Inked: A Tale of Love

The game conveys the full range of emotions.
What are you willing to do for the sake of a loved one and what can it lead to?
I highly recommend this game, it's very good.
Why haven't you bought this game yet? It's on sale at a huge discount now >:D

I absolutely adore this game. I first bought this for the purpose of getting the ,,blossom“ badge, since I thought it looked very pretty for my profile. Although I decided to give the game a try since I saw someone on YouTube play it. This is no doubt one of the most beautiful puzzle games I’ve ever played. The story line to the play style and even the in game theme is just so unique and something I haven’t experienced before in any game play. Besides that, the puzzles were really logical to figure out and I only had a few struggles on some maps, but even those were pretty easy to get around. The ending really made me feel all types of emotions. Usually I skip dialogs in games, but in this one I wanted to really listen to the story of Aiko and her lover. I’m glad I did. This game might be boring for some who want action, since this game is simply just puzzles and a story to follow. I can definitely recommend it to anyone though who either wants to achieve achievements easily in a short time, OR of course anyone who loves these type of game tenors. No regrets from buying this underrated master piece ^^

A short, but sweet game. A few puzzles stumped me, but otherwise well done and logical. The music is amazing and the story is simple, but good.
Imo maybe grab it on sale, but otherwise worth it even without it. The music itself is worth the money

Game came out on special at 84% - Bargain!
Artwork. very nice
controls. strictly mouse
gameplay. puzzles and little slow but interesting of doing puzzles to solve and finding canvas' at the same time. My old eyes struggle a tad, but it was fun.
It is played out like a book with art, and music compliments the game. I did really struggle to find all of the canvas' oh well :D

Great story and the puzzles are perfect regarding difficulty. Def recommend a play-through.

Short and sweet puzzle game. The visuals are very unique, and even though the puzzles are straightforward, they're enjoyable.

Inked: A Tale of Love is a visually striking and emotionally resonant puzzle-platformer developed and published by Somnium Games d.o.o., offering a unique take on love, loss, and artistic expression. Set in a stunning hand-drawn world that mimics the appearance of ballpoint pen sketches on paper, the game immediately sets itself apart with a bold art style that isn’t just aesthetic window dressing—it’s a core part of the storytelling and atmosphere. Beneath this stylistic veneer lies a thoughtful, if sometimes understated, narrative and a satisfying series of logic-based puzzles that make for a memorable, meditative experience.
You play as the Nameless Hero, a retired samurai who embarks on a journey to find his lost love, Aiko. This journey isn’t merely a personal quest—it’s also framed within a larger meta-narrative where the world and the characters are being shaped in real time by a mysterious Artist, whose presence looms in the background as both creator and character. This layered structure gives Inked a metafictional quality, where the game frequently breaks the fourth wall and blurs the lines between fiction and reality. The relationship between the Nameless Hero and the Artist becomes a central emotional and philosophical thread, turning what might have been a simple romantic tale into something more reflective and existential.
The game’s mechanics revolve around environmental puzzles, which often involve moving and manipulating geometric objects—cubes, spheres, levers, and platforms—to open pathways, bridge gaps, or trigger switches. Each puzzle feels thoughtfully crafted, and while they start out simple, the complexity ramps up gradually across the game’s ten chapters. The game avoids overwhelming players with mechanics, instead refining and recombining its core concepts to keep challenges engaging without becoming repetitive. There’s a rhythm to the way you solve each area: observe, plan, experiment, and finally execute—a process that aligns nicely with the game’s contemplative tone.
One of the most appealing aspects of Inked is how it ties its gameplay to the themes of its story. As the world is being “drawn” around you by the Artist, it becomes clear that your path is less about control and more about discovery and understanding. This connection between creator and creation is mirrored in the Hero’s search for Aiko, as well as in the shifting landscapes that reflect his emotional state. The environments themselves feel like sketches brought to life, with every tree, rock, and ruin appearing as though it was carefully drawn on notebook paper. The color palette is mostly monochrome with splashes of red, blue, and other hues that highlight key objects and emotional moments, underscoring the minimalist but impactful aesthetic.
The game’s narrative is delivered through occasional voiceovers and environmental storytelling, and while some may find it a bit sparse, it does a good job of maintaining intrigue. The voice acting is serviceable, if somewhat subdued, and complements the quiet melancholy that permeates the experience. It’s not a story that will spell everything out for you, and much of its meaning is left open to interpretation, especially when it comes to the motives of the Artist and the emotional arc of the Hero. This ambiguity, while intentional, might leave some players wanting more narrative clarity, but others will appreciate the room for introspection.
Sound design in Inked is subtle but effective. The soundtrack features soft piano and ambient strings that gently reinforce the emotional beats of the story without ever overpowering the scene. It knows when to give you silence and when to swell, letting you sit with the atmosphere the game so meticulously creates. It’s a soundtrack that doesn't seek attention, but it enhances the experience in ways that become clear the longer you play.
On a technical level, Inked is a fairly smooth experience. Controls are intuitive, and the isometric camera gives a clear view of the action, although occasionally it can be a bit tricky to gauge depth or exact positioning, especially in more intricate puzzle areas. Load times are short, performance is stable, and the visual presentation holds up well across various resolutions. The game is relatively short—most players will finish it in 4 to 6 hours—but this compact runtime works in its favor, ensuring the pacing remains tight and the emotional arc is completed without unnecessary filler.
There are moments where Inked falters slightly. While the puzzles are generally well-designed, a few can feel repetitive or underwhelming, particularly in the mid-game where the mechanics don’t evolve quite as rapidly. There are also times when the storytelling leans a bit too much on metaphor without delivering enough substance, which can make the emotional payoff feel slightly abstract. That said, these are minor detractions in a game that succeeds far more often than it stumbles.
What makes Inked: A Tale of Love ultimately stand out is how it uses its minimalist tools—visual style, narrative framing, and puzzle mechanics—to craft a cohesive and emotionally intelligent experience. It’s not a bombastic or technically groundbreaking game, but it doesn’t try to be. Instead, it offers players a quiet, artful journey that explores grief, memory, and the complicated relationship between creation and creator. It’s the kind of game that invites you to slow down, reflect, and engage not just with your problem-solving instincts, but with your empathy.
For players seeking something thoughtful, aesthetically unique, and narratively ambitious in a subtle way, Inked delivers a journey that’s well worth taking. It may not shout its message, but it doesn’t need to—the elegance of its design and the sincerity of its themes speak for themselves.
Rating: 8/10