With so many great games set to release in 2024, Enshrouded enters early access, aiming to take the world by storm. Developed and published by Keen Games, this survival role-playing game combines a wonderful fantasy world with excellent building mechanics and beautiful graphics to create a recipe for success.
Enshrouded takes place in the world of Embervale, a world that was undone by its greed for magical power. The players’ ancestors released a dangerous Shroud on the world in their quest for power. It is up to players, known as Flameborn, to beat back the fog and reclaim their world.
Players first walk out of the temple they spawn in to see the sprawling world of Embervale, and it is a bit breathtaking at first. There is so much to see just from the first second that makes it clear how massive Enshrouded is and how much it will offer. It can feel overwhelming at first, but Enshrouded does a great job of onboarding players and allowing significant freedom.
There are quests in Enshrouded, the first of which has players start building their first base. Building is easily the most impressive part of Enshrouded, and it was smart to highlight that right off the bat. Just claim a “safe zone” and start building the base of your dreams. The only real limitation is having to obtain the resources needed. Those are readily available, but they do take time to obtain.
The building mechanics do not take long to learn either. Crafting a construction hammer and workbench is all you need to get the ball rolling. Once the build menu pops up, there are countless options for how to place down blocks and build. You can place down pre-built items like walls or build things out block by block, depending on how detailed you want the build to be. I spent several hours toying around with the building system before I even attempted to explore the rest of the world.
Non-player characters scattered throughout the world, such as a blacksmith and carpenter, can be brought to your base to help make life easier. This mechanic encourages players to head out and explore to bring in more members for their team. Right now, they act as little more than specialized workbenches, but there is ample opportunity to expand their role. It is really important to have a solid base waiting for you in between trips to the Shroud to make the most of the resources you obtain. Plus, it is pretty neat to come back to a vibrant camp full of other people.
Exploration might not be the key selling point of Enshrouded, but that does not mean it is treated like an afterthought. The first encounter with the Shroud is right near the starting base location and immediately presents one of the coolest in-game mechanics. Players can only spend so much time in the Shroud before it consumes them, essentially making the shrouded areas open-air timed dungeons. Some potions and items can refill your Shroud Time, but it is vital always to have a planned escape route.
Most of Enshrouded’s combat takes place in these shrouded areas. There are mysterious foes that will hunt players down, although they are not too challenging at first. That changes as players encounter the more difficult bosses, but for the most part, the enemies are never too challenging. The bandits outside the Shroud are usually more challenging, but the best rewards are in the Shroud.
Combat boils down to two types: ranged and melee. Melee combat is as simple as swinging your sword or axe and blocking or parrying either with the weapon or with a shield. There is also a nice roll mechanic to help dodge attacks; think something similar to Dark Souls without the absurd challenge. Ranged combat consists of either using a bow and arrows or a magic staff. There are different types of arrows to make combat interesting. Staffs utilize magical abilities to confront foes and can be quite fun to use as well.
Combat in Enshrouded does not feel nearly as fleshed out as the building system. That is understandable, given this is only the initial early access release. A wider variety of weapon types or attack styles would make the basic combat more enjoyable. It is not bad; it never gets to the point where it feels like a slog, but there is so much potential to expand it as the game grows.
Enshrouded’s voxel-based art style combines the various gameplay elements and makes Embervale feel alive. Majestic mountains and beautiful valleys give the world an authentic feel. The Shroud is dark and mysterious, with the visual aesthetic making it feel as dangerous as it can. Keen Games has created a beautiful sandbox just waiting to be played in.
The one thing that will make Enshrouded stand out that I could not spend time with was multiplayer. Enshrouded can be played with up to 16 players, which is guaranteed to make the experience even better. The fact that a game designed to be played in groups can be so fun as a single-player is a testament to how great the core gameplay loop is, but I can’t wait to explore it with friends once it releases. The opportunities to build and explore will only multiply with more hands to get stuff done.
Enshrouded may only be entering early access, but there is already so much to see and do in the wonderful world of Embervale. Keen Games did not cut any corners when creating this excellent sandbox. Players will surely enjoy it as it evolves during the early access period.
Enshrouded is out now in early access on Steam.
