Enshrouded, developed and published by Keen Games, is an ambitious title set to launch on January 24, 2024, on Steam Early Access. This survival action RPG, set in a voxel-based world, promises a unique blend of gameplay elements that sets it apart from other titles in the genre.
Set in a decaying world of magic and beauty, ravaged by a pestilence unleashed from the depths of the earth, Enshrouded presents a rich narrative and immersive environment. Players take on the role of the Flameborn, tasked with reclaiming their land from a corrupting fog. This journey involves battling mutated remnants of the fallen people, who are driven to madness and controlled by the fog.
The gameplay of Enshrouded is centered around survival, exploration, and combat. One of its notable features is destructible environments achieved through resource gathering. The game offers flexible construction and gathering, allowing players to manipulate their environment in great detail. This approach to gameplay aims to focus more on action and adventure aspects, moving away from typical survival elements like hunger and sleep requirements.
Combat in Enshrouded is equally promising. The game features a skill tree system, enabling players to learn Ranger, Warrior, and Mage skills. This system allows for the customization of characters, giving players the freedom to mix and match skills to create unique character builds. Additionally, the game supports up to sixteen players in a single server, fostering cooperative gameplay.
The story of Enshrouded is set in a land shrouded in fog, with the Flameborn being the last ember of hope for their dying race. The narrative unfolds as players progress, reclaiming the world from the fog, making it more habitable and less hostile. This journey of survival and discovery is enhanced by the game’s emphasis on vanquishing punishing bosses, building grand halls, and upgrading the hero’s abilities to withstand the mist and uncover the secrets of the kingdom’s downfall.
The game’s environment, characterized by lush forests, unyielding deserts, deep fissures, and lost dungeons, offers a diverse and captivating world to explore. Players are tasked with pushing back the Shroud, a creeping blight that mutates all life it encounters. To do this, they must ascend a deep open skill tree to master powerful weapons, spells, and armor, developing their unique playstyle to withstand warring factions and conquer merciless bosses in intense combat.
Base building and crafting are integral to the game. Players can rescue legendary artisans, discover long-lost recipes, and build awe-inspiring homes, shaping the world’s terrain to their liking. Character customization extends to personalizing appearance, upgrading weapons, and armors, with an extensive crafting system providing numerous options.
Keen Games has announced plans to release a console version of Enshrouded in the future, extending its reach beyond the PC gaming community. The game’s combination of voxel worlds and Valheim-inspired visuals offers a visually striking experience that is set to captivate players seeking an immersive and thrilling adventure. As the release date approaches, anticipation builds for an Early Access experience filled with exploration, survival challenges, and cooperative gameplay.
