Enotria: The Last Song is an action role-playing game (ARPG) developed and published by the Italian studio Jyamma Games. It was released on September 16, 2024 for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. It is a soulslike heavily inspired by FromSoftware's titles but with a setting based on Italian folklore and theater traditions.[2]

Gameplay

Enotria: The Last Song is a third-person action RPG that follows the traditional soulslike formula with an emphasis on challenging combat, parrying, and timing-based attacks. The game is set in a sunlit world inspired by Italian Renaissance landscapes and commedia dell'arte, contrasting the darker aesthetics of most soulslike games.[3] Players take on the role of the Maskless One, a warrior who wields different masks that provide unique abilities and shape their playstyle. The Ardore system is the core gameplay mechanic, which lets players shift the world around them in real-time, changing enemy behaviors, environmental interactions, and combat scenarios.[4]

Plot

The game is set in the land of Enotria, where the world is trapped in an eternal theatrical play known as the Canovaccio, enforced by powerful beings called the Authors. The protagonist, the Maskless One, must defeat these entities to break the cycle and restore freedom.

Development

Enotria: The Last Song is developed by Jyamma Games, an independent studio based in Milan, Italy. The game aims to bring a Mediterranean flair to the soulslike genre, drawing inspiration from Italian culture rather than the medieval and Gothic influences typically seen in similar titles.[5] The game was announced in 2022 and underwent multiple beta tests before its final release in September 2024. The developers focused on refining combat mechanics, world design, and performance optimization.[6]

The game's story draws from Italian theatrical traditions and mythology, with characters and settings reminiscent of commedia dell'arte. Enotria is filled with references to folklore, masks, and staged performances.[7]

Release

Enotria: The Last Song launched on September 16, 2024, for Microsoft Windows and PlayStation 5. An Xbox version was planned but faced indefinite delays due to issues between Jyamma Games and Microsoft, causing frustration among fans.[2] In the end, they finally released the game on Xbox Series X|S on December 12, 2024.[8] Since the release, several patches and hotfix updates occured.

Reception

Upon release, Enotria: The Last Song received mixed reviews from critics. The game was praised for its unique setting, artistic direction, and fresh take on the soulslike formula, but faced criticism for technical issues, performance problems, and a lack of polish.[16] Critics noted that while the combat and world-building were engaging, frequent frame drops, optimization problems, and a steep difficulty curve hindered the experience. Some also pointed out that despite its Italian influences, the game lacked significant innovations compared to other soulslikes.[7]

References

  1. ^ "Enotria: The Last Song (2024)". MobyGames.
  2. ^ a b Luster, Joseph (2024-02-19). "Italian folklore-inspired Soulslike Enotria: The Last Song launches on June 21". Destructoid. Archived from the original on 2024-09-15. Retrieved 2025-03-01.
  3. ^ Green, Jarrett (2024-09-13). "Enotria: The Last Song Review". IGN. Retrieved 2025-03-01.
  4. ^ Ellis, Caelyn (2024-09-23). "Enotria: The Last Song review: a straightforward, sunny Soulslike". Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Retrieved 2025-03-01.
  5. ^ Monje, Víctor (2024-10-21). "Análisis de Enotria: The Last Song, el soulslike que busca hacerse un espacio entre los grandes del género". Meristation (in Spanish). Retrieved 2025-03-01.
  6. ^ Moorcroft-Sharp, Jamie (2024-09-14). "Enotria: The Last Song release dates & times". Destructoid. Archived from the original on 2024-09-15. Retrieved 2025-03-01.
  7. ^ a b Cotts, Josh (2024-09-25). "For Better or Worse, Enotria: The Last Song Mostly Plays It Safe". Game Rant. Archived from the original on 2024-10-02. Retrieved 2025-03-01.
  8. ^ Reporter, Victoria Kennedy News (2024-12-11). "Italian Soulslike Enotria: The Last Song finally secures itself an Xbox release date". Eurogamer.net. Archived from the original on 2024-12-14. Retrieved 2025-03-01.
  9. ^ "Enotria: The Last Song critic reviews". www.metacritic.com. Archived from the original on 2025-03-04. Retrieved 2025-03-01.
  10. ^ "Enotria: The Last Song critic reviews". www.metacritic.com.
  11. ^ "Enotria: The Last Song Reviews". OpenCritic. September 23, 2024. Archived from the original on October 6, 2024. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
  12. ^ Rhys Wood (October 18, 2024). "Enotria: The Last Song review: gorgeous world, lackluster combat". TechRadar.
  13. ^ Green, Jarrett (September 13, 2024). "Enotria: The Last Song Review". IGN.
  14. ^ Sean Martin (September 18, 2024). "Enotria: The Last Song review". pcgamer.
  15. ^ Tekaia, Pascal (November 22, 2024). "Enotria: The Last Song Review". Archived from the original on December 19, 2024. Retrieved March 2, 2025.
  16. ^ "Enotria: The Last Song Reviews". www.metacritic.com. Retrieved 2025-03-01.
No tags for this post.