Enshrouded is a thrilling survival action RPG set in a decaying, mysterious world blanketed by a deadly fog. Developed by Keen Games, the creators behind Portal Knights, the game blends exploration, crafting, base-building, and intense combat within a hauntingly beautiful fantasy setting.
Whether you go it alone or team up with others in co-op, Enshrouded delivers a vast and immersive survival experience.
At its core, it challenges players to thrive in a realm consumed by corruption. As the Flameborn, you’re tasked with uncovering secrets, rebuilding fallen civilizations, and surviving what lies within the Shroud.
Development and Release of Enshrouded
It was officially revealed in 2023 by Keen Games and released in early access in early 2024 for PC, with plans for console versions to follow. Drawing from years of experience in crafting voxel-based and open-world games, the developers built Enshrouded with a deeper focus on atmospheric storytelling, combat, and exploration.
The game quickly gained popularity in the survival RPG community for its polished mechanics, gorgeous world design, and player-driven progression. Frequent updates from the dev team continue to expand the world, introduce new tools and enemies, and refine gameplay elements based on community feedback.
Storyline and Setting of Enshrouded
The game takes place in the shattered kingdom of Embervale, a realm where magic once flourished before succumbing to corruption. A dense, supernatural fog called the Shroud now envelops the land, mutating creatures and swallowing cities whole. As the Flameborn, you’re one of the few immune to the Shroud’s effects and are humanity’s last hope.
The narrative unfolds as you venture deeper into the world, unearth ruins, recover lost knowledge, and rescue NPCs who will aid you in restoring what was lost. Each region you uncover tells a piece of Embervale’s tragic story, combining environmental storytelling with dialogue and quests.
Game Modes in Enshrouded
This offers different gameplay experiences depending on your playstyle:
- Single-Player Mode: Venture through the world at your own pace, uncovering lore, battling enemies, and managing your survival.
- Online Co-op Mode (Up to 16 Players): Team up with friends or strangers to build shared bases, take on tougher Shroud-infested regions, and coordinate in epic battles.
- Creative/Base-Building Mode (Unofficial/Community-focused): While not a separate mode, players can spend hours just constructing elaborate fortresses, crafting interiors, and terraforming the environment thanks to the flexible voxel-based system.
Gameplay Mechanics in Enshrouded
The heart of this game lies in its robust survival mechanics, combat system, and base-building features:
- Combat and Abilities: The game features real-time combat with a variety of weapons, from swords and bows to magic staffs. A skill tree allows players to shape their character into melee fighters, mages, or stealthy archers.
- Crafting and Gathering: Explore the world to gather wood, stone, metals, and magical essences. These resources are used to craft tools, gear, potions, and structures.
- Base-Building: Inspired by voxel sandbox games, players can design and build massive structures. Forts, towns, towers whatever you imagine can be constructed, with aesthetic detail and practical functionality.
- The Shroud Mechanic: Areas covered by the Shroud offer better rewards and rare materials but are time-limited zones filled with powerful enemies. You’ll need to prepare carefully before diving in.
Beginner Tips and Tricks
Starting your journey in this game can be challenging. These tips will help:
- Focus on Base Location: Build near essential resources like wood, water, and ore. Being close to the Shroud gives access to advanced materials but increases danger.
- Upgrade Gear Early: Crafting better armor and weapons is vital before entering new regions. Even minor upgrades make a big difference.
- Unlock Fast Travel Points: The map is vast. Finding and activating Flame Altars (fast travel points) makes exploration far more manageable.
- Explore at Day, Prepare at Night: Enemies are more aggressive at night or within the Shroud. Use daytime to gather, explore, and build, then fortify and craft by nightfall.
Few Important Features of Enshrouded
To excels due to several defining features that set it apart from typical survival RPGs:
1) Rich Voxel-Based Building System
Everything in the environment can be shaped, destroyed, or built upon, giving full control to the player. Whether you’re crafting an elaborate fortress or tunneling through mountains, creativity is limitless. Structural freedom encourages unique, player-driven designs. Building becomes both a survival tool and artistic outlet.
2) Unique Shroud Mechanic
The mysterious fog, known as the Shroud, adds a compelling layer of gameplay. It’s not just a threat it holds rare resources and deeper lore, rewarding those who dare enter. However, time inside is limited, adding urgency to exploration. This dual role of danger and opportunity keeps players engaged.
3) Deep Character Customization
Players can mold their hero to fit various roles, combining melee, ranged, and magical skill trees. Gear choices also influence playstyle, allowing full personalization. Whether you prefer brute strength or subtle spellcasting, builds feel meaningful. This flexibility ensures a unique journey for every player.
4) Atmospheric World Design
The realm of Embervale features richly varied environments, from eerie ruins to sunlit woods. Each biome tells its own story through hidden lore and visual detail. Enemies, materials, and quests differ by region, deepening exploration. This handcrafted world design creates lasting immersion.
5) Community and Multiplayer Support
This game supports cooperative play with smooth drop-in multiplayer and server hosting. Teams can build shared settlements and face large-scale enemies together. Coordination and shared goals strengthen social interaction and replayability. It’s a survival experience that thrives in both solo and group play.
Advanced Combat Techniques
To thrive in tougher regions, mastering combat is key:
- Use Terrain to Your Advantage: Elevation, cover, and narrow paths can turn the tide of battle. Kite enemies through choke points or strike from above.
- Exploit Elemental Weaknesses: Some enemies are vulnerable to specific damage types (e.g., fire or poison). Equip weapons or abilities accordingly.
- Perfect Dodge Timing: Learning enemy patterns allows you to dodge and counter efficiently. A well-timed dodge followed by a power attack often breaks enemy stance.
- Tag Team With Friends: In co-op, designate roles tank, ranged DPS, support mage to keep battles controlled and strategic.
Why Enshrouded Stands Out
This game blends the best elements of survival, RPG, and sandbox genres. Its haunting yet beautiful world sets it apart from typical survival titles, while the mix of tactical combat, creative building, and deep customization keeps gameplay fresh.
Where many games focus on either combat or crafting, Enshrouded balances both. The tension of exploring Shroud-covered areas, the freedom to shape your home base, and the satisfaction of leveling up all contribute to a deeply engaging experience.
System Requirements
To enjoy this game on PC, ensure your system meets these minimum requirements:
- OS: Windows 10 (64-bit)
- Processor: Intel Core i5-6400 or AMD Ryzen 5 1600
- Memory: 8 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 / AMD Radeon RX 580
- Storage: 30 GB available space
Enshrouded offers an unforgettable journey through a broken kingdom, combining survival elements with rich lore, creative freedom, and thrilling combat. Whether you’re a solo adventurer or leading a band of heroes through the fog, it delivers both danger and wonder at every turn.
