Ink is a TTRPG by Snowbright Studio, released in 2023. This is a fun, easy to learn, rules light system. The game play is unique and engaging. The player takes on the role of a dead spirit that is currently stuck in a purgatory like realm. They call it The Ink. Weighted down by the baggage of their old lives, they will venture on a quest of self discovery. The character will go through emotional growth (as well as mechanical growth) to overcome their burdens and escape the ink.
Summery of game play
This is a role play heavy game. The need to cast off your earthly, emotional baggage is at the heart of the game play. In a way, It reminds me of role play in 10 candles. You are encourage to dive deeply in to your character’s psyche and come face to face with their inner most secrets. Their hopes and their regrets.
Characters can be created based on dead characters from other games. Did you lose an adventurer playing D&D, or Call of Cthulhu, or Cyberpunk? Bring them into the afterlife as your new spirit. They’re personalities and skills will become the basis for a new character. You can help them resolve their unfinished business from their old game. Otherwise you can create a new spirit from scratch.
The system isn’t pure roll play. The other core pillar of the game is combat. This brings us to one of the most interesting mechanics I’ve ever seen in a TTRPG. Only through, struggle and defeat, can your character grow. Meaning, in order to level up, all characters in the party need to die.
The system uses a simple d6 based combat system. Rolling attack dice against defense to deal damage and impose status effects. Once characters drop to zero stamina (hit points) they fall unconscious. If the party wins the encounter, they are revived. If the party fails and everyone drops to zero, the party respawns at the beginning and gains the ability to level up. This cycle of “death” is the only way for the characters to grow stronger.
Each character has two sides. A Spirit and a Shadow. The shadow acts during combat. Your choice of shadow will determine the starting stamina, defense, and attack powers. The shadows sort of acts as a combat class, giving some diversity to combat while still keeping it relatively simple.
My thoughts on the game
Pros: First off, the book is absolutely gorgeous. You can get a PDF version, but the hard cover is worth buying for the art alone. The images on screen do not properly convey just how beautiful the black and white art looks on paper.
Second, the game is fun. The dark themes are off set by the whimsy of the setting. One minute you're being killed by fiends, the next you're being served coffee by “Booristas” (ghost baristas). The games can be as serious or as light hearted as you want, but you’ll get the most out of it by embracing both sides.
Third, Ink is simple to learn. Both new and veteran TTRPG players will be able to quickly make characters and learn the core game mechanics.
Cons: The only real drawback of the system is that it’s rules light. Some of the game mechanics are left vague and left up to the GM’s interpretation. I wouldn’t recommend running this game as a new Game Master. Running other TTRPGs will provide you a foundation to pull from when you need to expand the rules for your players.
All in all, this is a must play and I would highly recommend picking up a copy. The hardcover is available for $24.99 from Snowbright’s website. You can also get the PDF for $14.99.
Art by: Quill Kolat, Marina Otegui, Sequoia Bostick.
All Images are the property of Snowbright Studios.
Review Written by Dan @StayOnYourCouch