If you grew up waking up early on Saturdays to catch your favorite cartoons, or if you spent your school days filling the margins of your notebooks with stick-figure battles, then Ink Inside is the game you’ve been waiting for.
Recently released on Xbox Series X|S, this hand-drawn action RPG is more than just a trip down memory lane—it’s a vibrant, tactical, and hilarious adventure that proves there is plenty of life left in the sketchbook.
The Story: A World Under the “Sog”
You play as Stick, an unfinished doodle living in a stack of notebooks tucked away under a leaky ceiling. Disaster strikes when water begins to seep into the pages, warping the world and turning once-friendly sketches into mindless, soggy monsters known as the “Sog.”
It’s a race against time to save your friends and recover lost memories before the entire world turns into a giant ink blot.
Gameplay: Dodgeball Meets Beat-’Em-Up
What makes Ink Inside stand out is its unique combat system. It’s not just your standard “mash X to win” RPG. The developers describe it as a dodgeball-meets-beat-’em-up hybrid.
- Ranged Precision: You use dodgeball “CORES” to strike enemies from a distance. You have to hold and aim your shots, timing the release to trigger specific weapon perks.
- Melee Mayhem: Once you’ve softened them up, you move in for close-quarters melee combos to “knock the wet out of them.”
- Break the Rules: As you fight, you fill your “COOL MOVES” bar. Once it’s full, you can literally break the rules of the game, smashing through the invisible walls that protect your enemies to deal massive damage.
The Pedigree: From the Minds Behind ‘Steven Universe’
One look at the animation style and you’ll notice a certain level of polish and charm. That’s because the team includes creators who worked on Steven Universe: Unleash the Light. The game feels like a living cartoon, with fluid hand-drawn animations and a world that pops with personality.
The voice acting is equally impressive, featuring the talents of Brian David Gilbert (of YouTube and Dropout fame) and Deneen Melody (Evangelion). You’ll meet a cast of characters ranging from the stoic Detective Fuzz to Traff, the “Princess of Cursing,” who talks—and hits—like a truck driver.
Why It’s Worth Your Time
- Local Co-op: You don’t have to save the notebooks alone. Ink Inside supports local co-op, making it a perfect game to play with a friend on the couch.
- Deep Customization: With shops, gear upgrades, and the ability to mix and match mechanics, there’s a surprising amount of RPG depth beneath its playful exterior.
- Budget-Friendly: At just $9.99, it offers incredible value for the level of art, voice acting, and gameplay innovation it provides.
Final Verdict
Ink Inside is a love letter to creativity and the cartoons of our childhood. It’s charming, challenging, and unlike anything else currently in the Xbox store. Whether you’re a fan of indie RPGs or just looking for something with a lot of heart, Stick’s journey is one you won’t want to miss.
Ready to jump in? You can find Ink Inside on the Xbox Store here. Grab your dodgeball and go save the sketchbooks!
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