Inkbound

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.

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. Despite the genre expanding exponentially over the past several years, roguelike fans can’t sleep on this one, so if you're itching for a new roguelike to steal your time, grab your Kwill and dive into your next story with Inkbound.

Shiny Shoe, the developers, have done it again with innovative game design and atmosphere. While Inkbound is by no means a perfect game, it’s certainly addictive and rewarding. What’s more, it plays phenomenally in solo or multiplayer. I applaud the devs for their unique ability to create an authentic experience unlike what others—AAA or indie—are capable of doing. Hat’s off to you folks, and thank you for pushing entertainment forward with your awesome ideas and execution. Your work will undoubtedly be written into gaming lore to inspire others.

Inkbound is mechanically impressive. Despite its depth and the complexity of its engagements, the game is snappy and rarely feels stuffy. The featured classes play very differently and there’s a ton of variety, making it easy for players to test out strategies and find one that fully fits their approach. The rogue elements are familiar, and the fantasy world offers plenty of lore but lacks a strong hook. But the turn-based combat is good enough that I can see myself spending tens of hours with one class, trying out ideas to find the build that suits me best. Inkbound’s mix of tactical puzzles and power and upgrade variety makes it a worthy successor to Monster Train.

Inkbound is a vast library of tales and not every book will be worth a read, but there are enough good ones to make for some fun summer reading.

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.

As a rogue-like that may not be on everyone's radar, Inkbound goes beyond expectations to deliver an addictive and gorgeous turn-based experience.

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.

A clever yet frustratingly muddled follow-up to Monster Train.