Inkbound by Shiny Shoe is a turn based tactical RPG that combines various aspects of the RPG genre with some roguelike elements that makes the experience feel relatively refreshing to those familiar with the genre. The element as to why the game is like a refreshing experience to tactical RPGs is the fact that not many of them are so simplistic yet fun. An example as to the simplistic fun the game provides is in the gameplay that feels responsive and clean making the experience an enjoyable one. The artistic approach to the game’s designs melds a bit into the gameplay enhancing the overall player’s experience and replay value. Moreover, the game is multiplayer and upscales the complexity and fun for those engaging in co-op. Shiny Shoe has made a great game and overall, an enjoyable experience that grabs the player’s attentions quite well.
Turn based RPGs are nothing new to the world of video game sit is through their developers interpreting the genre to bring forth innovation to an already established genre with pre-established notions. Inkbound tries to step away from such notions by introducing a new set of rules stemming from roguelike games. These new rulings include a harsher difficulty curve at the beginning of the game making the experience a lot more trial and error with some experimentation as to how the player wants to play the game. This is first shown in the start of the game where the RPG elements come in such as selecting a class to play. The classes in the game are ranked on complexity making the choice more streamlined as to show the difficulty of each class available at the start. One of the classes “Magma Miner” is an easy to learn class based around physical damage at the start before diverging into other roles. The main strength of the class is in its simplicity such as smacking enemies with a large hammer and bindings (skills) based around dealing damage with said hammer before it evolves into a hybrid class.
Hybrid classes in the game are found while traversing the dungeons where the game can provide two more additional support or attack-based bindings (skills) that can mix up the gameplay. One of these additional bindings (skills) for example focus on generating shields for the player that can take any incoming damage from enemies. While it may only take damage away from the player character it can also be enhanced to increase the amount of shields generated or introduce a spike effect that reflect a set amount of damage to the attacker. Furthermore, these effects can stack or stockpile to increase the effectiveness of this status or length of time they have.
Inkbound’s overall design melds well to the type of game they are trying to make the game standout with some creative enemies, and designs to showcase the art team’s creative ability. In terms of captivating the strength of bosses the best way to showcase their power is though visual appeal as the boss needs to look a certain way to provide this notion of strength and overwhelming power to the player. One of the best games that does this is Dark Souls 3 showcasing some bosses where they tower over the player showing that their stature alone is something to behold. As to how Inkbound does the same thing is through boss introductions where they have this cinematic opening showcasing the difference between the boss and player character’s overall height.
This creates a certain dynamic between the player and the boss showcasing that the player is going to be facing off against insurmountable odds that can end their run of the dungeon and be forced to restart. While this contrast is showcased in a physical trait the art style used in game offers a stronger connection to the game’s deeper lore with the game being based on stories. This is focus on art is tied directly in the title and character creation where the player is in charge of saving stories and uncovering the truth as they play through the game. Furthermore, the journey can also be done in a group allowing players to engage enemies together.
The multiplayer of the game increases the in-depth complexity of the game due to the addition of other players either stacking as one class or diversifying the class pool. By having more than one player on screen allows for some awesome teamwork to occur and provide an extra level of strategy to the overall game. Moreover, the amount of teamwork done by both players are dependent upon binding (skills) cooldowns and where they are standing on the ground as certain enemies can perform AOE (area of effect) attacks. In terms of how the multiplayer impacts gameplay elements it enhances the experience and makes some combat scenarios a lot more enjoyable. An example of the later is when a group work flawlessly and combines several attacks to unleash a large amount of damage to the enemies they are currently fighting. Also, the co-op is implemented well and can make fighting enemies a whole lot smoother as opposed to facing them all alone.
Shiny Shoe as the developer and publisher of Inkbound should be proud of the game that they have created as it goes far and beyond of a tactical role-playing turn-based game has done. The gameplay feels smooth, coherent, and easy to learn with some deeper complexity underneath for those players who want to do more and optimize their character. Moreover, the thought process behind the game’s design is well thought out and tries to showcase the hardships that the player’s character needs to overcome as they progress. This is then supplemented with the multiplayer adding in another layer of complexity and fun to the established gameplay elements. With character customization adding on the multiplayer experience by making each character unique. Inkbound is a 9/10 game and the developers have removed microtransaction from the game as of October 13, 2023 and this shows that the developers want to make the end game rewards standout and be a testament to player dedication.
You can get Inkbound for PC via Steam.
Related: Reviews by Kyle Manila
I would describe myself when interacting with games as a strategist with a pension for stealth and loud explosions.
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