Inkulinati Reviews

Inkulinati is ranked in the 79th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
Max Borman
Top Critic
Mar 3, 2024

Overall, Inkulinati can be a fun experience for anyone willing to give it a shot. The art style is incredibly charming, the gameplay is surprisingly deep, and its roguelite Journey Mode can be pretty engaging. However, the game also spends too much time telling players how to play it rather than letting them learn at their own pace. Additionally, the humor, lack of an online mode, and the fact it does not do anything truly groundbreaking with the concept may push some players away. But even with all of that, fans of the genre may still find something to love here.

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Recommended
Jan 30, 2023

A rare balance of playfulness and genuine strategic depth, plucked from the margins of history.

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8 / 10
Feb 16, 2024

Are there better, more complicated tactical strategy games out there for the Switch? Absolutely, but few of them are quite as entertaining as Inkulinati. In fact, none of them let you use a creature's butt quite as frequently or as effectively. The absurd humour doesn't stop the game from offering some unique tactical options, even if it errs on the easy side for our liking.

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TheSixthAxis
Steve C
Top Critic
8 / 10
Feb 27, 2024

Inkulinati is a fantastic strategy game and one that is refreshingly accessible to players not immersed in that genre. The sheer charm of the whole aesthetic is clear to see and the units all have a huge amount of personality. The range of skills and possible approaches ensure that the battles remain enjoyable throughout whilst mechanics like the boredom stat encourage you to mix things up as you go. All in all, this is one of the best strategy games I've played in a while and you should definitely be prepared to get medieval.

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7 / 10
Feb 16, 2024

After being in early access on multiple platforms, Inkulinati delivers a satisfying game with an original art style in its full release. The colorful, humorous character art and animations are impressive and entertaining. A lot of effort went into creating a dense and intense combat system. However, Journey Mode becomes predictable within a few runs and could have been more innovative. The lack of online multiplayer is unfortunate too, especially for a game based on dueling. Inkulinati is a fun page-turner, but it’s still in need of several revisions.

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8.5 / 10.0
Feb 15, 2024

Inkuinati is a rediscovery of who we were in the Middle Ages, of our long lost attitude about games event in serious context. A great strategic game full of jokes and farts diegetically inserted in the game experience.

Review in Italian | Read full review

85 / 100
Jan 31, 2023

But I wasn’t counting on how strong the actual strategy game is. This is the first release from Yaza Games, but they seem like a team with some fresh ideas and the vision to implement them. Daedalic Entertainment publishes a lot of novel strategy titles that fail to hold your attention for long. Inkulinati earns its place in your library with its depth.

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8 / 10.0
Feb 21, 2024

Inkulinati offers a unique experience that masterfully combines tactical elements with a fascinating setting.

Review in Italian | Read full review

7.5 / 10.0
Mar 25, 2024

While Inkulinati isn't groundbreaking by any means, its unique presentation draws you in. The title has a lot to offer to fans of the genre. While the game is not complex, it can surprise an unprepared player - its simplicity is deceptive. It's endearing, it's humorous and it's fun, what's not to like?

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75 / 100
Mar 10, 2024

Inkulinati stands out with a wacky setting and tone for a game that executes the turn-based strategy style very well, even stumbling over confusing controls and an uninspired interface.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

9 / 10.0
Feb 28, 2024

Inkulinati is impressive in its ability to marry theme, mechanics, and presentation. The ink-driven combat is exciting and tense, rewarding experimentation and good use of gestures and abilities. The world, inspired by the marginalia of Medieval manuscripts, is beautiful and immersive.

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7.5 / 10.0
Feb 21, 2024

Turn-based battles on parchment with ink animations are interesting not only in appearance, but also in gameplay. Although there are also certain pitfalls. However, the originality of the game cannot be denied.

Review in Slovak | Read full review

75 / 100
Apr 13, 2024

Inkulinati is a peculiar strategy game with layered and deep gameplay and a unique art style that offers many hours of fun, provided you get past the daunting tutorial.

Review in Italian | Read full review

7.7 / 10.0
Feb 16, 2024

Inkulinati finally arrives at its full release and does so with a product that is as fascinating as it is complex. The medieval marginalia aesthetic imparts a unique personality to the project, as does an effectively strategic and layered gameplay. However, as with all titles that choose to embrace both a distinctive art design and a niche genre, the end result is inevitably a product that is not easy to recommend to everyone. Beyond the unquestionable qualities, Yaza Games' debut work is a clear example of what the indie market can hold in store: tactical fans in particular should cast an eye on it.

Review in Italian | Read full review

8 / 10.0
Feb 19, 2024

Strategy games aren’t renowned for their light-hearted or amusing nature. Accordingly, Inkulinati is a refreshing change from the norm. If you then consider the vast potential on offer, this could be a cult classic. Additionally, I love the fact that it is included as part of the Game Pass subscription service. Consequently, I adore this game and I recommend buying it here! Can you rule the roost and defeat everything in your path? Draw your army, pick your tactics, and win every battle.

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80%
Feb 29, 2024

Inkulinati offers an unique premise, and it managed to execute it well. The tactical combat will challenge even the best tacticians out there

Review in Slovak | Read full review

7 / 10.0
Apr 2, 2024

The turn-based affair isn’t for everyone as it moves at a snail’s pace, for the most part, it gives weight to each battle but during a long play session, tedium can set in. That being said, if you’re aware of the plodding nature, this off-beat battler is a rare gem that is both funny and meaningful. The standout of the piece is the medieval styling, which looks as if Terry Gilliam was responsible for putting together the Magna Carta. While I was thoroughly sold on the visuals and humour, there was no better feeling than obtaining the win by using a fart-push combo to dispatch that last opponent. Inkulinati might not be for everyone, but for those who like the strategy genre, then you’re in for a fun time.

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8.5 / 10.0
Mar 28, 2024

Overall, Inkulinati is a really unique strategy title that’s also tons of fun to play. There are lots of games out there trying copy the successful formula from other roguelikes, but thankfully enough, this one goes for a different route. It might borrow some elements from other games that preceded it, but Inkulinati plots its own path.

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4 / 5.0
Mar 3, 2024

Inkulinati manages to blend style and substance, creating a game that is mechanically simple yet has a ton of strategic depth for players to discover. If you’re a fan of board games, strategy games, or even just the art style, I’d recommend checking this one out. Who knows, you might be the next Inkulinati Master.

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80%
Feb 27, 2024

Admittedly, in the first one or two hours of play, "Inkulinati" still feels quite unwieldy. However, once you have worked your way through the numerous tutorial lessons and internalized the basic principles, what is offered ignites a consenting pull effect that turn-based strategy lovers will find difficult to resist. Not least because the balance has reached a nice, fairly even level after the Early Access phase on PC on all difficulties. The Monty Phython-inspired humor also knows how to please and graphically "Inkulinati" is something very special anyway due to its grandiose medieval style.

Review in German | Read full review