At today’s PC Gaming Show: Most Wanted showcase, indie publisher CRITICAL REFLEX (known for Mouthwashing and Buckshot Roulette) and developer Hey Bird! Revealed their latest project: Inkblood. This hand-drawn, occult detective adventure invites players to step into the shoes of an Inquisitor tasked with solving a cultist conspiracy that threatens the fabric of reality.
Described as “unsettlingly cozy,” Inkblood blends gothic horror with the intricate puzzle-solving mechanics of escape room games.
The Inquisitor’s Journey
In Inkblood, you play as an Inquisitor following a trail of death left by a mysterious cult. Your predecessor has vanished, and the region is teetering on the edge of chaos. It is your duty to uphold the Inquisition, uncover the truth, and avoid the same dark fate that befell those before you.
The game is structured around 10 unique cases, each featuring clever obstacles and escape-room-style puzzles. The developers cite genre heavyweights like The Room, The Case of the Golden Idol, and Strange Horticulture as key inspirations for the game’s non-linear investigative gameplay.
Your Carriage Awaits
A central mechanic of Inkblood is your carriage, which serves as both your home and your mobile base of operations. From this hub, you will travel to various “bizarre” and “unsettling” locations, such as the city of Inqburg, deadly swamps, and abandoned villages.
To solve these mysteries, players are equipped with advanced tools provided by the Inquisition. The most notable of these is a magnifying glass that lets you look into the past, revealing what villagers were doing previously or uncovering secrets hidden in the flow of time. Players must inspect clues, take photos, compile case files, and eventually dial their overseer once they have formed a solid theory.
Release Date
Inkblood is currently scheduled for release in 2026. It is available to wishlist now on Steam.
You can watch the official reveal trailer here: Inkblood Reveal Trailer.
Steam Page: store.steampowered.com/app/4114100/Inkblood/