information gathering. Reckless gunfire often proves counterproductive, as certain entities require non-lethal or indirect approaches to avoid escalation.
Team coordination plays a central role. Mercenaries carry the Anomalydex device to log details from scattered documents, disks, and recordings encountered during runs. This tool serves as both a progress tracker and a means to unlock better containment options. Weapon handling emphasizes controlled fire and positioning, with customization options available to tailor loadouts for different anomaly types. The atmosphere builds tension through environmental storytelling and unpredictable entity behaviors, including coordinated actions among some SCPs and mutated threats from former personnel.
Game Modes
The game supports solo play and cooperative sessions with up to four players. Missions revolve around infiltration, intelligence recovery, and extraction of contained anomalies. Each deployment requires selecting appropriate gear and strategies based on known SCP characteristics. Offline solo runs allow practice with the core systems, while group play encourages division of roles such as scouting, documentation, and direct containment support. No separate competitive or versus modes exist; all activity focuses on cooperative containment objectives across available maps and contracts.
Key Mechanics
Specialized containment stands out as a defining system. Not every SCP responds to the same tactics, so teams must adapt based on observed traits and collected data. The Anomalydex encourages thorough exploration rather than speedrunning, rewarding players who pause to record findings from floppy disks, files, and other media. Lethal force remains an option against certain roaming dangers, yet the briefing stresses restraint with entities themselves. Over thirty anomalies appear across operations, with some displaying synergy that demands coordinated team responses. Looting is discouraged, as it risks interference from unexpected site elements.
Is It Worth Playing?
Player reception for the early access release shows mixed results, with roughly 55 percent positive reviews. The tactical co-op focus and horror atmosphere appeal to those who enjoy deliberate, team-based shooters over fast-paced action. Current support includes ongoing mission additions and customization refinements. The game suits players interested in SCP lore, methodical anomaly handling, and cooperative extraction-style runs on PC. Those seeking polished single-player campaigns or high player counts may find the current state limited, while fans of grounded tactical horror will find the containment loop engaging once the systems click.
