Enclave

61%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,620 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • gameplay
Enclave Game Cover
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"Enclave is a single-player historical hack and slash game with a good plot and atmospheric medieval combat. Experience two separate story-driven campaigns, playing as one of 12 character classes in over 25 detailed fantasy missions. Despite some bugs, the game boasts impressive 3D graphics, epic battles, and a touch of humor."

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
  • Linux
  • Wii
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

61%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,620 reviews
story152 positive mentions
stability44 negative mentions
  • Nostalgic experience for players who enjoyed it in their childhood.
  • Strong art style and detailed environments that have aged well.
  • Variety of playable characters and campaigns (Light and Dark) adds replayability.
  • Clunky combat mechanics and poor hit detection can lead to frustrating gameplay.
  • Frequent crashes and bugs, especially on modern systems.
  • Linear level design with limited exploration and lack of meaningful RPG elements.
  • story672 mentions

    The story of Enclave is generally described as a simplistic and generic good versus evil narrative, with players able to experience it from both light and dark perspectives through separate campaigns. While some players appreciate the dual storylines and the character variety, many criticize the plot for being shallow, forgettable, and lacking depth, often overshadowed by the game's focus on fast-paced combat and gameplay mechanics. Overall, the narrative serves primarily as a backdrop for the action, with limited character development and minimal dialogue.

    • “You can choose to play as both the 'light' and 'dark' side of the story, each side having its own set of missions, story, maps, and objectives.”
    • “Enclave is a third-person action RPG with intense medieval combat, an epic soundtrack, and two separate story-driven campaigns which have the player fighting for the forces of light or darkness.”
    • “The story is a typical classic fantasy story of good versus evil, you will collect gold to help build your character, and once unlocked can use any character of that alignment at your strategic disposal.”
    • “Enclave is mediocre at best, bogged down by a lackluster story, terrible combat, and some of the most ridiculous, janky enemies you'll ever fight.”
    • “The story is boring and cliche.”
    • “The story is pretty much just your average fantasy drivel and is totally forgettable.”
  • graphics377 mentions

    The graphics of the game are generally considered dated but still hold up reasonably well for its time of release in 2003, with some players appreciating the art style and atmospheric design. While many reviews note that the visuals can appear simplistic compared to modern standards, they often highlight a certain charm and detail that enhances the overall experience. However, technical issues such as brightness resets and occasional graphical glitches detract from the enjoyment for some players.

    • “A classic that was a graphical revolution at the time and still looks fine 20+ years later.”
    • “Produced with an eye for detail, the graphics still amaze to this day.”
    • “The graphics are absolutely wonderful for its time, and even don't look half bad by today's standards; the fact that 1920x1080 is a supported resolution is just icing on the cake.”
    • “On top of that it looks terrible, 2003 may not have been a banner year for 3D visuals, but this has aged horribly.”
    • “The graphics are really, really outdated.”
    • “There are better games to spend your money on that do what this game does with better graphics, polish, and characters.”
  • gameplay302 mentions

    The gameplay of Enclave is characterized by fast-paced combat and a focus on defeating enemies while collecting gold, offering a nostalgic old-school ARPG experience. However, it suffers from various issues such as clunky controls, poor hit detection, and frustrating mechanics, which can detract from the overall enjoyment. While some players appreciate its simplicity and replayability through different character classes, others find the gameplay outdated and lacking in depth.

    • “The gameplay emphasizes fast-paced combat over quests or dialogue, with the main objective being to eliminate all enemies in each level and gather as much hidden gold as you can.”
    • “The gameplay is smooth, responsive, and satisfying.”
    • “The graphics, the music, the gameplay, and the combination of character styles and level design/aesthetic all come together to make a tight, superbly crafted action adventure fantasy game with semi-RPG elements that is endlessly fun, and always worth revisiting.”
    • “Absolutely worst swimming mechanics in video game history.”
    • “Gameplay can be a bit frustrating because of the inaccurate hit detection, especially with ranged weapons.”
    • “The gameplay is pretty boring; games that are older have better gameplay and interesting story.”
  • music118 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its atmospheric quality, enhancing the dark fantasy setting and seamlessly transitioning between combat and exploration. Many reviewers highlight the soundtrack as one of the standout features, with some describing it as phenomenal and capable of evoking a strong sense of immersion. However, a few critiques mention that the soundtrack can be repetitive and somewhat generic, though it remains effective in creating an engaging experience.

    • “Adding to the atmosphere is a beautiful soundtrack that enhances the game's dark fantasy setting.”
    • “The music is phenomenal and smoothly transitions based on if you are in combat or not.”
    • “Dynamic music adjusts to fit the situation, with its tempo increasing and decreasing when the player is in combat and out of combat respectively.”
    • “The soundtrack is lacking, with only a few songs that you keep hearing over and over, but hey, at least they're good.”
    • “None of them seem to have any personality whatsoever, and to make matters worse the musical score is incredibly generic.”
    • “Music is generic & loops through the levels.”
  • stability52 mentions

    The game's stability is frequently criticized, with many users reporting numerous bugs, glitches, and crashes that detract from the overall experience. While some players note that the game can still be enjoyable despite these issues, the consensus is that the buggy hit-boxes and unstable performance significantly hinder its appeal. Overall, the game is described as a "buggy mess," with varying degrees of stability depending on the platform and updates.

    • “No glitches so far.”
    • “This game is fun, good looking, and runs great.”
    • “The game runs great and with it on sale for less than a dollar, it's a steal.”
    • “However, playing on my PC, it kept crashing and was very buggy.”
    • “Where it falls short is its buggy hit boxes, crashes, and really short story.”
    • “This game is a buggy mess.”
  • atmosphere50 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its captivating soundtrack and detailed environment art, which effectively enhance the dark fantasy setting. Despite some dated graphics and gameplay mechanics, the immersive sound effects and high-quality art design create a strong and engaging atmosphere that draws players into the experience. Overall, the combination of music, visuals, and thematic elements contributes to a charming and enthralling ambiance that resonates with many players.

    • “Adding to the atmosphere is a beautiful soundtrack that enhances the game's dark fantasy setting.”
    • “The gameplay is great, but what really makes this game stand out to me is the seemingly perfect blend of graphic style, sound effects, and music that all work together to create a strong atmosphere for this game.”
    • “Environments also benefit from a high level of detail and lighting effects, which often create a powerful atmosphere for each setting.”
    • “Graphics are dated, but not some puked textures or anything; it does create the atmosphere.”
    • “Atmosphere, which is glorified in the trailer and the description, is as atmospheric and interesting as a generic action/adventure game of the late 90s.”
    • “A completely enthralling atmosphere has kept me hooked on this in the past.”
  • replayability36 mentions

    The game offers a considerable degree of replayability, primarily due to its diverse character selection, multiple campaigns, and the ability to play through missions with different characters from both light and dark factions. While some players find the gameplay becomes too easy towards the end, the option to explore various character classes and upgrade systems keeps the experience engaging. However, the poorly designed levels and simplistic mechanics may detract from the overall replay value for some players.

    • “However, the replay value is high, warranting more attention than one playthrough can give.”
    • “The character selection system also adds a bit of replayability as it's quite fun to play as each of the characters and finding which one suits your playstyle better. Each character gets different types of weapons and armor that are unlocked via the gold you collect from each mission or are awarded after completing the mission.”
    • “2 campaigns with plenty of replayability due to around 6 different characters for both the light and dark factions.”
    • “The 'coins' (money bags) are hidden so cheaply within all in all very badly designed levels that it doesn't feel like an achievement at the end of the level and doesn't really add a lot of replay value because that would require one to play a level again!”
    • “Though Enclave is without a doubt not without its flaws, it's still a very enjoyable game that offers a considerable degree of replay value.”
    • “It is a step down from Severance in the class of PC ARPGs from the early 2000s, but quite enjoyable - short, straightforward and with a nice money-based progression system that adds replayability.”
  • humor18 mentions

    The humor in the game is noted for its absurdity, with moments like enemies comically jumping off cliffs and unexpected explosions during serious dialogue. While some players find the humor entertaining, others feel it can be overshadowed by gameplay frustrations, leading to mixed feelings about its comedic elements. Overall, the game offers a blend of funny moments, though not all aspects resonate positively with players.

    • “And enemies will often jump off cliffs to their deaths, which is admittedly funny.”
    • “Right off the bat, you get several minutes of exposition full of weird names you don't understand. Skipping this, you are greeted by a lady in black robes talking trash to you about how dead you are. Mid-sentence, her words get blown to pieces by a siege weapon on the other side of the wall. It's quite funny, actually, but that's where the fun in this game ends.”
    • “Game is really cool and pretty :D I found a speed bug :D really funny :D”
  • character development18 mentions

    Character development in the game is largely absent, with players noting that the narrative is primarily driven by events rather than character growth. While the character designs are appreciated, they do not contribute to any meaningful development throughout the gameplay. Overall, those seeking deep character arcs will likely be disappointed.

    • “Although Enclave places little emphasis on character development, the game still manages to present a fairly interesting narrative, driven to a greater degree by the events of the story rather than the characters.”
    • “I also liked the character design and the feel of the game.”
    • “On the plus side, the controls are simple and rebindable, and some of the character designs are cute.”
    • “And don't get me wrong, it was/is/will forever be enough for me, but don't come to this game hoping for any sort of character development.”
    • “There's no character development but you find money on levels which you can buy better gear with.”
    • “Character development is also pretty much non-existent.”
  • monetization16 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with some users initially frustrated by intrusive ads and pop-ups promoting other games. However, recent updates appear to have resolved these issues, leading to a more positive reception regarding the game's advertising practices. Overall, while there were concerns about aggressive monetization tactics, many players now find the game enjoyable without significant ad interruptions.

    • “Why the hell are there ads in this?”
    • “They're advertising for another topware game by employing pop-up advertising.”
    • “First, they use a script to shove ads down your throat.”
  • emotional8 mentions

    Reviews indicate that while Starbreeze Studios has a history of creating emotionally impactful games like "Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons," their latest title lacks the depth and heartfelt storytelling that players might expect. Instead, it is criticized for its simplistic combat and unengaging narrative, leaving players disappointed in the emotional experience.

    • “Made by the people of Starbreeze Studios, the same ones who brought us the emotional Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons, the horror of The Darkness, and the fun times of Payday 2.”
    • “If you're expecting a grand adventure full of interesting characters, heartfelt stories, and unique locations, then I'm afraid you won't find it here.”
  • optimization8 mentions

    The optimization of the game has been widely criticized, with users reporting frequent camera stutterings, crashes, and unpolished performance that includes flickering and stuttering, making it difficult to navigate menus or start the game smoothly.

    • “It kept flickering and stuttering, even fast-forwarding through the menus so much that I couldn't even start the game.”
    • “Yeah, camera stutterings and crashes.”
    • “- stuttering sound”
  • grinding8 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and anticlimactic, often feeling that it detracts from the importance of skill and tactics in combat. While some players report minimal grinding, others experience prolonged periods of aimless exploration that can become frustrating. Overall, the grinding experience is seen as lacking depth and engagement.

    • “It goes from being tedious to anticlimactic.”
    • “Grinding for stats vs actual skill and tactics in combat.”
    • “I basically just ended up running around until I found my way, but sometimes it could take up to several minutes, which was very tedious.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

81% average critic score

Buy Enclave

Play time

40hMedian play time
36hAverage play time
18-50hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 6 analyzed playthroughs

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