Inkulinati: A Joyous Jaunt Through Medieval Marginalia
A turn-based tactical romp that breathes life into the doodles of yore.
Early Access Review
last updated Dec 16, 2023
Inkulinati invites you to a medieval carnival brimming with tactical depth and quirky turns.
Manuscript Mayhem: A Rundown of Rousing Gameplay
Ever wanted to command an army where a donkey's derriere is your deadliest weapon? Look no further than Inkulinati, where your manuscript margin doodles leap from page to battlefield in what can only be described as turn-based chaos with a historical twist. With a gameplay loop that is easy to grasp but challenges the grey matter, the game nails the 'easy to learn, hard to master' ethos. Strategic depth is hidden beneath a veneer of light-hearted humor. For example, having your loyal rabbit moon the opposition into a stunned stupor is absurdly delightful. The balance between tactical decisions and unpredictability ensures that each match feels like a page-turning epic rather than a mere game of checkers dressed in medieval garb.
A Symphony of Scribbles: Audio in Ink
Settle your ears for a banquet of belly laughs and head-nodding ditties, for the audio experience in Inkulinati is nothing short of a medieval feast. Voice acting is reduced to grunts and mumbles, replaced by an orchestra of comical noises that would have the Monty Python crew chuckling in approval. From the bellowing blasts of the donkey's trumpet to the soothing sounds of a skeleton band, the audio embellishments play a symphonic sidekick to the visual comedy. The score, rife with dulcimers and the occasional flute, embarks on a whimsical journey through times of yore, tying the immersion together with a lute's string.
Piles of Parchment: Performance and Graphics
Inkulinati's aesthetic is a work of art. Every frame oozes the charm of a hand-drawn medieval manuscript, bursting off the 'page' in vivid detail. Characters and environments are wrought with care, ensuring that battles are as pleasing to the eyes as they are cerebrally engaging. The graphical performance is as smooth as freshly made parchment, with no noticeable hiccups to mar the artistic display. However, some encounters with the in-game camera can leave you feeling like you've downed one too many meads at the local tavern, thanks to its dynamic (and occasionally excessive) zooms and tilts. Despite this minor quibble, the game's visual identity is strong, unique, and altogether enchanting.
As Quirky as a Quart of Quills
While Inkulinati is undoubtedly a turn-based strategy enthusiast’s dream, the game's humor and appeal straddle the line between delightfully eccentric and eyebrow-raisingly odd. Sometimes you're left wondering whether the game has descended into pure novelty or if it's an ingenious homage to history's marginalia. But that quirky line it dances upon is what gives the game its personality. There’s nothing quite like the thrill of pitting your well-drawn warhounds against an inky horde of hardened hares or using a spirited snail's slow seduction to claim victory. Intermittent encounters with bugs are rare, and while they slightly tarnish the experience, Inkulinati's indulgence in its own oddities makes it a standout title.
EARLY ACCESS RATING
Developer
Yaza Games
Publisher
Daedalic Entertainment
Early Accesss Release Date
January 31, 2023
The Final Verdict
Inkulinati is not just another leaf in the tome of turn-based strategy; it's an entire chapter dedicated to creativity and charm. A few rough edges are evident, with the occasional bug and a penchant for overly eager tutorials, but it's nothing a little more ink in the quill can't fix. The game beckons to strategy aficionados and those drawn (pun intended) to distinctive art styles and humor. Worth every penny? If you're into scribing your own path to victory with a dash of hilarity and historical homage, then yes, Inkulinati just might be the illuminated manuscript you were looking to add to your collection.
