Posted in Early Access Games, Enshrouded, Game Showcases, Gaming News, Hobbies, Keen Games, PC gaming, Survival Games, Video Games

Becoming the Flameborn: My Experience with Enshrouded

3–4 minutes

Every so often, a survival game comes along that sinks its hooks into me—and Enshrouded is one of them. Developed by Keen Games, it’s a mix of crafting, exploration, and mystery, all wrapped in a world teetering on the edge of collapse. If you enjoy games that challenge your resourcefulness while keeping you curious about what’s around the next corner, this one might be for you.

In Enshrouded, you find yourself in a land destroyed by a strange elixir—an alchemical creation that corrupted everything it touched. Now, the world lies abandoned, with the remnants of civilization being consumed by the shroud. Survival here isn’t just about building a cozy base—it’s about figuring out how to navigate a world that wants to destroy you.

As the Flameborn, you must explore the world, push back the Shroud and rescue the remnants of society, sleeping in Cinder vaults. Each survivor you rescue becomes an NPC at your base, expanding you ability to craft items to help you survive in a harsh world.

The Red Shroud: Death’s Kiss
The shroud is an active threat that can turn a peaceful outing into a desperate scramble. Gus and I learned this the hard way, getting ourselves killed via missteps into the wrong places. While the blue shroud is survivable for short periods of time, the red shroud forces you to make every venture into the wild intentional—you can’t just gather resources at your leisure. A step into its territory is deadly, so be cautious where you go.

Enemies in a Broken World
Exploring outside your base means running into creatures affected by both the elixir and the shroud. Some are feral beasts while others seem like they were once human—but now they wander aimlessly, mindless and aggressive. These mobs aren’t just obstacles; they tell the story of a civilization that tried to harness magic and failed.

The elixir doesn’t just destroy—it mutates. Some enemies are stronger the closer they get to areas consumed by the shroud, making combat feel tense and unpredictable. What might start as a simple skirmish with a lone mob can quickly escalate in the shroud, amplifying their strength and turning the tide against you. The elixir’s corruption also hints at a deeper mystery. Who created it? And can the world be saved—or is it already too far gone?

Building a Base That Feels Like Home
Despite the chaos outside, there’s peace in base building. Gus and I spent time gathering materials and repairing the ruins we found, turning them into something livable. Progress doesn’t come easy, but every log placed or wall repaired feels like a small win.

There’s also a deeper satisfaction in building a base with a friend. When the world outside is falling apart, having a place to return to, built with your own hands, makes all the difference. With each repair, you reclaim a little bit of safety—a reminder that even in a world consumed by the shroud, life can still flourish.

Why Enshrouded Deserves Your Attention
Though Enshrouded is still in development, it already offers a compelling experience. The interplay between exploration, combat, and survival feels fresh, especially with the added danger of the shroud and the way it influences the enemies you encounter. There’s a constant tension between curiosity and caution, pulling you deeper into the world while reminding you that every step could be your last.

If you enjoy survival games that reward creativity and teamwork, this one’s worth a try—especially if you have a friend to share the adventure with. And if you love a bit of mystery mixed with your crafting, you’ll find plenty to uncover in Enshrouded.

Until next time … hold firm Flameborn and bye for now!

Posted in Bullethell games, Game Demos, Gaming News, Hobbies, Indie Games, PC gaming, steam

5 Bullethell Demos That Show Promise (And One Bonus to Watch)

3–5 minutes

Gamers love a challenge, and bullethell games have a special way of getting the adrenaline going. Recently, I tried out several demos that caught my eye, and I think they have potential. Here are five bullethell demos that impressed me—and one bonus that isn’t a bullethell!

1) Karate Survivor
Release Date: October 30, 2024

From the Steam page: “Become a martial arts master in this survivor-like roguelite inspired by action movies of the ‘80s. Use your fists, feet, and the environment to fight off relentless thugs. Master powerful combos, enhance your skills, and remember: everything around you is a weapon!”

Graphics: Colorful pixel graphics with the charm of old kung-fu movies, evoking memories of Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee.
Sounds: Solid music and sound effects that complement the action well.
Gameplay: Starts off fun, but the difficulty curve outpaces your character quickly—even with upgrades. Watch out: just touching mobs deals damage!
All in All: I had a great time with the demo, and I’m excited to see how the full release turns out. Hopefully, they’ll fine-tune the balance before launch.

2) Submarine Survivor
Release Date: TBD

From the Steam page: “Dive into the ocean’s depths, face fearsome sea creatures, and collect their experience crystals. In this roguelite action game, upgrade your submarines with various combinations of weapons and chips. Become the Lord of the Ocean!”

Graphics: Bright, simple visuals that still manage to look great.
Sounds: Basic but fitting music and sound design.
Gameplay: Starts easy, but things escalate fast. Each world offers unique modes like avoiding poisoned waters or dodging falling barrels. Replayability looks high, with lots of variety.
All in All: This one seems like it’ll be a solid entry in the genre. Now if only we had a release date…

3) Achilles: Survivor
Release Date: TBD

From the Steam page: “Achilles: Survivor is a dynamic single-player bullet heaven game where you face thousands of enemies, build destructive structures, develop your character, and survive waves of enemies.”

Graphics: Dark and gritty 3D graphics with a ¾ perspective—very reminiscent of aRPGs.
Sounds: Atmospheric music and sound effects that fit perfectly.
Gameplay: Easy to pick up but challenging quickly. You gather gold during each run to unlock permanent upgrades, making future runs easier.
All in All: With Greek mythology, permanent upgrades, and fast-paced action, this looks like it’ll be entertaining for several hours when it finally releases.

4) Smol Survivors
Release Date: TBD

From the Steam page: “Smol Survivors is a 2D reverse bullet-heck where smol blocks have become lost and need to find their friends while fighting through hordes of enemies.”

Graphics: Adorable blocky characters in bright, colorful worlds.
Sounds: The sound effects are nice, but I don’t recall there being any music.
Gameplay: Accessible and quirky, with fun weapons like soap, straws, and…cats? (Yes, cats.) Very easy to get into, perfect for newcomers to bullethell games.
All in All: If the price is right, this will be a great little game to pick up when you have a few spare minutes.

5) TemTem Swarm
Release Date: November 13, 2024

From the Steam page: “Unlock mighty abilities, find Tems to evolve, and discover wild synergies in this survivor-like bullet heaven. Play solo or with friends in online co-op with up to 3 players!”

Graphics: Gorgeous 3D graphics with classic TemTem characters in a colorful world.
Sounds: Excellent music and sound effects that really elevate the gameplay.
Gameplay: Easy to start but challenging as you progress. The permanent upgrades help, and the Tems can evolve during each run.
All in All: This one feels like it’s going to be a hit—if the price is right. Definitely one to watch when it releases in November!

Bonus Mention: 2048 – Dungeons
Release Date: TBD

Okay, so this isn’t a bullethell game, but I just had to mention it. If you enjoy puzzle games like 2048 and roguelike combat, this one’s worth a look.

From the Steam page: “A game that mixes 2048 puzzle mechanics with a roguelite style of play. Train your character, recruit allies, and test your luck in the dungeon of Blockshire.”

Graphics: Low-poly visuals with a high fantasy theme.
Sounds: Solid and fitting for the gameplay.
Gameplay: If you like number puzzles and strategic, turn-based combat, this is right up your alley. Just be warned—it crashed on me once and froze another time. Definitely still needs a bit of polishing before release.

There you have it—five promising bullethell demos (and one unexpected extra) that I think are worth keeping an eye on. Whether you’re dodging barrels underwater, throwing cats at enemies, or channeling your inner Achilles, these games all offer something fun and unique.

Have you tried any of these demos yet? Or maybe you’ve got a recommendation of your own? Let me know in the comments!

Until next time—stay sharp, dodge everything, and bye for now!