Game completes early access phase
Enshrouded has officially transitioned from early access to a full release, offering a survival game that blends exploration, construction, and action-RPG elements into a unified experience. The game was first launched in early 2024 and has undergone nearly three years of development, with frequent updates that have greatly expanded its content and refined its gameplay.Setting and story
The game is set in the kingdom of Embervale, a once-thriving land that fell into ruin after the discovery of a mysterious Elixir. This event led to the emergence of the Fog, a phenomenon that now swallows parts of the territory. Players take on the role of an Emberflame, the last hope of this civilization, awakening from a long sleep with the mission to rebuild what remains.Exploration and environment
Exploration is a core strength of Enshrouded, with a vast and varied world filled with abandoned villages, fortresses, caves, dungeons, and areas affected by the Fog. Verticality is emphasized through the use of grappling hooks and veils, which allow players to access otherwise unreachable areas. The game's design encourages players to use exploration to gather resources and experience, which in turn support more advanced crafting and equipment.RPG mechanics and character development
The RPG component is substantial, featuring a skill tree that allows for various specializations in close combat, magic, ranged weapons, and survival. Players can develop different archetypes such as a tank, a pure DPS warrior, a barbarian, an assassin, a rogue, a combat mage, or even a healer. These skills provide both statistical improvements and influence gameplay mechanics, such as enabling double jumps for exploration or enhancing the use of specific weapons.Survival elements and the Fog
The Fog acts as a natural progression system, with highly contaminated zones limiting exposure time and housing dangerous enemies. As players improve their character and develop their central Flame element at their camp, they can explore further into these hostile areas. Other survival mechanics include the need to eat, rest, manage heat, and comfort for optimal rest, emphasizing preparation and allowing for deeper exploration.Crafting and construction
Craftsmanship is central to the game, starting with basic crafting that evolves as players hire new artisans like blacksmiths, hunters, or alchemists. The camp grows alongside the player, eventually becoming a small village and production center. A standout feature is the voxel construction system, which allows players to dig into rock, earth, or mountains to shape their environment. This system supports the creation of houses, fortresses, entire villages, or underground galleries, limited only by imagination and time.New content and multiplayer
Since its early access launch, Enshrouded has introduced numerous regions, dungeons, enemies, and new mechanics. The Wake of the Water update added a water management system, including swimming, diving, fishing, a tropical region, and the ability to build hydraulic installations to automate base operations. These additions enhance the diversity of the world and expand the possibilities for players as they progress.Multiplayer and console performance
The game supports up to sixteen players in multiplayer mode, allowing for cooperative play that enhances the experience through task distribution, different specializations, and ambitious architectural projects. The PlayStation 5 Pro version offers a natural handling experience, with some ergonomic details still needing refinement but not detracting from the overall enjoyment. Technically, the console version is clean and fluid, with slightly less detailed rendering compared to high-end PCs but still detailed enough to highlight the environments.Overall experience and gameplay
Enshrouded delivers a rich and generous survival experience, with its voxel construction system standing out as exceptional. The open world is full of discoveries, and the RPG component provides real freedom in character development. The game's success lies in the way its mechanics interlock with remarkable complementarity, constantly opening up new possibilities and providing an adventure that can keep players engaged for hours without the need to seek elsewhere.
