I will tell you I was one of those people who saw the DLC on a unfinished game and I was pissed off. I later learned those DLC are the kickstarter backers reward. This is a pretty nice system. As I have come into a game late never hearing about it and seeing that there some nice features excluded from me because I was not a kickstarter member.
This is a nice way to balance out Kickstarter rewards. Where people who kickstarted got the rewards for free. While those who did not. Well they can pay a little more if they truely want it. So please ignore the DLC hate people. As they do not know what is going on.
I do feel that the Devs should have posted on the store page. "Kickstarter backer reward for non kickstarter backers." So people can see that this is not a DLC but us who have not backed it can still get kickstarter rewards.
The game has a distinct Bioshock feel crossed with the early isometric Fall Out games. Dystopian cyber-punk mixed with 1970's themes. If you liked Wasteland then this will probably be right up your alley.
The game's scope is ambitious, with heavily customizable character creation, back stories heavily influencing the plot, competing factions who you can influence and gain favor, decisions influencing the world with and much more. The world is rich in law and the story telling is quite good.
Currently (Sep 2019) this game is mostly unplayable; 85% of the skills are locked as not developed in game yet; early critical quests are impossible to complete and even the feedback mechanism to report bugs is inoperable. This has the makings of an amazing 5 star game; but right now either pass until further development, or be content that you're testing a future game as much as you're playing a current one. Keep in mind this team did Divinity Original Sin; so there is little doubt this game will be worth while indeed.
The prologue and first act are essentially exactly what I was hoping for in an isometric RPG, and exactly what is advertised. The story is interesting, you can complete quests in multiple ways, you can make what appear to be meaningful choices as you go through the world.
That all goes downhill starting around act 2 though. A lot of storylines just kinda end unceremoniously rather than having a satisfying conclusion. Quests become simple combat encounters or fetch quests, and almost every faction leader wants to send you on some useless errand right after pointing out that you're the most important person in the dome. Interesting uses for most of your noncombat skills just stop appearing, and for the most part only criminal and Influence span the whole game.
Companions are the same way; you get one intro quest out of them and a small bit of dialogue after reaching a high enough relationship level, and that's it. After that they're just some extra backpack space and combat drones.
The ending is disappointing; though it is difficult to explain why without spoilers.
Overall, if you're a big fan of the genre and hankering for an isometric RPG and have already played everything else on your list, Encased might do it for you. Otherwise it can be skipped.
I am considered old (42) and socialized on Fallout 1-2. Exactly this is the reason why i purchased the game.
Pro:
-brings back the good old games feeling. Good game mechanics.
-relative good story line (it has serious potentials not yet developed)
-stable running , fine graphics and sounds.
Cons:
-very slow development and early sales
-at this stage this is more less a technical teaser -it is empty
-It is expensive compared its state!
This is coming from someone who really enjoys the Fallout and XCOM franchises (in this comparison the isometric view versions and CRPG elements).
I have spent about 20-30 hours in this game and so far it has me hooked, sure it has its shortcomings at this momemt being in development but I am sure that will all be ironed out.
If you like games like Fallout 1 and 2 you will most likely appreciate this game, the setting and the story is not like the 50s-60s setting in fallout where you have the "Atom punk" but a little later in the timeline of earth 70s-80s (with advanced tech) (Cassette futurism?). The story has been interesting so far, I am really looking forward to more content from the developers.
Now the gameplay and features, you have your psionics to some degree (is a skill atm, not much implemented to far), your laser weapons along with your standard gunpowder weapons, your hydrolic power suit of armor, world map to travel (like Fallout 1 and 2), loot slots (Main hand, second hand, armour slots x8, quick slots and some artifact slots), the need to eat, drink and sleep, main quests and side quests, factions, crafting, upgrading, disassembling and much more (some of which are not implemented yet but can be seen in the ui).
Almost every single npc so far has had a name in there and some sort of dialog which is something you don´t always see (Often it can be [Faction] Guard or [Faction] bandit etc). The loot system, skill system and stat system really reminds me of Fallout 1 and 2 with a little blend of skyrim perks where you can unlock perks for skills depending on how many points are spent on skills.
Right now you will likely have some minor bugs, the game sometimes locks up, there are a typos here and there and a few minor bugs that you might get along the way (not being able to reach a container to loot etc), for me I have had no problems with the quests so far, I have been able to finish all of the ones I found.
Personally I would recommend this game
