Enshrouded
- December 31, 2023
- Keen Games GmbH
- 35h median play time
Enshrouded is a fantastic game with plenty to offer, no matter what your combat or crafting style is. If you're looking for a new co-op game, make it this one.
In "Enshrouded" , you survival, craft, and engage in Action RPG combat across a voxel-based continent to uncover the story of a realm lost to pestilence. Starting with nothing, you'll scrape by, fending off beasts and searching for treasure in forests, caves, and dungeons. Your ultimate goal is to gain the strength to venture into the Shroud and fight the corrupted horrors within.
Reviews
- story3,487 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 73 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The story in "Enshrouded" is described as intriguing yet often overshadowed by its quest-driven gameplay, which primarily consists of fetch quests and crafting objectives. Players appreciate the environmental storytelling and lore found in scattered notes, but many feel that the narrative lacks depth and engagement, often feeling disjointed or secondary to the survival mechanics. Additionally, the server-wide quest progression system has drawn criticism, as it can lead to players missing out on story elements if they are not present when quests are completed by others. Overall, while the game offers a rich world to explore, the storytelling could benefit from more depth and individual player progression.
“The storyline is interesting and the quests are engaging!”
“The world and story is fantastically done; the world-building they do is genuinely interesting, and I love finding little books or journals that lead into a new quest.”
“The story unfolds gradually, revealing secrets and mysteries that keep players invested in the game.”
“The main quest starts out relatively fast, allowing the player to complete the first few 'main quests' back to back without ever being roadblocked, and then the story comes to a grinding halt and forces you to start grinding for materials to improve your base by building shelters for NPCs that you find in dungeons and building their workstations that may or may not even be useful to your playstyle.”
“The quests are just fetching.”
“The story is mediocre.”
- gameplay3,268 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The gameplay of *Enshrouded* has received mixed reviews, with many players praising its innovative building mechanics and engaging exploration elements, often comparing them favorably to other survival games like *Valheim*. However, criticisms arise regarding the linear progression, repetitive quests, and the shroud mechanic, which some find frustrating rather than challenging. Overall, while the game shows promise with its unique mechanics and beautiful world, it still requires refinement in combat and gameplay depth to fully realize its potential.
“Enshrouded is an exciting adventure game that shines with beautiful landscapes and fun gameplay, perfect for solo play or teaming up with friends!”
“The building mechanics are incredibly satisfying, allowing for creative customization!”
“The gameplay provides a great balance between combat, exploration, and crafting, ensuring that no aspect of gameplay feels neglected.”
“Progression is very linear and consists of going from one NPC vendor to another, and the shroud mechanic doesn't even impact gameplay much, as exploration is not really incentivized beyond going to quest markers.”
“The core gameplay loop is following quests given to you by NPCs, it sucks, just running around a giant map, crypt to crypt, to solve stupid jumping puzzles.”
“The building mechanics are not good.”
- graphics1,887 mentions
- 48 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Enshrouded" have received a mixed reception from players. Many praise the game for its stunning visuals, vibrant environments, and detailed character models, often comparing it favorably to titles like "Valheim" and "Breath of the Wild." However, some users report significant performance issues, including frame rate drops and graphical glitches, particularly on lower-end systems, leading to frustration with optimization and compatibility. Overall, while the aesthetic appeal is widely acknowledged, the game's performance and graphical stability remain areas needing improvement.
“The graphics are stunning, with beautifully crafted environments that truly transport you to another realm.”
“Enshrouded captivates players with its stunning visuals, though its building mechanics, while not as intricate as those in games like Valheim, offer a satisfying degree of customization.”
“The graphics are beautiful, the world is huge, and it runs smoothly on my rig.”
“The graphics are a mess.”
“Game ran and played fine before the update now it says my graphics card is incompatible.. this is garbage nonsense.. fix it or give me a refund.”
“I have a mid-range PC, and no matter how I adjust the settings, I can't get the graphics to even look decent.”
- optimization1,173 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 22 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues, including frame drops and stuttering, even on high-end systems. While some users have noted improvements following updates, the consensus is that the game still requires substantial optimization to enhance stability and performance, particularly in multiplayer scenarios. Overall, while the game shows potential, its current state is deemed unplayable by a considerable number of players due to these optimization challenges.
“The game has amazing features already implemented, and it will keep getting more thought out its early access lifetime, the performance is quite good itself already, considering the graphical advancements it uses.”
“Enshrouded performs admirably on a variety of systems, with well-optimized code that minimizes bugs and glitches.”
“I played mostly on performance mode and the game was still stunning.”
“The optimization is just terrible.”
“In its current state, the game is too poorly optimized for me to enjoy it.”
“Performance optimization is nonexistent in this game.”
- grinding1,161 mentions
- 2 % positive mentions
- 4 % neutral mentions
- 93 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of "Enshrouded" has received mixed feedback from players. While some appreciate the balance between resource gathering and gameplay, noting that it doesn't feel excessively grindy compared to similar titles like "Valheim," others find the resource collection and crafting processes tedious and repetitive, particularly when it comes to farming materials for building and crafting. Overall, players seem to enjoy the game for its exploration and building mechanics, but many express a desire for improvements in the farming and crafting systems to reduce the tedium associated with grinding.
“Not too grindy, and most of the progression forces you to do some actual exploration and engage with the environment.”
“Very fun, not too grindy like other survival games.”
“The game felt both cozy and challenging at times, not too grindy and very fresh and mysterious.”
“If I had to name one complaint, I would mention that the base building can get pretty grindy, trying to mine all of the resources needed to build a massive base.”
“The main quest starts out relatively fast, allowing the player to complete the first few 'main quests' back to back without ever being roadblocked, and then the story comes to a grinding halt and forces you to start grinding for materials to improve your base by building shelters for NPCs that you find in dungeons and building their workstations that may or may not even be useful to your playstyle.”
“The enemies are really generic, the puzzles seem very out of place and my god the grinding required in this game to do anything is just too much.”
- stability384 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- 1 % neutral mentions
- 80 % negative mentions
The game's stability has received mixed feedback, with many players reporting significant bugs, crashes, and freezes, particularly in multiplayer and during intense gameplay scenarios. While some users acknowledge the typical issues associated with early access titles, others express frustration over game-breaking glitches that hinder progress. However, a portion of the community appreciates the developers' responsiveness and ongoing improvements, suggesting that while the game is currently unstable, it shows promise for future updates.
“It's still in beta but is very polished, bug free and the map has a ton of extra space for additions.”
“For early access, this game runs great and I rarely encounter any significant bugs.”
“Stable and bug free in my experience.”
“When I first got the game, it was really buggy, so bad that I couldn't even get into the game past the first cutscene.”
“The game is great fun, but it freezes and crashes constantly at towers and big towns.”
“While I was able to mostly ignore the visual glitches, having the game completely lock up after dying one time is inexcusable.”
- music314 mentions
- 53 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its beautiful composition and ability to enhance the immersive experience, with many players noting its soothing and atmospheric qualities. While some find the soundtrack captivating and reminiscent of classic titles like Skyrim and Fable, others mention occasional repetitiveness, particularly during combat. Overall, the music is considered a significant strength of the game, contributing to its enchanting world and engaging gameplay.
“The music is beautifully composed, perfectly complementing the game's tone and setting.”
“The soundtrack is amazing and unintrusive, enhancing the overall atmosphere and immersing you fully into the game's universe.”
“The music is absolutely gorgeous and majorly adds to the feeling of wonder and exploration; it has a very comfortable and chill vibe to it.”
“The music is boring and not memorable at all.”
“The combat music is not exciting and becomes repetitive.”
“Although, the enemy encounter music happens the moment an enemy is aggroed, even if they die in less than a second of it happening.”
- atmosphere243 mentions
- 65 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in "Enshrouded" is widely praised for its immersive and beautifully designed environments, combining elements of mystery and danger that enhance the gameplay experience. Players appreciate the haunting sound design and atmospheric music, which complement the game's rich visuals and contribute to a captivating exploration experience. While some critiques mention a lack of depth in certain areas, the overall consensus highlights the game's ability to create a unique and engaging atmosphere that draws players into its world.
“Enshrouded sets in a mystical, shrouded world full of mystery and danger, the game challenges players to build, fight, and thrive in a beautifully designed, atmospheric landscape.”
“From the moment you step into the world of Enshrouded, you’re drawn into its beautiful yet eerie atmosphere.”
“The game excels in creating an immersive atmosphere, with detailed environments and intriguing narrative elements that keep you engaged.”
“The atmosphere of Enshrouded is severely lacking.”
“The atmosphere just feels too simple, predictable, and light, and it is so similar to Elden Ring down to the biomes, colors, and level design. It could see it being fun once some modders have done their thing, but for now, it just feels too stale to get into.”
“Calling it Valheim is complete BS, but it isn't bad; it misses the atmosphere completely of Valheim though, has a current year feel instead of a yesteryear eerie feel to it.”
- replayability123 mentions
- 11 % positive mentions
- 78 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is generally viewed as limited due to its static, handcrafted world, which lacks the procedural generation that enhances replay value in similar titles like Valheim. While players appreciate the depth of content available—over 50 hours of gameplay—and the multiplayer aspect, many express concerns that once the main quests and exploration are completed, the experience may become repetitive. Overall, the potential for replayability exists, particularly with different character builds and multiplayer interactions, but significant improvements are needed to maintain long-term engagement.
“The multiplayer aspect adds a lot of replay value, and the developers seem committed to improving the game over time.”
“It has taken the best from other games like Valheim, Skyrim, Zelda, Portal Knights, etc. Lots of replayability with different characters for warrior, ranger, and wizard builds.”
“The handcrafted map and the shroud mechanic are really well polished, and the skill tree adds room for replay value.”
“The main downside is that the world is not randomly generated, so replayability isn't quite as high.”
“A big deterrent to replayability is the static and not procedurally generated map; it's more of a one-and-done handcrafted experience.”
“The game is set in a single hand-crafted world, which heavily hurts the replayability of this game. Once you've played long enough and learned everything the world has to offer, you pretty much are left with nothing to do.”
- humor83 mentions
- 98 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with many players finding joy in the amusing bugs and glitches that lead to hilarious moments, especially when playing with friends. While some aspects, like character interactions and unexpected deaths, elicit laughter, others feel the humor is lacking or overshadowed by repetitive gameplay. Overall, the game offers a lighthearted experience that can be entertaining, particularly in multiplayer settings, despite its early access status and the need for further development.
“Overall, the game still has a bunch of bugs (duh, it's still in early access), and some of those bugs make things hilariously funny and have brought my friends and me lots of laughs.”
“Enemies chase you for way too long and can become aggressive from hilarious distances sometimes.”
“I was looting something in a village area when an enemy came up next to me, and I didn't realize I was standing next to an explosive pot. Next thing I know, he blew me and himself up, leaving a big crater! LOL.”
“Not funny at all... just cut, build, cut, build.”
“Being unable to zoom out on the skill tree is not funny.”
- character development42 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is a mixed bag, with some players praising its depth and flexibility, particularly in skill trees and RPG elements, while others criticize the limited character design options and a feeling of being constrained in class choices. Many appreciate the integration of character development with crafting and exploration, but there are calls for more customization and variety in character appearance. Overall, while the character development system has potential, it currently leaves some players wanting more options and freedom.
“A great mix of building, questing, survival, and character development!”
“Great story, great mechanics, great graphics, incredible character development flexibility and balance.”
“But what truly sets Enshrouded apart is its narrative depth and character development.”
“Character development is sorely lacking though, doesn't feel like you can make a style or class of your own, but mostly very much on rails.”
“The character development is decent, and can be expanded as the game goes through early access.”
“I can't wait to see it grow and hope it does for it's a beautiful world despite some 'janky' portions on the main character design and lack of personalization options like simply eye color.”
- emotional35 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players have expressed a range of emotional responses to the game, highlighting its compelling protagonist and meaningful character interactions that enhance the overall experience. The immersive world and evocative soundtrack contribute to feelings of joy, anger, and nostalgia, reminiscent of classic gaming experiences. However, some players feel limited by gameplay mechanics that restrict individual expression, which can detract from the emotional engagement.
“This is the first time I've had a game that made me feel like everything I do actually has a purpose.”
“The protagonist's journey is compelling, and the interactions with other characters are meaningful, adding emotional weight to the overall experience.”
“The sweeping orchestral score perfectly complements the on-screen action, creating an emotional resonance that enhances every moment of gameplay.”
- monetization24 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 8 % neutral mentions
- 79 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising the absence of microtransactions and paywalls, highlighting it as a refreshing change in the current gaming landscape. However, others criticize recent additions like Twitch drops and the overall game design as cash grabs, suggesting that the developers may be prioritizing profit over player experience. Overall, while some appreciate the lack of aggressive monetization tactics, concerns about the game's long-term development and value persist.
“No stupid microtransactions or paywall, just a great survival and adventure game.”
“Has no microtransactions.”
“When all the other guys are going for microtransactions and milking the customer with minimal features, these guys actually just focused on making a great game (and did) and you should support them for doing so.”
“The recent addition of Twitch drops is a blatant cash grab that completely undermines the core experience.”
“Feels like this game is made in one week and is just a cash grab; it will never be developed further, except maybe the whole map, but everything else will stay and suck!”
“It's not everyone having this issue, but there's a lot, and I have yet to see any news from the devs. Looks like this might be another cash grab... not going to bother playing any more.”
Critic Reviews
Enshrouded Early Access Review
Even though it may not offer anything groundbreaking, you'll likely enjoy Enshrouded if you're a fan of survival games.
70%Enshrouded Review | PC
Rise, Flameborn, to save Embervale from the deadly shroud and itself.
95%Enshrouded Early Access Review – A Beautiful, Challenging World
Enshrouded is a fantastic game with plenty to offer, no matter what your combat or crafting style is. If you're looking for a new co-op game, make it this one.
100%