This review contains spoilers
Inscryption has high highs, and low lows that ultimately culminate in an interesting and enjoyable card game experience. I'm not normally into card games, but this game kept me hooked with a very fun gameplay loop.
The game is split into three acts. The first act is absolutely 10/10. It has such an intriguing setting, fun escape room-esc puzzles, and card mechanics that are simple to learn, but difficult to master. This is coupled with it being a rogue-like game where you have to build your deck again each time you die. It can be extremely punishing, but also equally rewarding. The villain is intriguing and creepy af. I definitely was hooked from the very beginning.
Act 2 is where things get shaky and divisive for people. It goes from a first-person card game to a 3rd person, 8-bit RPG. The game loses a ton of charm during this session. It also loses all sense of difficulty. There are a ton of new cards introduced that can severely break the game. You also keep all of cards when you die, meaning that a lot of the game's difficulty goes out the window as well. Overall I just didn't enjoy this section as much as the first one, and its made even worse because of how amazing the first act is. I'd give act 2 a 5/10.
Act 3 and the finale pick up significantly from act 2. The new setting isn't as interesting as act 1, but it is full of more dread. The game changes genres yet again into more of a tabletop RPG. Its still not a roguelike like act 1, but its still enjoyable. You still keep your cards when you die, but fights are more difficult and require a bit more strategy, so I feel that it is more balanced. The finale is very cool and leads to an astonishing ending. I'd say act 3 is a solid 8/10 for me.
I will say that I did not like the live-action videos in this game. I think the game would have been more effective if it interacted with the actual player, rather than Mr. Carder. The acting just wasn't very good from any of the cast. At times it feels forced and just unnatural. The conspiracy angle is interesting, but the game never goes far enough in that direction to really draw you in.
All-in-all, Inscryption is a great game. Its certainly a mixed bag at times, but I still really enjoyed my time with it. Its a great card game that, at the very least, keeps you playing thanks to its great gameplay loop and mechanics. The story is a bit mixed, but the vibe is something that is very good and unique. It averages out to around a 7/10 for me. A great card game that is undeniably unique.
The game is split into three acts. The first act is absolutely 10/10. It has such an intriguing setting, fun escape room-esc puzzles, and card mechanics that are simple to learn, but difficult to master. This is coupled with it being a rogue-like game where you have to build your deck again each time you die. It can be extremely punishing, but also equally rewarding. The villain is intriguing and creepy af. I definitely was hooked from the very beginning.
Act 2 is where things get shaky and divisive for people. It goes from a first-person card game to a 3rd person, 8-bit RPG. The game loses a ton of charm during this session. It also loses all sense of difficulty. There are a ton of new cards introduced that can severely break the game. You also keep all of cards when you die, meaning that a lot of the game's difficulty goes out the window as well. Overall I just didn't enjoy this section as much as the first one, and its made even worse because of how amazing the first act is. I'd give act 2 a 5/10.
Act 3 and the finale pick up significantly from act 2. The new setting isn't as interesting as act 1, but it is full of more dread. The game changes genres yet again into more of a tabletop RPG. Its still not a roguelike like act 1, but its still enjoyable. You still keep your cards when you die, but fights are more difficult and require a bit more strategy, so I feel that it is more balanced. The finale is very cool and leads to an astonishing ending. I'd say act 3 is a solid 8/10 for me.
I will say that I did not like the live-action videos in this game. I think the game would have been more effective if it interacted with the actual player, rather than Mr. Carder. The acting just wasn't very good from any of the cast. At times it feels forced and just unnatural. The conspiracy angle is interesting, but the game never goes far enough in that direction to really draw you in.
All-in-all, Inscryption is a great game. Its certainly a mixed bag at times, but I still really enjoyed my time with it. Its a great card game that, at the very least, keeps you playing thanks to its great gameplay loop and mechanics. The story is a bit mixed, but the vibe is something that is very good and unique. It averages out to around a 7/10 for me. A great card game that is undeniably unique.