Inkshade

Inkshade is a roguelite tactical board game set in a dark, mysterious environment reminiscent of Inscryption but with its own unique identity. Players navigate through a haunted ship, solving puzzles and engaging in strategic turn-based combat with a variety of units on a hexagonal grid. The gameplay loop centers around progressing through runs, earning currency (Scrim) to upgrade units, and unlocking new areas and stronger troops, creating an addictive meta-progression system.

The game excels in atmosphere, sound design, and art direction, with a creepy yet charming aesthetic. Combat is strategic, demanding careful planning and troop management, with some comparisons to Into the Breach and Fire Emblem. However, the difficulty curve is steep, requiring patience and repeated runs to upgrade units and advance. Exploration and puzzles add depth but sometimes feel tacked on. Performance issues and very dark visuals can hinder the experience, though overall it’s a satisfying and immersive tactical roguelite experience.

Highlights

Players praise Inkshade's immersive atmosphere and enchanting sound design, which perfectly complement its dark, mysterious setting. The art direction is highly regarded for its charming animations and detailed environments. The strategic combat is challenging and rewarding, with a strong meta-progression system that encourages tactical planning and upgrading units. Fans of Inscryption and turn-based tactics games appreciate the unique blend of roguelite mechanics and puzzle-solving elements. The game’s narrative presence through the Game Master adds intrigue and personality to the experience.

Criticisms

Common criticisms include the steep difficulty curve that can feel punishing early on, forcing players to grind upgrades before making meaningful progress. The dark visuals often make exploration and UI readability difficult, with some areas straining the eyes despite gamma adjustments. Several players note performance issues during boss fights, including FPS drops and occasional crashes. The replayability is limited by lack of unit variety and passive abilities, making late-game combat feel repetitive. Some feel the puzzles and exploration are tacked on and could benefit from more depth or interactivity. The story, while atmospheric, is considered shallow by some, lacking multiple endings or deeper narrative payoff.