Enshrouded

Enshrouded
Developer(s)Keen Games
Publisher(s)Keen Games
Director(s)Antony Christoulakis
Platform(s)
Release
Genre(s)Survival, action role-playing
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Enshrouded is a survival action role-playing video game by Keen Games. It was launched via early access on 24 January 2024 for Microsoft Windows. The game is set to be released in 2025 for Windows, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and Series S.

Gameplay

Enshrouded is a survival action role-playing video game played from a third-person perspective. It supports up to 16 players at once.[1] The game's world is set in Embervale, an open world which can be freely explored by players. The overworld is where players can build their bases, gather resources, and craft new equipment and gear. Players will be able to summon friendly non-playable characters to their base, who will then provide players with new crafting recipes and quests. Players can also explore areas which are covered by a thick layer of fog named "the Shroud". These areas are dangerous as they are filled with hostile monsters, and players can only stay within it for a limited period of time before their character dies; however, players can find valuable loot and treasure chests which regenerate regularly in the Shrouded area.[2]

Like other survival games, players need to manage their hunger and thirst level; however, hunger and thirst only affect the player character's efficiency in combat. Drinking water boosts the player's endurance, while eating food boosts their constitution.[3] Enshrouded also has a sleep mechanic.[4] Players can use a variety of weapons to defeat enemies, and they can dodge and parry hostile attacks. As players progress in the game, they will unlock new talents, further boosting their combat capabilities and allowing players to specialize in one of three classes: Trickster, Battlemage, or Survivor. They will unlock a glider and a grappling hook, both of which aid their traversal in the game's world.[5] If the player character dies in the game, players will keep all of their equipped gear and crafted items, and only lose all of the raw resources they have collected.[6]

Development

Enshrouded is being developed and published by German studio Keen Games, which previously developed Portal Knights. The developers drew inspirations from games such as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Valheim.[7] While the combat was influenced by "Soulsborne" games, it was not designed to be as challenging.[3] It was envisioned as a "welcoming" game for players who are unfamiliar with the survival game genre.[8]

Keen announced the game in May 2023.[9] An eight-hour demo for the game was released during Steam Next Fest in November 2023. Enshrouded was released via Steam's early access model on January 24, 2024.[8] PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and Series S versions are also currently in development.[10] The full release of the game is scheduled for 2025.[11]

Reception

Sales

Enshrouded sold over one million copies in its first four days of launch.[12]

References

  1. ^ Kent, Emma (January 24, 2024). "For a survival game, Enshrouded feels too safe". Eurogamer. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
  2. ^ Marshall, Cass (January 26, 2024). "Enshrouded is a solid start, but hasn't found a distinct survival identity". Polygon. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
  3. ^ a b LeBlanc, Wesley (July 13, 2023). "Enshrouded: Surviving Made Easier". Game Informer. Archived from the original on July 13, 2023. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
  4. ^ Velocci, Carli (2024-01-30). "Take advantage of Enshrouded's clever sleep mechanic". Polygon. Retrieved 2024-02-07.
  5. ^ Toms, Ollie (January 24, 2024). "Enshrouded building guide: How to build any structure". Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
  6. ^ Livingston, Christopher (January 24, 2024). "Co-op survival RPG Enshrouded: forgiving survival systems in a surprisingly massive open world". PC Gamer. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
  7. ^ Livingston, Christopher (October 11, 2023). "Sorry, but the 8-hour demo of co-op survival RPG Enshrouded isn't long enough for me". PC Gamer. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
  8. ^ a b Nunneley-Jackson, Stephanny (November 7, 2023). "Enshrouded, the most-played Steam Next Fest demo, enters Early Access in January". VG 247. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
  9. ^ Romano, Sal (May 3, 2023). "Portal Knights studio Keen Games announces survival action RPG Enshrouded for PC". Gematsu. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  10. ^ Donovan, Imogen (October 10, 2023). "Gruelling survival game 'Enshrouded' wins fans with Steam Next Fest demo". NME. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
  11. ^ Romano, Sal (August 8, 2024). "Enshrouded surpasses three million players, fully launches in 2025 for PlayStation, Xbox, and PC". Gematsu. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  12. ^ Wood, Austin (January 30, 2024). "Refusing to be buried by Palworld, survival RPG Enshrouded hits 1 million players in 4 days". GamesRadar. Retrieved January 30, 2024.