Summary
EnshroudedandPalworldare undoubtedly two of 2024’s biggest games, having captured the attention of gamers everywhere with their wonderfully crafted worlds and their innovative approach to the survival genre. Pocketpair’sPalworldhas garnered a massive amount of attention as aPokemon-esque base-building survival game that allows players to raise animal-like creatures known as Pals, who can help run the player’s base and defeat even stronger enemies throughout the game’s Palpagos Islands. Furthermore,Enshroudedhas been praised for its immersive atmosphere, its worldbuilding and lore, and the engaging RPG and crafting mechanics it incorporates into the survival formula.
Despite 2024 having only just begun,Palworldand itssurvival rivalEnshroudedare already off to a great start. Both games have arguably achieved success by moving beyond traditional features associated with the survival genre and into unprecedented territory, making them formidable contenders for 2024’s Game of the Year award. While they are currently in early access, they will likely continue to take shape throughout the year, which could potentially push them even further ahead in the race for the award that many game developers dream of winning.
Enshrouded and Palworld Are Strong Game of the Year Contenders
Enshrouded and Palworld Have Taken Over the Survival Scene
Of all the genres, no one expectedsurvival games to be at the top of the list in 2024, but that’s all changed thanks toEnshroudedandPalworld. Both games have somehow managed to redefine the survival genre in more than one sense, raising expectations across the board for future survival games. WhileEnshroudedseems to push the envelope a bit too far at times, it still maintains its survival DNA enough that it could become a blueprint for subsequent survival titles.Palworld, on the other hand, manages to combine the creature-collecting of games likePokemonwith typical survival features — a combination that has never been tried and perfected to this degree.
The notion thatEnshroudedandPalworldcould be top contenders for2024’s Game of the Year awardis largely due to the way they’ve conquered the survival scene in gaming. Few survival games before them have managed to achieve the level of popularity and success that these two have achieved. While this could be attributed to the low expectations that this would ever happen, both games are still excellent experiences, even in early access, and will likely only continue to get better as their developers give them the attention they deserve.
Enshrouded
WHERE TO PLAY
The realm of Embervale is lost. In their greed for magical power, your ancestors unleashed a pestilence that consumed the world.Enshrouded is a game of survival, crafting, and Action RPG combat, set within a sprawling voxel-based continent. As you journey across the mountains and deserts of an open world, you are free to choose your path and shape your destiny. Ignite the Ancient power of the Flame, and piece together the fragments of a story that unfolds below the surface.The Shroud consumes the land it corrupts, mutating and guiding all life it encounters. Cleave your way through ravaging factions and formidable bosses, battling Scavenger in the forests, Vukah in the caves, and Fell creatures in the mist.Duck, parry, and surprise your foes with unexpected fighting skills and powerful spells. Exploit the weaknesses of your enemies as you develop your own unique playstyle with an in-depth skill tree system.Bring life back to the land! Voxel-based building unleashes your creative vision, allowing you to create grand architecture on an epic scale, customized with a vast assortment of materials and furniture. Build not only for yourself, because NPCs will take refuge within your walls, unlocking advanced workshops and the ability to craft epic weapons and armor.
Enshrouded and Palworld Are Already Improving During Early Access
Although they are still in development, bothEnshroudedandPalworldhave received regular updates and hotfixes since their early access debuts. Many of these updates have improved things like each game’s performance and stability, quality of life, gameplay, and more, all thanks to constant feedback. With such positive attention being directed at both games and largely maintained thus far, that reception will likely continue to grow even more positive as each game receives regular patches and even more content down the line.
The developers forEnshroudedandPalworldhave made known their desire to have each game receive a full release within a year, which means they could both be in great shape by the time 2024’s Game Awards ceremony rolls around, giving them an even better shot at winning the prestigious Game of the Year award. That being said, despite their massive success already, the two survival games probably will be competing with some of2024’s most anticipated game releases, includingFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth,Dragon’s Dogma 2, andStar Wars Outlaws, assuming these games stick their respective landings. Because AAA games often take home the Game of the Year award, it would be exciting to see an indie survival game walk away with it for once.
Palworld
In this game, you can peacefully live alongside mysterious creatures known as Pals or risk your life to drive off a ruthless poaching syndicate. Pals can be used to fight and breed, or they can be made to work on farms or factories. You can even sell them or eat them.Survival: In a harsh environment where food is scarce and vicious poachers roam, danger waits around every corner. To survive, you must tread carefully and make difficult choices…even if that means eating your own Pals when the time comes.Mounts & Exploration: Pals can be mounted to traverse the land, sea and sky—allowing you to traverse all kinds of environment as you explore the world.Collect all kinds of exciting Pals to fight, farm, build, and work for you in this completely new multiplayer, open world survival and crafting game!
