Enotria: The Last Song
A soulslike set in Italian folklore and theater.
Enotria: The Last Song is an action role-playing game created by the Italian studio Jyamma Games, which also handled its publishing. It launched for PlayStation 5 and Windows on September 16, 2024, with an Xbox Series X/S version following on December 12, 2024. The title is a soulslike that draws heavy inspiration from FromSoftware’s work, but distinguishes itself through a setting rooted in Italian folklore and theatrical traditions.
The gameplay is third-person and follows the standard soulslike model, emphasizing tough combat, parrying, and attacks that rely on precise timing. Its world is bright and sunlit, inspired by Italian Renaissance landscapes and commedia dell’arte, a deliberate contrast to the gloomier tone of most soulslikes. Players control the Maskless One, a warrior who can equip different masks, each granting unique abilities and altering their playstyle. The core mechanic is the Ardore system, which allows real-time shifts to the environment, affecting enemy behavior, interactions with the surroundings, and combat situations.
The story takes place in the land of Enotria, which is stuck in an endless theatrical performance called the Canovaccio, enforced by powerful beings known as the Authors. The protagonist, the Maskless One, must defeat these Authors to break the cycle and restore freedom.
Jyamma Games, an independent studio based in Milan, Italy, developed the game with the goal of bringing a Mediterranean feel to the soulslike genre, using Italian culture instead of the medieval and Gothic influences common in similar titles. The game was announced in 2022 and went through several beta tests before its final release in September 2024. The developers focused on refining combat, world design, and performance. For the Asian release, Jyamma Games partnered with Sega for a 2024 launch. The narrative draws from Italian theatrical traditions and mythology, with characters and settings reminiscent of commedia dell’arte, and the game is filled with references to folklore, masks, and staged performances.
The game launched on September 16, 2024, for PlayStation 5 and Windows. An Xbox version was initially planned but faced indefinite delays due to issues between Jyamma Games and Microsoft, causing fan frustration. It eventually arrived on Xbox Series X/S on December 12, 2024.
According to review aggregator Metacritic, Enotria: The Last Song
- developer
- Jyamma Games
- publisher
- Jyamma Games
- release_date_PS5_Windows
- September 16, 2024
- release_date_Xbox_Series_X_S
- December 12, 2024
- genre
- Action role-playing game
- platforms
- PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox Series X/S
Lore & Background
Enotria: The Last Song 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. The game's story draws from Italian theatrical traditions and mythology, with characters and settings reminiscent of commedia dell'arte, filled with references to folklore, masks, and staged performances.
Reader's Guide
Enotria: The Last Song is significant as an independent Italian studio's attempt to bring a Mediterranean flair to the soulslike genre, contrasting the darker aesthetics of most similar titles. Its setting, inspired by Italian Renaissance landscapes and commedia dell'arte, received praise for its uniqueness and artistic direction. The game's Ardore system, which lets players shift the world in real-time, was a notable gameplay mechanic. However, the game received mixed reviews due to technical issues, performance problems, and a lack of polish, with critics noting frequent frame drops and optimization problems. Its lack of significant innovations compared to other soulslikes was also criticized. The delayed Xbox release, caused by issues between Jyamma Games and Microsoft, added to fan frustration. Despite these criticisms, the game's level design and fresh take on the soulslike formula were highlighted as strengths. The legacy of Enotria: The Last Song lies in its attempt to diversify the soulslike genre through cultural inspiration, though its technical shortcomings limited its impact.
Did You Know?
- Enotria: The Last Song was developed and published by the Italian studio Jyamma Games.
- The game's setting is based on Italian folklore and commedia dell'arte.
- The Xbox version was delayed due to issues between Jyamma Games and Microsoft.
- The game's core mechanic, the Ardore system, allows players to shift the world in real-time.
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