In our Enshrouded review, discover whether this upcoming action-survival game managed to captivate and excite me with its thrilling fantasy world, or if it failed to leave an impression, leaving me uninterested and yawning!
As the flames of anticipation flicker, Keen Games presents a mesmerizing action-survival-crafting experience with "Enshrouded." In this Early Access gem, you are thrust into the shoes of a Flameborn, the last hope for the ancient civilization of Emberville. The world, plagued by a mysterious "Shroud", demands someone to free them from the mysterious disease no one can unravel, expect for you as a Flameborn.
In my exploration of this captivating world, I delved into the narrative, gameplay dynamics, graphics, technical state, and the auditory landscape. Join me on this immersive adventure as we assess the game's potential and current state.
| Quick Facts | Enshrouded |
|---|---|
| Release: | January 24, 2024 |
| Price (Prediction): | $30 |
| Platform: | PC |
| Developer: | Keen Games |
| Publisher: | Keen Games |
| Genre: | Survival, Action, RPG |
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Enshrouded | The Bottom Line
- Story gives direction and motivation to face dangers and explore Emberville
- Engaging gameplay elements that complement each other perfectly
- Battles are reminiscent of Zelda with evading, hiding and luring the enemies out of their hiding
- Exploring is always dangerous, exciting and interesting
- The game suffers from technical issues, which are already being worked on
- It’s less survival and more exploring, crafting and narrative driven
A Flameborn's Odyssey
As the last hope of a civilization marred by the Shroud, the narrative of Enshrouded thrusts myself into the role of a Flameborn, a rare descendant of an ancient civilization. The ancient curse, a mysterious and deadly plague, has rendered the lands inhospitable, and only those with the flame within can navigate its perils. Thus, you’re the only hope left for Emberville, as there is no one left able to traverse through the Shroud to detect the cause and free the world once more.
The premise is enthralling, and the responsibility of saving the world from impending doom adds a sense of urgency to the gameplay. The storyline provides me a sense of direction while leaving room for discovery through scattered books, unlocking a plethora of side quests. And this direction is something I personally need in a survival-crafting game to keep me motivated and interested. The world of Emberville is rich in lore, creating a compelling backdrop for the survival-crafting adventure.
A World Filled With Possibilities
Enshrouded boasts an expansive and engaging world that constantly beckons exploration. From caves to basements and to destroyed buildings or towns, every corner holds the promise of discovery. Every time I explored the region I found new books to read through, places I wanted to be and sidequests I wanted to progress even further. And it doesn’t even end here, as there is always a new interesting location in sight, so I kept on exploring even further, and further, and further… and further.
The dynamic day and night cycle introduces an element of danger, with more formidable enemies emerging in the darkness. If you’re set to explore the dangers in the night, always be prepared to meet your demise, as there are far more enemies than on daylight. The “Enshrouded” effect adds an atmospheric layer, concealing areas in fog and keeping me on my toes, as I only have a certain timeframe I can traverse through the area. Besides of the normal “Shroud” there is also a “Deadly Shroud”, marked as a reddish fog on the map.
At the beginning, it’s impossible to traverse through it, as it almost one-shots you. But with more story progression and by upgrading your own “Flame” at the camp, you’re granted the possibility of moving through eben the most deadly parts of the world. This commitment gives you a great sense of progression, as it takes time and effort to get to this point. The game strikes a perfect balance between providing a direction through the story and encouraging exploration, unveiling a vast open-world with different biomes to conquer.
The crafting system in Enshrouded is nothing short of brilliant. The game offers a myriad of options, while evolving with every introduction of a new NPC, who you are tasked to find. But that’s not your only option, as you open even more options for crafting while progressing the sidequests and through gathering diverse things like ore, plants, fruits, woods and more.
The skill system grants me the freedom to personalize my own Flameborn the way I want her to be. You always felt like you wanted to be an Assassin at night and Battlemage at daytime? A Barbarian-Healer with some traits from a Trickster? Or even a Survivor, mixed with a Beastmaster and a Tank? The range of possible builds almost seems endless. And if you’re unhappy with the way you skilled your character, there is always the possibility to reset your skill points and distribute them once more.
A Symphony Of Atmosphere
Enshrouded presents a unique graphic style that may seem a tad outdated at first glance. However, this perception changes when the world is bathed in the changing light. The vibrant colors of the sun, deadly shroud or the dungeon's lights are masterfully crafted, offering different captivating moments. The graphics enhance the immersive experience, breathing life into Emberville and its varied landscapes.
The audio landscape in Enshrouded contributes significantly to the immersive experience. The calming and relaxing background music sets the tone for exploration, evolving seamlessly into intense melodies when action is afoot. This dynamic audio design ensures players are always aware of their surroundings. While the sound design might not always be groundbreaking, especially in terms of combat and crafting sounds, they complement the overall atmosphere, adding a layer of realism to the Flameborn's journey.
Overcoming The Technical Shadows
While Enshrouded's potential is evident, the current technical state presents a hurdle. Server issues and noticeable frame rate drops, especially during the dynamic day and night cycle, can hinder the overall experience. However, the developers have assured the community that they are actively working on resolving these problems. The promise of a smoother experience, particularly in multiplayer on dedicated servers, holds immense potential.
As "Enshrouded" is in Early Access, there is a ton of room for improvement, and the dedication of the developers to address these concerns instills confidence in the game's future. Once those difficulties are past them, Enshrouded has the potential to grow into something exciting the community will cherish for a long time.
Verdict — A Spark of Hope
Enshrouded enters the realm of action-survival-crafting with a promising blend of narrative depth, expansive exploration, and intricate crafting while keeping the harsh survival aspect on a short line. Despite its current technical hiccups, it stands as a promising addition to the survival-crafting genre. The unique graphics reveal their beauty under the right illumination and light. The developers' commitment to addressing issues instills confidence in the game's future. The auditory landscape, with its dynamic music and atmospheric sounds, elevates the overall experience.
In its Early Access phase, Enshrouded is a diamond in the rough, showcasing potential that awaits refinement. This survival-crafting endeavor is poised to evolve into a masterpiece, providing players with a rich and immersive world to explore, conquer, and ultimately, reshape. The flames of hope flicker brightly in Emberville, and as a Flameborn, my journey has just begun.