Deathless. The Hero Quest
Deathless. The Hero Quest
Game
Game2025
Inkborn
Developer Acram Digital
Inkborn is a roguelike deckbuilder with a card system built around chaining Glyph-based combos. Sequence your cards in tactical combat to unleash impactful effects. Customize your Skill Tree before each run, evolve new abilities and uncover the hidden story of a world folded in ink, metal and paper. From the Steam store page
58 reactions from 2 sources (Steam reviews, Bluesky) · newest Nov 5, 2026 · last updated Nov 5, 2026 · How this works
Audience score
85
LovedLoved
41 positive · 7 negative
95% range 73–93%
| Source | + | − | = |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam reviews | 41 | 7 | 0 |
| Bluesky * | 3 | 1 | 6 |
* shown, not counted in the score (label accuracy below our 85% bar or not yet audited).
Steam's own rating
Very Positive
43 of 50 reviews positive (all languages, per Valve)
What players are saying
85% recommend · 41 yes, 7 no
Counted from the reviewers’ own thumbs up/down on the 48 English Steam reviews we collected, not by the AI. Valve’s all-language rating: Very Positive (70 of 86 positive).
Players praise the unique origami art style and thematic design. [1][2][3] The combo system is highlighted as a fresh and engaging mechanic. [1][4][5] Some reviewers note the game is too easy or lacks content for the price. [6][7][8]
Liked
Representative posts
- [7]
The combo system is interesting and a lot of fun to play with. I beat the game on my first run in about 90 minutes, though, and I'm worried that was most of the content. The meta progression just makes future runs significantly easier, and there doesn’t seem to be much scaling in difficulty to keep things interesting. If you are familiar with deck builders, I don't think there's enough here to justify the EA price …
- [1]
As someone that has 400+ hours in slay the spire and played a lot of other deck builders, and played the beta for quite some time, IMO this game has a lot of potential. First of all, the artstyle and theme. The origami style is unique, and it doesn't end on the visuals alone. You have your main card, The Greatnib, that you keep upgrading over the run of the game. Random encounters include famous writers with quotes, …
- [9]
An entire day and only 14 reviews? That is criminally underrated. This is game is peak spire-like. Combo, ideas and set mechanics are really refreshing. Sound design is peak. Difficulty is definitely there. Numbers are approachable (This is why monster train terrifies me, I can't seem to understand anything that's going on). If you enjoy STS and similar games, this is looking like it's up there. I deeply recommend.
- [6]
It's cool but just way too easy. I strolled through what there is of a campaign/story on my first run. Now I am largely uninterested in playing another run...
- [2]
The game is very pretty, I love the origami style, and music fits the vibe. I’m not super familiar with this genre, so I kinda sucked at it, but still had a good time :> The enemies all have unique behaviours which keeps the fights interesting and makes me excited to meet a new one. Haven’t run into any bugs so far. Can't wait to see how the story will unfold and how the game will develop during EA. Hoping for a …
Summarised from 34 of the 59 public posts collected about this game; every point cites the posts behind it ([n] opens the post) and the split is counted from the posts’ own ratings. Updated Oct 13, 2026. How summaries are made
RottenBot@rottenbot · automated account
85% of the 48 Steam reviewers we collected recommend Inkborn. The complaint that keeps coming up: too easy for experienced deckbuilder players. Deal-breaker or nitpick?
Reactions
58 of 58 · most liked firstAs someone that has 400+ hours in slay the spire and played a lot of other deck builders, and played the beta for quite some time, IMO this game has a lot of potential. First of all, the artstyle and theme. The origami style is unique, and it doesn't end on the visuals alone. You have your main card, The Greatnib, that you keep upgrading over the run of the game. Random encounters include famous writers with quotes, and there is probably more that I did not catch yet. The mechanic of combos…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →The combo system is interesting and a lot of fun to play with. I beat the game on my first run in about 90 minutes, though, and I'm worried that was most of the content. The meta progression just makes future runs significantly easier, and there doesn’t seem to be much scaling in difficulty to keep things interesting. If you are familiar with deck builders, I don't think there's enough here to justify the EA price point. In the Early Access Game description the developer lists: " adjustable…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Please consider following my [url=https://store.steampowered.com/curator/41005226/]Curation page. I cover a wide range of genres both paid and unpaid, providing unbiased opinions as well as regular giveaway events. Video Review TBD https://youtu.be/nkG088haRK4 Doesn't Hold Up Inkbound doesn’t hold a candle to the countless other games oversaturating the deckbuilding genre. Not trying to be harsh, but adding a combo system, a blackout-style map, and some equipment options doesn’t make up for…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Can't recommend in current state for the current price. It's too expensive for little amount of replayability.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →The game is very pretty, I love the origami style, and music fits the vibe. I’m not super familiar with this genre, so I kinda sucked at it, but still had a good time :> The enemies all have unique behaviours which keeps the fights interesting and makes me excited to meet a new one. Haven’t run into any bugs so far. Can't wait to see how the story will unfold and how the game will develop during EA. Hoping for a female character to play in the full release :3
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This game is in early access as I write this review, so be warned it is not complete by a long ways, but I absolutely love it. There's a lot of balance issues, and the content is still under development, the skill tree in incomplete, yada yada yada. It's still amazing. If you like roguelike deck builders, give this one a try. It will be one of the best when they finish it and they've been actively improving since it entered early access. I can't think of another game with the variety of…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I love the combos and the fast sense of progression in this game. Disclaimer: I consulted on this project, but I've genuinely love where the game has ended up in the hands of the developers.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →A qualified thumbs-up from me. I've max leveled the only available class and beaten the game but I still feel there are some balance issues. Some of the elite-level monsters seem pretty dramatically up-gunned, especially the dragon, which could be a boss in and of itself. Some have mentioned replayability, and yes, with only one EA class that's going to be an issue, but I want to reserve judgment on that until I see all three classes. There are some good fresh ideas here, especially the…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →It's gonna be a good game, updates are slow but you can see where it's going.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →tl;dr fun and interesting mechanics, more complex than StS, and beautiful art This is a roguelike turn-based attack deck-building game without a heavy storyline, which is probably why it's getting compared to Slay the Spire. So it has some standard elements you'd expect from this style of games, but that's where the similarities end (besides perhaps that the starting character is a red-themed warrior?). Some aspects I think work especially well: 1. unlocking secret card type sequence…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →An entire day and only 14 reviews? That is criminally underrated. This is game is peak spire-like. Combo, ideas and set mechanics are really refreshing. Sound design is peak. Difficulty is definitely there. Numbers are approachable (This is why monster train terrifies me, I can't seem to understand anything that's going on). If you enjoy STS and similar games, this is looking like it's up there. I deeply recommend.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →It's cool but just way too easy. I strolled through what there is of a campaign/story on my first run. Now I am largely uninterested in playing another run...
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Great design and really interesting mechanics! Reminds a lot Slay the Spire, but it adds a few nice spins on the rougelite card battler. The artstyle is also beautiful and everything works well. I can't wait for the new characters. I really recommend to anyone that like card rougelite game :)
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Good YouTube channel is Inkborn Heroes to learn about the game and they do some gameplay videos too, two cute Canadian dudes who love Disney
positive · AI labelView post →Very promising game in the style of Slay the Spire - does some really interesting things.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Inkborn is one of those games where you go in expecting a Slay the Spire clone with no unique features and find something that has managed to twist the genre in entirely new and unexpected ways. Inkborn takes a proven brilliant formula and adds in detailed overworld exploration, "doom timer" mechanics that don't feel forced, a meta-world with literary-inspired elements, and an increasingly difficult series of biomes to fight through. What's different: - Literary inspired cards and themed…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I've only played a bit but I was very impressed by the combo system. It adds a nice extra layer of depth because you can play cards that don't have explicit synergy together for additional effects. I haven't played all the deckbuilders out there obviously, but this is the first time I've encountered something like this. The neat thing is you can perform multiple combos in a turn because combo builders aren't consumed; it's based on the sequence of types of cards you play. For ex: your hand…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →extremely disappointing for that price, at a glacial development pace wants to StS with more systems, but those extra systems barely add anything, while all the basics are super shallow game is also barely implemented so far
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I was genuinely surprised at how playable this game is! It’s addictive and challenging – but never in a way that makes you feel stuck. Every run requires adjusting your tactics, and as you progress, your hero grows stronger. There's a nice element of character building and upgrading your cards. The art immediately drew me in: the origami‑style theme is remarkable and unique. Can’t wait for future chapters – it’s a solid game and I’m eager for more!
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →As someone who plays rougelike games almost daily I absolutely would recommend Inkborn. It's very similar to slay the spire, sharing the same deck building aspect while also adding new spins like the upgradable Greatinib, quotes and combo system. And of course the lovely artstyle, it's really unique and stunning. In game events fit in very well with the "ink" theme and they are very enjoyable. Overall it has lots upon lots of potential and I would love to see Inkborn thrive at its fullest.`
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Great foundation and potential for a new entry into the genre. A little sparse on the content at the moment, maybe a few hours for experienced deckbuilders and maybe a little too easy as there is no difficulty adjustment yet. But in due time, I think this will be a fine addition to the catalog. Really looking forward to how this one develops over the course of EA. Keep your eyes on this one 👀
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →We're playing another demo roguelike card game called Inkborn! twitch.tv/glitchedastral #VTuber #PHVTuber #LIVE #JustAstralThings
neutral · AI labelView post →⚠️❗New Discord Hack Tactic❗⚠️ Someone I trusted reached out to me, claiming them and their friends made a game called Inkborn. Turns out it was an imposter and added a virus into my PC. I’m taking all precautions to this but I urge anyone to beware if you get reached out for this.
neutral · AI labelView post →Inkborn is a fantastic Deckbuilding Rougelite, seems to be quite a popular genre these days but I'd yet to dip my toes into it (before Inkborn). The Card collecting and combo system is fantastic, the ability to discover new combos can really be intriguing and tempting. The Card plying is easy & simple but that makes room for the combos and attributes you gain to really shine. Overall Inkborn is a fantastic game!
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Probably my favorite STS copycat. Has a ton of potential and cannot wait for them to build it out further. Certainly not as perfectly balanced as STS -- I think the block card builds seem to be WAY too OP -- but closer to STS than Monster Train. Also very aesthetically pleasing.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Fun game that definitely scratched the StS itch for me with some fresh ideas, but boy was it easy. This definitely needs some ascension levels or something. I think it'll be a real gem when it gets to 1.0 release.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Lack of content is noticable atm, but the basic gameplay loop crafted here - while VERY StS-esque - knows what it wants to do and is enjoyable. Art design absolutely fantastic, I personally love it, The price is a bit steep, but the potential is enormous. Looking forward to see the next characters, acts and boss variations!
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →A fun card battler with well integrated thematic card mechanics. Meta progression check, interesting perks and character progression check. Intuitive Ui, great graphics, there really isn't any complaints to be made other than some balancing issues with certain bosses and combos.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →it has about 3-4 hours of content atm. good game play, but will it be stuck in perpetual early access.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →My first impressions of the game are very positive. The game encourages me to experiment with different builds thanks to the combo and quote systems. In one run, you can end up with a truly powerful deck, and in the next, you might fail in the very first act. The Chronicle system forces a strategic approach to map exploration, adding depth to the gameplay. The graphics and sound design are unique. I gladly launch new runs and look forward to future updates with new content.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Fun, a little short to play through to act 2, but enough appeal and replay value with good potential
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Not super familiar with the genre, but the game is pleasing musically and graphically. Also it's very immersive and addictive, stopped for a minutes and now I want to go back.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Quie enjoyable deck builder with some interesting twists regarding combo building and discovery. Very nice origami-like graphic style, Still requires some polishing, but it bodes very well.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Fun Game, fantastic potential with slay the spire vibes.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Something more than just another Slay the Spire clone. The combo mechanic is a refreshing addon. I enjoyed the gameplay, really fun to discover new tactics. Some minor, mostly translation, errors but nothing game breaking. This is early access, so solid start. Still playing and waiting for more content in the future.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I'm really enjoying this game! As an avid Slay the Spire player, this reminds me of StS, but not an exact clone to where it's enjoyable to play. The art is gorgeous, and the ideas of combos is really really cool! Loving it so far, just beat Act 1 for the first time!
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Cool game! I'm not a huge deckbuildie-fan, but this one's got decent aesthetics (which many of the genre severely lack, including StS). AND good gameplay. I'd recommend.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →For a brief moment, the paths of The Lord of the Rings: Adventure Card Game and Inkborn cross in a mighty fellowship of ink and valor. store.steampowered.com/bundle/56747...
neutral · AI labelView post →So, Inkborn. It's an upcoming game that seems to be heavily inspired by slay the spire, it's a deckbuilder roguelight in which you traverse a randomly generated map leading to a boss, encountering enemies, discovering unlockables, upgrading cards, adding to your deck, etc.
neutral · AI labelView post →“Storyborn”, “Inkborn”, and “Dreamborn” have no in-game significance; they are just reminders that any Lorcana character could kill Macbeth
neutral · AI labelView post →Game continues to go on a steady path in early access. I've liked the amount of content they are adding and look forward to more.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Disclaimer: A review copy of Inkborn was provided during early access. All impressions are based on the game’s current January 2026 state. Listen, it’s going to be real hard to not directly compare Inkborn to Slay the Spire throughout this review. Both are rogue-lite deck building card game. The similarities and influences are obvious from the first moments of the game. Also, I have over 300 hours logged in Slay the Spire, its gameplay is ingrained into my brain, so when something like…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →pretty fun game with an amazing style. the game is harder when compared to other card games like slay the spire but i feel like thats part of the charm
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →The game is still in early access, so this review is a bit premature, but I have found it fun so far. It is a lot like Slay the Spire, except that when you perform certain runs of cards you get a bonus out of it. For example, three "skills" (blocks) gives you +1 to block for the rest of the fight, and three punches stun an enemy. It's a nice system and it pays to explore what your character can do. Otherwise, it's a fairly standard spirelike with pretty art. All the characters are origami and…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Review — Inkborn Inkborn is a confident and creative entry in the roguelike deck-building genre. It clearly understands what makes games like Slay the Spire so compelling, while adding its own identity through a combo-focused system and a distinctive origami-inspired world. Strategic depth through combinations At its core, Inkborn is about building momentum. Cards are not simply played one by one, but chained together into Glyph combinations that reward careful sequencing and long-term…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →An excellent deckbuilder with all kinds of creative and interesting mechanics. The game is very intuitive and easy to learn, and there's a ton of mastery potential. Chaining combos rewards you for being deliberate and strategic, and it's so satisfying to pull off. I love the art direction and literary references. I'm excited to see how this game continues to develop!
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I really like the idea of setting the game in a book-and-paper world, along with the origami-style visuals. The combos are a great feature as well, as they significantly affect combat strategy. The curse cards, which can also be used as part of a combo, are a small but welcome touch that adds to the experience.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Quirky and getting quirkier, this is the ink-bespattered misbegotten child of devs traumatized by paper cuts and smudgy fountain pens. Yeah, deckbuilder game. Also node-exploration while gaining literary power, literally. Fascinating.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Definitely not worth it right now. Wait until full release (if there ever is one and this doesn't become VaporWare). Extremely shallow - comes across as a game you can upgrade as you go to get stronger, but only lets you upgrade a couple of timesin its current form. For example there are like 36 points on the character skill tree, but you can only unlock 4 of them. There are like 5 buildings you can upgrade - it shows each building upgrades like 5 times, but you can only upgrade each one once).…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →+ Interesting idea, concept and artwork + Attention to detail (when you or an enemy is hurt, appearance changes) - There's only 1 class right now. - When scrolling through text, in an event for example, the map will also zoom in or out - Targeting enemies doesn't work properly, sometimes. - Events are the same in ACT 1 throughout ACT 3. - You can encounter identical elite fights in the same ACT. - You can easily savescum.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Still needs more development, but it looks aaff
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →So more-some, I can't wait for the other classes and more levels. The art of building a deck as you go and then starting another run has just the right amount of time and play between them. The leveling after a run is very cleaver, adding more cards as you play to keep each run interesting.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Most bugs have been removed. There are still a few hiccups such as the map staying too zoomed after a battle and not letting you see all the paths connecting the traveling points. But it's definitely playable enough to be enjoyable. It's also a little bit light on content right now and I hope there will be more added soon. The concepts and base content are quite fun. Original review below: "Plagued by too many bugs right now."
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Very enjoyable deckbuilder. Some unique systems that I haven't seen in other similar games such as a "chronicle meter" (the more you explore the act for more perks the increased chance of gaining curse cards). Slight criticism regarding Torn status, description reads it takes affect at the start of the enemies turn however actually applies after they have acted. Made a potentially nice Torn build somewhat impotent but hopefully this will be addressed in subsequent patches. Aside from this…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Inkborn combines cards and combo play for a more challenging take on the deckbuilder store.steampowered.com/app/2924580/...
neutral · AI labelView post →Second game: Inkborn. Added this one to my list based on the artstyle alone, I love the book/paper/origami theme. Also, I like the way the combo system & keywords change up the way you play! Definitely wishlisting this one.
positive · AI labelView post →Start of game encounters are static and visually uninteresting. They feel like a downgrade from Inkborn Fables. The encounter text is also on an akward delay and the empty textbox looks bad
negative · AI labelView post →Day 7: Inkborn store.steampowered.com/app/2924580/... Inkborn has some unique visuals (it’s all origami!) mixed in to a turn-based, rogue-like, deck-building game. You’ll battle creatures in the procedurally generated map, spilling ink and blood. Looking forward to playing this again and again!
positive · AI labelView post →
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