1. Ink is a platforming game where you can't see that platforms. Holy smokes, how does that even work!? Well, Ink is not just a clever title. You see, as you jump and die, you spread colored ink all over the level and it gradually becomes clear where everything is.
2. This is a pointedly simple design. We are talking rectangles, circles, triangles and no other shapes at all level simplicity. Your character is a square that distorts a bit as you move. That's as complex as it gets.
3. The controls are similarly simple: jump, double jump, wall jump, directional control.
4. The double jump also functions as a means of discovering the layout of stages. It sprays little squirts of your many colored ink all over the place. You also paint surfaces as you move across them and when you die you splatter ink as well.
5. Ultimately, at least for your first playthrough, the whole invisible level thing ends up being kind of a gimmick. I'd basically double jump once to see what's going on at the start of the level and the rest of it would be revealed by me dying. Most of my playtime was spent knowing exactly where everything was.
6. I am not overly concerned w/ 5 because Ink doesn't really lean into its gimmick too much. These levels would be tricky, fun and satisfying w/o it.
7. The first few levels serve as a tutorial. Your goal is simply to get from the starting point to a door on each level. Over the course of the game, it adds enemies--all of which must be killed to open the door--and various hazards. Eventually, some areas are blocked off and you need to collect a key to access them.
8. The varied level design is a real highlight of Ink. There is a certain similarity across all levels, of course, but over time, they challenge you in different aspects of their gameplay. Some levels require precise jumps, some have an element of timing or speed, some require you to do things in a specific order and some just have loads of crazy annoying projectiles that seek you out. Also, every twenty-fifth level is a boss fight and they are pretty awesome.
9. Getting good at Ink is quite satisfying. You feel not only like
you've managed the physical dexterity to pull off the tricky jumping but
like you've figured out the best path through a messy situation. The
levels feel solved almost as much as beaten when you are done w/ them.
10. The challenge level of Ink is: the later levels seem impossible
when you first encounter them and then easy by the time you beat them.
This is just about perfect if you ask me.
11. Ink's soundtrack is surprisingly lush ambient music. Ambient,
building electronic music doesn't seem like a natural fit for a twitchy
game like this but it works really well. It draws you in and helps you
focus.
12. Going all the way back to 5, the ink gimmick does become more of a factor on repeat playthroughs. It adds a greater element of memory to no-death and speed runs if you are into that sort of thing--and I suspect a lot of people who play a game like Ink will be.
13. I don't imagine many people who like 2D platformers won't like Ink. It's simple and well-designed w/ presentation strongly oriented towards gameplay. It is a platforming fan's platformer. Platforming fans should probably play it.
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