Enshrouded

🔥 What is Enshrouded?

Enshrouded is a survival action role-playing game developed by Keen Games that combines crafting, exploration, and combat in a vast voxel-based open world. Set in the realm of Embervale, players take on the role of a Fireborn tasked with surviving in a world consumed by a mysterious fog called the Shroud.

Released in early access in January 2024 for Windows PC, with a full release planned for 2025, Enshrouded offers both single-player and multiplayer experiences, supporting up to 16 players simultaneously. The game draws inspiration from titles like Breath of the Wild and Soulsborne games while creating something distinctly its own.

👉 Features of Enshrouded

Immersive Open World

The sprawling continent of Embervale features diverse biomes ranging from lush forests and mountains to deserts and caves. Each area is meticulously crafted with vibrant details, creating a visually captivating environment that invites exploration. The world is filled with points of interest, abandoned encampments, and mysterious structures waiting to be discovered.

The Shroud Mechanic

One of Enshrouded’s most unique features is the eponymous Shroud – a dangerous fog that covers significant portions of the map. Players can only remain within the Shroud for a limited time (initially five minutes) before facing death, creating tension and urgency during exploration. Clearing Shroud Roots by defeating bosses opens up new areas and rewards players with skill points and shroud cores.

Voxel-Based Building System

The game features an impressive building system that allows players to create elaborate structures using voxel-based construction. Players can build bases, customize them with various materials and furniture, and even modify the terrain itself. These bases serve as safe havens where NPCs can take refuge, unlocking advanced workshops and crafting options.

Gameplay

Combat and Progression

Enshrouded offers heart-pounding action combat with a variety of weapons and abilities. Players can dodge, parry, and use powerful spells against different enemy factions including Scavengers, Vukah, and Fell creatures. The game features an in-depth skill tree system allowing players to develop unique playstyles across three main archetypes: Melee, Magic, and Ranged, each with four specialties like Barbarian, Wizard, or Hunter.

As you progress, you’ll unlock traversal tools like a glider and grappling hook, making exploration more dynamic and enjoyable. The game’s five bosses provide challenging arena encounters that test your combat skills and reward you with valuable resources.

Survival and Crafting

While Enshrouded includes survival elements like hunger and thirst, these mechanics are less punishing than in other survival games – they affect combat efficiency rather than causing death. The crafting system is extensive, allowing players to create weapons, armor, tools, and building materials from resources gathered throughout the world.

Players can also recruit NPCs to their bases who provide new crafting recipes and quests, further expanding gameplay options. The game encourages exploration by hiding valuable resources and treasures within the Shroud and in dungeons scattered throughout the world.

Pros and Cons

✔️ Pros

Engaging World Design

The world of Embervale is beautifully crafted with stunning vistas and diverse environments that create a sense of wonder and adventure. The attention to detail makes exploration consistently rewarding, with secrets and treasures hidden throughout the landscape.

Creative Building System

The voxel-based building mechanics allow for impressive creative expression, enabling players to construct elaborate bases and structures with a wide variety of materials. The system is intuitive yet powerful, offering more freedom than many other survival games.

Multiplayer Experience

Playing with up to 16 friends creates memorable cooperative experiences as you tackle quests, build bases, and explore the world together. The shared adventure aspect significantly enhances the game’s enjoyment factor.

❌ Cons

Combat Limitations

The combat system can feel clunky at times with unreliable controls and finicky target-lock mechanics. Some enemy encounters can feel unfair due to aggressive AI and limited stamina resources.

Performance Issues

Despite its visual appeal, Enshrouded suffers from performance problems even on high-end systems, with FPS drops and optimization issues that can impact gameplay.

Early Access Limitations

As an early access title, Enshrouded still lacks content in the endgame and needs refinement in several areas, including quest variety and progression pacing. The game relies too heavily on fetch quests and has some uninspired puzzle designs.