14 DAY TRIAL // Red is a capable swordsman and can easily deal with enemies that close in for melee attacks. Slash them quickly or use the capable dash move to escape their strikes. Give the combat pet companion space to pepper them with his projectiles. Opponents who strike from a distance pose the biggest challenge.
It’s easy to get in the way of their projectiles while dodging other attacks, losing precious health even before reaching a boss. Some of the combat arenas are pretty small, making it even harder to dance around enemy groups. It’s a good idea to put some distance between Red and them, then engage each separately. I need to avoid losing hit points while getting rewards from each room. With enough resources for upgrades, I will stand a better chance of surviving and taking down a boss character.
Realm of Ink is developed and published by Leap Studio and Maple Leaf Studio. I played a demo version of it on Steam. The game is also set to arrive on the PlayStation 5, the Xbox Series X and S, and older consoles from Microsoft and Sony. The title
The narrative is centered around Red, a swordsman with Fox blood, who wants to become master of his own destiny and escape a universe made of ink. This involves fighting through hordes of enemies to reach powerful bosses. The full game will offer players the ability to unlock more characters. It’s a decent enough premise that supports the gameplay well.
The core gameplay loop is typical for the genre. Move through levels, dash to avoid incoming attacks, be they ranged or melee, then use a combination of light and heavy strikes, as well as special abilities, to vanquish all opponents.
Gamers get to use two special Ink gems, which power the special attacks and also spawn a pet companion. It will attack enemies, draw their attention, and become more powerful over time. As Red moves from room to room, gamers will choose upgrades and equipment to craft a unique build. Certain rooms contain characters that deliver more lore details and give gamers a chance to spend resources to improve their abilities. Make sure to keep some currency in reserve to get healing.
Realm of Ink’s biggest challenges are the boss fights. Red might be fast and quick with his sword but these powerful opponents hit hard and vary their attack patterns. As always, it’s important to first dodge their strikes and learn what they can do, before moving in to deal with their significant health bars.
All of the title’s gameplay is solid, with plenty of interesting choices when it comes to upgrades and equipment. It remains to be seen whether the narrative has a strong hook and whether there’s enough variety to keep players engaged for the long term.
Realm of Ink looks good, especially during the bigger fights, with characters dashing around and using their special attacks. The levels themselves are similar and a little drab but enemies have cool designs, as to the various upgrades and power cards. The game clearly gives players visual info on enemy attacks, although the screen can get very cluttered. Combat sounds and the soundtrack are also good.
Conclusion
The game’s universe is intriguing but what will keep players engaged is the build variety, centered around the Ink Gems and their capabilities. Realm of Ink is tense and varied and will certainly appeal to fans of its genre.
Preview key provided by the publisher.
