Inkulinati is a turn-based strategy game set on the pages of medieval manuscripts. Players draw units known as Beasts and direct them in tactical duels while using special Hand Actions to influence the battlefield directly.
Gameplay
The core loop revolves around positioning Beasts on a 2D battlefield that represents an open manuscript page. Each Beast belongs to a class with unique abilities that interact when units coordinate. Masters perform Hand Actions such as smashing enemy units, placing barriers, relocating allies, or triggering explosions for additional effects. These actions add a layer of direct control beyond standard unit commands.
Battlefields include interactive objects like exploding pots and environmental hazards that players can exploit or avoid. Apocalyptic events such as fires or plagues can occur mid-battle and alter the entire situation, sometimes providing unexpected advantages. Different difficulty settings adjust the challenge for newcomers and experienced players alike. The system rewards careful planning because every move carries consequences and opponents mirror the same options.
Game Modes
Journey mode serves as the main single-player experience. Players create a custom Inkulinati Master and progress through a roguelite structure with randomized encounters. Runs involve battles against wild Beasts, lairs, and rival masters while visiting shops and scriptoriums to expand the army and unlock new techniques. Perks collected along the way enhance Beast abilities and Hand Actions.
Academy mode provides structured lessons that explain unit synergies, battlefield interactions, and advanced tactics step by step. Duel and challenge modes allow quick matches against AI opponents with customizable rules. Hot-seat local multiplayer lets two players share the same device to compete directly, reviving classic split-turn play where each participant builds an army and selects talents before facing off.
Beasts, Masters, and Battlefields
Beasts range from sword-wielding rabbits and spear-carrying dogs to more unusual creatures such as human-eating snails. Each carries class-specific skills that combine for powerful chain reactions during a turn. Twelve distinct Inkulinati Masters offer varied aesthetics and starting talent sets that shape available Hand Actions.
Over two hundred battlefields provide distinct layouts with vertical elements, ladders, and scattered objects that reward adaptive tactics. Opponents include historical figures reimagined as rival masters, adding personality to encounters without a traditional linear story.
Is It Worth Playing?
Inkulinati suits players who enjoy deliberate turn-based tactics with room for creative army building and direct intervention through Hand Actions. The roguelite structure in Journey mode encourages repeated runs to experiment with different Beast combinations and master talents. Local hot-seat battles provide a straightforward way to play with others without online requirements.
Reception highlights the distinctive art style drawn from actual medieval marginalia and the depth hidden beneath the humorous presentation. The game reached its full 1.0 release in early 2024 and includes dozens of Beasts plus extensive battlefield variety. Those who appreciate analytical decision-making and short-to-medium session lengths will find consistent value in its systems. Players seeking fast-paced action or large-scale campaigns may prefer other titles in the strategy genre.
