Developed by Leap Studio, the Real of Ink is a roguelike game that was released into Steam Early Access on September 27th. This indie action-adventure invites everyone into the world where ink is not just a medium, but the very essence of existence. With the hand-drawn art style inspired by the traditional calligraphy art and the lore built around Chinese mythology and wuxing philosophy, the game immerses players into an endless cycle of death and rebirth as they search for the elusive key to freedom.
After the well-known and widely beloved isometric roguelike series like Hades, it’s a tough task to create a unique game yet intuitive to the enjoyers of the genre at the same time, but Realm of Ink completes it well. The traditional battle approaches of the action game genre are mixed with the unique vision of the developers, creating a brand-new experience with pleasantly familiar details and tints. So, let’s look closer to what the developers prepared for us in this project.
The main idea of the title is pretty common for roguelike games. One way or another, the main character gets stuck in the endless loop of death and resurrection, but what makes it interesting is the story behind it. The main protagonist of Realm of Ink is a swordswoman named Red, who starts her journey as a hunter for the foxes, who seemingly destroyed her home village, becoming her blood enemies. A mysterious voice guides her through the locations, but soon she feels that it’s wrong and her actions are not drawn by her own free will.
The Early Access version of the game presents a significant piece of the main story, introducing the main and supporting characters alike. The acquaintance happens from the first run, when Red meets traders at the special safe location of the snow covered Monkey Kingdom. However, the real plot starts after the first defeat, when Red awakes before the pretty fox lady, who decided to save the brave warrior from the claws of written fate. Though, she wouldn’t be a fox if it was an act of pure charity. From now on Red’s fate seems to be even more cursed than before.
The fox tavern is the only safe place in the Ink world, secured from the mysterious arbiter of fates by the fox god. The habitants of this place seem to be some kind of rebels, who decided to live on their terms and utilize their own free will, yet they can’t do it beyond the confines of the inn or some other special locations. Thus, the tavern becomes a main hub, where Red can prepare for the new run after another defeat.
Most of the NPC-related options are available within the inn, where Red can talk to them and learn more about their backstories, which are quite interesting to explore. True to roguelike staples, new dialogues unlock after each defeat, gradually revealing pieces of the story over time. While interacting with NPCs appears to strengthen Red’s relationships with them and hints at unlocking special lore entries in the NPC menu, this feature seems to be reserved for the full version of the game.
Beyond the casual chatter, some NPCs provide access to some gameplay mechanics in both the hub and world locations. In the hub, players can review game records, which catalogue obtained perks and inks, allowing for analysis and strategizing future runs. Another key feature is the Talent Stele, where players can exchange fox blood for upgrades. The Talent Stele offers three diverse upgrade branches: one focusing on attack attributes, another one addresses traits like health and speed, while a third line increases item drop rates.
Any roguelike game would be boring without additional weapon change options, for players to try different play style, and the Realm of Ink didn’t miss this key point. Instead of merely swapping weapons, Red adopts entirely new appearances, known as “forms,” each tied to a specific weapon and martial arts style inspired by the NPCs they represent. In the Early Access version, many forms are already available, providing diverse combat experiences, and the developers have promised to introduce additional forms with the release of the full 1.0 version.
Appearance changes are a standout feature in Realm of Ink, fitting seamlessly into the game’s overarching ink-based concept. Red’s companion, Momo—a peculiar ink creature—plays a crucial role in this system. By consuming ink gems, Momo not only gains specific abilities but also transforms visually based on the type of gems used. Water ink gems give Momo a fox-like appearance, earth gems evoke a deer-like form, and certain combinations can result in truly unique, bizarre creatures.
These changes are far from cosmetic, as the strategic core of Realm of Ink revolves around the use of ink gems. These gems, tied to the wuxing elements, offer a wide variety of effects that significantly influence gameplay. Unlike elixirs and traits, which enhance Red’s abilities, ink gems grant Momo unique skills. Some provide powerful AoE attacks, others summon a duplicate of Red, or offer other specialized abilities.
Ink gems are acquired as rewards in specific zones, but their type is entirely random. This unpredictability challenges players to adapt their strategy, making the most of the abilities they’ve been dealt. Success hinges on leveraging Momo’s powers and adjusting your playstyle to fit the current gem set, adding replayability to every run.
In fact, Momo significantly impacts gameplay, complementing Red’s martial arts abilities with more magical skills. This synergy between Red and Momo enhances combat and exploration while fostering a sense of partnership, adding emotional depth to the gameplay. It’s a refreshing feature that reminds players they’re not alone in the chaotic ink world—a thoughtful touch in an endless adventure.
Despite that, the game in general is rather welcoming, both in vibes and the game process. The soft art full of brush strokes is pleasant to the eye. The environment, characters and even damage numbers are made in this calligraphic style, perfectly merging into the whole picture. Visual effects look balanced, and it’s hard to lose character or get distracted by endless color splashes on the screen, which is essential on harder modes.
As for the controls, gameplay and optimization, those don’t fall far behind from the visuals. The character control is really responsive and precise, yet some boss fights require additional planning and thinking, since the fast reaction might not be enough to dodge some of their AoE attacks.
When it comes to controls, gameplay, and optimization, Realm of Ink stands on par with its stunning visuals. The character controls are responsive and precise, making movement and combat feel satisfying. However, certain boss fights demand more than just quick reflexes. To dodge some of their complex AoE attacks, players will need to engage in strategic planning and timing, adding an extra layer of challenge and depth to the gameplay.
The only element that feels out of sync is the music. While the sound effects and voice acting are excellent, the background music struggles to keep up. On its own, the tunes are stylish and pleasant, but they fail to match the mood of the roguelike action on screen. At times, the music is almost absent—an understandable choice in the frozen world, reflecting its slumbering state. However, during intense boss fights, the music lacks the punch needed to elevate the experience, leaving a noticeable gap in the otherwise immersive atmosphere.
Even in Early Access, Realm of Ink feels like a complete game, offering a wealth of content to learn and explore. Its stunning art style immediately captures attention, but it’s the lively characters and gameplay that keep players engaged. Roguelike fans will undoubtedly appreciate the challenge, but most importantly, even those new to the genre will be welcomed in the world of ink.
You can check out a free demo on Steam, available now.
