DaRmaZat Enshrouded, the open-world survival RPG developed by Keen Games, is currently available in Early Access on Steam, with a full release planned for Spring 2026 on PlayStation, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Set in the mist-covered realm of Embervale, players step into the role of the Flameborn, one of the last survivors in a world consumed by a deadly Shroud filled with mutated creatures. Combining survival mechanics with deep RPG elements, the game has already attracted more than four million players since its debut.
In May, Enshrouded will expand even further with the major Thralls of Twilight update. This upcoming content drop will introduce new enemies that stalk and hunt within the Shroud, additional resources and rewards in mist-heavy areas, a weapon customization system allowing for crafting, modifying, and dismantling weapons, and more dynamic nighttime events with roving enemy groups and unique rewards after dark. Recent updates have also refined many of the game’s existing systems, improving NPC and animal behaviors, weather mechanics, environmental hazards, and overall technical performance.
A realm shrouded in mystery
Upon emerging from a Flame Altar, you are thrust into a harsh world where survival means gathering resources, building shelters, and carefully managing exploration. Although visually impressive, Enshrouded’s day-and-night cycle moves unusually fast, sometimes flipping within minutes. This forces you to scramble for materials and shelter before the strengthened nighttime enemies emerge, creating a tense but sometimes overwhelming early-game experience. Without unlocking crafting options in time, you can quickly find themselves defenseless—a sink-or-swim approach that defines much of Enshrouded’s gameplay.
Embervale offers a wealth of activities, from looting and dungeon crawling to unlocking new areas with explosives. However, the use of explosives is not always intuitive, occasionally leading you to waste valuable resources. Loot is abundant, with everything from basic torches to powerful rings and rare crafting materials. Still, the unlocking of recipes can sometimes feel random rather than tied to meaningful progression, creating occasional frustration.
What is noticeable, however, is that the world now feels more alive thanks to smarter villagers and animals. Animals like cats, dogs, and farm creatures now behave more naturally, avoiding hazards like lightning spells and reacting more realistically to environmental changes. Breeding systems have been streamlined to reduce maintenance burdens. Villagers, too, have become more dynamic—using furniture properly, navigating doors and stairs smoothly, and responding to day-and-night cycles in believable ways.
Gather, build, survive
Crafting and base-building are central to survival. You gather wood, stone, silver, and obsidian to create beds, workshops, and defensive structures. While construction itself has seen improvements—such as better visual feedback and smoother performance in larger bases—the system can still feel unintuitive, particularly for new players. Early guidance is minimal, leading to moments of confusion until you dig into crafting menus to realize missing resource requirements.
Beyond shelter construction, survival now incorporates a more refined cold-weather system. A detailed cold meter ensures that exploration in frostbitten regions demands preparation and proper gear. Environmental challenges have grown richer, with weather systems offering more intense but less frequent rainstorms and even affecting water collection through placed wells.
Mastering combat and character growth
Combat in Enshrouded remains one of its stronger points, offering dynamic battles that demand tactical timing. The parry system adds strategic depth, and new additions like Ice Bolt II and refined attack animations make encounters livelier and more visually engaging. Enemy AI has been improved, ensuring that foes feel more responsive and dangerous, especially within the deadly Shroud zones.
Character progression is supported by a flexible class system that allows you to shape their playstyle across twelve different paths—from mages and warriors to archers. A deep skill tree encourages experimentation, with freely resettable skill points enabling you to test various builds without penalty.
Performance: solid with room for improvement
Technically, Enshrouded continues to show remarkable stability. Upscaling support definitely enhances the performance and visual fidelity, while networking improvements have resulted in smoother multiplayer experiences. Still, some small issues persist, like minor UI quirks and occasional lack of musical presence during exploration. Tutorials remain a notable weakness, often leaving new players puzzled by mechanics, like unclear status effects or the intricacies of resource management.
Visually, Enshrouded impresses for an Early Access title. Recent updates have improved atmospheric effects like snowfall, rain, and mist, while lighting adjustments and updated textures further enhance the world’s beauty. Despite minor graphical issues like occasional clipping on stairs, the game’s environments—whether stormy plains or snow-covered mountains—are striking. The soundtrack, featuring Celtic-inspired melodies, is beautiful when present but can sometimes leave stretches of the game feeling unnervingly silent.
Preliminary Thoughts
Enshrouded is steadily evolving into a standout survival RPG that excels in environmental storytelling, world-building, and combat depth. The fast-paced day-night cycle, at times overwhelming and disorienting, could use refinement, and clearer tutorials would greatly benefit new players. Nonetheless, the upcoming Thralls of Twilight update, with its expanded enemy roster, improved exploration incentives, and deeper crafting systems, shows Keen Games’ commitment to making Embervale an even richer and more dynamic world. For players eager to lose themselves in a beautifully atmospheric yet brutally demanding survival experience, Enshrouded already offers dozens of hours of content—and the future looks even brighter.
Additional Information
Release Date: January 24, 2024 (Early Access)
Reviewed On: PC. Download code provided by the publisher and PR agency.
Developer: Keen Games GmbH
Publisher: Keen Games GmbH
Official Website: https://enshrouded.com/
Relevant links: Enshrouded on STEAM
