Realm of Ink: Step Into an Action Roguelite of Ancient Mythology and Relentless Combat

Phil Doust, 4Divinity Head of Publishing, and Dai Ningkun, Leap Studio Head

Summary

Realm of Ink is a visually unique action roguelite built on deep build customizability and a distinct aesthetic inspired by traditional Chinese ink art.
A genre-blending collaboration brings the acclaimed BlazBlue Entropy Effect to the Ink Realm.
Realm of Ink launches out of Early Access on May 26 for XBOX Series X|S, with support for XBOX Play Anywhere

In Realm of Ink, no two runs are the same. The combat flows through visually rich realms, each becoming deadlier than the last. You’ll experience a whole cast of characters who seek to aid you in your quest for freedom. It’s up to you how you take on the challenge; over 50 ink gems and numerous artifacts mean countless build styles. But have no fear, for you’re not fighting alone. Your ink pet, Momo, fights by your side every step of the way.

You’ll start Realm of Ink as Red, a fearless swordswoman. She’s fighting to escape her destiny after discovering that she’s a character on a page, trapped inside the Ink Realm. You journey through the realms, earning rewards and uncovering mysteries – but some truths are only revealed upon death. After meeting your demise, you awake at the Inn, a safe haven filled with diverse NPCs, ways to upgrade and improve for your next run, and a bounty of different character forms to unlock.

At the inn, you can experience the numerous unlockable character modes. But these are more than just cosmetics; each character has their own distinct weapon, striking character model, combat style and skills. It was important for us to go beyond cosmetics for these characters; there is so much to uncover in-game, and having playstyle variety makes a real difference for the player experience. It’s been exciting to see during early access how differently players take on the challenge. Whilst some try new things on every run, pairing new gems with new characters, new routes and different artifacts, others gravitate towards one character, one element of gems and building their favourite builds time and time again!

Inspired by Chinese Culture

Through experimentation and iteration, the unique visual style came to life. We drew Inspiration from traditional Chinese ink art, before blending with dynamic elements found in modern gaming, which wasn’t without its difficulties! The current art style not only retains and showcases the charm of the Chinese style but also meets the demands of the explosive gameplay, creating something that, as a whole, is both striking and memorable. It’s not just the realms themselves that stand out, but the striking cast; from the many characters to the bosses, players will be captivated by the vast array of designs and stylistic choices.

Realm of Ink isn’t only a reference to the visuals; there is a deeper meaning rooted in Chinese literature. We’re taking inspiration in particular from Liaozhai Zhiyi (“Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio”), wherein each chapter has its own main character. The revelation that the characters are just puppets in their own chapter of the Ink Realm, particularly for Red, poses many philosophical questions. Do you stay in this realm and fight to be the hero, or the villain, or do you fight to break those bonds and escape?

Endless Possibilities

As we highlighted, the development of the visuals had to be designed to work in tandem with the mechanics. There are several major gameplay systems all working together within Realm of Ink. The strength of your build will come down to how you utilise the mechanics during each run. Two of these systems in particular are the numerous ink gems and the ink pets. These mechanics are intertwined with each other; each ink gem you hold or switch to will immediately affect Momo, unlocking new forms and formidable powers. And switching is highly recommended, there are so many combinations, abilities and buffs to experience!

Over 200 artifacts mean a whole host of different base stat boosts and unlocking powerful effects. Plus, select artifacts have compatible ink gems, which allow for even more devastating synergistic power-ups in your builds! After each encounter, players choose the path they want to follow, picking from routes that reward with currency, power-ups or artifacts. So many routes, artifacts, ink gems and playable character modes mean that creativity and build variations are endless!

Exciting Crossovers

A very exciting update for Realm of Ink launch day is the arrival of Oread. The formidable stage 4 boss from BlazBlue Entropy Effect.

Oread arrives in style, armed with a new ink gem, two exclusive ink pet skins and a set of devastating new perks. All of these were designed to complement her unique combat prowess, giving players bold new ways to reshape their build.

Players can launch into Realm of Ink and unlock Oread on May 26 on all platforms, including XBOX Series X|S, supported by XBOX Play Anywhere.

Realm of Ink

4Divinity

☆☆☆☆☆ 1

★★★★★

$24.99

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From ink and brush, life springs anew, In death's embrace, souls remain still. Endless cycles, ceaseless rebirth Begin your journey as the swordsman Red, gradually unlocking additional forms as you progress. Utilizing the Fox's immortal power, traverse treacherous 'Story Relics,' confront four bosses with unique backgrounds, and escape from the ever-changing realm of ink. Surmounting various challenges and obstacles, you will redefine your 'destiny' through the constant cycle of rebirth, wielding your sword with resilience. Fierce battles with infinite creativity Embark on thrilling battles and explore diverse combinations to craft your unique combat style. Play as the Swordswoman Red and equip yourself with 9 different forms and weapons. Enhance your abilities with over 40 distinctive Ink Gems like Tiger Ink, Venom Ink, Curse Ink, Burning Ink, Kylin Ink, and Dragon Ink. Discover a vast array of over 200 perks, such as the Shadow Kite, Octagram Dart, Lock Charms, Dreadful Bell, Lamp of Seven Stars, and Doom Gauge. The special NPCs, Trial Valley and ""Endless Challenge"" room are waiting for you to test your limit. Fighting alongside intimate Ink Pets Adorable Ink Pets will serve as loyal companions, fighting alongside you. Depending on various Ink Gem combination, they can undergo a transformation and evolve into 15 plus distinct forms, applying unique moves to assist in combat. Exploring diverse lives in the Eastern Fantasy world From the verdant Buddhist forests, the frigid enchanted Monkey Kingdom, the gentle yet terrifying waterland to the ancient and reverent ruins of Mausoleum, the four major levels each have a guardian, and their mysterious pasts await your exploration. Wielding a sword, ventured alone through the dim world and overcome formidable foes. Explore and conquer over 20 creatures with distinctive Chinese characteristics, including Fox Demon, Peony Fariy, and Mirror Sprite. Each of them comes with a unique backstory. By continuously enhancing mutual affection, unlock more intimate dialogues, and deepen the understanding of each other.