Is Enshrouded 1.0 worth it? Critic scores and Steam reviews

What is Enshrouded?

Enshrouded is a survival action RPG from the German studio Keen Games. You explore Embervale, a hand-built world swallowed by a deadly fog called the Shroud. The game mixes crafting and voxel base building with skill-based combat and dungeon exploration.

It entered Early Access on Steam on January 24, 2024. The full 1.0 release arrived on October 15, 2026 on PC and PS5, while the Xbox Series X|S version is planned for spring 2027. PC Early Access owners received 1.0 as a free update.

You can play alone or in online co-op with up to 16 players on PC and up to eight on PS5. There is no crossplay between PC and PS5 at launch. Rescued survivors move into your base and run crafting stations, which turns your home into the centre of progression.

• Developer: Keen Games GmbH.
• Genre: survival action RPG with voxel building.
• Platforms: PC (Steam) and PS5, with Xbox Series X|S planned for spring 2027.
• Price on Steam: $39.99, with a 10% launch discount to $35.99 until October 29, 2026.
• Players: solo, or online co-op up to 16 on PC and eight on PS5.

Critic scores for the 1.0 release

Metacritic lists a Metascore of 89 for the PC version, labelled Generally Favorable. All ten critic reviews counted in our check were positive, with none mixed or negative. The user score had not appeared yet because too few players had rated the release.

The spread is narrow, from 85 to 100, which suggests critics broadly agree on the game's quality. Most reviews were based on the PC build, so the score is not a direct verdict on the PS5 version. Expect the number to move a little as more outlets publish.

What reviewers praised

Combat gets the most praise in both reviews we read in full. GamingBolt says the new moves, the expanded skill tree and the wider weapon choice give fights more depth. CGMagazine calls combat the most enjoyable part and likes how Warrior, Rogue, Mage and hybrid styles can all work.

Building is the other headline. GamingBolt ranks the freeform voxel system among the best in the genre and highlights flying while you build. CGMagazine singles out the survivors who move into your base as one of the game's real joys.

Performance and presentation also came up. GamingBolt reports more than 100 FPS at 2560×1440 on maxed settings with a Ryzen 7 7800X3D and a Radeon RX 7800 XT. CGMagazine notes the art style holds up on low settings on the Steam Deck.

• Deeper combat with new skills and more weapon options.
• Freeform voxel building that is easier to use in 1.0.
• Survivors who staff your base and unlock crafting.
• A vibrant world with strong traversal tools such as the glider.
• Co-op for up to 16 players on PC and world sharing through Adventure Sharing.

The complaints that came up more than once

The story is the weakest point for both reviewers. GamingBolt calls it thin and mainly a reason to explore, and CGMagazine describes it as barebones. Quests are also called fairly simple, so players looking for a narrative RPG may be disappointed.

CGMagazine found the difficulty curve harsh. Enemies only two or three levels above you can be overwhelming, and wolf packs can knock you down in two hits. The small starting inventory, with items that can only be deleted rather than dropped, is another irritation.

GamingBolt feels Sparkworks, the new logic system for traps and puzzles, needs better tutorials. Crossplay is missing at launch, which matters if your friends are split between PC and PS5. Neither reviewer treated these as deal breakers, but they are worth knowing before you buy.

What 1.0 added since Early Access

Reviewers were judging a much bigger game than the 2024 Early Access build. The 1.0 update raised the player level cap to 50 and lets equipment be upgraded to level 55. It also added a new biome, Cinder’s Cradle, with twelve more Shroud Roots to destroy.

Combat gained nine new spell types and 37 new enemies, fourteen of them from the Cinder’s Cradle faction. Building opened most former no-build zones and added Sparkworks, a logic system for traps, puzzles and arenas. Text and voice-over languages can now be chosen separately.

• Level cap 50, with gear upgrades to level 55.
• New biome: Cinder’s Cradle, plus extra areas at the world edge.
• Nine new spell types and 37 new enemies.
• Sparkworks logic system and more open building zones.
• A skill tree reset for returning characters and automatic save migration.

For a full list of these changes, read the 1.0 patch notes. The skill tree guide explains the reset and the new skills. The level cap page separates player levels from gear levels.

What Steam players say

Player opinion is close to the critics. In our October 16 check, Steam showed Very Positive overall, with 87% of 49,941 English reviews recommending the game. Recent reviews were slightly lower at 85% of 1,637, which is common right after a big update.

Interest was high at launch, with more than 64,000 concurrent players reported on Steam on release day. That is a strong number for a survival game that had already been on sale for almost three years. It also means plenty of active servers and community guides. New players will not struggle to find a group.

Is Enshrouded 1.0 worth buying?

If you enjoy survival crafting with real combat, the reviews make a strong case at $39.99. The base building, co-op and exploration are consistently rated as the best parts. Players who liked Valheim or similar games will find a familiar loop with more RPG depth.

Wait or think twice if you mainly want a story, or if your group plays on different platforms. Xbox players also have to wait until the spring 2027 release. Returning Early Access players should know their skill points were reset and their saves are migrated automatically.

• Buy now if you like building, co-op survival or action RPG combat on PC or PS5.
• Play solo or in a group — both are supported, and solo players can respec freely.
• Wait if your friends are on another platform or you are on Xbox.
• Skip if a deep, story-led campaign is your main reason to play.

Before your first session, read the 1.0 patch notes for the biggest changes. The 1.0 beginner guide covers the first hours. If you want more value, the Deluxe Edition page explains what the extra money adds.

Frequently asked questions

What is Enshrouded's Metacritic score?

The PC version of Enshrouded 1.0 held a Metascore of 89 from ten positive critic reviews in our October 17, 2026 check.

What are Enshrouded's Steam reviews?

Very Positive, with 87% of 49,941 English reviews recommending it on October 16, 2026. Recent reviews were at 85%.

What kind of game is Enshrouded?

A survival action RPG from Keen Games with voxel building, crafting, skill-based combat and co-op for up to 16 players on PC.

How much does Enshrouded cost?

$39.99 on Steam, discounted 10% to $35.99 until October 29, 2026. Early Access owners on PC got 1.0 as a free update.