Inscryption

Inscryption game image

Overwhelmingly Positive

Total: 68.3 ThousandPositive: 66.2 ThousandNegative: 2.1 Thousand
97%
3%
Steam review score: 9

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AI Review

Inscryption is a dark, genre-blending masterpiece that combines deckbuilding roguelike mechanics, escape-room puzzles, and psychological horror into a uniquely unsettling experience. With an impressive AI Community Rating of 90.77%, this indie gem from the creator of Pony Island and The Hex has captivated players with its gripping story, innovative gameplay, and eerie atmosphere. Build your deck of woodland creatures through bizarre methods like surgery and self-mutilation, while unraveling the sinister secrets hidden within Leshy's cabin. Fans praise its fun and unique gameplay, immersive storytelling, and the unexpected twists that keep you hooked. However, some players find the transition between acts jarring, and Act 2's pacing can feel slow for those less fond of its new mechanics. If you enjoy strategy games with a dark, mysterious edge, Inscryption offers a one-of-a-kind adventure that’s both challenging and deeply rewarding.

What the community wishes

Improve Act 2 transition clarity
The transition from Act 1 to Act 2 is jarring and unexpected. Consider better signaling or gradual introduction of new mechanics to ease players into the shift in gameplay and tone.
Clarify cloud save issues
Cloud save transfer issues between Steam Deck and PC versions need a permanent fix. Proton 7 workaround is not ideal for all users.
Expand Act 1 gameplay options
Many players prefer Act 1's gameplay style. Consider expanding or offering more content in the Act 1 format, possibly through additional DLC or mods.
Address Act 4 pacing issues
Act 4's final section feels overloaded with random elements and forced humor. Streamline the pacing and reduce unnecessary mechanics for a more cohesive experience.
Improve ARG integration
The ARG elements are too hidden and complex. Integrate more lore and backstory directly into the game to make it accessible to casual players.
Enhance Act 2 mechanics
Act 2 introduces too many unnecessary mechanics and characters. Simplify or refine these additions to maintain the game's focus and appeal.
Add more Act 1-style content
Players love Act 1's atmosphere and gameplay. Consider creating more levels or expansions that maintain this style throughout the game.
Improve Act 3 consistency
Act 3 feels similar to Act 1 but lacks the same impact. Enhance its uniqueness while maintaining the core gameplay that players enjoy.
Clarify store page expectations
The store page misrepresents the game's full scope. Update it to better reflect the variety of gameplay styles and acts to avoid player disappointment.
Streamline Act 4's final section
The final part of Act 4 is confusing and overloaded. Simplify the mechanics and reduce random elements to improve player experience.
Expand Kaycee's Mod features
Kaycee's Mod is highly praised. Consider adding more features, challenges, or customization options to enhance replayability and depth.
Improve Act 2 pacing
Act 2's pacing feels slow, especially for players not fond of the new mechanics. Adjust pacing to maintain engagement and flow.
Add more lore in-game
The lore is too reliant on external ARG elements. Include more backstory and context directly in the game to enrich the narrative.
Enhance Act 3's theme
Act 3's theme feels less impactful than Act 1. Strengthen its unique identity while keeping the gameplay engaging and consistent.
Address Act 2's character overload
Act 2 introduces too many characters, diluting the experience. Focus on fewer, more impactful characters to improve narrative cohesion.
Improve Act 4's humor balance
Act 4's humor feels forced and out of place. Balance humor with the game's darker themes for a more consistent tone.
Expand Act 1's replayability
Act 1 is highly replayable. Add more challenges, achievements, or variations to keep players engaged in this beloved format.
Clarify Act 2's gameplay shift
The shift in gameplay style in Act 2 is too abrupt. Provide clearer guidance or a smoother transition to help players adapt.
Improve Act 3's mechanics
Act 3's mechanics feel less polished than Act 1. Refine and enhance these mechanics to match the quality of earlier sections.
Add more Act 1-style DLC
Players crave more content in the style of Act 1. Develop additional DLC or expansions that focus on this gameplay style.

Reviews

Toxicity trend

N-Grams

unique and unexpectedincredibly immersive gameplaydefinitely buy thisstory line ishighly recommended dontgameplay is greatbest experiences evergreat game highlyquestioning my sanityweird and wonderfulgreat mechanics greatlove this gamemasterful storytelling mediumbest singleplayer cardabsolutely genius ingeniousamazing card gamevery fun andfeels like scamchallenging but addictiveabsolutely brilliant beyond

Keywords

What the community loves
fun
14
story
11
interesting
10
gameplay
9
enjoyed
8
recommend
8
great
6
experience
6
best
6
unique
6
beautiful
5
amazing
5
worth
4
addictive
4
love
4
Where the community is undecided
gameplay
8
blind
5
play
5
horror
5
card game
5
mechanics
5
roguelike
4
game
4
strategy
4
spoiler
4
lore
4
expectations
3
boss
3
deckbuilder
3
card
3
What the community dislikes
boring
8
frustrating
5
disappointed
4
annoying
4
awful
3
sad
2
letdown
2
dip
2
scam
2
disappointing
2
hard
2
shallow
2
problem
2
disappointment
2
unnecessary
2

In-depth analysis of most impactful community reviews

Positive

This is an amazing card game, very fun and addictive. There are a lot of strategy and RNG elements in deck building and it takes a while to understand varies game mechanisms. As RNG might not always work in your favour, to understand the game's save system and limited save scumming is important for the success runs, especially in the last chapter. The story line is a bit unique and unexpected. First run takes about 35 hours for all contents. Achievements in the game are well designed. Some of them are quite challenging. While the game runs perfectly on steam deck, there's one achievement that is much easier to get on PC instead. Unfortunately there're some issues for cloud saves transfer between steam deck default version and PC version. The solution is to use an earlier version of proton (proton 7. something) while playing on steam deck, for saving on the same cloud save slot as PC version.

  • Sentiments

    • I find the card game to be amazing, very fun, and addictive, which makes it highly enjoyable to play.
    • I appreciate the strategic and RNG elements in deck building, as they add depth and complexity to the game.
    • I feel that understanding the game's save system and limited save scumming is crucial for successful runs, especially in the last chapter.
    • I find the storyline to be unique and unexpected, which adds an interesting layer to the game.
    • I think the achievements in the game are well designed, with some being quite challenging, which adds to the replay value.
    • I notice that the game runs perfectly on the Steam Deck, which is a positive aspect for players using that platform.
    • I find it unfortunate that there are issues with cloud save transfers between the Steam Deck default version and the PC version.
    • I appreciate that using an earlier version of Proton on the Steam Deck can resolve the cloud save issue, but it feels like a workaround rather than a proper fix.

Positive

I wish i had time to play one more round with HIM... The game is best experienced going in blind. Just know that its so much more than just a deck building game, and thats coming from a guy who doesnt enjoy card games much anyways! Its ambience and story telling is very unique and the game suprises you at every turn. Going into the game without knowing anything other than liking the game's atmosphere and artstyle, i did NOT expect for the game to end the way it did, and i loved it a lot. It just goes to show how many people wont even try the game out thinking its just a boring card game, which is really unfortunate... Great game, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, dont knock it till you try it!

  • Sentiments

    • I wish I had time to play one more round with HIM, which reflects a deep emotional connection to the game and its narrative.
    • The game is best experienced going in blind, which highlights the value of discovering its surprises without prior knowledge.
    • It's so much more than just a deck-building game, which emphasizes the game's depth and uniqueness beyond its genre.
    • The ambiance and storytelling are very unique, which showcases the game's exceptional atmosphere and narrative style.
    • The game surprises you at every turn, which conveys a sense of excitement and unpredictability.
    • I did NOT expect the game to end the way it did, and I loved it a lot, which highlights the emotional impact of the game's conclusion.
    • It's unfortunate that many people won't try the game thinking it's just a boring card game, which reflects disappointment about misconceptions.
    • Great game, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, which strongly endorses the game and encourages others to play it.
    • Don't knock it till you try it, which emphasizes the importance of giving the game a chance despite initial assumptions.
    • Coming from someone who doesn't enjoy card games much, this game stands out as an exception, which highlights its broad appeal.

Positive

I'm not a fan of card games, but this one... mega-cool, very-conceptual, and absolutely-genius! Ingenious postmodern concept that mixes genres and games that actually unfold in other games; a very original take on the usual mechanics and entourage of card games - you haven't seen such KKIs yet; challenging but addictive gameplay that mixes different genres; signature combination of black humor and horror. 10/10

  • Sentiments

    • I am not a fan of card games, but this one is mega-cool, very-conceptual, and absolutely-genius, which completely changed my perspective on the genre.
    • I find the ingenious postmodern concept of mixing genres and games that unfold in other games to be very original and refreshing.
    • I appreciate the very original take on the usual mechanics and entourage of card games, as it feels like something I haven't seen before.
    • I am impressed by the challenging but addictive gameplay that mixes different genres, making it engaging and fun to play.
    • I enjoy the signature combination of black humor and horror, which adds a unique and memorable flavor to the game.
    • I rate this game 10/10, as it exceeded my expectations and delivered an exceptional experience.

Positive

Ok.. wow.. that was something. Inscryption. A card game with a light horror story set in a cabin with a really creepy guy .. and then some more. A whole lot more! Let's just say it's a weird and wonderful. It's NOT a die hard card battler though. Play this for the story. It's awesome. Gameplay is great. There's a whole variety in cards and mechanics and it will subvert your expectations multiple times. Try to go in with as little knowledge as possible. It's worht it. And don't be alarmed when the game switches over to... nah, not going to spoil anything.

  • Sentiments

    • I found Inscryption to be a unique and captivating experience, blending a card game with a light horror story set in a creepy cabin.
    • I was impressed by the game's ability to subvert my expectations multiple times, making it a truly engaging experience.
    • I appreciated the variety in cards and mechanics, which kept the gameplay fresh and interesting.
    • I highly recommend playing this game for its story, which I found to be awesome and worth experiencing.
    • I suggest going into the game with as little knowledge as possible to fully enjoy its surprises and twists.
    • I was initially surprised by the game's shift in tone and mechanics, but I found it to be a welcome and intriguing change.
    • I felt that the game is not just a die-hard card battler, but rather a story-driven experience that stands out.
    • I found the atmosphere of the game, particularly the creepy cabin and its mysterious inhabitant, to be very well-crafted.
    • I was not alarmed by the game's unexpected shifts, but rather intrigued and eager to see where it would go next.
    • I believe the game is worth playing for its weird and wonderful qualities, which make it stand out from other card games.

Positive

Can't really say anything that hasn't been said a thousand times about this game, but man... it's all true. The amount of creativity and playfulness that went into the game's design is astounding. Truly an experience worth having. I would suggest going in blind though, just know that it's a deck-builder and then just play and explore.

  • Sentiments

    • I feel that the game's creativity and playfulness in its design are truly astounding, which makes it a standout experience.
    • I believe the game is an experience worth having, as it delivers something truly special and memorable.
    • I suggest going into the game blind, as knowing only that it's a deck-builder allows for a more exploratory and enjoyable experience.
    • I acknowledge that many others have already praised the game, but I agree that the praise is well-deserved.

Negative

Started playing it and got addicted, then finished act 1. I just can't get myself to try act 2. Especially because the whole vibe just immediately changes. Unfortunately the store page makes it look like the whole game is all in the style of act 1, I wish it was. I'm gonna go ahead and pretend that was the end of the game and leave it there. I really, REALLY enjoyed act 1 but because of how it changes I can't recommend it unfortunately.

  • Sentiments

    • I started playing the game and got addicted to it, which shows a strong initial positive engagement with the game.
    • I finished act 1 and really enjoyed it, indicating a high level of satisfaction with the first part of the game.
    • I can't get myself to try act 2, which suggests a lack of motivation or interest in continuing the game beyond the first act.
    • The whole vibe of the game changes immediately after act 1, which I found disappointing and disruptive to my enjoyment.
    • The store page makes it look like the whole game is in the style of act 1, which I wish was true, indicating a sense of misalignment between expectations and reality.
    • I'm going to pretend that act 1 was the end of the game and leave it there, showing a decision to disengage from the game due to dissatisfaction with its direction.
    • I really, REALLY enjoyed act 1, emphasizing a strong positive sentiment towards the initial part of the game.
    • Because of how the game changes after act 1, I can't recommend it, which reflects a negative overall sentiment towards the game's progression.

Negative

This is not the developers' fault. I can see how many could love this game. But personally I've just come to really detest meta narrative in games. It's refreshing and innovative with the first few games that tried this. But now that I've had my rug pulled from under me so many times, all I can think of is "Come on, not again!". The first part of the game is very good though. I hope they could have just stopped there.

  • Sentiments

    • I can see how many could love this game, which indicates that the game has qualities that appeal to a broad audience.
    • I've just come to really detest meta narrative in games, expressing a strong negative feeling towards this storytelling technique.
    • It's refreshing and innovative with the first few games that tried this, acknowledging the initial appeal of meta narrative in games.
    • Now that I've had my rug pulled from under me so many times, all I can think of is 'Come on, not again!', showing frustration with repetitive meta narrative tropes.
    • The first part of the game is very good though, highlighting a positive experience with the initial segment of the game.
    • I hope they could have just stopped there, suggesting disappointment with the direction the game took after the initial part.

Negative

It is a beautiful, atmospheric experience, but it initially comes across as a deckbuilder with horror themes while actually being pretty much an on-rails point and click adventure with a shallow deckbuilder shoved into it to pad out the play. It's good if you go into it expecting about ten hours of actual gameplay but I would wait for a steep discount. There's some ARG involved but you don't have to buy the game to participate, and there are better ones.

  • Sentiments

    • I find the game to be a beautiful and atmospheric experience, which creates a strong visual and emotional appeal.
    • I initially thought the game was a deckbuilder with horror themes, but it turned out to be more of an on-rails point-and-click adventure, which was misleading.
    • I feel the deckbuilder mechanics are shallow and seem to have been added only to artificially extend the gameplay.
    • I think the game is good if you go into it expecting around ten hours of actual gameplay, which sets a reasonable expectation.
    • I would recommend waiting for a steep discount before purchasing the game, as it may not be worth the full price.
    • I acknowledge that there is some ARG (Alternate Reality Game) content involved, but it doesn't require purchasing the game to participate.
    • I believe there are better ARG experiences available elsewhere, which diminishes the value of this aspect of the game.

Negative

Game feels like a scam. You think you're buying the beautiful and inspired game seen in the trailer and all the photos. You quickly find out everything you see is just s small part of the beginning of the game. After that first phase the game changes dramatically in visuals and game play. It's not at all something I enjoy or would have paid for. I feel ripped off and lied to.

  • Sentiments

    • I feel like the game is a scam because it doesn't match what was shown in the trailer and photos.
    • I expected a beautiful and inspired game based on the trailer, but it didn't meet my expectations.
    • I discovered that everything shown in the trailer is only a small part of the beginning of the game.
    • After the initial phase, the game changes dramatically in both visuals and gameplay, which I didn't enjoy.
    • I feel ripped off and lied to because the game isn't what I thought I was paying for.
    • The game's visuals and gameplay after the beginning phase are not something I would have paid for.
    • I feel deceived by the marketing of the game, as it doesn't reflect the actual experience.
    • The game's initial phase is misleading, as it doesn't represent the rest of the game.
    • I am disappointed with the game because it doesn't deliver on the promises made in the trailer.
    • I regret purchasing the game because it doesn't align with my expectations or preferences.

Negative

Really fun vibe, creative setting, a lot to like about this game The reason I'm not recommending it is if you're a card game noob like me and going to fail all the time, the reset points are way too far back and I have to keep doing the same sections over, and over, and over! In the first section, there are 3 "mini bosses" (Prospector, Angler, snow guy) before a bigger house boss. Once you lose your lives to one of the "mini bosses" or the "house boss", you have to restart from the start rather than in the "mini bosses" section. I can't beat the "house boss" so every time I get to that stage and die, I have to restart from the literal start and do the Prospector/Angler/snow guy all over again! It's such a drag... I spent 95% of the time playing doing the exact same stuff and getting back to the battle I just lost just for another attempt at that battle I'm probably going to lose again, I can't just try playing the boss I failed at again to get better. Someone might say "sKiLl iSsUe" and they would honestly be totally right. I have skill issues with card games I guess, this is the first one I've played. But I'm just not enjoying Inscryption and will stop playing.

  • Sentiments

    • I find the game to have a really fun vibe and a creative setting, which makes it enjoyable and appealing.
    • There is a lot to like about this game, which makes it initially engaging and interesting.
    • I am not recommending the game because it is too difficult for beginners like me, leading to constant failure.
    • The reset points are way too far back, forcing me to replay the same sections repeatedly, which feels frustrating and tedious.
    • I have to restart from the beginning after losing to mini-bosses or the house boss, which makes progress feel unrewarding and repetitive.
    • Spending 95% of my time replaying the same content just to attempt a boss battle again feels like a drag and diminishes my enjoyment.
    • I cannot practice the boss battles directly, which makes it harder to improve and adds to my frustration.
    • I acknowledge that my lack of skill with card games is a factor, as this is my first time playing one.
    • I am not enjoying Inscryption and have decided to stop playing due to the repetitive and frustrating gameplay loop.

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