Inkbound takes players on a journey through procedurally generated storybook worlds, battling monsters that are set on unraveling the nature of reality itself. Players can dive in solo or party up via online co-op in hybrid real-time/turn-based encounters. All the while, heroes become more powerful the deeper they progress in each roguelike run.

Inkbound takes place in The Atheneum, a world that contains all the stories that have ever been written. Here, anything that's written in Ink can become real -- such as nightmarish carnivals, ancient ruins on the brink of volcanic annihilation, and more. The heroic Binders, charged with maintaining these stories, can go anytime and anywhere so long as it has been written. And if it hasn't, perhaps they'll create tales of their own.

Shiny Shoe has designed a combat system that blends the kinetic brawls of an ARPG with the deep strategy of a tactics game. Turns are snappy and quick, but players can slow down and take time to fully evaluate their current threats. Players choose the optimal times to rush enemies for melee strikes or to best position themselves for a perfectly aimed ranged attack. 

Developer Shiny Shoe is excited to share the first details about Inkbound's upcoming Starship of Terrors update, which adds a new sci-fi-themed Derelict Starship to explore, the heroic Star Captain class, a slew of new quests (with new Unravelled enemies), and much more. 

The update, which will be available to Inkbound players at no additional cost, is coming to Steam Early Access on August 23. Here are a few of the highlights the Starship of Terrors update is bringing to Inkbound:

A New Hero Has Arrived: Meet The Star Captain!

Star Captain is ready for duty, bringing the total of playable classes to six. Each class brings their own unique suite of skills and abilities to Inkbound's imaginative battles, and Star Captain is no exception. This flexible new hero is a natural fit for Starship of Terrors' sci-fi setting either solo or via online co-op.

"This new Star Captain aspect showcases a mastery over lasers both big and small, controls deadly Sentinel Drones (with you guessed it, lasers), utilizes powerful teamwide auras, and harnesses the destructive force that is frost," says gameplay designer Colin Galen. "Star Captains can chain damage between foes with their Chillazer or call in the big guns with Cryoclasm; an orbital beam that deals huge damage to an enemy and frostbiting anyone unlucky enough to be near. Their Mission Leader aura gives big buffs to allies while simultaneously calling in friendly Sentinel Drones ready to zap foes and trigger frostbite. Star Captains excel as supportive team players, boosting friendly abilities and protecting them with shields. However, even by themselves, they are a force to be reckoned with, building up massive frostbite or drone damage."

Explore the Derelict Starship, Inkbound's Atmospheric New Book!

Inkbound is built around books and storytelling, from the explorable storybooks that are home to its roguelike runs to its overarching narrative about the importance of keeping these tales alive. The Starship of Terrors update adds an all-new volume to Inkbound's library, including exciting new sci-fi themes and a spooky Derelict Starship that's ripe for exploration – and intense tactical battles against a host of new alien Unravelled.

Reworked Leveling Passes Give Players More Flexibility

Inkbound launched in Steam Early Access with a cosmetics-only Season Pass. Shiny Shoe is dedicated to supporting the game in the months and years ahead, and giving fans access to a paid track is one way to make that possible over the long term. We've listened to fan feedback and have made some adjustments to this completely optional element of the game.

• Passes will now be called Leveling Passes, because these passes will be available for purchase at any time. If you're just hearing about Inkbound, we don't want you to feel FOMO for missing out on the launch or any seasonally released content. 
• The price of Leveling Passes will increase from the special launch discount of 600 shinies to 1000 shinies on August 23. Future Passes will also be priced at 1000 shinies from this point onwards.
• Player Pass progression will be permanently maintained. A player's level within each Pass is going to be maintained forever and will never be lost during seasonal transitions.

Inkbound is now available through Steam Early Access for $19.99, and will remain so for about 1-2 years.

Inkbound has been built around cooperative play, which further enhances its tactical elements. Binders can work together to debuff enemies and follow up with devastating attacks. Or perhaps one Binder can hang back, keeping their party healthy during the battle. Every roguelike run is different, pushing players to learn from and adapt to each exciting new challenge. Co-op is rewarded, but not required. Binders can embark on their own solo adventures, but banding together is the safest way to take on the toughest challenges and acquire Inkbound's best loot.

Key Features:

• WRITE YOUR OWN DESTINY: Discover the magical Atheneum and the infinite worlds contained within to protect it and become the fabled Inkbound. Or break free from your station and unravel the real story behind your creation.
• FIGHT FOR YOUR STORY: Arm yourself with the brute strength of a Magma Miner or the swift attacks of a Mosscloak to survive. Embark on procedurally generated runs and weigh the risks of one path versus the potential rewards of others. Choose wisely, your survival depends on it.
• CREATE YOUR STYLE: From a hat shaped like an astronaut cat to bat wings, unlock new amazing items with each run. Fight through rich, atmospheric worlds with outfits that will be sure to impress your fellow warriors!
• A LIVING GAME: Experience a gripping story and combat that changes monthly, weekly, even daily! A living game, no two days are the same in the expanding world of Inkbound.
• ENHANCE YOUR POWER: Learn exciting ability Bindings, choose powerful forgotten Memories, and equip loot from legends to become the Inkbound hero no one thought you could be. And a bonus feature you loved in Monster Train: discover hundreds of character builds by mixing and matching classes.

Inkbound is coming to PC (Steam) in 2024/2025.