Enshrouded is among the most exciting survival games this year, with its demo being the most played during the Steam Next Fest last year. Now, the game can finally be experienced to the fullest, or I should say, to the fullest, in its current Early Access state.

The realm of Embervale is lost, the Shroud has taken over much of the land, and you are awakened from an ancient pod with nothing but the will to survive. In this ruined land, you will travel and explore, scrape and scavenge what you can from the remnants of this hand-crafted voxel-based world.

In Enshrouded, you and up to 15 friends will take on the role of the Flameborne, a hero who was created by humans and the ancients to take on the Shroud, an evil mist that billows forth from the elixir pits. The Shroud spreads and corrupts the land and mutates all life within it, turning all into a grotesque and dangerous beast breed to consume the world.

As you explore the world, you will unlock crafting recipes for all manner of items in the game, including a staggering array of legendary weapons and armor. Almost all items and terrain in the game can be destroyed or broken down into basic components that you can use to craft and upgrade your equipment to take on the destructive minions of the Shroud.

How you play is up to you, as the game does not have a class-based character system, so you are free to develop your own unique playstyle with an in-depth skill tree system. It’s up to you whether you want to master the sword and shield, bow and arrow, or even wield the awesome power of magic itself. No matter your play style, you will need to know how to duck, dodge, parry, and learn the different weaknesses of each enemy if you plan to survive.

Your travels will take you through the many different biomes of Embervale. You will explore the dark forests and canopies of Revelwood and the mystical deserts of the Kindlewastes, where you will be able to immerse yourself in the vibrant fallen cultures and structures from the remnants of the lost kingdoms or delve deep into the caves looking for ancient mysteries as you piece together what happened.

While you clear the Shroud from the land, you will also be able to build almost anywhere and create massive, intricate buildings, complete with a dizzying assortment of shapes and adornments. You will also be able to populate your town with craftsmen you liberate from around Embervale, teaching you new recipes and allowing you to enhance your current equipment.

Enshrouded is an action-packed survival adventure that is sure to have something for everyone, whether alone or with friends. But be warned: wander too far, too fast, and you might just become another victim of the shroud.

What do you find most exciting about Enshrouded? Let me know in the comments below.