Enshrouded: A Promising Yet Safe Co-op Survival RPG

Enshrouded, a co-op survival action RPG, offers a plethora of gameplay mechanics and systems. Set in a vast open world, the game features NPC quests, mining, crafting, farming, combat skill trees, and intricate base-building. However, after spending 27 hours in the Early Access version, I find myself losing motivation to continue as Enshrouded seems to lack a sense of peril, missing the opportunity to create truly memorable moments.

Despite this setback, Enshrouded impresses with its technical level, boasting soft lighting and moody mists that create a visually enticing experience. From the initial fantasy opening to the panoramic view of the world, the game successfully captures the sense of exploration and adventure. As a Flameborn, players aim to reclaim the realm of Embervale from a pestilence, engaging in puzzle towers, battling monsters in The Shroud, and completing quests.

Enshrouded’s building system is one of its greatest strengths. Players establish their base, where they can craft and upgrade equipment, and collect friendly NPCs who offer quests and assistance. The building system allows for intricate designs, with the ability to create complex decorative effects. Though there are some additional steps involved, such as manually crafting building blocks and placing decorative items, the system overall offers immense possibilities for grand designs.

Combat in Enshrouded is solid but not particularly remarkable. Players can choose to be melee fighters, magic users, or ranged archers. The fights mostly revolve around managing large groups of enemies, avoiding being overwhelmed. Solo play can prove challenging, especially for magic users, while cooperative play allows for more success if the difficulty is balanced. The skill tree provides goals and allows players to tailor their playstyles. However, further expansion of the skill tree can provide more options.

Where Enshrouded falls short is in its lack of consequences and overly forgiving systems. Death only results in dropping crafting materials and runes, while retaining all weapons, armor, and tools. Respawn locations are often close to the point of death, making death feel trivial. This lack of fear impedes the sense of risk and discovery when venturing into new areas. Survival elements, including prep work, feel optional rather than necessary.

Despite its shortcomings, Enshrouded promises a rich and engaging experience. With its ambitious scope and technical prowess, the game has the potential to deliver a memorable co-op survival RPG. However, a lack of peril and consequences hinder the game’s ability to create truly captivating moments.