Inscryption

 PC
Metascore
85

Generally favorable reviews - based on 49 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 46 out of 49
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 49
  3. Negative: 0 out of 49
  1. Game World Navigator Magazine
    Dec 15, 2021
    71
    In the first few hours, you get to know and love Inscryption. Then, it genre-shifts to the point of total unrecognizability. [Issue#257, p.78]
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  2. Edge Magazine
    Nov 4, 2021
    70
    Were Inscription half as long, it would probably be twice the game. [Issue#365, p.114]
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  3. PC Gamer
    Oct 22, 2021
    69
    At its best when it's strangest, Inscryption doesn't know when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em.
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  1. 3DJuegos
    Oct 27, 2021
    Inscryption is a card game and more than just a card game. One in which the cards talk, complain and give you clues. No, I don't mean the next move, but clues to solve a larger puzzle that makes up its mysterious story, full of puzzles and meta-narrative uses of video game language. [Recommended].
  2. Eurogamer
    Oct 22, 2021
    A bold, stand-out, knockout of a card game that drips with imagination and menace. [Eurogamer Essential]
  3. Polygon
    Nov 17, 2021
    Inscyrption’s deft handling of roguelike and strategy elements means that once you’ve hacked out a reliable approach, you can make progress very quickly. This is good because, as I’ve hinted at, the cabin is only the first portion of the game. To say more would enter into spoiler territory. But despite all the secrecy, there is much more to Inscryption than the slow reveal of its mystery. Inscryption is a great game, spoiled or not. That’s what will help it stay relevant not just for a moment, but for years to come. [Recommended]
  5. Rock, Paper, Shotgun
    Oct 18, 2021
    A finely crafted card game sealed in a meta-narrative wrapper that you sometimes have to tear off when it snags, but when that wrapping falls away, Inscryption reveals itself as a rare shiny. A clever game without taking itself too seriously. Metafiction always runs the risk of being pompous and showy. By contrast, this is an impish game, trollish even, repeatedly reinventing its own rules. A beautifully cursed creation. [RPS Bestest Bests]
  6. The A.V. Club
    Oct 18, 2021
    As a love letter to card games, it’s cunningly crafted, and full of fascinating twists. As a pool of secrets, it’s deep enough to drown in. As a hybrid of the two, it’s one of the best games of 2021.

Awards & Rankings

18
#18 Best PC Game of 2021
30
#30 Most Discussed PC Game of 2021

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 330 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 272 out of 330
  2. Mixed: 41 out of 330
  3. Negative: 17 out of 330
  1. Keitf
    Oct 29, 2021
    10
    I have never played a game so original before.. don't spoil yourself anything and buy it!!
  2. Rich_Mahogany
    Oct 29, 2021
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click full review link to view. Part ominous masterpiece and part - something else - Inscryption is an easy game to recommend for anyone who enjoys deckbuilding games and occult settings. It just can't sustain its greatness for its entire play time.

    Imagine being forced to play a deckbuilder in a gloomy, claustrophobic cabin where your life is on the line if you lose. Your mysterious adversary is torn between espousing his contempt for you and showing off his skills as the consummate DM. Your opponent enjoys the game, even if he is convinced you will lose. Your captor's enthusiasm and love of gaming itself is one of Inscryption's best features.

    The deckbuilding aspect of Inscryption is excellent. You will die several times, but you will learn, improve your tactics, and find ways to overcome challenges that first seem impossible. Victory is exciting and rewarding.

    Problems begin after you achieve that victory. There's much more to the game, but all of it is a dramatic step down from the battles in the cabin. The remaining content is too easy, too unfocused, and too uninteresting, especially coming off some of the most memorable gaming I've ever experienced.

    I recommend Inscryption but wish all of it was as well-designed, challenging, and atmospheric as the fight to survive in the cabin.    … Full Review »
  3. Jeabus
    Oct 27, 2021
    6
    I can only describe this as too many similar ideas crammed into a relatively short game and a pretentious developer who feels the need to cramI can only describe this as too many similar ideas crammed into a relatively short game and a pretentious developer who feels the need to cram really bad and unnecessary "meta" nonsense into the game. It constantly detracts from the good core concepts at every turn.

    It feels like a bait-and-switch from how severe it contrasts with itself and it's identity crisis.    … Full Review »
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