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.

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

Inkbound, like all early access games, is bound to change as updates are pushed out — but what I’ve played thus far is a strong foundation. Presently, my main gripe is that NPCs feel less distinct than I’d like, which makes it hard to invest myself in the story. I do, however, appreciate the nod to creative writing dictums in the form of naming the player character “Needless,” with commentary from the supporting cast saying that you’re not a real character if you don’t have needs.

A charming world that boasts deep strategy beyond number crunching.

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.

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.

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 an incredibly unique and entertaining roguelike. With turn-based and RPG elements, I sank hours into a storybook world filled with deep mechanics and characters. Whether playing solo or with a team, it's a game worth investing in!

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.