View source for Software:Encased: A Sci-Fi Post-Apocalyptic RPG

{{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 = [[Software:Unity (game engine)|Unity]]
| platforms = [[Software:Microsoft Windows|Microsoft Windows]]
| genre = [[Software:Role-playing video game|Role-playing]]
| modes = [[Software:Single-player video game|Single-player]]
| released = September 7, 2021
}}

'''''Encased: A Sci-Fi Post-Apocalyptic RPG''''', is an isometric turn-based RPG developed by Dark Crystal Games and inspired by games like ''Fallout'' and ''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 [[Software:Microsoft Windows|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/pc/encased-a-sci-fi-post-apocalyptic-rpg|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|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 70's. 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=live}}</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 ==
{{Video game reviews
| title = 
| subtitle = 
<!-- Formatting -->
| state = <!-- blank/collapsed/collapsed/expanded -->
| align = <!-- left/right/none/inherit -->
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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|language=fr}}</ref>
| rev1 = ''PC Invasion''
| rev1Score = 8/10<ref name="pci">{{Cite web|date=2021-09-17|title=Encased review -- Stuck in the dome|url=https://www.pcinvasion.com/encased-review/|access-date=2021-12-01|website=PC Invasion|language=en-US}}</ref>
| rev7 = ''Wccftech''
| rev7Score = 7.7/10<ref name="wcc">{{Cite web|last=Meo|first=Francesco De|title=Encased: A Sci-Fi Post-Apocalyptic RPG Review - The Post-Dome Dream|url=https://wccftech.com/review/encased-a-sci-fi-post-apocalyptic-rpg-the-post-dome-dream/|access-date=2021-12-01|website=Wccftech|language=en-US}}</ref>
}}
''Encased'' received an aggregate score of 73/100 from Metacritic, indicating "mixed or average reviews".<ref name=":0" />

Martynas Klimas of ''PC Invasion'' gave the game a 9/10, saying: "All in all, ''Encased'' is a good-to-great CRPG and a rip-roaring Kickstarter success."<ref name="pci"/> Francesco De Meo of ''Wccftech'' gave the game a 7.7 out of 10, writing, "''Encased'': A Sci-Fi Post-Apocalyptic RPG is a worthy purchase for all fans of classic Fallout games, thanks to a well-crafted post-apocalyptic setting, great worldbuilding, reactive world, and solid overall gameplay."<ref name="wcc"/> ''Jeuxvideo'' gave the game a 14/20, saying: "Very responsive, fairly faithful to its inspirations, ''Encased'' knows how to offer a complete RPG, which intelligently responds to the decisions you make. Unfortunately, the title stumbles on its combat portion, rather failed and too anchored in the past, and is sometimes confused in the follow-up of the objectives to be accomplished. A pleasant experience, but not unforgettable, therefore, reserved for fans of old-school C-RPG."<ref name="jxv"/> Alberto Naso of ''Eurogamer Italia'' gave the game a 7/10, saying: "''Encased'' is an interesting CRPG set in a dystopian alternative past that pays tribute to the original Fallout 1 & 2 for gameplay and core mechanics. Good storytelling and visuals. The combat lacks a bit of depth and strategy, but overall a good gaming experience."<ref>{{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>
== References ==
{{reflist}}
== External links ==
[[Category:Alternate history video games]]
[[Category:Post-apocalyptic video games]]
[[Category:Windows games]]
[[Category:Role-playing video games]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]

{{Sourceattribution|Encased: A Sci-Fi Post-Apocalyptic RPG|1}}