View source for Encased

{{Unreliable sources|date=December 2021}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Encased: A Sci-Fi Post-Apocalyptic RPG
| image = Encased A Sci-Fi Post-Apocalyptic RRG cover.jpg
| caption =
| alt =
| developer = Dark Crystal Games
| publisher = [[Prime Matter]]
| engine = [[Unity (game engine)|Unity]]
| platforms = [[Microsoft Windows]]
| genre = [[Role-playing video game|Role-playing]]
| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]]
| released = September 7, 2021
}}
'''''Encased: A Sci-Fi Post-Apocalyptic RPG''''', is an [[Isometric video game graphics|isometric]] [[turn-based RPG]] developed by Dark Crystal Games and inspired by games like ''[[Fallout (game)|Fallout]]'' and ''[[Wasteland (game)|Wasteland]]''<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-05-18|title=Encased Old-School Rpg - Announcement|url=https://turnbasedlovers.com/news/encased-old-school-rpg-announcement/|access-date=2021-11-23|website=Turn Based Lovers|language=en-us}}</ref> as well as Soviet-era sci-fi novel [[Roadside Picnic]]. The game was released in early access on [[Microsoft Windows]] on September 26, 2019,<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-09-21|title=Sci-Fi Post-Apocalyptic RPG 'Encased' Launching on Early Access September 26|url=https://gameffine.com/sci-fi-post-apocalyptic-rpg-encased-launching-on-early-access-september-26/|access-date=2021-11-23|website=Gameffine|language=en-US}}</ref> and its full release was on September 7, 2021.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Encased: a sci-fi post-apocalyptic RPG|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/encased-a-sci-fi-post-apocalyptic-rpg/critic-reviews/?platform=pc|access-date=2021-12-02|website=Metacritic|language=en}}</ref>
== Gameplay ==
The gameplay is inspired by classic computer RPGs such as ''Fallout'', ''Wasteland'' and ''[[Shadowrun]]''. It features a turn-based combat system with an isometric camera view. One of the game's distinguishing features is its emphasis on storybuilding, with the player's decisions affecting the rest of the gameplay in one way or another.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Horti|first=Samuel|date=2019-10-22|title=Encased is a promising, Fallout 2-inspired RPG entirely set inside a mysterious dome|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/encased-is-a-promising-fallout-2-inspired-rpg-entirely-set-inside-a-mysterious-dome/|access-date=2020-06-19|website=PC Gamer|language=en-US}}</ref>
Character customization is a key feature, along with a [[reputation system]] where a character's reputation can change due to player choice.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Vega|first=Sin|date=2019-10-01|title=Encased: A Sci-Fi Post-Apocalyptic RPG could be the modern Fallout we need|url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2019/10/01/encased-a-sci-fi-post-apocalyptic-rpg-could-be-the-modern-fallout-we-need/|access-date=2020-06-19|website=Rock, Paper, Shotgun|language=en-US}}</ref> While the player begins with only one character of their creation, various companions can also join them along the way.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-12-14|title=Encased: A Sci-Fi Post-Apocalyptic RPG - First content patch is out! - Steam News|url=https://store.steampowered.com/newshub/app/921800/view/3728349046581146716|access-date=2020-06-18|website=store.steampowered.com|language=en}}</ref>
== Story ==
Game events unfold in alternative '70s. The story of the game tells us about the study of the Dome, a huge building discovered in one of the remote deserts. Nobody knows who built the Dome, but in official documents of researchers this civilization is called the Forefathers.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Walker|first=John|date=2019-10-03|title=Encased is an Early Access RPG that's worth starting right now|url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2019/10/03/encased-is-an-early-access-rpg-thats-worth-starting-right-now/|access-date=2020-06-19|website=Rock, Paper, Shotgun|language=en-US}}</ref>
In the labyrinths below the Dome, there are many amazing examples of advanced technology and strange artifacts protected by automatic defence systems, traps and anomalies. Aside from that, the special field of the Dome does not allow those who got inside to leave it. Research of the Dome is carried out by CRONUS Corporation, an international organization founded by the governments of the most influential world powers. CRONUS is divided into five departments called Wings, each of which reports to its own leader, has its own specialization and history.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Arias|first=Jake|date=September 14, 2021|title=Encased: A Sci-Fi Post-Apocalyptic RPG review – Future nostalgia|url=https://killapenguin.com/gamereviews/encased-a-sci-fi-post-apocalyptic-rpg-review/|url-status=dead|access-date=November 23, 2021|archive-date=November 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211123171908/https://killapenguin.com/gamereviews/encased-a-sci-fi-post-apocalyptic-rpg-review/}}</ref>
== Development ==
May 18, 2018 Encased development was announced by Russian studio Dark Crystal Games.<ref>{{Cite web|last=marcello|date=2018-05-18|title=Encased Old-School Rpg - Announcement|url=https://turnbasedlovers.com/news/encased-old-school-rpg-announcement/|access-date=2020-06-19|website=Turn Based Lovers|language=en-US}}</ref> After the game's announcement, Dark Crystal Games were considering additional funding avenues. This ended in the September 2018 launch of the Kickstarter campaign, that was aiming to expand the game content, not funding it<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-10-11|title=ENCASED Sci-Fi RPG Hits Funding Goal on Kickstarter, Reveals Stretch Goals|url=https://gamingcypher.com/encased-sci-fi-rpg-hits-funding-goal-on-kickstarter-reveals-stretch-goals/|access-date=2021-11-23|website=Gaming Cypher|language=en-US}}</ref>
The full release was on September 7, 2021. Under the wing of Prime Matter Publishing, a subsidiary of Koch Media.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sheehan|first=Gavin|date=2021-07-30|title=Prime Matter Will Release Encased This September|url=https://bleedingcool.com/games/prime-matter-will-release-encased-this-september/|access-date=2021-11-23|website=Bleeding Cool News And Rumors|language=en}}</ref>
The developers have published a roadmap with plans for further content development for the game through the spring of 2022.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-10-15|title=Encased roadmap!|url=https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/921800/view/3035981384853392658|access-date=2022-02-19|work=CRONUS Weekly|language=en-US}}</ref>
== Reception ==
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| MC = 73/100<ref name=":0"/>
| JXV = 14/20<ref name="jxv">{{Cite web|title=Test du jeu Encased : A Sci-Fi Post-Apocalyptic RPG sur PC|url=https://www.jeuxvideo.com/test/1466481/encased-un-rpg-qui-cherche-fallout-sur-son-terrain.htm|access-date=2021-12-01|website=Jeuxvideo.com|date=25 September 2021 |language=fr}}</ref>
| EuroG=7/10<ref name=euro>{{Cite web|last=Naso|first=Alberto|date=2021-09-06|title=Encased - recensione|url=https://www.eurogamer.it/articles/2021-09-06-encased-recensione|access-date=2021-12-01|website=Eurogamer.it|language=it}}</ref>
}}
''Encased'' received mixed reviews on [[Metacritic]].<ref name=":0" />  ''[[Jeuxvideo]]'' praised the game's faithfulness to its inspirations but said the combat was too rooted in old-school gameplay.<ref name="jxv"/> Alberto Naso of ''[[Eurogamer|Eurogamer Italia]]'' praised the storytelling and visuals, but also felt the combat was lacking.<ref name=euro/>
== References ==
{{reflist}}
== External links ==
* {{official website|https://encasedgame.com/}}
[[Category:2021 video games]]
[[Category:Alternate history video games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Russia]]
[[Category:Post-apocalyptic video games]]
[[Category:Prime Matter games]]
[[Category:Windows games]]
[[Category:Windows-only games]]
[[Category:Role-playing video games]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]
[[Category:Indie games]]
[[Category:Early access video games]]
[[Category:Video games set in the 1970s]]
[[Category:Video games with isometric graphics]]