Bendy and the Ink Machine

 PlayStation 4
User Score
7.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 51 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 51
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 51
  3. Negative: 10 out of 51
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  1. thatguywhoshere
    Dec 2, 2018
    6
    Good news: the majority of issues posted in my previous review have since been fixed. Transparency has been fixed, meaning fully transparent objects no longer look like awkward semi-transparent black grids. A save feature has also finally been incorporated, meaning you could now save your progress at any time. However, the camera moving by itself is still a big issue (and turning off theGood news: the majority of issues posted in my previous review have since been fixed. Transparency has been fixed, meaning fully transparent objects no longer look like awkward semi-transparent black grids. A save feature has also finally been incorporated, meaning you could now save your progress at any time. However, the camera moving by itself is still a big issue (and turning off the newly added "camera control" feature doesn't work), and the frame rate still is not ideal. While I still enjoy the game and am more likely to play it now that it has been fixed, these shortcomings are still very disappointing, and fixing these issues would easily nail an 8/10 from me.… Expand
  2. TheMike577
    May 24, 2019
    7
    Bendy is a good game, great story, various puzzles, but The console version have pretty weak graphics, but It still an awesome game
  3. Flexosuarous
    Feb 11, 2021
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. What an interesting game! I loved the old-timey cartoon aesthetic, and the multiple cartoonish characters that inhabited the work studio. I had no idea what this game was, but upon learning that it was a horror game I knew I had to try it. I didn't hate the game, I actually like it quite a bit, but it did fall somewhat short of my expectations.

    Pros:

    - The world and setting were incredibly unique and really made me want to know just exactly what was going on.

    - the sound mixing was very effective in complimenting the grim and creepy environment.

    - Boris the wolf is my favorite part of this game, I'm pretty sure he's my spirit animal.

    - Very inspired art direction, gave me some major cuphead vibes... it was like cuphead meets Outlast. I may be alone in that regard but this is MY review >_<

    - Having the walls become caked in ink, signaling the presence of the ink demon was truly terrifying and really got my blood pumping

    Cons:

    - The gameplay was pretty inconsistent, hiding isn't introduced until halfway through the game, there isn't any combat in the first chapter, weapons are constantly lost. Many of the chapters would feel like isolated experiences if it weren't for the narrative holding it together.

    - I compared the game to outlast earlier, but this game probably could have benefitted by taking more from outlast. Hiding from an enemy while in their direct line of sight only for them to give up and walk away felt a bit cheap. Although the running is really slow in this game so I guess it makes sense to do it that way.

    -The story had a rather silly ending, and characters were not explored as much as I had hoped. I would have loved to see regular cartoon bendy be implemented in some way into the story, and more explanation for the little glass thing that lets you see hidden messages. I wanted to know why there was a good alice and a bad alice. I wanted to know how the workshop became so gargantuan as I descended into a cave-like setting. The game left me with more questions than answers and I'm not a fan of stories like that unless the answers are meant to be explained in a sequel - but this game doesn't really set up a sequel.

    All that being said, I know there's a sequel on the way... or perhaps a prequel? Many of my issues may be fixed in the next installment, and I enjoyed Bendy enough to give it a try when it launches. Bendy was not a terrible game, it wasn't even that bad, but no where near as good as I hoped it would be. Completing the game and unlocking all the trophies was a bit annoying at times, but that is a personal con that I did not feel like including in my consideration of the games numbered score.

    Overall I didn't hate it enough to give it a six, and I didn't like it enough to give it an 8 so 7/10. The games world, atmosphere, sound mixing, and very inspired concept went a long way with me, but the gameplay fell a bit flat. Pretty good for a hastily made game from a very small group of dedicated and inspired developers. Props to the dev team!    … Expand
  4. Youchlol
    Sep 29, 2020
    7
    That game has some creativity, but the bad factor is that it doesn't do anything beyond play it safe. The story turned out to be pretty bad, the jump scares are decent at best, and Henry shows emotions as much as a rock! However, there are some good things about it, the settings makes is look both calm and scary, the game has some exciting moments and some of the creativity is very good.That game has some creativity, but the bad factor is that it doesn't do anything beyond play it safe. The story turned out to be pretty bad, the jump scares are decent at best, and Henry shows emotions as much as a rock! However, there are some good things about it, the settings makes is look both calm and scary, the game has some exciting moments and some of the creativity is very good. This is a recommendation from me if you wants something that is good, not anything beyond that but good enough to be enjoyable.… Expand
  5. lobster990
    Dec 4, 2021
    5
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This game has a very interesting visual style, but the gameplay is flawed. The first 2 chapters are around 30 minutes each with the latter 3 being around an hour or two each depending mostly on
    RNG. The concept is interesting, but the plot is not all that compelling what with Henry falling through floors at least 3 times losing progress artificially. Stale enemy types are present, with only 6-7 enemy types in the game, 3 of which are used as game padding in most areas. You constantly lose your weapon and have to rely on cabinets to duck into and hide from things, which is frustrating because the enemies that aren't boss enemies take maybe 1-2 hits from most of the weapons. Ink Demon's spawn rate is very random, the Projectionist is actually the flash. and the Butcher Gang are omnipotent. Not to mention that the button mapping is confusing (the game never tells you how to sprint, you cannot sprint for very long without having to mash the stick again to begin sprinting. It peaks at chapter 3, where you have moments where you and Boris have to use each other to progress, most of the rest of the game are fetch quests, which are fine when used sparingly but it's most every mission in the game. The game's color pallet is mostly ugly browns and tans, which isn't super realistic for an animation studio, they don't make buildings out of just wood and nails anymore. The voice acting is full of issues, with the only really good characters voiced being Twisted Alice and Joey Drew, hell they even put a youtuber into the game's voice cast. No real replay value and overall just an average game experience. Play Amnesia or Resident Evil over this title    … Expand
  6. SFproductions
    Nov 19, 2022
    7
    this game is pretty damn cool and it's short and sweet just like MY ink machine
  7. kaikovsk
    Feb 18, 2023
    7
    O jogo é bom, mais poderia ser melhor no PS4, infelizmente o jogo não está em português, e tem alguns bugs que atrapalha na gameplay, pelo preço, não acho q vale a pena, mais mesmo assim é um bom jogo

Awards & Rankings

85
#85 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2018

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
71

Mixed or average reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. Playstation Official Magazine UK
    Jan 27, 2019
    50
    Proof that style is no substitute for substance. [Issue#158, p.95]
  2. Worth Playing
    Dec 21, 2018
    95
    Unique puzzles and collectibles encourage exploration and advance the story to keep players engaged. It's an unorthodox type of horror game, but Bendy and the Ink Machine utilizes two opposite genres that complement each other to create a solid title. The use of cartoon characters in a horror atmosphere blends the purity of animated characters with the terrifying ideals of a scientist gone mad. As we progress, we learn sad truths behind the animation team that led to the spiraling downfall of innocent people. Bendy and the Ink Machine may be a sleeper hit, but it's worth any survival-horror fan's time.
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  3. GameCritics
    Dec 18, 2018
    65
    Overall, I’ll fondly remember my time with Bendy and the Ink Machine. It’s a dark world with fantastic aesthetics and a compelling, if tritely-told narrative. While the horror tropes of revenge, abandoned places, and jump scares may be a bit cliché and the tension loses some punch at key moments, the exploration of a long-dark studio and the menace of creatures of black ink will stay with me.
    Read full review
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