ENCHAIN Review Summary

Rewarding exploration, hidden secrets, exceptional movement, and unique combat shine in a non-linear interconnected map, but the unfinished early access build is buggy and glitchy.

Rewarding exploration and secrets: Exploration is heavily rewarded with hidden secrets, shortcuts, and optional areas. The open level design encourages curiosity and provides a strong sense of discovery.

Exceptional movement mechanics: Movement is smooth, responsive, and satisfying, with a high skill ceiling that rewards mastery. Many players consider it some of the best in any game.

Fun and unique combat: Combat feels amazing, with a unique system that encourages creative approaches and combos. The grappling and throwing mechanics add a satisfying crunch to fights.

Addictive and fun overall experience: The game is widely described as addictive, enjoyable, and worth the price. Many players find it hard to put down due to its engaging core loop.

Creative and varied gameplay: The game offers many unique mechanics and options, such as surfing on skeletons and sequence breaking. Players appreciate the freedom to approach situations creatively.

Unfinished early access state: Many reviewers feel the game is incomplete, with unfinished areas and a lack of polish. It is criticized for being released in a work-in-progress state.

Buggy and glitchy build: Players frequently report that the current build is riddled with bugs and glitches, making the experience feel unpolished. This is a widespread issue mentioned across many clusters.

Janky controls and physics: There are numerous quality-of-life issues with controls and physics, such as slippery movement and awkward wallrunning. Players often get stuck or out of bounds.

Lack of content and rewards: The game has limited content and few meaningful rewards, with most rewards being key shards or guns. It can be beaten quickly and feels empty.

Glitchy and horrible bosses: Bosses are often glitchy and poorly designed, with attacks that don't telegraph properly. The common strategy is to spam attacks against a wall once stunned.

Non-linear exploration and interconnected map: The game features open, non-linear exploration with an interconnected world full of secrets, shortcuts, and hidden areas. The map design encourages sequence breaking and revisiting old areas.

Movement shooter with deep mechanics: The game is frequently described as a movement shooter with a complex, skill-based movement system. Players note a high skill ceiling and steep learning curve for movement tech.

Combat variety and creative attacks: Combat involves varied weapons, yanking and throwing enemies, juggling, and creative attacks like meteor crashing. The system encourages experimentation and different approaches.

Grappling hook and swinging core mechanic: Many reviewers highlight the grappling hook and chain swinging as the core movement mechanic. It enables traversal across chasms, interaction with the world, and grappling enemies.

Hidden secrets and optional content: The game rewards exploration with many secrets, hidden horde fights, and side content. Secrets are often tied to mastering the mechanics.

High Refresh Rate Sync Issue: A reviewer advised enabling interpolation for 120Hz+ displays, otherwise movement is synced to 60Hz. This is a specific technical workaround for high refresh rate monitors.

Freezing During Zone Loading: One reviewer experienced freezing while loading the next zone. This indicates a significant performance issue during level transitions.

Lag When Entering Areas: A reviewer noted slight lagging when entering a new area. This suggests minor performance hitches during zone transitions.

Early Access Incompleteness Warning: Multiple reviewers caution that the game is still a work in progress with limited content. Some suggest waiting for a sale, updates, or full 1.0 release before purchasing.

For Movement FPS Fans: Strongly recommended for players who enjoy fast-paced shooters with a focus on movement and grappling hook traversal. Fans of Ultrakill or similar games will feel at home.

Worth It Even Now: Several reviewers state the game is already worth the money, recommending it without hesitation. They find it highly enjoyable and recommend it to others.

Niche Appeal: The game appeals to a specific niche of players who are passionate about movement shooters and want something new. It may not be for everyone.

Metroidvania and Dark Souls Blend: Reviewers highlight the mix of metroidvania elements and Dark Souls-like DNA, especially appealing to fans of those genres. The combination creates a unique experience.

Community fair range: $14.99 - $19.99.

Game completion: 4.0h.

Story completion: 5.0h.

Session length: 5.0h.

Reviews overwhelmingly describe the game as fun and addictive from the start, especially through movement, exploration, and grappling-hook traversal. A steep learning curve and repetitive easy encounters are noted as friction, but no evidence says enjoyment only begins after a specific unlock.

Friction: Learning curve for movement and grapple-hook mechanics; Need time to understand grapple-hook mechanics; Steep skill ceiling; Accepting the game's visual style; Repetitive easy combat encounters.

Unlock drivers: Understanding the grapple-hook mechanics; Accepting the game's visual style; Growing skill with swinging the lantern.

Movement Shooter Combat Enthusiast: Aggressive parkour and gunplay, chaining lantern combos to juggle enemies. Motivation: Mastering stylish combat combos and fast-paced movement. Stance: buy.

Metroidvania World Explorer: Methodical exploration, seeking out nooks and crannies, and appreciating level design. Motivation: Exploring intricate, interconnected worlds and discovering every secret. Stance: buy.

Early Access Cautious Patient: Waits for updates, sales, or 1.0 before purchasing and playing. Motivation: Playing a polished, finished version and avoiding incomplete early access states. Stance: sale.

Game is in early access: Many reviewers note that the game is still in early access and unfinished, with limited content and ongoing development. The early access tag indicates that portions are incomplete, and the store page states the game aims to be finished in one year.

Demo available and well-received: A demo is available, and many players have played it multiple times before early access. The demo offers a taste of the game, though some find it short and note that it ends before the more interesting content.

Sufficient content in early access: Reviewers note that the game has enough content to beat it even in early access, with many enemies and a main quest lasting about five hours. Some have completed it in 4.5 hours or achieved 97% collectibles in about 10 hours.

Compared to Hollow Knight and Ultrakill: Reviewers frequently compare the game to Hollow Knight and Ultrakill, citing similarities in combat and movement. The game is described as a blend of these inspirations while maintaining its own identity.

Developed by solo developer: The game is developed by a one-man team, with the developer showing an amazing vision. This solo development background is frequently mentioned by reviewers.