What begins as an addictive deckbuilder with roguelike elements and mysterious puzzles around the margins slowly becomes a transformative postmodern commentary on gaming media, the search for meaning in art, and the relationship between players and the ruthless economy of video game conglomerates - all of this while never losing that satisfying gameplay loop and finding ways to iterate on it and keep things fresh. The enrapturing atmosphere of the game's first act is admittedly missed once its first big twist is revealed, but the way the narrative evolves around the gameplay as the player progresses does a good job of keeping things balanced and intriguing.

I adore this game so much, god. The gameplay of each Act is fun, unique and brimming with the personality of each Scrybe, the visuals and vibe are great, and the story is really intriguing. You’re not gonna pick up on the entire story playing casually, since most is uncovered via an ARG, but I think that’s super fitting since that’s basically what Luke is doing while playing himself. I think Act 1 is strongest, it’s iconic for a reason and its what Kaycee’s Mod branches off of for a reason, but that’s not to say the other parts aren’t also fun. I highly recommend giving it a try!

Not quite a perfect game, but the ambiance and the story are a wonderful and fun continuation of the world set up in both Pony Island and The Hex. I agree with a lot of people that the first act of the game is far more polished than the rest of it, but at the same time, outside of act one, the rest of the game was meant to tell a story more than involve deckbuilding to the same extent as that first act. It doesn't surprise me that Daniel Mullins eventually released Kaycee's Mod, which allows for endless replayability of act one with new challenges & lore for the people who are in to that. Highly recommend.

Increíble
De las mejores experiencias que tuve jugando un jueguito
Gameplay divertidísimo, lore interesantísimo, ambiente zarpadísimo y personajes piolísimas
Este juego lo tiene todo OBRA MAESTRA 10/10

Desde It Takes Two que no me siento TAN satisfecho con un juego que no sea un Resident Evil

Rarely do I change a GOTY pick years later, mostly cause I try to play everything I know would greatly interest me but once in a while something gets by. Especially something like this, a unique indie game that is unlike anything really. I enjoyed Pony Island, the previous game by Daniel Mullins, this is a massive step in quality. Inscryption is such a wild ride that it has become my GOTY of 2021.

It’s best not to spoil much of Inscryption so I’ll keep things vague. At its heart it’s a rogue like card game with adventure elements. The story is you are playing a long lost disc housing this mysterious old game no one knows about, so you are a person playing a game and wild things go from there. This ain’t the deepest card game, it’s no hearthstone, you aren’t building your own deck to battle other players or anything, it’s a story driven card game, it’s has the rogue like elements but the secret sauce is that’s it’s really a linear story. You will get help and items to push you along just when you were struggling, cause it’s not really a randomized game, it’s pretending to be. That’s part of the beauty, the difficulty is tuned perfectly, it has just enough depth to keep you hooked on this card game while not overwhelming you with options or endless repetition because it wants you to go to the next story beat. It’s amazingly paced, for all its crazy twists and turns, not one segment over stays its welcome, it’s brilliant design.

I have to hand it to Mullins, this card game, that is clearly not a full on deck builder but pretending to be one, is really deep and unique and could totally be a stand alone customizable card game. The main game involves sacrificing cards to gain blood points which lets you use better cards all with their own abilities. Card battles take place on a 4 vs 4 row battle field, the ever changing opponents make every battle very engaging. Even though there is random elements to your run as you get to choose your power ups, your extra help items and boosts; some how the fights manage to come down to the final turn, the last attack. Yes you can also break a run with very overpowered cards (again this game isn’t concerned with a card game meta, it’s a story game) which makes you feel like a genius for creating such a powerhouse. There are boss fights with totally unique mechanics at the end of each section, yeah you have to repeat them quite a few times but I still found it fun to fight them.

In between card matches is an adventure game style almost escape room. You search around this cabin for clues, cards speak to you can give you hints on how to proceed. Solving puzzles gives you the special items needed to advance further and further in the card game and start to unravel the greater mystery of the game. The adventure parts were a blast and scratched that exploration itch as well as some really good puzzles. And again I dont want to spoil most of the game but where it goes is so cool and well implemented. I can’t think of many games that do two contrasting gameplay styles so well.

What takes Inscryption over the top is where it goes from its initial presentation. I won’t spoil it but it’s like an ever blooming flower that keeps opening and opening, more amazing layers than the last. My mind was blown so many times, just when I thought they can’t go further it does. It’s also a surprisingly emotional journey as well with such captivating characters.

It’s hard to find any faults with this game. I guess I could say some of the sections are repetitive, you have to repeat runs… ok yeah but it’s part of the game simulation. I think the overall real world part of the mystery left a lot to be desired. I can always say the puzzles can be better, more bosses, more content but really what’s here is really great and special.

Inscryption is a must play game, don’t read much about it just play it. If you ever liked card games you will like it. Hell even if you don’t other elements might grip you. If you find yourself thinking that games don’t surprise me anymore do yourself a favor and play this new classic. It’s one of the best indie games I ever played.

Overall Score 9.4