For many, the biggest selling point of Jyamma Games’Enotria: The Last Songis its emphasis on multiple builds. While other Soulslikes typically restrict players to one specific build and offer limited opportunities for a complete respec,Enotriagives players three different builds to customize that are each swappable on the fly and easily switched up anytime players visit a save point. Better yet, the game plays fast and loose with its in-game economy, giving players plenty of items to allow them to experiment with a wide variety of weapons and playstyles.Enotria’s multiple builds are definitely what sets it apart from other games in the genre, and its gear system goes a step further to support it.
The ability to experiment with not one but multiple builds makes a large variety of gear a prerequisite in order for the system to feel worthwhile. Thankfully, this is something thatEnotriasuccessfully pulls off, offering players well over 100 different weapons, dozens of Masks, dozens moreMask Line abilities, and an entire perk tree to explore. Aside from these avenues for player expression, though,Enotriapushes the envelope for how future Soulslikes can approach gear and item economy through its refundable upgrades and lack of a gear durability system.
Enotria’s Gear Upgrades Make a Strong Case For Becoming a Genre Staple
Similar to most other Soulslikes,Enotria: The Last Songis not shy about throwing a plethora of gear at the player. In just the first area, alone, players can expect to find plenty of new weapons to try out, additional Masks to craft from shards dropped by enemies, new Mask Line abilities, and a veritable truckload of upgrade materials to enhance each of these at one of the various equipment upgrade stations nearEnotria’s save points. But that players can freely refund any upgrades they’ve spent on a weapon to try out something new is a welcome surprise that only serves to further supportEnotria’s multiple-build aspect.
In the FromSoftware games, players can freely upgrade any weapon provided they have the materials. But these upgrades are a one-way street, meaning players have to be incredibly cautious about how they spend the often rare and hard-to-come-by higher-level upgrade materials. By allowing players to get those materials back at the cost of losing the resources necessary to upgrade a weapon (Enotria’s Memoria– the game’s version of Souls),Enotriaencourages players to try out an enticing new piece of gear without having to worry about the opportunity cost.
Enotria’s Lack of a Gear Durability System Eliminates an Often Frustrating Stumbling Block
In addition toEnotria’s gear and upgrade systemsallowing players to freely refund any spent materials, the game’s complete lack of a weapon durability system is a welcome step forward for the Soulslike genre. Not all Soulslikes incorporate gear durability, but those that do often find the system acting as one of the few gripes players have with the game. By eschewing any need to repair or fix broken equipment,Enotriabecomes a relatively breezy experience that uses combat as the crux of its difficulty rather than resource scarcity.
All told, the way thatEnotriahandles its gear elements is a refreshing change of pace in what is typically an incredibly unforgiving genre. Thechallenge of Soulslikesis part of what draws players to the genre, but when that challenge comes from arbitrary sources, it’s frustrating rather than engaging.Enotriaplaces its eye-catching environments and almost overwhelming options for player expression front and center, letting its combat do the heavy lifting when it comes to challenge. In the process, it sets an example that other games in the genre could stand to benefit from.
