Encased Early Access Updates, Previews

Since its launch into Early Access, Dark Crystal Games’ post-apocalyptic RPG Encased has received a couple of hotfix updates (Update #1, Update #2) that fix a great deal of bugs and issues. And according to this announcement, once the most egregious bugs are dealt with, we will be getting a more content-focused update. Check it out:

Today is the fifth day of a Dome open for exploration. We read your reviews, watch your videos, enjoy your praise and listen closely to your criticism and suggestions.

While part of the team works on a story update adding more random encounters and locations, the rest of the staff at Dark Crystal Games are busy with an equally important (but much more urgent) task: the extermination of bugs and improvement of game mechanics (hunger and thirst systems, for example), which many of our players found questionable.

Let’s talk a little more about bugs. In the few days since the release, we’ve received a lot of bug reports through the in-game system. We remind you that the report button looks like a white envelope icon under the character’s icon in the top left. If you encounter a technical problem, a “broken” quest or game mechanics that don’t work correctly, an error, a typo, anything that affects the quality of the game, please let us know!

Within a week, we will release a patch addressing most of the critical bugs spoiling gameplay and stopping game progression. After that, we’ll release a major update adding some cool new things, random encounters and new characters to Encased. The exact contents of this patch must remain secret for the time being, but not for long! Keep an eye on our Steam page and social media groups, because that’s where all the latest news and announcements appear.

See you in the wastelands of the Dome, recruits!

Then you might be interested in the Early Access previews penned by the folks over at Rock Paper Shotgun. The first one is shorter and can be seen as a general introduction, while the second one is more detailed and full of hopes for this project. Here’s an excerpt from the latter:

What’s perhaps most impressive is that the bulk of what’s here takes place in a six-storey underground complex, and yet despite the contained setting, feels as rich and deep as any great RPG. Every NPC feels deliberately crafted, and engaging with them is like talking to people, rather than quest-giving robots. In fact most of them have no quests for you at all, but are given colour and detail anyway. The Russian studio is said to be formed by ex-Larian devs, and the impact of this does appear to show on the effort that’s gone into building a world through its inhabitants, as well as its locales. (It’s also nice to note that Larian is mentioned as one of the highest tier Kickstarter backers for the project.)

The plot trundles along at a good pace too, considering this is supposed to be just the beginning. By the end you’re in a completely different area, facing a fresh threat, based on events alluded to beforehand, and it feels like a strong, cohesive RPG world. One I can’t wait to play some more, especially if the combat can be made more interesting.

I went in with no expectations at all, other than a fear that it would be too faithful to the 20 to 30-year old Wasteland/Fallout franchise. I’ve come out of it with a new RPG I feel like I’m in the middle of enjoying, that takes solid inspiration from one of the most loved game settings of all time, but modernised in sensible ways. There’s a great deal of work yet to be done, not least – you know – adding in the entire rest of the game. But this is an Early Access RPG I’m very happy to have started already.