Enshrouded Review: A Thrilling Open-World Survival RPG

Enshrouded is an open-world survival RPG developed by Keen Games that offers a unique blend of hardcore survival and creative sandbox gameplay. In this Enshrouded review, I will delve into the game’s pros and cons, gameplay mechanics, visuals, audio, and overall value for money. Whether you’re an avid survivalist or a fan of open-world exploration, Enshrouded has something to offer.

Before diving into the details, let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of Enshrouded:

Pros:

• Voxel-based Building is a Blast
• Shroud Mechanics Executed Masterfully
• There’s Always Something to Do
• Multiplayer Works Great!

Cons:

• This Game Will Mulch Your Graphics Card
• Difficulty Isn’t That Balanced

Enshrouded’s story follows the journey of the Flameborn, a last resort hero tasked with braving the Shroud and restoring Embervale to its former glory. While the story itself is not particularly groundbreaking, it serves as a backdrop for the game mechanics. The intro cinematic reveals much of the premise, leaving little room for intrigue throughout the game. However, the story elements seamlessly integrate with the gameplay mechanics, providing a cohesive experience.

Enshrouded’s gameplay revolves around exploration and creativity, offering players the freedom to choose their own path. Whether you prefer venturing into the unknown or building your base, Enshrouded provides robust mechanics to support both playstyles. The game strikes a perfect balance between these two aspects, allowing for an expansive skill tree without overwhelming the player.

Combat in Enshrouded is smooth and satisfying, while the crafting system is well-developed. However, the true highlight is the voxel-based building system. You can construct your base with precision, using premade building pieces or unleash your inner architect and build from scratch. The materials required for building are readily available in the destructible environment, adding depth to the gameplay.

Enshrouded offers breathtaking visuals, provided your system can handle the demands. The game’s design blends prehistoric and medieval elements, creating a distinct and immersive world. From rolling hills to ruined megastructures, every detail is meticulously crafted. The enemies feature unique designs that suit the setting, and weapons and armor strike a balance between realism and fantasy.

Enshrouded’s audio is pleasant but not particularly remarkable. The background music sets the mood well, especially during exploration. However, the transition from exploration to combat music can be jarring, and the lack of fully-voiced dialogues detracts from the immersion. While the audio does its job, there is room for growth and enhancement in this aspect of the game.

The World is Your Oyster

Enshrouded exceeded expectations by delivering a high-quality and polished gaming experience. This game offers more than just the freedom to do anything; it allows you to do everything all the time. From its open-world action-adventure RPG elements to the destructible environment, Enshrouded provides a vast array of activities and challenges.

The game’s premise revolves around a ruined continent plagued by The Shroud, a toxic fog. As the Flameborn, you have the power to explore, combat enemies, and uncover secrets. The RPG aspect shines through the extensive skill tree, offering various classes and specialties to suit your playstyle.

Enshrouded’s sandbox and base-building mechanics are where the game truly shines. The voxel-based building system allows for intricate customization, and the availability of materials encourages creative endeavors. Building a base is not merely an aesthetic choice; it fulfills essential needs such as shelter and comfort, enhancing your character’s performance.

The implementation of The Shroud adds an extra layer of challenge and excitement. The limited time you have within the fog creates a sense of urgency and forces you to strategize your exploration. The game’s balance between exploration, combat, and base-building ensures there is always something to do and progress to be made.

Multiplayer in Enshrouded works seamlessly, allowing up to 16 players to collaborate on a shared adventure. The developers have put effort into making the multiplayer experience enjoyable, with mechanics to prevent overlapping structures and a gifting system for cooperative play.

Despite its many strengths, Enshrouded does have a few downsides. The game’s demanding graphics can strain lower-end PCs, requiring players to adjust settings for optimal performance. Additionally, the difficulty level is not perfectly balanced, with The Shroud mechanics and combat proving relatively easy to overcome. However, as the game is still in early access, there is potential for future updates to address these issues.

In conclusion, Enshrouded is an exceptional game that offers a captivating blend of survival and creativity. With its immersive visuals, engaging gameplay mechanics, and extensive content, Enshrouded is well worth the investment. While it may have a few rough edges, the potential for improvement and the overall high-quality experience make Enshrouded a must-play for hardcore survival enthusiasts.

Final Thoughts

Enshrouded offers a substantial amount of content for its price tag of $30. The single-player experience alone guarantees hours of base-building fun. The game’s replayability and cost-efficiency can be compared to popular sandbox games like Minecraft, promising endless enjoyment for players. Additionally, the cooperative multiplayer mode further enhances the value for money, allowing friends to embark on adventures together.

Enshrouded stands out as a shining example of an open-world survival RPG, offering a seamless combination of exploration, combat, and base-building mechanics. Despite its relatively unremarkable story, the game’s engaging gameplay, stunning visuals, and substantial content make it a must-play for fans of the genre.

As Enshrouded continues to evolve during its early access phase, players can expect further improvements and enhancements. With its strong foundation and potential for growth, Enshrouded has the makings of a truly outstanding survival RPG. So, venture forth into the Shroud and embark on a thrilling adventure in the lands of Embervale.