First gameplay video released for isometric turn-based RPG, Encased


Dark Crystal Games has published its first gameplay video for its old-school isometric post-apocalyptic RPG, Encased. Taking the viewer through character creation and a walk-through of the prologue the 20-minute clip showcases the game’s non-linear storytelling and responsiveness to player choice.

At character creation, the player chooses an avatar, assigns attribute points, and chooses one of five faction – ‘Wings’ – of the CRONUS Foundation. The selected Wing gives you starting bonuses, and lead to interesting possibilities and unique story choices. The selected Wing applies appropriate preset Stat values, but the player is free to redistribute these to customize their character and make a scientist with more brawn than brains, or a highly intelligent ex-con laborer.

The Wing the player selects for their character heavily influences the prologue experience – dialogues and NPC reactions will vary greatly, making Encased highly replayable. The video gameplay follows two different story flows, telling NPC stories from just two of the many available points of view, while showcasing the elaborate dialog system.

Vyacheslav Kozikhin, head of the project, said:

“The prologue is our first available location. We want to show everyone not just how far we’ve progressed, but also how much variety and choice we’ve already built into our game. We’re telling a non-linear, choice-based and deeply immersive character story, where the player’s experience heavily depends on their alignment, their decisions, and their responses. Who they are, what they say, and what they do – in our world, they all matter.”

Encased - Pre-Alpha Gameplay #1 - Narrative