Encased

Isometric RPG titles are far from gone, and while they may not be as popular as they once were, there are new games in the genre frequently that keep it very much alive. Encased in the game developed by Dark Crystal Games that plays with the genre in and delivers an interesting new experience.

Of course, like many of these modern isometric RPG games, Encased also takes a lot of inspiration from the classic titles. Not only in the gameplay style, but also in the themes and setting of the entire game. It’s hard to make something completely original when you take so much out of so many games that have been recreated many times before.

So, did the team at Dark Crystal Games deliver to create a fulfilling new experience? Or did they just make the same many indie developers have done so many times over the years? Well, let's talk about it.

Under the dome

Encased takes the player inside a transparent, indestructible dome of unknown origins. The C.R.O.N.U.S. Foundation is the one in charge of the research and exploration of the dome. Thanks to all the information, materials, objects, and even weapons they've managed to collect, they've even got the main world leaders and governments in their control. The destiny of the world is now in the hands of C.R.O.N.U.S. and their leaders, who happen to be a group of scientists, soldiers, and even criminals. Life under the dome isn’t easy, and there are threats everywhere. Everything seems to be under constant vigilance, there are weapons, and many mazes all over the place.

Something entirely new?

Just like we mentioned before, Encased takes a lot from the classic games in the genre from the 90s' and early 2000'. The development team openly admits that their main inspiration in games like Fallout, Baldur's Gate, and Planetscape: Torment. Of course, they used them as inspirations but not as game-based games.

Just like they mentioned they were inspired by these classic titles, they also added something important. Stating that they are not trying to recreate those games, but instead trying to create something entirely new and better. This is a bold take but is one greatly appreciated by the players fed up with the same style of games in most isometric RPGs.

Encased is still in early access, but there's a lot to explore already of the game. The early access has about 10 hours of gameplay, but it is said that the full game will be a 25-30 hours experience. It is much bigger and polished than many other isometric RPG titles out there. The aesthetic is very original and indeed does not feel like a copy of the classic games. Unlike Atom RPG, this is not a different version of the classic games, this is something entirely new, and we’re in for this. The gameplay is deep, the visuals and art style are excellent and there are so many mysteries to be solved in the early access.

Pros:

• Great setting
• Interesting story
• Tons of mysteries
• Well developed story
• Excellent visuals

Cons:

• Still on early access
• It feels incomplete (because it is, for now)