Inkshade

The main pros of the game

• Atmosphere and Art Design: The game features a captivating and immersive atmosphere, with beautiful visuals and sound design that create a hauntingly unique vibe. Many players appreciated the dark and eerie aesthetic, likening it to "Inscryption."
• Engaging Gameplay Loop: Players enjoyed the combination of turn-based tactics and exploration, with an addictive meta-progression system that allows for troop upgrades using currency earned during runs.
• Variety of Enemy Types and Events: The game offers a diverse range of enemy types and special events that keep gameplay interesting and encourage strategic planning.
• Puzzles and Exploration: The escape-room style puzzles were generally well-received, providing a nice break from combat and adding depth to the gameplay experience.
• Narrative and Lore: The storytelling and world-building elements were praised, with players enjoying the interactions with the game master and the lore embedded in the environment.

The main cons of the game

• Difficulty Balancing: Many users noted a steep difficulty curve, especially in the early game, leading to frustration as players often felt they needed to grind for upgrades before being able to progress effectively in combat.
• Repetitive Gameplay: Some players found the gameplay repetitive, particularly after unlocking powerful units that trivialized many encounters. The combat often devolved into a simple stat-check rather than requiring tactical skill.
• Performance Issues: Users reported performance drops, particularly during boss encounters, and noted that the game could be visually overwhelming due to its dark color palette, making it difficult to see certain elements.
• Lack of Unique Abilities: Many units felt too similar, lacking unique abilities or playstyles, which diminished the strategic diversity players expected from a tactical game.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

• Replayability: Several users expressed a desire for more replayability options, such as modifiers, new game plus modes, or varied enemy behaviors to keep runs fresh and engaging after the initial playthrough.
• More Diverse Unit Mechanics: Players wished for units to have unique abilities or synergies that could change gameplay dynamics, rather than just relying on stats for upgrades.
• Improved Puzzle Design: Some reviewers felt that puzzles were too simple or not well integrated into the overall gameplay, suggesting that more complex or varied puzzles could enhance the experience.
• Camera Control and Tactical Depth: Users mentioned a lack of camera control during combat and a desire for deeper tactical mechanics that would allow for more strategic play beyond basic positioning.

Summary

• Overall, "Inkshade" has garnered a positive reception for its atmosphere and engaging mechanics, but it also faces criticism for balancing issues, repetitiveness, and a lack of depth in gameplay variety.

Summary generated on: October 29, 2025