14 DAY TRIAL // 
The enemy leader is running out of ink and that’s great given the battlefield situation. He can’t be pushed into the flames of apocalypse that are set to appear next turn, but I have a big dog with a mace next to him, ready to deliver solid blows until his retinue of protectors manages to whittle down his health. His limited resources mean he cannot summon more allies.
I use one of my archers to strike two enemies with a special ability, place a rabbit on an ink puddle, and then end my turn. Once the new chapter starts, one of his swordsmen deals damage and my big dog attacks. An enemy archer strikes the representation of my Ink Master. I then activate this tiny avatar and draw another spear fox into existence.
I then choose to ring a bell to re-activate my most capable unit again and deal another blow to the enemy leader. I could finish him off next turn, but the flames of the Apocalypse are spreading and do that before I can strike again. It’s time to think about what new beast I want to recruit, and which special ability will serve me best as I explore a new map and move to fight another Ink Master.
Inkulinati is developed by Yaza Games and published by Daedalic Entertainment. I played the PC version on Steam. The game is also on the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and older consoles from Microsoft and Sony. The title combines a unique style with turn-driven combat and rogue-lite concepts.
The game’s universe is based on Medieval Europe, with the unique twists that a substance called Living Ink exists. Inkulinati Masters use it to make their drawing come alive and then battle each other for gold and glory. The game’s campaign cleverly integrates historical figures and even a well-known science fiction character, creating a world that is clever and unique.
Weird and complex drawings in the margins of manuscripts were a real-world phenomenon when scribes, mostly from a religious background, copied books by hand. Inkulinati doesn’t serve up a full-on history lesson, but it is the kind of video game that will drive players to find out more. It helps that the writing manages to be funny and irreverent while also giving players clear details about the mechanics. The three tutorials are highly recommended.
At the start of a run, players get to choose how their Ink Master looks as well as the army they will use, with a range of extra options revealed over time by the accumulation of Prestige. Once that happens, it’s time to move from map node to map node, fighting normal enemies, encountering events and shops, or battling another Master (they have bespoke levels that often feature unique ideas).
Combat is turn-based. Units have a movement point allocation to move between tiles and the ability to perform one action. When a beast strikes another, players have a few seconds to click on a number and determine the strength of their blow. In this game, rabbits, foxes, and dogs carry bows and spears, cat bishops will turn enemies into heretics when attacked, and donkeys will blow trumpets.
Some creatures, like the hare carrying basket, can attack more than one tile from range and deal set damage. Beasts can be pushed off ledges, into empty space, which destroys them instantly, although some are immune to this.
When the Ink Master’s avatar is present, it will create new beasts using magic ink (make sure to use every opportunity to gather more). That figure also enables the player to directly intervene using a small set of actions, pushing units around, striking enemies, healing allies, summoning items and shields, and more. When a creature is inked into existence, the level of boredom increases, making it more expensive to call on it for future battles.
Inkulinati offers a variety of combat scenarios, from straight-up battles to engagements that feature creature lairs or wild monsters to take down. There are obstacles and opportunities randomly placed in each level and Apocalypse events appear during Master duels.
On the map, players will visit shops, which sell new creatures and hand gestures, and scriptoriums, to recoup and enhance Master's health. It’s important to evaluate both beasts and gestures before a battle, accounting for Boredom levels. Inkulinati expects players to try out ideas and switch strategies. Always keep in mind how easy it is to push someone off a ledge rather than commit to a lengthy duel. And do not ignore the powers the Tiny Ink Master can bring to a fight.
Inkulinati looks great and approaches the idea of tactical battles from an original angle. Because everything happens in the margins of Medieval manuscripts, the combatants are fantastical takes on a range of creatures, from rabbits to foxes to snails to cats and more. They all look great, with plenty of unique touches to their designs, and the same is true for the Ink Masters figures.
I especially love the effects associated with the apocalyptic endings for battles and the animations for special moves. The game’s interface is equally impressive, using the same style while offering clear info on what a unit can do. Hover to get details about anything that can affect a battle and a clear preview of what a hand action can achieve.
The sound design isn’t as unique as the graphics, but it uses the same Medieval theme. Despite the martial theme, the music is soothing, giving players space to think about their moves and their effects. The game does not have voice acting, which is a pity because I really wanted to hear some weird accents delivering some of its funniest lines.
The Good
- Ink-driven combat
- Tactical combat twists
- Medieval manuscript look
The Bad
- Tutorials are long
- Some battles feature too much furniture
- Boss battles can be gimmicky
Conclusion
The campaign is strong but playing against another human, in local multiplayer, is even more fun, especially if both involved players have learned a few tricks while facing the computer. Inkulinati is incredibly inventive visually and features engaging combat mechanics.
Review key provided by the publisher.
