Last week we were invited to a preview of Keen Games’ exciting new cooperative survival game Enshrouded. The world of Enshrouded is vast, with extensive construction and land modification features that leverage a proprietary engine and voxel technology. You’ll be able to erect structures ranging from tall towers to deep cavernous dwellings that fit your very own style. Let’s dive into this preview of Enshrouded and learn more about what awaits you in Embervale
In Enshrouded you’ll take on the role of a Flameborn, tasked with surviving the harsh world of Embervale. In Embervale, the world has been corrupted by The Shroud, and you’ll have to use ever tool in your ARPG bag to beat back that corruption if you hope to survive. The demo began with a simple look at some of the structures that can be built, and how destructible the environment is. Breaking through walls, tunneling through solid rock, and smashing through plants and structures all resulted in new materials that could then be utilized to build completely new structures.
When you think of Voxel-based building, games like Minecraft come to mind. Keen Games didn’t simply want to rehash the way that Minecraft builds things, and opted for multiple ways to build your settlement. You can place fully formed pieces if you prefer, which will speed along your builds. You can also focus on a block by block philosophy if you prefer. You don’t have to build alone either, while the developer demo didn’t have multiple players to assist in building their settlement, we were told that up to 16 players can join you in your world, and help you create huge structures.
There are, however, limits to how high you can build, and how deep you can dig, but there is more than enough space to build just about anything you and your friends can imagine. Keen Games also said that, despite being a game that revolves around building, there will not be a build-only, or creative mode when the game launches into early access later this year, but they have looked into that option. You also won’t need to worry about the PvE enemies descending on what you’ve built. The game won’t feature a defense mechanism, at least not at this time, so don’t fear building with your friends, your creations will be safe, for now. Flameborn won’t just be tasked with creating their own content either, as quest-like guides are available to help get you situated in the world of Embervale. That’s great for gamers that have been burned by past survival games that barely provided a tutorial, and left them to their own devices.
Combat and exploration were in full display during the hands-off demo. Enshrouded is an Action RPG, with a heavy reliance on the fast-paced action. Throughout the world lies areas where The Shroud has already taken hold, and if you want the valuable items and materials that are housed within these areas, you’re going to have to be fast on your feet. Blocking, parrying, and dodging were all necessary skills when facing the variety of corrupted monsters you’ll encounter. Stealth can also play a big part in dispatching groups of enemies, so the developers often used the cover of bushes to take advantage of situations where multiple enemies patrolled an enshrouded zone.
You may also choose to use stealth to get around enemies that may be too difficult for you to handle outright. Traversal also played a big part in what was shown. You’ll be able to drop from great heights through the use of a glider. The glider activates as if you’re a flying squirrel, similar to a wing-suit that will help you speed yourself to your destination.
Enemies can drop loot that can help you gain strength, and hunting animals in the wilderness would drop meat and other materials that you can use to craft with. Weapons, tools and gear need to be crafted and repaired, which doesn’t deviate from the basic survival playbook. However, even if you’re playing solo, you won’t need to do everything yourself. Players will be able to unlock craftsmen to help them build the things they need, such as a Blacksmith. Obtaining new craftsmen will unlock new recipes as well, opening up more options the further along your adventure goes.
Unlike some survival games, Enshrouded plays up the RPG angle by adding a skill tree where you’ll be able to choose perks for your class, and really delve into what you like to do. There were some interesting choices from the stream, some of which may end up being instrumental for exploration, such as the ability to double-jump. Finally, the developers showed off the penultimate battle with a boss protecting a Shroud Root. Shroud Roots are the ‘root’ of the evil that has seeped into the heart of Embervale. Defeating the boss and destroying the root was no easy task.
As a fan of survival games, Enshrouded definitely piqued my interest. I can’t wait to see how the combat evolves once I’ve built up my character some more. I’m also excited to see the extent of the cultivation, customization, and in depth build options that Enshrouded will provide, and how it might compare to some of the other popular survival games that have been dominating the genre lately. If a you’re itching for a new multiplayer survival MOG, then keep your eyes peeled for Enshrouded, headed into early access in 2023.
[Edit 12:10: added for clarity on "build mode"]
