Inkbound
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Critic Reviews for Inkbound
This time it's Hades that Shiny Shoe's game feels similar to, but with some delicious differences that make this roguelike stand out all on its own.
Despite it never really standing out from the crowd, Inkbound does a decent job of creating a fight, die, and repeat cycle that is equal parts entertaining and challenging. Running the gauntlets of the various books with friends or strangers is an undoubtedly fun experience, and since unlockables can be earned in-game, it will perhaps drive a lot of players to keep at the grind a bit longer than they normally would. Those looking for something familiar but with a new twist should keep their eyes on Inkbound, and be ready to dive into the books and write their own adventures.
Inkbound is a turn based Roguelike with a whole lot of depth to it, but don't expect it to hold your hand in the early hours.
What's here is a shining example of how a studio can find its niche and iterate on it without playing it safe. Shiny Shoe has really made something special here and with season leaderboards and multiplayer adding even more layers of potential competition and metaprogression, it really feels like Inkbound is a must-play for anyone who enjoys the roguelike genre.
If you’re a roguelike fan, Inkbound will surely scratch your itch for dozens of hours, and I expected nothing less from the creators of Monster Train. I am disappointed that we didn’t see new Aspects release in 1.0, especially with two very obvious slots open and waiting. Releasing a polished game built on the back of the previous release was the smart move, but the team teased new Aspects way back in 2023, so that still leaves a lot to look forward to.
Inkbound is dripping in potential, from its excellently designed characters to the world design choices that make its lore worth learning about. Combat is addictive and rewarding. With a class system that would make sense to all gamers, these solid choices are tethered to a well-designed hub world that is fun to explore. But, not-fun to explore menus and questionable reliance on internet connectivity hold Inkbound back from taking another step towards literary excellence. Despite its shortcomings, Inkbound is a good recommendation for those looking for something novel and exciting to try out.
