Survival is one of the core gameplay pillars of Enshrouded, an action RPG in development by Keen Games. Whether straightforward or complex, survival gameplay mechanics often have unique ways of engaging players and creating immersive experiences that many fans may come to know and expect. Additionally, the popularity of realistic survival games like Valheim demonstrates a strong appetite for games that blend survival gameplay with other creative and challenging features like crafting.
In a recent interview, Game ZXC spoke with Enshrouded creative director Antony Christoulakis about Enshrouded's survival gameplay elements, how they connect to the mysterious fog that permeates the fantasy setting of Embervale, and the role of being Flameborn. Christoulakis also talked about the importance of preparation for survival and the level of freedom in world exploration.
How Enshrouded's Story Influences Its Survival Gameplay
While Christoulakis specified Enshrouded is not primarily a narrative-driven survival game, core parts of its story look to play a significant role in its survival gameplay elements. He explained Enshrouded takes place in a world "...swallowed by a deadly fog that came into existence" as a result of the original kingdom and various factions inadvertently releasing it. This fog with "transformative powers" came about due to a race to mine a desirable, magical Elixir buried deep underground. The result is a post-apocalyptic "split world" where humans were wiped out, as Christoulakis went on to describe,
You have this split world and the world above which still looks more peaceful and beautiful, like the beauty of abandoned places. Like still some rays of sunshine again, but it's all destroyed. Below those clouds, something more sinister and dangerous starts to evolve.
As Christoulakis further explained, Enshrouded's split world with its deadly fog sets the stage for its survival gameplay mechanics as players explore the realm of Embervale in a post-apocalyptic gameplay world, indicating time spent in the fog is where "...the survival part comes more into play." As Christoulakis put it,
You can't stay there forever, it’s basically something like diving - you go in there and can't survive forever. You can extend your timeline with certain items in the world and also by strengthening the power of the Flame in the world, in general. So every time you enter, you have to be a little more alert on how long you can stay and where you actually go.
Preparation And Survival In Enshrouded's World Exploration
Although the fog is a dangerous place to be, Enshrouded looks to give players ample reasons to venture there as a way to progress further in the fixed open-game world. For instance, Christoulakis explained players have to travel through the fog to reach other locations seen in the distance, like an "ancient castle" or otherwise. As he went on to explain,
But you have to go through the fog to actually find a safe passage to get there. You have to prepare for your trip. And then the survival thing also kicks in - you have to be prepared to go into dangerous areas of the world.
Therefore, preparing to survive the fog makes sense and seems to be a critical tie-in with crafting better armor or a base with a farm to improve foraging. However, how players strategize and explore also seems up to them, thanks to Enshrouded's various traversal methods. Players can travel on foot, use a grappling hook in spaces like dungeons, glide like in Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, or bust through landscapes with terrain-shaping tools. While Enshrouded's fog sounds particularly hazardous, it appears players will still have plenty of survival tricks up their sleeves.
Enshrouded is currently in development.