For some fans and producers of video games, the first two Fallout titles are considered the best in the genre of computer role-playing games. Not many role-playing games have been able to top Fallout 1 and 2 as a whole, even after more than 20 years of publication. It's not that there haven't been outstanding efforts. Encased is the newest Fallout-inspired game to join the likes of UnderRail and ATOM RPG.

Encased is distinct from other Fallout clones since it isn't simply another one. No, its modified DNA contains exactly as much S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, as they say, and Encased doesn't try to conceal how much it loves these two classic brands. The greatest parts of the game stem from this nostalgic regard, but it also prevents the game from truly developing its own character.

Encased places you in the shoes of one of the (un)fortunate enough to be assigned to a mysterious Dome-shaped zone that mankind discovered in the early 1970s in an alternative timeline. Here, workers are separated into five groups called Wings. They are Orange (criminals), White (scientists), Blue (engineers), Silver (management), and Black (military). The Wings work similarly to other RPGs' first courses. Your selection will determine your beginning equipment and benefits, as well as how other NPCs in the game will respond to your character. For example, if you are a Silver Wing, most Orange Wing characters may insult, fawn, or be jealous of you since, under the strict hierarchy of the Dome, "you have it good."

You are free to play whatever kind of character you want to using Your Wing. You may choose to create a low-intelligence White Wing that concentrates on stealth (complete with Fallout and Arcanum's "Dumb Dialogue" settings) or a charming, psychically-gifted Black Wing that utilizes their charm and mental abilities to avoid fighting entirely. Of course, turn-based combat is used in this battle. Along with the traditional melee, weapons, and fists, you may also give your character and allies access to futuristic gear and abilities. One of the game's weaker aspects overall is the fighting. It's presently incredibly imbalanced and laborious, but there's still a possibility that it will be adjusted in time for the complete release.

Fortunately, because talking and sneaky characters are far more enjoyable to play as is, the game's mediocre fighting doesn't take away from the overall experience. Most missions let you choose one of three approaches to solving them: you may use the role-playing trio of fighting, sneaking, or talking your way past obstacles. To finish some, however, you'll need to have certain abilities, supplies, and qualities. Similar to Fallout, no one player character will be able to finish every mission and access every bit of material in a single playing.

The game's opening moments might give you the incorrect idea. The first several hours of Encased are somewhat linear, in contrast to Fallout, where you are thrust into an alien environment without warning and are free to roam anywhere you like (albeit your chances of survival are minimal). The game's opening quest, which drastically alters the Dome's interior, sets the stage for the subsequent events. Following this prologue, the game becomes much more expansive. You may now go to other places and engage with various groups that are fighting for dominance and power, as well as form alliances with them.

Encased's visual style blends a traditional Fallout-inspired design with retro-futuristic 1970s themes. The game really adheres to this "we want to evoke the look and feel of FO" so well that it often seems like a Unity hack or remake. Once again, while this is praiseworthy in many aspects, it does lose the opportunity to stand alone.

When Encased pulls away from the intimidating shadows of its parent figures and finds new avenues for exploring its own subjects, it performs at its finest. When you're not battling abnormalities akin to S.T.A.L.K.E.R. or combating mutated cockroaches, you'll have to deal with business machinations and botched scientific experiments. Encased shines at this exact moment when it delves into the idea of what a broken and deserted society made up of the best brains the human race has to offer may look like after a cataclysmic disaster.

Encased is a highly promising Early Access game, even if it's still quite raw. It is currently scheduled for release in the fall of 2021 and is available on GOG and Steam. This is going to be another fantastic game that lovers of the traditional isometric role-playing games may look forward to (re)playing, if the developers at Dark Crystal Games can complete all the intended material (including voiceovers), fix all the issues, and polish the gameplay in time for the final release. We personally can't wait to try it again at that point.