Enshrouded Review: Why the Game Is So Popular and What Its Success Says About the Modern Gamer

Table of Contents:

• What is Enshrouded?
• Where does Enshrouded get its ideas?
• Does the game bring anything new to the genre?
• How does the game compensate for its derivative nature with friendliness?
• What does Enshrouded's success say about the modern gaming market?

In January 2024, the gaming world was delighted with two unexpected hits in the sandbox survival genre. Palworld was the first to be released, selling 3 million copies within three days of its release. Just a week later, Enshrouded joined the ranks, also achieving significant success in the gaming market. These projects highlight the growing interest in the genre, which combines creativity and survival elements, and have demonstrated strong sales, indicating their popularity among players.

A month after the launch of Enshrouded, Keen Studio reported that its game had been tested by 2 million users. While these figures are inferior to those of Palworld, the projects share many similarities: both are survival games, were released in Early Access on Steam, and unexpectedly for the developers, gained significant popularity immediately after release, while borrowing many ideas from other popular gaming projects.

Skillbox Media's Gamedev editorial team analyzes how Enshrouded combines elements of various open-world action games and evaluates the effectiveness of this approach. Enshrouded's success can serve as an indicator of current trends in the PC gaming market and the influence of innovative gaming mechanics on player preferences.

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What is Enshrouded?

Enshrouded is set in the ruins of the once-mighty kingdom of Embervale. This world was once home to humans and the mysterious race of Ancients, but over time, these lands fell into decline and oblivion. Explore the shattered landscapes of Embervale, uncover its secrets, and reclaim its lost legacy while facing the dangers and mysteries of the past.

The decline of civilization is linked to the Shroud—a mysterious plague unleashed by humans in their quest for power. Anything caught in its colorful mist undergoes irreversible changes: humans and other creatures inhaling the spores turn into hideous monsters, and the surrounding landscape is transformed as if you were on an alien planet. The Shroud becomes a symbol of destruction, a reminder of how dangerous the pursuit of power can turn into disaster.

The people of Embervale realized that defeat was inevitable and joined forces to create the Flameborn—beings with a human appearance and magical abilities inherited from the Ancients. The new race was placed in a long slumber, only to awaken after the kingdom's fall and restore the flame of civilization to the land. The Flameborn became a symbol of hope for the people of Embervale, destined to restore the lost grandeur and magic to their world.

No easy task: at the beginning of the game, your Flame character awakens in a crypt on the edge of the kingdom, armed with nothing but the pants and her fists. He only vaguely understands the reasons and nature of the cataclysm that occurred.

Before you begin saving the world, it's important to master survival skills. This involves performing basic tasks typical of survival games: chopping wood, picking berries, hunting wolves, mining resources, and other actions necessary for crafting and providing food. Having mastered these skills, you will be able to effectively cope with the challenges the world will present.

To successfully progress in the game, you need to build a base. By installing the Altar of Flame, which also serves as a control point, you can create your dwelling around it. This dwelling can accommodate a workbench, furnace, forge, and other necessary crafting devices. However, to obtain the forge plans, you will have to pass certain trials. First, you need to find the blacksmith, who is located in one of the crypts of Ambervale. After this, you will need to collect and bring him tools to open access to more advanced devices and equipment. This adds elements of strategy and exploration to the game, making the process of building and crafting more fun.

Game Encourages exploration, a key aspect of the gameplay. Unlike most survival games, Enshrouded's map is not procedurally generated, but handcrafted. Nevertheless, Embervale is impressive in scale and offers numerous opportunities to explore. Players can delve into the world's details, discover hidden locations, and interact with diverse environmental elements, making exploration immersive and engaging.

As you explore, you'll unlock crypts, climb towers, search for obelisks, and explore the ruins of fortresses, villages, and cities throughout the kingdom. Don't forget to cleanse the Elixir Wells—the sources of the deadly Shroud that permeates these lands. These locations serve as dungeons, where, in addition to standard enemies and chests containing valuable items, you'll encounter a variety of puzzles, platforming sections, and exciting boss battles. Each of these locations offers unique challenges and opportunities to obtain rare loot, making your journey through the kingdom even more exciting.

All of these events are based on the local lore, which is much more developed here than in games like Valheim or No Man's Sky. Although it is worth noting that spectacular cutscenes and dramatic quest lines should not be expected, since the game has a limited budget and a different genre. However, the story of the kingdom's fall is revealed through notes scattered throughout Ambervale, which allows players to dive deeper into the plot and atmosphere of the world.

The notes serve as important evidence that Keen Studio created its game by combining elements from various projects.

Where Enshrouded borrows its ideas

In the first minutes of the game, the sources of inspiration become obvious when you wake up in a metal capsule reminiscent of a potbelly stove. Upon awakening, you receive your starting instructions from the Altar of Flame in your crypt, and the game opens the doors to the world without further ado. This opening evokes associations with the opening of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. The parallels between these games highlight their shared elements, such as exploration and freedom of choice, making the gameplay even more engaging. The opening, while not the decisive factor, nevertheless evokes many associations. Particularly noticeable are elements such as the circular stamina bar and the glider, which allows the hero to quickly descend from elevated areas. These mechanics not only enrich the gameplay but also add variety to exploration. Players are given the chance to use the glider for strategic movement, making each journey unique and exciting. The round stamina bar, in turn, helps manage resources and adds an element of planning to the game.

The game features many less obvious borrowings. For example, Embervale is reminiscent of Hyrule from Breath of the Wild. It is a sunny land, abundant with mountains and canyons, the slopes of which are covered with dense forests, as well as the ruins of ancient farms, temples, and villages. This similarity emphasizes the shared design elements and atmosphere, creating a sense of a familiar yet unique world.

The local dungeons are reworked shrines familiar to fans of the latest Zelda games. Their structure is virtually identical: the main route includes simple puzzles, but accessing chests with bonus loot requires not only logical thinking but also attentiveness to avoid traps. This unique mechanic creates an engaging gameplay experience, where each puzzle requires a thoughtful approach and creative thinking.

The developers of Enshrouded openly acknowledge Nintendo's influence on their creations. Creative Director Anthony Christoulakis describes the glider mechanics, emphasizing how Nintendo-inspired gameplay elements contribute to a unique gaming experience. This influence is reflected in the dynamic controls and interactions with the environment, making the game more engaging and innovative. By combining traditional mechanics with new ideas, Enshrouded will appeal to both Nintendo fans and new players seeking original video game adventures.

You can descend, but you can't fly forever. Gliding requires significant stamina, but by climbing to higher ground, you can significantly increase your speed and explore the world around you. This approach to exploring the game's environments is certainly reflected in Breath of the Wild, which served as a source of inspiration.

In the interview, Christoulakis cites another significant source of inspiration: Valheim, which belongs to the survival genre, like Enshrouded. Valheim's Viking influences are easily recognizable: fans of that game will immediately notice familiar mechanics related to the food system and cooking. These elements create a deeper gameplay experience and immerse players in the survival atmosphere.

Unlike Valheim, there is no hunger control in this game, making food optional. However, consuming food provides certain benefits that enhance the character's basic stats. The variety of buffs is impressive: wild berries slowly restore the Flameborn's health, cooked meat increases their overall health, and magic mushrooms enhance magical attacks. Thus, while food is optional, its use significantly increases your chances of success in the game.

Cooking food can significantly enhance the effects of food. Raw ingredients can be fried, dried, mixed to make soup, chopped for a salad, or brewed into tea. However, it's important to note that you can't combine effects. As in Valheim, you only have three effect slots, and a new dish won't take effect until the previous snack expires. This restriction requires a strategic approach to food selection to maximize the benefits of food in the game.

In addition to food-related mechanics, Enshrouded introduced a comfort system borrowed from its "big sister." In this game, being comfortable in a home also provides a rest effect, which increases stamina and accelerates health regeneration. To achieve this, you need to provide shelter, warmth, and a cozy atmosphere. This can be created using various interior items, such as carpets and dining tables.

When it comes to the story and lore, the game most closely resembles the creations of FromSoftware, a studio known for its innovations in the open-world genre, rather than Zelda or Valheim. Their unique approach to creating a deep and intriguing mythology allows players to fully immerse themselves in the game's atmosphere, making every element of the story meaningful and memorable. Just like FromSoftware's games, Enshrouded features a rich world filled with mysteries and secrets, creating a captivating experience for players eager to explore and uncover its secrets.

The words "Flame," "Flameborn," and "Altar of Flame" evoke clear associations with the Dark Souls trilogy, in which flame plays a key symbolic role. The name of the kingdom of Embervale, which translates as "Valley of Embers," also clearly references this renowned game series, emphasizing its influence on the creation of the world and its mythology. Together, these elements create an atmosphere familiar to Dark Souls fans and deepen immersion into the game's universe.

The open world of Enshrouded is reminiscent of the Betweenlands from Elden Ring. The map is dotted with checkpoints, known in Embervale as Return Beacons, located near important locations. This system not only ensures progress is saved but also creates a unique gaming experience. In Enshrouded, as in Elden Ring, the two kingdoms exchange currency, and players use runes to improve their equipment.

The lore of Enshrouded echoes familiar themes from Dark Souls and Bloodborne, revealing a story of how the thirst for power and the desire for might led to disastrous consequences. Humans, obsessed with greed, awakened an ancient force that transformed them into maddened monsters who have lost their humanity. This dark storyline highlights the dangers of the immoderate pursuit of power and the consequences that can result from such actions. Enshrouded invites players to immerse themselves in this grim world, exploring the consequences of human greed and the destructive forces awakened by the unchecked pursuit of power.

The story is presented in the form of notes, which are not hidden in item descriptions, but rather scattered scraps of paper scattered throughout the ruins of old houses, temples, and fortresses. These finds add depth to the game world, allowing players to immerse themselves in the history and atmosphere of abandoned places. Each note can reveal important details about the past, help in understanding the plot and enrich the exploration experience.

Borrowing elements from popular The games themselves are not necessarily bad. All of the games mentioned, including Enshrouded, successfully combine action RPG mechanics and survival elements in varying proportions. Therefore, leveraging the experience and ideas of the genre's best representatives can be entirely justified. This allows for the creation of deeper and more engaging game worlds that engage players and provide them with a rich gaming experience.

The developers at Keen Games rarely introduce their own ideas in Enshrouded, relying instead on tried-and-true elements. All the innovations in the game can be counted on the fingers of one hand. This limited number of changes raises questions about the project's creativity and originality.

Does the game bring anything new to the genre?

When discussing the unique aspects that attract players to Enshrouded, it is first and foremost worth noting the key feature that occupies a central place in the game's lore and promotional materials: the deadly Shroud. This mysterious force not only shapes the game's atmosphere but also serves as the foundation for the game's story, immersing players in a mysterious world full of danger and adventure.

The bluish fog of Embervale forms in numerous ravines and lowlands, creating dangerous living conditions. Places hidden beneath its veil become toxic wastelands inhabited only by mutants and giant beetles. The ground in these areas is littered with the spores of poisonous mushrooms, which crowd out the trees. Going off the beaten path is a serious danger: it's easy to get lost in the fog and end up in a deep cave or a collapsed mine, making travel through this region extremely risky.

Flameborn are the only creatures capable of remaining in the Shroud without losing their sanity. However, their time in this fog is limited to just a few minutes. Exceeding this limit can result in death due to the poisonous spores that inhabit the Shroud. Furthermore, fast travel does not function in this mysterious place, making it difficult to escape in the event of a threat.

Nevertheless, visiting places affected by this problem is impossible for several reasons. Many of these areas are important hubs for business, tourism, and cultural events. In addition, some people may be forced to visit such places for work or other obligations. Therefore, despite the risks, it is necessary to consider the necessity of presence in these zones and take appropriate precautions.

To successfully travel, you must navigate misty valleys to reach the many crypts, Flame Shrines, and ruins of ancient settlements located on the other side. Furthermore, hidden beneath the Shroud are important objects, such as mines with valuable resources, Elixir Wells, and secret tombs. The Shroud also provides unique resources that can be used to upgrade Flame Altars, craft equipment, and produce consumables, including potions and magical ammo. Esses open new horizons for exploration and development in this mysterious world.

The Shroud is a great addition to the exploration mechanics familiar to players from other survival and action RPGs. Exploring foggy locations creates an atmosphere of dangerous and tense adventure, as navigating these conditions is extremely difficult. Players feel the pressure of time, and the lack of the ability to teleport to safety increases the tension and makes each exploration a unique challenge.

The grappling hook, used to climb to high places, brings additional variety to exploration of the game world. While this mechanic is not innovative, it effectively complements the gameplay. The grappling hook is used in context near pre-placed rings, creating new opportunities for players. This allows you to not only explore the world but also discover hidden locations and secrets, making the gameplay more engaging and intense.

The vertical design of the Hook's world proved to be a very successful solution, as it significantly simplifies traversing the lowlands shrouded in the Shroud. This gameplay element not only promotes fast movement but also helps to effectively solve platforming puzzles.

Enshrouded stands out from other survival games thanks to its unique mechanics, such as voxel-based construction and an extensive skill tree. Voxel construction allows players to create and modify the environment, opening up vast opportunities for creativity and strategy. The skill tree, in turn, provides players with the opportunity to develop their character, improving their abilities and adapting their playstyle to their preferences. These features make Enshrouded an attractive choice for fans of the survival genre.

The first game utilizes the unique feature of Embervale, which is composed of voxels—virtual cubes containing information about the properties of objects. This approach, unlike traditional polygonal graphics, allows for the dynamic and changeable world of Enshrouded. Players can freely terraform and destroy the landscape using various tools, such as bombs and pickaxes, significantly expanding their interactions with the environment.

The developers of Enshrouded decided to give players the unique ability to build brick by brick, given that the entire game is made of blocks. The game features six sets of blocks of varying sizes and shapes that can be used to construct walls and roofs, as well as terraform the landscape. This feature allows players to create their own fortresses and explore the game world for hours. However, it's worth noting that the construction system in Enshrouded is still inferior to similar systems in other survival games, which can be explained by its early access status.

Skill tree Designed for players who find standard character customization options insufficient. At the start of the game, all characters are identical, differing only in appearance. However, with each level and each destroyed Shroud Root, you earn skill points that allow you to develop your character's unique skills and abilities. This allows you to create a personalized playstyle and tailor your character to your preferences.

You can distribute these points across one or more of the 12 character development branches. This will allow you to create a narrow archetype, such as a healer or a warrior-tank, or, conversely, form a multifunctional character capable of handling a variety of tasks.

In Enshrouded, players don't face penalties for mistakes. The ability to reset skills and return upgrade points is available for a small fee at any Flame Altar. This option, while useful, is not required to complete the game, allowing players to experiment with different strategies without fear of losing progress.

Upgrading a hero provides tangible benefits, such as increased damage and new stylish moves, but the game is successfully played without these improvements. Sometimes I forget about unused upgrade points for long periods of time. Ultimately, character development becomes an enjoyable, but not necessary process, and the same can be said for many other game mechanics. This allows you to focus on the gameplay itself, rather than the need to level up, making the game accessible to a wider range of players.

How the game compensates for its derivative nature with friendliness

Although Enshrouded is positioned as a survival game, its survival elements are minimal. Players face virtually no penalties for mistakes, which reduces the level of difficulty and makes the gameplay more accessible.

Remember how in Minecraft you could fall into an abyss and lose all your accumulated experience, spending a long time trying to get your things back. In Enshrouded, your loss will be less painful: your items will fit neatly under a gravestone at the edge. Moreover, if you die, you will not lose all your belongings. Only resources and trophies from your backpack will disappear, while items on your hotbar will remain with you even after death. This greatly simplifies the gameplay and reduces the risk of losing important inventory.

Base building in Enshrouded feels more like a fun activity than a serious challenge. Unlike The Forest, where you might be attacked by cannibals, in Enshrouded the lack of high walls won't immediately lead to death. You don't have to worry about the deadly cold or toxic atmosphere, as in No Man's Sky. Also, unlike Valheim, there's no need to consider the load-bearing capacity of buildings or design ventilation for fireplaces. Players can focus on creativity and base design without being distracted by complex survival mechanics.

In this game, there's no need to have more than one base. You can teleport to any Altar of Flame from anywhere outside the Shroud and move cargo between them. Furthermore, if an Altar becomes unnecessary, it can be extinguished and a new one can be built in a more convenient location. This makes the game mechanics more flexible and convenient for players.

Of course, your character needs a house, as it provides a place to rest, craft equipment and consumables, and store excess loot. However, the building process in this game is deliberately simplified compared to other representatives of the genre, allowing us to focus on the core aspects of gameplay.

The need for defense conflicts with the creative process of building, as enemies constantly destroy your structures. This can be annoying or encourage the creation of bunkers and defensive structures specifically optimized for defense. The same applies to the stability of structures and other aspects. There are engaging mechanics that turn building into a kind of puzzle, but we decided to focus on creativity. If you want to build a castle in the air, you can.

Anthony Christoulakis is the Creative Director of Enshrouded. His experience and vision are key to creating unique content and the brand's visual style. Under Christoulakis's leadership, Enshrouded successfully develops innovative solutions and modern concepts that attract audiences and distinguish the company from the competition. His commitment to quality and originality helps Enshrouded remain at the forefront of its field, offering customers relevant and creative products.

Enshrouded adheres to a similar philosophy in other areas as well. For example, players don't need to memorize a map or place markers on it, as the game automatically marks all important locations with markers. Furthermore, there's no need to consult fan-made wikis to learn the intricacies of game mechanics. Numerous quests in Enshrouded also function as tutorials, offering detailed and clear instructions for players.

Enshrouded occasionally features survival elements, particularly at night, when the darkness is palpable and oppressive. Players must balance the use of a torch and weapons during solo forays. However, these mechanics primarily serve to enhance the atmosphere of the abandoned world, adding a unique experience and immersion to the gameplay.

Crafting and resource gathering in Enshrouded are not ends in themselves, but rather serve as incentives for exploring the surrounding world. During your forays, you will inevitably deviate from the intended path, which turns a simple quest for resources into an exciting adventure. Exploring new territories, interacting with the environment, and finding rare materials add depth to the gameplay, making each foray unique and memorable.

The Keen Games team has done a great job of making their game accessible to newcomers to the survival genre, who might be intimidated by its hardcore nature. In this context, the game's originality fades into the background; it is more important that all elements fit harmoniously together and function as a whole. Players enjoy intuitive controls and sophisticated gameplay, making the game appealing to a wide audience.

Enshrouded offers players a captivating adventure, combining elements of action and meditative gameplay. In this game, you can not only immerse yourself in a gripping story but also build unique structures, including complex fortresses and even your own interpretations of famous fantasy locations like Mordor. This diversity allows each player to express their creativity and individuality in the game world, which makes Enshrouded attractive to a wide audience.

Keen Games has previously employed a similar approach, creating derivative games that are appealing to newcomers. This helps ease the onboarding process and make the gaming experience more accessible and enjoyable.

The studio's previous project, the co-op action RPG Portal Knights (2017), resembles an RPG mod for Minecraft, but this didn't stop the game from receiving 16,000 reviews on Steam, with an overall rating of "Very Positive." Prior to this, the studio spent 10 years developing its skills by creating racing and action games, as well as adapting TV shows and spin-offs of famous franchises.

Enshrouded has truly become a real hit, and the reason for this is not only the high quality of the game. The beginning of 2024 turned out to be the ideal period for the emergence of clones of successful video games, which contributed to the growth of interest in the project. Enshrouded attracted players' attention with its unique mechanics, engaging gameplay, and relevant content, making it one of the most talked about titles in the gaming industry.

What Enshrouded's Success Says About the Modern Gaming Market

Clones of popular gaming blockbusters have been around for as long as the video game industry was created. A prime example is Doom, whose release was followed by shooters such as Heretic, Hexen, and Duke Nukem 3D on the PC gaming market. No less significant is the game Dark Souls, which laid the foundation for the entire Soulslike genre, including Nioh, Remnant, and Hollow Knight. These games not only inspired developers but also shaped new directions in game design, introducing unique mechanics and styles to the world of video games.

While many of these games long remained in the shadow of their predecessors, some found ways to stand out with their original ideas. For example, Duke Nukem 3D attracted players with its sarcastic protagonist and full 3D graphics, which was a significant step forward, since pseudo-3D dominated gaming until that time.

For most of video game history, the situation has been stable, but in 2023, this began to change. This period has seen increased innovation and change in the gaming industry, significantly affecting player preferences and developing new directions. These transformations open up new opportunities for developers and allow them to create more diverse and engaging content.

In early 2023, WoLong: Fallen Dynasty and Lies of P entered the gaming market, offering fans of the Soulslike genre familiar gameplay, but in a new setting. In the summer of that year, BattleBit Remastered entered the scene, attracting the attention of players who missed the classic parts of the Battlefield series. At the end of the year, Lethal Company unexpectedly rose to the top of the Steam charts, borrowing elements of co-op horror from Phasmophobia and adding anti-capitalist satire. These games not only brought freshness to established formats but also satisfied the needs of different categories of players, making them significant events in the gaming industry in 2023.

In January 2024, Palworld was released, a game that blends elements of the Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and the Pokémon series. Despite its lack of original ideas, Palworld set popularity records, attracting over 19 million players in less than two weeks. By comparison, the latest Zelda game, Tears of the Kingdom, reached similar figures only six months later. Palworld demonstrates how familiar mechanics and style can form the basis for a successful project in the gaming industry.

Palworld attracts players thanks to several key factors. Firstly, the friendly atmosphere and accessible gameplay allow new players to easily immerse themselves in the game's world. Secondly, the clear and understandable progression system creates a sense of achievement and motivation for further character development. One important aspect is the inability to legally play Nintendo games on PC, making Palworld an attractive alternative for fans of the genre. Furthermore, the game combines successful mechanics and demonstrates excellent optimization even in Early Access, contributing to positive player reviews. These factors together make Palworld a popular project in the video game market.

All the above arguments also are relevant for Enshrouded. However, in this case, Steam reviews more often compare the game not to The Legend of Zelda, but to Valheim. Enshrouded is a successful combination of successful elements from other projects, attracting both newcomers who were previously intimidated by the hardcore nature of other survival games, and experienced players who have already explored the genre but haven't had the chance to fully enjoy it. This makes the game accessible and appealing to a wide audience, contributing to its popularity on the platform.

Enshrouded attracts attention due to the fact that it was developed by an independent studio with a limited budget. This allows the game to be offered at an affordable price, making it appealing to a wider audience. Unlike popular projects like Minecraft, Enshrouded does not include microtransactions, further emphasizing its value to players seeking a fair gaming experience without additional costs.

The success of Keen Games' creation clearly reflects the preferences of the typical fan of such projects. This is a player who is tired of the glut of games on the market and prefers to enjoy familiar mechanics presented in a new format. This approach allows for a fresh experience without the time and effort of learning new rules. In addition, this player is looking for affordable leisure options and does not want to spend amounts on entertainment comparable to the price of an airline ticket.

Developers, especially at indie studios, are actively responding to player demand. For example, the text-based RPG Esoteric Ebb, which its creators position as a clone of Disco Elysium, is in development. Furthermore, the life simulator Paralives, which borrows elements from The Sims, has already accumulated 750,000 wishlist additions on Steam. These projects highlight the growing interest in original ideas and their adaptation in modern games.

Players continue to actively support this trend, preferring to pay for familiar and familiar products. This interest opens up new opportunities for creating successful projects in the gaming industry. In the future, we can expect to see more success stories similar to Enshrouded, capturing audience attention and offering unique gaming experiences.