Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Enclosure presents a nostalgic take on adventure gaming by leveraging the New Adventure Game Interpreter (Nagi), a modern re-implementation of Sierra’s classic AGI engine. Movement is handled through the arrow keys or by clicking directly on the screen, but all item interactions and environmental commands require typed input. This hybrid control scheme invites players to immerse themselves in a world where exploration, observation, and command-line precision are equally important.

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The puzzle design in Enclosure is thoughtfully layered, blending inventory-based challenges with environmental riddles. You’ll frequently find yourself examining objects, scouring room descriptions, and deducing the correct verb-noun combinations to progress. While longtime fans of text parsers will appreciate the depth of interaction, newcomers may need a brief period to adjust to typing commands like “open door” or “get fishing rod” instead of simply clicking an icon.

Exploration is richly rewarded: the abandoned drilling station in Greenland is filled with hidden clues, journals, and environmental lore that gradually reveal the darker side of Mayfield’s mysterious expedition. Balancing inventory management—often limited to a handful of key items—with dialogue choices and careful note-taking creates a steady rhythm of discovery. A built-in map feature helps orient you, but the real joy comes from piecing together subtle hints found in conversations and text descriptions.

Graphics

Visually, Enclosure pays homage to late-’80s pixel art with a deliberately low-resolution palette that captures the stark, icy landscape of Greenland. The color choices lean heavily on cold blues and grays, punctuated by the warm glow of lanterns and computer consoles inside the station. This contrast enhances the feeling of isolation whenever you step outside into howling winds or traverse dimly lit corridors.

Character sprites are modestly animated, but small touches—like the flickering of faulty lights, drifting snow flurries, and subtle shadow work—amplify the game’s eerie ambiance. While you won’t find modern shader effects or high-definition textures here, the minimalistic style actually plays to the game’s strengths, letting your imagination fill in the gaps and heightening the tension.

Sound design works in tandem with graphics to complete the sensory experience. Sparse piano notes echo through empty hallways, distant footsteps and muffled radio transmissions create an unsettling backdrop, and sharp environmental audio cues—like a sudden creak or a door slamming—keep you on edge. The combination of pixel art and carefully crafted soundscapes delivers a cohesive retro-horror aesthetic.

Story

The narrative thrust of Enclosure centers on Mike Goodman, a smooth-talking con artist who fakes séances with his girlfriend, Sarah, to scrape together a living. Their fortunes change when William Mayfield, heir to an oil fortune, recruits them for a high-stakes expedition to a derelict drilling station in Greenland—rumored to be haunted after a series of inexplicable sightings.

Once the group arrives, the helicopter pilot collapses mid-flight, forcing Mike to make a dramatic emergency landing. Stranded and isolated, tensions mount as scientists and self-styled “paranormal investigators” clash over the station’s true nature. As you guide Mike through dusty labs, frozen corridors, and hidden caverns, the game deftly weaves themes of greed, desperation, and the unknown.

Character interactions provide much of the narrative depth: Sarah’s unwavering loyalty, Mayfield’s cryptic motives, and the scientists’ skeptical attitudes all feed into a tapestry of suspicion and dread. Minor details—handwritten notes, personal diaries, overheard radio chatter—gradually reveal the station’s tragic past and hint at something far older and more dangerous lurking beneath the ice.

Overall Experience

Enclosure is a compelling experience for anyone who cherishes classic adventure games. The parser-based interface may deter players accustomed to point-and-click convenience, but it also encourages thoughtful engagement and a deeper sense of accomplishment when you solve a challenging puzzle. The game’s measured pacing allows you to soak in the atmosphere and appreciate the layered storytelling.

While some modern players might find the requirement to type commands a bit antiquated, the trade-off is an immersive level of interaction that lets you feel like a true investigator uncovering every secret. Occasional parser misunderstandings can lead to trial-and-error, but masterful writing and vivid scene descriptions make the journey worthwhile. A built-in hint system helps avoid frustration while preserving the sense of discovery.

Fans of retro horror and adventure titles will find Enclosure a rewarding throwback, offering suspenseful moments, memorable characters, and an environment that feels genuinely alive despite its minimalist presentation. For new adventurers willing to embrace old-school mechanics, this Greenland ghost hunt delivers a tense, engaging ride from the first typed command to the final chilling revelation.

Retro Replay Score

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