Ink Inside — A Beautifully Messy Sketch of an RPG

Ink Inside opens with a premise so instantly charming that it feels like it’s been waiting to exist for years: a hand‑drawn action‑RPG set inside a young girl’s notebook, where doodles spring to life, clash with corrupted ink creatures, and navigate a world that looks like it was sketched during a daydream. The game introduces you to Stick, an unfinished doodle who becomes an unlikely hero when a creeping force known as the Sog begins warping the once‑playful pages into something darker. From the moment Stick blinks awake on the paper, the game leans hard into its identity as every line, smudge, and scribble feels intentional, as if the notebook itself is a character with moods and memories.

The worldbuilding is immediately engaging. Each page of the notebook becomes a new environment, stitched together with the kind of imaginative logic only a child’s sketchbook can justify. Friendly doodles offer quests, enemies twist into exaggerated shapes, and the margins hide secrets that reward curiosity. It’s a setting that feels both nostalgic and inventive, blending the innocence of childhood creativity with the structure of a modern action‑RPG.

Gameplay revolves around a dodgeball‑inspired combat system where Stick hurls “cores” at enemies, catches incoming attacks, and relies on timing and movement to stay alive. When everything flows, the combat is fast, expressive, and surprisingly strategic. Different cores offer varied playstyles, and co‑op mode adds a layer of chaotic fun that suits the game’s playful tone. Yet the system isn’t without its rough edges. Combat can become visually cluttered, making it hard to track threats, and the difficulty curve occasionally spikes in ways that feel abrupt rather than earned.

The story, meanwhile, is light but heartfelt. Stick’s journey is one of self‑discovery, insecurity, and resilience, supported by a cast of quirky characters who feel like they were doodled into existence with affection. The writing balances humour with sincerity, and the themes of creativity, imperfection, and the fear of not being “finished” resonate more deeply than the simple art style might suggest.

Where Ink Inside falters most is in its technical performance. While the core experience is imaginative, the game suffers from noticeable bugs, performance dips, and instability on certain platforms, particularly the Nintendo Switch. These issues don’t erase the game’s charm, but they do interrupt the flow and can make some sections more frustrating than they should be. On more powerful hardware, the experience is smoother, though still not entirely free of hiccups.

Despite these shortcomings, Ink Inside remains a game with a strong creative identity. Its visual style is memorable, its combat has personality, and its world feels like a love letter to the messy, magical creativity of childhood notebooks.

Pros

• Inventive sketchbook world with a distinctive visual style

• Energetic, timing‑based combat that feels fresh when it clicks

• Charming characters and heartfelt themes

• Co‑op mode adds fun and replayability

• Strong sense of personality and creative vision

Cons

• Technical issues and instability, especially on Switch

• Difficulty spikes that disrupt pacing

• Combat can become visually chaotic

• Some mechanics feel underdeveloped or unbalanced

Ink Inside is the kind of game that wears its heart on its sleeve or, more accurately, on its paper. It’s imaginative, expressive, and full of personality, offering a world that feels lovingly crafted from the margins of a notebook. When the combat flows and the story beats land, it delivers moments of genuine delight that stand out in the indie RPG landscape.

At the same time, it’s a game held back by technical problems and uneven execution. The creativity is undeniable, but the polish isn’t always there, and players sensitive to performance issues may find the experience inconsistent. Still, there’s something special about Ink Inside. It’s messy in the way real creativity is messy and full of bold ideas, rough edges, and flashes of brilliance.

If you’re drawn to imaginative indie titles and can forgive some technical flaws, Ink Inside offers a heartfelt, memorable adventure. With future patches, it has the potential to become something truly exceptional. As it stands, it’s a flawed but lovable sketch, one worth exploring if you’re willing to embrace its imperfections.

XPN Rating: 3 out of 5 (SILVER)

Ink Inside is Available Now!