Enclave HD review (PS4)

Enclave HD, a remastered version of a well-received PC game from 2002, rekindles the battle between light and dark in the mystical world of Celenheim. Developed by Sickhead Games and Starbreeze Studios, and published by Ziggurat Interactive, this action-adventure RPG offers players the chance to embrace either side in two distinct campaigns, featuring a variety of characters and unique gameplay experiences. However, while Enclave HD boasts nostalgia and replay value with its two campaigns, it struggles to captivate modern audiences due to some dated mechanics and visuals. We checked it out on a PlayStation 4 Pro.

The premise of Enclave HD centers around the timeless struggle between good and evil. Set in a world that was once divided by a powerful spell cast by the high wizard Zale, the forces of darkness are now seeking to breach the rift and claim victory. As the player, you embark on a heroic journey to either fight for the forces of Light or serve the Dark, choosing from a selection of familiar fantasy character options like Knights, Wizards and Goblins.

One of Enclave HD’s strengths lies in its two separate campaigns, allowing players to explore both sides of the conflict – with one journey shedding more light on the other. The Light campaign introduces players to classic heroes like humans, elves, and gnomes, while the Dark campaign presents the opportunity to embrace the malevolent side, taking on the roles of goblins, assassins, orcs, and other classes that serve the dark. This dual perspective adds depth to the narrative and provides a unique experience for those who venture through both campaigns – something where Enclave was ahead of its time.

Nevertheless, despite the diversity in characters, the gameplay remains somewhat repetitive, especially by today’s standards. Combat mechanics are rather simplistic, relying heavily on mindless button-bashing, with little tactical nuance involved. Hitboxes feel clunky and imprecise, and the controls lack responsiveness, resulting in a somewhat cumbersome combat experience that’s rough around the edges – though part of that is Enclave’s origin as an early 3D action RPG. This, coupled with the absence of complexity in the mission structures, may deter modern gamers who don’t have nostalgia for the original and are seeking a more refined and challenging experience.

Enclave HD’s audiovisual presentation also shows its age. The upgraded visuals are certainly noticeable in some aspects like metal surfaces and water, making this the best way to play this game, but they can’t hide the relatively crude character models and environments. The soundtrack is a big improvement, featuring new music and effects, but the low quality voice acting acts as a reminder of the game’s dated origins.

On the positive side, Enclave HD does offer a variety of weapons, shields, and magic items that add excitement to the gameplay. Collecting gold during missions unlocks these items, motivating players to explore their surroundings as they go forth. Additionally, the inclusion of various enemies and diverse challenges enhances the gameplay experience, but inconsistencies in enemy AI and difficulty spikes, like a few frustrating encounters that could use refinement, don’t help.

In conclusion, Enclave HD may appeal to fans of the original seeking who remember Starbreeze’s groundbreaking work from two decades ago. The dual campaigns and replay value hold some merit, but for modern audiences, the game struggles to meet contemporary standards. Dated graphics, tedious combat, and limited quality-of-life improvements hinder its ability to impress. While Enclave HD has its charm, it’s harder to see the appeal if you’re not familiar with the original version. If you’re looking for a deep and rich title with modern sensibilities, you may want to pass on this remastered adventure, but if you’d like to go back to a memorable title with some of rough edges that come with that, then this is the best way to play Enclave.

Score: 6.6/10