One of the things I love most about the indie gaming scene is that it’s a factory for unusual ideas and daring designs. Why be content to merely recycle the same old ideas and themes, when you can go off the board to try a combination of story and gameplay elements that nobody has ever seen before? Well, there’s an argument to be made for the familiar being easier for people to identify with and latch onto, but why be boring and predictable when you can flex some creative muscle and take a risk? Between its characters and settings being the product of drawings made by a little girl, it’s somewhat unique mode of combat and more, Ink Inside sets itself apart, but it’s also not without its fumbles.

What immediately stands out about the game is its pretty unique overall look, a combination of child’s drawings and isometric 3D. When the world is threatened by the results of a real-world leak soaking the pages of some sketchbooks, resulting in a condition referred to as “The Sog”, a one-armed sketch named Stick is roped into trying to save the day. Thankfully he has a wicked throw, and in dodgeball-ish battles he’ll need to use a mix of strategy and solid aim to work through enemies along his way. While these battles aren’t as refined as those found in the excellent Dodgeball Academia, they still do manage to at least help make the overall adventure a little more exciting in place of stale turn-based fare.

In this case though, it’s possible some attempts to add complexity to the game served more to pull it down. It’s great that as you get further into the game the demands on you in combat, as well as the tools you have at your disposal increase. The problem is that what starts out as simple and approachable begins to feel strained as you continue to deal with more enemies and some boss battles. Whether the issue is visual clarity of what’s happening in the fight, or what can feel like muddy or inconsistent controls right in the moments you need them to come through for you, there’s ample room for frustration. Throw in the fact that the game’s visual style choices seem to have opened the door to some periodic glitches, and a difficulty curve that feels at odds with the game’s otherwise approachable style, and it’s a decent game, but it comes up short of being a good one.