Inscryption Review (Steam)

by Jim Smale · October 20, 2021

Our Inscryption Review introduces us to this inky black card-based odyssey that blends the deckbuilding roguelike, escape-room style puzzles, and psychological horror into a blood-laced smoothie. Darker still is the secrets inscrybed upon the cards…

Inscryption Review Pros:

Brilliant graphics.
3.18GB download size.
Steam achievements.
Steam trading cards.
Mouse and keyboard controls.
Has one of the best websites for the game. (Link is below)
Graphics – full screen, resolution, screen shake, and flashing.
Roguelike card battler gameplay.
Brief tutorial.
You play at a table but in between matches you can freely walk around the cabin and interact with the environment.
You are playing against a Death-like character seeing only his hands and eyes.
Boss fights will be against a particular character like AN Angler or Prospecter. Beating a boss will give a choice of 3 rare cards and a one-time use special card.
To play cards they need a certain amount of something to be played. One type is blood, and another type is bones which come from sacrificing cards in order to play a new card.
Items – you can have a max of 3 and these are one-time use items like pull a tooth, squirrel card, make all your cards fly, or get a load of bones.
Teeth are almost like a premium currency in a way, pull a tooth or earn them from beating your opponent, and teeth are used to buy unique items that can be turned into cards or items.
Map – randomized map that you can navigate how you want and each icon means something. If you’ve played Slay The Spire it’s the same deal here.
Special scenarios will get triggered like taking an ability off a card and discarding it then adding that to a card of your choice. Sacrifice a card and get a free bone drop at the start of the matches.
Death Card-after you die you get to make a death card that lets you pick a random card to take its power/health, cost to play, ability and you name it.
Squirrels are important cards as they do no damage but are used to instantly sacrifice for blood.
Cool mechanics like flying where you don’t attack the card in front and instead hit the opponent.
Houses other styles of games
Scales – as you take and give damage, it adds weight to the scale, get it all the way and you win or lose. As a scale, it means games can go backward and forth.
The story is told like the Death character is your dungeon master and explains the scene.
Atmospheric.
Excellent musical score.
Very simple controls.
The game is played on a 2 by 4 Tabletop and cards will attack in a certain direction (card dependant) and hit cards first otherwise if it’s empty will attack the opponent.
The cabin/setting is like a game in itself with many secrets and stories to be found.
Candles are used as lives and every time you lose a flame gets extinguished and you move on.
Different biomes to play on like wetlands and snow.
Ridiculously addictive.
Autosaves frequently.
Hidden secrets to find.
Many ways to build a deck.
There are many sigils and effects you can apply to cards that make this unique.
Rulebook acts as a tutorial of sorts as it tells you what icons mean.

Inscryption Review Cons:

Slow starter.
No controller support.
Minimal graphic settings.
Takes a while to get going.
Difficulty spikes.

Inscryption:

Official website.

Developer: Daniel Mullins Games

Publisher: Devolver Digital

Store Links –

Steam

GOG

Humble

9/10

Graphics - 9/10
9/10

Sound - 9/10
9/10

Accessibility - 9/10
9/10

Length - 9/10
9/10

Fun Factor - 9/10

9/10

Summary

I can’t believe after all the card battlers and roguelikes we have had over the past few years alone, I am standing here seeing a whole new twist in it all. I am generally excited and thrilled to be playing a game like this. Sure it starts off slow and its difficulty is unpredictable but who gives a shit when the core gameplay loop is so addictive and fun. I can’t even point to a particular mechanic that makes it fun, it’s the whole package, it’s just how unique each run feels despite knowing the path. Encryption is a masterclass in storytelling and atmosphere. I just love how easy and absorbing it all is, it’s a game that is hard to pull away from and it feels like I learn sometimes every time I play, I learn about a new card or ability that completely flips the script. Prepare to lose hours to this game, Inscryption is the new addiction in the card roguelike genre. I can’t say anymore as you really should not expose yourself to any sort of spoiler as it will rob you of the excellent unique experience,