Twitch-like platformers are a very polarizing subgenre: there are lots of people who simply adore those incredibly hard games like Super Meat Boy and Celeste, while others hate the fact they are tailor made to make everyone break their controllers. I stand in the middle of this debacle: I loved Celeste and liked The End is Nigh quite a lot, but I don’t actively search for those infuriating games just to make myself frustrated with my lack of decent motor skills.

INK, a brand new Switch title published by Digerati, also falls in the middle: it’s a challenging puzzle platformer like its peers, but also brings some new elements to the table while also being a lot more accessible in terms of difficulty.

The main difference between INK and other puzzle platformers is the fact all platforms are actually invisible. This may sound like the epitome of unfair, but there’s a catch: your “main character” (nothing more than just a white cube) can spread paint throughout the level in order to reveal where the invisible platforms are. You can do so buy either touching said platforms, performing a double jump (it will spread paint all over the map), dying or defeating enemies.

There’s no time limit and there are infinite lives, making INK a lot more forgiving than other games that came before it. Dare I say, while I had some trouble in a few levels, I actually found INK to be a somewhat relaxing experience. The visuals, while extremely minimalistic, are extremely colorful and pleasant to the eyes. The soundtrack is calm, moody, and atmospheric. The pictures in this review may give the impression that INK looks abysmal and lazy, but seeing the game in action is a lot better. INK feels like the chilled out, new age version of Meat Boy at times.

The controls are responsive, like a game from this subgenre should be, but you should be aware with the fact your character moves in a somewhat slippery fashion, as if its trail of paint acted like the slime secreted by snails. I had some issues in the beginning, but I ended up getting used to it.

If you’re looking for a new twitch-like platformer that’ll keep you busy until the new Super Meat Boy comes out, then INK is a total recommendation. It’s nowhere near as difficult as other games from this subgenre, but it does bring in some subtle and appealing ideas to the table. It’s not a very long game, but it does last as long as it should, never outstaying its welcome.

 

Graphics: 7.0 Minimalistic graphics might look unappealing at first, but they gradually win you over due to their importance gameplay-wise.	Gameplay: 8.0 The twitch-like controls are precise, but you need to get used to the cube’s slippery movement.
Sound: 7.5 There’s not much to talk about the near nonexistent sound effects, but the moody and atmospheric soundtrack is pretty good.	Fun Factor: 7.0 It’s more simplistic and less infuriating twitch-like puzzle platform. It’s moderately fun while it lasts and it doesn’t outstay its welcome.
Final Verdict: 7.5

Reviewed on Switch.
Also available on: PS4, Xbox One, PC.
A copy of INK was provided by the publisher.