Recently, I started playing a game called Enshrouded, a brand-new world-brimming with magic, mystery, and a thick, dangerous fog known as the Shroud. As a hero born from fire ;-), it was up to me to fight back this threat and bring back the days of glory. It wasn’t just slashing and crafting though – forming a team and building a base were all part of the journey too.
Graphics
Right off the bat, the world is beautiful. Each scene looks like something from a fairy tale, but with a dangerous twist. There’s this thick fog called the Shroud that’s taking over everything, and it’s stunning in a spooky kind of way. I spent my weekend captivated, carving out a homestead near some really pretty ruins and just taking it all in.
Building
Building stuff here is a blast. You can play with the land, dig holes, or even turn a simple wall into a castle – it’s all about being as creative as you want. But, it’s not perfect. I really missed corner pieces for my buildings, which meant everything I built had a boxy feel to it.
The game’s controls are smooth. It was easy to manage my craft tables, journal, and all my stuff without getting lost – everything felt modern and snappy, but still matched the mystical vibe of the game.
Just Who Am I, Anyway?
Character customization was a letdown. Other games let you create someone truly yours, but here, it felt too simple, with just a few choices for faces, hair, and voices. For a world so rich, the characters could be so much more. Plus, the people you play as, the Flameborn, seemed a bit off. They’re shorter and a tad awkward compared to everyone else in the game. Why? I’d love to know, so it doesn’t feel so jarring.
Combat
Combat is straightforward, but so much fun. You have swords, bows, and magic at your disposal, and you can swap between them with just a tap of a button. And the fighting? It’s quick, punchy, and always keeps me on my toes. Sure, it could be deeper, but sometimes simple is just right.
Movement
Getting around the map is super exciting. I’ve never moved this fast in a game like this! With tools like a grappling hook and a glider, each trip felt like a new adventure. But climbing? That drained my energy fast—I must’ve fallen off so many cliffs trying to tackle just one more ledge.
The game could really use some options for changing how the world works. I think about stuff like how long the day is, or how quickly I can make things, and wish I could tweak those settings to suit my style.
Multiplayer
Multiplayer’s a bit odd here. You can’t build your own place; you’re stuck sharing with whoever started the game, and I missed out on a lot of quests just because someone else finished them when I wasn’t there. I’d rather play it alone or with a couple of pals instead.
For all its rough edges, there’s something special about Enshrouded. It’s early days still, so I’m hopeful the game will only get better.
The Good Stuff:
- The world’s a treat for the eyes, like looking at a painting, and the deadly fog adds to the whole vibe.
- Simple and thrilling fights—swords, bows, and magic all keep things spicy.
- Freedom in building—it’s like being given the keys to a fantasy construction site.
- Moving is a hoot—running, grappling, and flying everywhere made me feel unstoppable.
- The world feels alive—stumbling upon a little village or solving mysteries just feels right.
The Bad Stuff:
- Characters need work—a bit more spice to make each one feel like my own would be great.
- Could use ‘lots more options for multiplayer—give me my own plot of land!
- Tweaking thing here and there would be neat—let me change how the world ticks.
The Verdict
Enshrouded might not be perfect yet, but it’s got a heart of gold. Sure, I’m crossing fingers the creators take some hints and polish it up, but till then? It’s a wild ride that’s well worth hopping on.
It’s like a checklist of must-haves for an open-world game where you make your own mark—and despite some hiccups—Enshrouded checks a lot of boxes: A world wide and pretty enough to never bore you, the joy of building something from the dirt-up, and the occasional silly death (who would’ve thought climbing a hill could be so deadly?).
If you’re a fan of these games, you’ll get what I mean. It’s the kind of world where you lose hours just creating and exploring. With some tweaks, Enshrouded could truly stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the big names out there. But for now? It’s already a solid contender that’s won a spot in my gamer’s heart.
