Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 82 | 16 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 87% | 80 | 1000 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 80% | 74 | 1048 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Jun 25, 2024) · 300 reviews sampled · 1048 total reviews in window · weighted 206.9 up / 35.5 down · computed 4h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (14)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 70
“Aside from the repetitive enemies and locations, I enjoyed my time with Inkbound. It’s a different breed of rogue game, one that not only allows for layers upon layers of strategy with how players can approach each battle but the inclusion of 4 player co-cp makes for even greater strategizing with friends. With a whimsical graphical style and a great soundtrack to match, Inkbound can for sure be a fun game, if you are alright with fighting the same types of enemies again and again.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“If you’re a roguelike fan, Inkbound will surely scratch your itch for dozens of hours, and I expected nothing less from the creators of Monster Train. I am disappointed that we didn’t see new Aspects release in 1.0, especially with two very obvious slots open and waiting. Releasing a polished game built on the back of the previous release was the smart move, but the team teased new Aspects way back in 2023, so that still leaves a lot to look forward to.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“A clever yet frustratingly muddled follow-up to Monster Train.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“As a rogue-like that may not be on everyone's radar, Inkbound goes beyond expectations to deliver an addictive and gorgeous turn-based experience.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“What's here is a shining example of how a studio can find its niche and iterate on it without playing it safe. Shiny Shoe has really made something special here and with season leaderboards and multiplayer adding even more layers of potential competition and metaprogression, it really feels like Inkbound is a must-play for anyone who enjoys the roguelike genre.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“This time it's Hades that Shiny Shoe's game feels similar to, but with some delicious differences that make this roguelike stand out all on its own.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“A charming world that boasts deep strategy beyond number crunching.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Despite it never really standing out from the crowd, Inkbound does a decent job of creating a fight, die, and repeat cycle that is equal parts entertaining and challenging. Running the gauntlets of the various books with friends or strangers is an undoubtedly fun experience, and since unlockables can be earned in-game, it will perhaps drive a lot of players to keep at the grind a bit longer than they normally would. Those looking for something familiar but with a new twist should keep their eyes on Inkbound, and be ready to dive into the books and write their own adventures.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Inkbound is an incredibly unique and entertaining roguelike. With turn-based and RPG elements, I sank hours into a storybook world filled with deep mechanics and characters. Whether playing solo or with a team, it's a game worth investing in!”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Inkbound is dripping in potential, from its excellently designed characters to the world design choices that make its lore worth learning about. Combat is addictive and rewarding. With a class system that would make sense to all gamers, these solid choices are tethered to a well-designed hub world that is fun to explore. But, not-fun to explore menus and questionable reliance on internet connectivity hold Inkbound back from taking another step towards literary excellence. Despite its shortcomings, Inkbound is a good recommendation for those looking for something novel and exciting to try out.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Inkbound is a vast library of tales and not every book will be worth a read, but there are enough good ones to make for some fun summer reading.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Inkbound is mechanically impressive. Despite its depth and the complexity of its engagements, the game is snappy and rarely feels stuffy. The featured classes play very differently and there’s a ton of variety, making it easy for players to test out strategies and find one that fully fits their approach. The rogue elements are familiar, and the fantasy world offers plenty of lore but lacks a strong hook. But the turn-based combat is good enough that I can see myself spending tens of hours with one class, trying out ideas to find the build that suits me best. Inkbound’s mix of tactical puzzles and power and upgrade variety makes it a worthy successor to Monster Train.”
read full review ↗
ZTGD
MMORPG.com
PC Gamer
GamingBolt
Screen Rant
Eurogamer
RPG Fan
Game Rant
Console Creatures
CGMagazine
Shacknews
Softpedia…and 2 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Inkbound Patch 1.1.2Jul 1, 2024
- Inkbound Patch 1.1.1Jun 28, 2024
- Inkbound 1.1 Now Available!Jun 25, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- Inkbound 1.1 Coming June 25th!Jun 22, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- Top VFX in Inkbound 1.0May 14, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- Inkbound Patch 1.0.4May 3, 2024
- Inkbound Patch 1.0.3Apr 24, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- Inkbound Patch 1.0.2Apr 17, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- Inkbound Patch 1.0.1Apr 12, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- Inkbound 1.0 is out now with the Rise of the Unbound content update!Apr 9, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- Inkbound 1.0 Release Now on April 9thApr 1, 2024
- Gods & Relics - Minor UpdateMar 6, 2024
- 1.0 Coming April 10th!Feb 27, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- Gods & Relics Hot Fix #7Jan 18, 2024
- Early Access Patch 0.3.6Jan 9, 2024
- Gods & Relics Hot Fix #6Dec 22, 2023
- Gods & Relics Hotfix #5Dec 21, 2023
- Gods & Relics - Mid-Season Update #2Dec 20, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- Gods & Relics Hotfix #4Nov 29, 2023
- Early Access Patch 0.3.4Nov 28, 2023
- Gods & Relics Hotfix #3Nov 22, 2023
- Gods & Relics - Mid-Season UpdateNov 19, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- Early Access Patch 0.3.2Nov 8, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- Gods & Relics Hotfix #2Nov 2, 2023
- Early Access Patch 0.3.1Nov 1, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- Gods & Relics Hotfix #1Oct 27, 2023
- Gods and Relics - Patch NotesOct 26, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- Early Access Patch 0.2.9Oct 3, 2023
- Early Access Patch 0.2.8Sep 26, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- Early Access Patch 0.2.7Sep 22, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- Starship of Terrors - Mid-Season UpdateSep 20, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- Early Access Patch 0.2.5Sep 12, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- Early Access Patch 0.2.4Sep 6, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- Early Access Patch 0.2.3Sep 1, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- Early Access Patch 0.2.2Aug 29, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- Early Access Patch 0.2.1Aug 25, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- The Starship of Terrors - Patch NotesAug 23, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- Movement 2.0Aug 18, 2023
- Early Access Patch 0.1.9Aug 9, 2023
- Announcing the Next Major Update Release Date!Jul 24, 2023significant · resets scoring window
…and 10 earlier patch announcements.