Inkshade

Inkshade

Released Aug 2025

Inkshade is a turn-based tactics game carved out of strange wooden miniatures, wrapped in a web of locked rooms, and orchestrated by an otherworldly game master. Victory is not guaranteed, and the only constant is the cruel black ink that flows within the pieces.

87% positive · 628 reviews
Done
All announced content has been released
High confidence
Done
All announced content has been released
High confidence

Where to buy

Steam $13.99 $19.99 −30%
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Evaluation

Inkshade is a solo-developed indie game by Studio Vezelle that launched on August 14, 2025. The developer described it at launch as "a complete game" and the launch post referenced wrapping up the creative project ("A few years ago I started futzing about with game dev again just as a creative outlet, and now I have a complete game up on Steam"). Following launch, the developer released two feature patches — the Lantern Update on August 30, 2025 (adding at-will lantern toggling, new events, and game master interactions) and a smaller patch on September 6, 2025. A final round of bug fixes shipped on September 17, 2025. On September 29, 2025, the developer released the Inkshade Soundtrack as a separate purchasable item on Steam (the only DLC, now released), and made a notable statement about what comes next. Rather than announcing future content for Inkshade, the developer described setting up a newsletter to share thoughts on "what I'm going to be prototyping or investigating for future games" and said they were "getting very itchy to start talking about what comes next" — language that refers to their next game project, not additional Inkshade content. The developer also noted in an earlier post (August 7, 2025) that unimplemented player feedback would "influence how I design future titles," further framing Inkshade as a finished work. The sole DLC is the soundtrack, which has been released. There are no unreleased DLC entries, no announced future updates, and no roadmap for additional Inkshade content. The developer's communications after launch consistently frame Inkshade as complete and signal a pivot toward future projects. There has been no developer post about Inkshade since September 29, 2025 — approximately nine months of silence, consistent with a finished product with no further content planned.
Evidence
Developer releases the Inkshade Soundtrack DLC and sets up a newsletter explicitly described as covering future game projects and prototypes, not additional Inkshade content. Developer says they are 'getting itchy to start talking about what comes next' — referring to future games, not Inkshade updates.
news post · Sep 29, 2025 source development ending
high
Developer describes Inkshade as 'a complete game' at launch, celebrating its release on Steam
news post · Aug 14, 2025 source content shipped
high

Content

1 of 1 released · no outstanding content

Media

Details

Developer
Publisher
Studio Vezelle
Achievements
25
Platform
Windows
Controller
—
Steam Deck
Playable
Players
Single-player

About this game

The creature behind the desk insists that you play their wooden board game. And in this game, you are a captain looking for the mysterious realm known only as the abyss. To reach such a place, you’ll need to conquer a continent, acquire an airship, and sail into cursed skies. Or rather, assemble a crew and have them do it for you.

It will take more than one attempt to defeat the game master and achieve victory, and every run will be different from the last. However, with strategy, tactics, and tenacity, you will be destined to reach your goal.

  • Refine and upgrade a collection of distinct pieces and deploy them in a turn-based strategy board game. These pieces are your crew, and they will do as you say.

  • Find new classes of pieces as you solve puzzles and explore the murky chambers beyond the desk. Please ignore the dark stains on the carpet.

  • Add new pieces to your collection in the middle of each run by recruiting fallen foes. Whether or not they joined voluntarily is irrelevant, since they will bleed for you all the same.

Last evaluated Jun 19, 2026
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