14 DAY TRIAL // My rabbit archer shows his butt to an enemy combat snail to make sure that it does act this turn. This gives another ranged attacker a chance to take down some of his health, while a swordsman fox manages to kill it. This was the biggest threat during the current battle, so I am quite pleased.
Unfortunately, one of my units is standing too close to a ledge, which allows an enemy dog knight to push it and take it out of the fight. I use my special swat power to attack that enemy and then my archers finish him off. There’s now just a cat bishop to take care of, but that will have to wait for the next turn.
Inkulinati was developed by Yaza Games and is published by Daedalic Entertainment. The game is in Early Access on Steam. The title offers a tactics game with unique graphics and exciting battles.
The core concept of the experience is living ink, a substance that can be used to create and control living creatures on parchment. Gamers start off as apprentice to a figure who looks suspiciously like Yoda, learning how to use the drawn characters to defeat opponents. There are plenty of foxes, rabbits, beasts, and more, to put down on paper and launch toward other Inkulinati.
The game’s tone is a humorous one but the tactical side is deadly serious and requires careful planning and good decisions. Gamers have an avatar, also present on the battlefield (not in all engagements), who is able to both draw and command creatures and use special powers to influence the course of battle.
Each unit can move, attach, or use one of its own special abilities. Rabbits can use their buts to stun opponents, cat bishops will heal, and snails can eat enemies. There’s a lot of variety and it pays to constantly watch what a unit can do and where its powers are best employed. Never forget that units can be pushed off an edge for an easy kill.
The game also features resource management. Players need to collect the special ink that brings creatures to manuscript life. Each engagement also features obstacles and events. The tactical side of Inkulinati is also enhanced by catastrophes that pop up when engagements take too long.
The campaign has many battles but there are also shops that offer extra units and more abilities, as well as other random encounters. Even if some players might expect it, the title does not feature a rogue-lite structure.
Inkulinati has a very distinctive presentation, which works beautifully with its gameplay. It is inspired by the practice of drawing in the margins of Medieval manuscripts and looks great in action. The text that describes what’s happening in battle is a very nice touch.
he game also does a good job of offering a lot of information, making sure that players are always aware of the actions they can take and their consequences. The soundtrack is also inspired by classical music and meshes well with the rest of the universe.
Conclusion
The campaign offers a solid challenge, especially when it introduces beast versus beast battles. The tactics are easy to understand, and hard to execute perfectly. Inkulinati, with its style and core ideas, will attract both tactics fans and those intrigued by its visual inspirations and I really want to see how Yaza Games develops both.
A preview key was provided by the publisher.
