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
- story4,277 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 73 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The story in "Enshrouded" is primarily conveyed through environmental storytelling and collectible lore notes, which some players find engaging while others consider it lacking depth. The quest system is designed to guide players through the game, but it suffers from issues such as server-wide progression, meaning that if one player completes a quest, others miss out on the experience, leading to frustration in multiplayer settings. Overall, while the game offers a compelling world and intriguing lore, many players feel that the narrative could benefit from more structure and character development.
“The lore is deep and meticulously crafted, with ancient texts, cryptic NPCs, and environmental storytelling filling in the gaps.”
“The story starts with a bang—or, rather, a fog—as your character awakens in a shrouded world where remnants of a great civilization lie in ruins.”
“The environmental storytelling is stellar—each ruin or forgotten village tells a silent story of what came before, encouraging players to connect the dots.”
“The story is light, with lore hidden in the world for players to discover.”
“The quests are repetitive, off the top of my head I can only remember 3 different quest types.”
“The story is pretty boring.”
- gameplay4,111 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Enshrouded" has received a mix of praise and criticism, with many players highlighting its exceptional building mechanics as a standout feature. The game combines elements of survival, crafting, and RPG gameplay, offering a rich exploration experience, though some players find the combat mechanics lacking depth and the shroud mechanic to be more of a hindrance than a challenge. Overall, while the game shows great potential with its engaging gameplay loop and beautiful visuals, it still requires further refinement and content expansion to fully realize its promise.
“The game's core mechanics revolve around exploration, crafting, and building, creating a rich experience that keeps players hooked.”
“The building mechanics are intuitive and satisfying.”
“The gameplay is very reminiscent of the original Fable.”
“The gameplay itself is a mix of survival and crafting elements, which is where things can get a bit tricky at first.”
“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.”
- graphics2,314 mentions
- 49 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Enshrouded" have received widespread praise for their stunning visuals and immersive environments, often compared favorably to titles like "Valheim" and "Breath of the Wild." However, many players have reported performance issues, including crashes and frame rate drops, particularly on mid-range systems, indicating that while the graphics are visually appealing, they may not be well-optimized for all hardware configurations. Overall, the game showcases beautiful art and design, but it still requires further optimization to enhance the gameplay experience.
“The graphics are stunning, with detailed landscapes that encourage exploration.”
“The graphics are stunning, with intricate landscapes, dense forests, and towering mountains that create a truly immersive environment.”
“Enshrouded is a stunning survival adventure with breathtaking visuals and a rich world to explore.”
“The graphics are a mess.”
“Game runs horrendously poorly and it's not really that graphically intensive.”
“I’ve even dropped the graphics to the lowest possible settings—essentially making the game look like a back to PlayStation 1 game graphic release—and I’m still running into crashes.”
- optimization1,446 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 22 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received significant criticism, with many players reporting severe performance issues, including low frame rates, stuttering, and crashes, even on high-end systems. While some users have noted improvements with recent patches, the overall consensus is that the game still requires substantial optimization to enhance stability and performance, particularly in multiplayer scenarios. As it stands, many recommend waiting for further updates before fully engaging with the game.
“When I first started it, I had a lot of lag issues (even on the lowest setting), but the latest optimization updates have made a world of difference.”
“The performance has increased significantly with later patches of this game, so I'm giving it another shot.”
“The dedication and passion of the developers are evident in every aspect of the game, from its seamless performance to its captivating gameplay mechanics.”
“Performance is abysmal in this game; the optimization is just not there.”
“This game has an immense amount of promise, the content is there and the gameplay is fun, but the performance is absolute dogshit right now.”
“The performance is genuinely terrible.”
- grinding1,415 mentions
- 2 % positive mentions
- 4 % neutral mentions
- 94 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of "Enshrouded" has received mixed feedback from players. While some find the resource gathering and crafting processes enjoyable and less tedious compared to similar games like "Valheim," others criticize it for being overly grindy, particularly in late-game content where extensive farming is required for materials. Many players appreciate the balance between exploration, combat, and crafting, but note that certain mechanics, such as planting and harvesting crops, can feel repetitive and cumbersome. Overall, the game offers a blend of engaging gameplay with some elements that may require significant time investment.
“The crafting system is fun and requires gathering, but it's not too grindy.”
“Not too grindy, and most of the progression forces you to do some actual exploration and engage with the environment.”
“The world is engaging and diverse; everything is relatively well balanced, and the building system is simple enough and not tedious to the point of getting you tired.”
“It's just all around frustrating, boring, and tedious.”
“The farming is tedious and the lack of water sources seriously hampers this part of the game.”
“Farming crops in my sky castle, fun stuff.”
- stability462 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 1 % neutral mentions
- 81 % negative mentions
Overall, the stability of the game is mixed, with many players reporting minor bugs and glitches typical of early access titles. While some users have experienced significant issues, such as freezing and quest progression problems, others find the game largely enjoyable and surprisingly stable for its stage of development. Many reviewers express optimism that ongoing updates will address these issues, making the game more polished in the future.
“Hours of fun to be had and almost entirely bug free even though it's still in early access.”
“It's great, mostly bug free, performance is mostly good, and the content is already great.”
“This game is lots of fun and surprisingly complete and bug free for an early release game.”
“The worst part is that the game seems to keep inputs going while the game stops for seconds at a time, so when the game unfreezes you are catapulted forward, whether it be along the ground, up a mountain, off a mountain, into the abyss, whatever.”
“Really a shame since the game looks great, but I cannot recommend a game when it's a broken, buggy mess like this.”
“Incredibly buggy and infuriating physics caused me to lose my loot multiple times; the building system is decent, but combat is alright.”
- music415 mentions
- 52 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its hauntingly beautiful compositions that enhance the immersive experience, seamlessly transitioning between atmospheric melodies and intense battle themes. Players appreciate the soundtrack's ability to complement various gameplay moments, from peaceful exploration to high-stakes combat, creating a cinematic feel throughout. Additionally, the inclusion of musical instruments for cooperative play adds a unique layer of enjoyment, allowing players to create harmonious experiences together.
“The music transitions seamlessly between haunting melodies and rousing orchestral swells, perfectly setting the tone for both quiet exploration and high-stakes combat.”
“The soundtrack is beautifully composed, setting the tone for everything from quiet exploration to heart-pounding battles.”
“With a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack that complements the game's ambiance, Enshrouded stands as a testament to creative excellence, offering players a truly unforgettable journey through a world shrouded in intrigue and wonder.”
“The music is boring and not memorable at all.”
“The combat music is not exciting and becomes repetitive.”
“The music is out of place; no music played when you're building your bases, only when you're fighting. Valheim still has the best and coziest music, making you feel like you're home.”
- atmosphere313 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 32 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in "Enshrouded" is widely praised for its immersive and captivating qualities, combining stunning visuals, detailed environments, and atmospheric sound design that enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the game's dark, gothic elements and the sense of mystery created by the fog-laden world, which invites exploration and evokes a range of emotions from awe to tension. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to its appeal as a survival RPG.
“The atmospheric sound design further enhances the experience, making every rustle in the bushes or distant howl feel significant.”
“The atmosphere is dark and immersive—sometimes I just stop and take in the view.”
“The atmosphere is immersive, with a mix of high-fantasy and gothic elements that create a unique and captivating experience.”
“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.”
“Limited movement is always a negative for me in an 'open world' atmosphere.”
- replayability152 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 78 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The replayability of "Enshrouded" is a mixed bag, with many players noting that the static world design limits long-term replay value compared to procedurally generated games like "Valheim." While some enjoy the handcrafted experience and the potential for varied character builds, others express concerns that once the main content is completed, the game may feel repetitive. Multiplayer options and future updates could enhance replayability, but currently, it appears to be more suited for initial exploration and building rather than sustained replay.
“Overall a great survival game with lots of replayability.”
“The multiplayer aspect adds a lot of replay value, and the developers seem committed to improving the game over time.”
“Truly beautiful game and it has a lot to offer in terms of visuals, story, and most importantly replayability with the amount of classes you can choose to level up.”
“The main downside is that the world is not randomly generated, so replayability isn't quite as high.”
“I'm just not sure about the replayability.”
“Static world is going to kill replayability.”
- humor110 mentions
- 97 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with many players finding it genuinely funny, especially when playing with friends, as they share laughs over unexpected glitches and chaotic moments. While some aspects, like character interactions and environmental destruction, elicit amusement, others can be frustrating, leading to a blend of hilarity and annoyance. Overall, the game's comedic elements contribute to an engaging experience, though opinions vary on its effectiveness.
“Progression feels nice in this game also, working your way up through levels, getting better gear for your character and beating those bosses that once looked unbeatable, then having a wind down building up your base, domesticating animals for resources and laughing about how intense the fight was with mates really keeps the game flow steady and engaging!”
“The terraforming is hilarious.”
“I im laughing because I was in a village type area and I was looting something and all of a sudden an enemy comes up next to me and I didn't realize I was standing next to an explosive pot and next thing I know he blew me and him both up and there's this big ass crater lol.”
“I really tried to like this game but realized it's just an unfunny bag of nonsense programmed by 12-year-old kids.”
“Not funny at all... just cut, build, cut, build.”
“Being unable to zoom out on the skill tree is not funny.”
- character development52 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is highlighted by a rich and extensive skill tree, offering players significant freedom in how they progress and build their characters. However, many reviewers express dissatisfaction with the limited character design options and aesthetics, which detracts from the overall experience. While the depth of character development is appreciated, there is a consensus that more personalization options would enhance player engagement.
“It's an early access game, and I haven't even talked about the skill tree in the game yet, which is unbelievably big, so there are plenty of opportunities for character development.”
“The character development is another highlight, adding depth to the gameplay and creating a connection between the player and the virtual world.”
“Great story, great mechanics, great graphics, incredible character development flexibility and balance.”
“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 ugly: character design is very limited... basically you have to play as a hobbit (a big-headed hobbit).”
“I dislike handcrafted worlds in survival games, if this even actually is a survival game, and I dislike the player character designs.”
- emotional43 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is mixed; while it excels in world-building and offers moments of immersion through its visuals and soundtrack, many players feel that character-driven interactions are limited, resulting in a lack of deep emotional connections. Some players appreciate the heartfelt craftsmanship and meaningful character journeys, but others express a desire for more personal stakes and character development. Overall, the game provides a cozy exploration experience that can evoke a range of emotions, but it may not fully satisfy those seeking strong narrative depth.
“The protagonist's journey is compelling, and the interactions with other characters are meaningful, adding emotional weight to the overall experience.”
“The world is immersive and truly makes you feel the despair of the people that came before you, and some of the places I found and logs I read genuinely made me feel for the characters mentioned!”
“The sweeping orchestral score perfectly complements the on-screen action, creating an emotional resonance that enhances every moment of gameplay.”
- monetization32 mentions
- 9 % positive mentions
- 13 % neutral mentions
- 78 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the absence of microtransactions and paywalls, which they see as a refreshing change from other major studios. However, there are concerns about the introduction of Twitch drops, which some view as a cash grab that detracts from the overall experience. Overall, while the game is praised for its core gameplay, skepticism remains regarding the developers' intentions and future monetization strategies.
“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.”
“It's just another cash grab game that had potential, but was released in a way that it's been clear to me that the developers have no intent on changing.”
“This game feels even less than half-baked for what they're advertising.”
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%