PixelJunk Scrappers Deluxe Review (Steam)

by Jim Smale · Published August 18, 2023 · Updated August 16, 2023

For this PixelJunk Scrappers Deluxe Review, where we take on the role of the Scrappers, a squad of robot garbage collectors working to clean up a grimy city in the not-so-distant future. Sweep the streets alone or form the ultimate team with up to 4 players. Time is money in Junktown, so stack that trash high and toss it to your squad to boost efficiency for bigger rewards.

PixelJunk Scrappers Deluxe Review Pros:

Decent graphics.
479.13MB download size.
Steam achievements.
Full controller support.
Graphics settings – resolution and v-sync.
Can rebind controls for both keyboard and controller buttons.
3 save slots. Optional tutorial.
The gameplay loop is you are a binman and you collect trash and chuck it in the truck to make money.
Scrap is your Ai companion that can collect and deposit trash but also throw it to you if you ask for it.
Catching trash is just a case of being in the green ring.
Stack items on top of each other to rack up high scores.
Stacking uses physics so a barrel on a bottle won’t suffice, I mean it’s a game so it will work but it will be very temperamental.
The more you have stacked the slower you walk.
Enemy robots can appear and you punch them and then cash them in. Yep, you throw them in the truck!
Bonus Ai robots can appear that five temporary buffs.
World map level select.
You can replay levels.
Cash determines your rank for that level.
Side on view but you can move around anywhere on screen.
You can throw the trash into the truck or walk by it.
Chirpy upbeat soundtrack.
Simple to learn gameplay.
Best played in Co-op but solo is just fine.
Your license shows your Steam avatar, name, time played, challenges completed, career earnings, and total cash.
Supports online play with create a party, join the party, and random options.
Auto catch can be turned off.
Every level will have 3 challenges for bonus rewards.
Twenty playable characters to unlock with four unlocked initially.
Supports four players at one time.
Full offline local co-op play.
Hidden Collectibles to throw in the trash.
On the map will be special events where you all face off against each other to score the most points.
The shop is where you go to buy weapons, new robots, and customisation parts for your truck.
You have to get so many tokens from levels in order to progress.
When you die/explode it costs cash to respawn and that price goes up every time.
If playing Co-op and you die/explode then a mate can pick you up and recycle you which respawns you for free.
Pick up weapons in The game world.

PixelJunk Scrappers Deluxe Review Cons:

Launches through the Epic Games Store launcher.
Can’t see the enemy health bars.
Long initial load, mostly on the Epic end of the install.
Rebonding the controller buttons works but it’s all displayed as keyboard keys.
Can get very hectic.
The tutorial doesn’t explain a whole lot like being able to stack enemies or the secret Collectibles.
It can be hard to judge hits.
Levels can start to feel the same after a while.
You can certainly progress but playing solo feels like you are hamstringed in a way.
The shop puts new stock in over time so it’s kind of paced unlocks rather than saving a bunch of money and going nuts.

PixelJunk Scrappers Deluxe:

Official website.

Developer: Q-Games

Publisher: Q-Games

Store Links –

Steam

8/10

Graphics - 8/10
8/10

Sound - 8/10
7/10

Accessibility - 7/10
8/10

Length - 8/10
8/10

Fun Factor - 8/10

7.8/10

Summary

What a load of rubbish… All over the place and your job is to pick it up and make cash! Welcome to PixelJunk Scrappers a game where you play as an actual binman and go around stacking up rubbish and chucking it in your truck. Along with either 3 local, 3 online or your trusty Ai sidekick go around making as much cash as possible to customise your truck and buy new characters to play as. As you go about your business being a budget Captain Planet a few nasty robot types and rats will try and stop you but you can beat them up and then recycle them, and right there is the cleanest way of saying kill a robot and crush it to death in a truck. The game is a lot of fun in multiplayer as it has some Co-op and some competitive, the solo is fine but not half as engaging. The levels look great and the real art of the game is in stacking as high as you can and depositing it in one go for mega bonuses. The combat is just a hack-and-slash type affair and the game is very accessible with that and the general recycling. A game with a conscience and a fun one to boot. I can’t say I would play this a lot in one go but to roll out every time I had friends over would fit this better. Overall it’s a cool idea and is a lot of fun but it is best for multiplayer hijinx than a solo eco-warrior-minded binman.