There’s something inherently charming about games that embrace imagination both as theme and mechanic, and Inkling Cats: Beneath the Dreams wastes no time establishing its identity. Developed by Linked Rooms Games and published by Brainium Games, this colourful roguelike action-RPG invites players into a dreamscape shaped by the drawings of a young boy named Liam—and defended by his three unlikely heroes: Spok, Smuk, and Skrat.
On the surface, it’s easy to mistake Inkling Cats for just another entry in the ever-expanding roguelike genre. Procedural runs? Check. Upgrade systems? Check. Synergy-driven builds? Absolutely. But beneath that familiar structure lies a game brimming with creativity, heart, and just enough mechanical depth to keep players invested well beyond its early hours.
A World Scribbled into Life
The game’s core concept—exploring the dreams of a child through the pages of an enchanted book—is more than just a storytelling device. It influences every part of the experience, from level design to enemy variety.
Each run progresses through “chapters” that resemble living sketches, shifting between whimsical and surreal. One moment you’re navigating vibrant, hand-drawn forests; the next, you’re fighting abstract creatures that seem to have jumped straight out of a child’s imagination during a doodle. The visual style is eye-catching, blending gentle, storybook aesthetics with bursts of chaotic, ink-splattered action.
Most importantly, this isn’t just about style over substance. The clarity of the visuals—enemy silhouettes, projectile effects, environmental hazards—ensures that even during the most hectic encounters, the action remains easy to follow. In a genre where visual clutter can often be a problem, Inkling Cats maintains a careful balance between flair and clarity.
Three Heroes, Three Playstyles
At the core of the experience are the titular kittens: Spok, Smuk, and Skrat. Each offers a unique approach to combat, promoting experimentation and replayability.
Spok leans towards balanced, versatile gameplay—perfect for newcomers learning the basics. Smuk prefers agility and speed, darting through enemies and relying on quick strikes. Skrat, meanwhile, adopts a heavier, more deliberate style, sacrificing mobility for raw power.
What sets these characters apart from mere archetypes is the game’s robust weapon customisation system. Instead of using pre-defined gear, players actively craft and modify their weapons with components collected during runs. This system provides a surprising amount of flexibility, allowing everything from rapid-fire projectile builds to slower, high-impact attacks with elemental effects.
The result is a combat system that feels both accessible and highly customizable. Early runs introduce the fundamentals, but as more components and upgrades are unlocked, the potential for creative builds grows significantly.
Ink Drops and the Art of Progression
Progression in Inkling Cats revolves around “ink drops,” a currency earned during runs and spent on upgrades, items, and enhancements. It’s a familiar loop, but one that’s executed with care.
There’s a satisfying rhythm to each run: gather resources, experiment with builds, push a little further, then return to invest your earnings. The game avoids overwhelming players with too many systems at once, gradually introducing new mechanics and options as you progress.
One particularly enjoyable aspect is the inclusion of magical cards, which add another layer of synergy to your builds. These cards can dramatically alter your playstyle, encouraging players to adapt on the fly and experiment with combinations they might not have considered otherwise.
However, while the progression system is engaging, it isn’t without its flaws. Some upgrades feel more impactful than others, and there are moments where progress can slow, requiring multiple runs to unlock meaningful improvements. It never becomes overly grind-heavy, but the pacing occasionally falters.
Co-op Chaos
Inkling Cats also supports local co-op, and it’s here that the game’s chaotic energy truly shines. Playing alongside a friend transforms the experience, amplifying both the fun and the unpredictability.
Co-op encourages complementary builds and coordinated strategies, but it never demands them. You can approach it casually, enjoying the shared spectacle, or dive deeper into optimisation if you’re so inclined. The game scales effectively, ensuring that additional players don’t trivialise the challenge.
That said, the increased visual chaos can occasionally push the game’s readability to its limits. While the art style generally holds up well, certain late-game scenarios—particularly with multiple players—can become overwhelming.
A Familiar Formula with a Creative Twist
There’s no denying that Inkling Cats: Beneath the Dreams heavily draws on established roguelike conventions. Players familiar with the genre will recognise many of its systems almost immediately.
However, its success lies in how it presents those systems. The dreamlike setting, the child-inspired artwork, and the playful tone all work together to craft an experience that feels unique, even if its mechanics are familiar.
It’s a game that doesn’t aim to reinvent the genre but instead reinterprets it with creativity and charm.
Final Verdict
Inkling Cats: Beneath the Dreams is a charming addition to the roguelike action-RPG genre, combining vibrant visuals with adaptable, rewarding gameplay systems. Its weapon customisation and synergy-based builds offer substantial depth, while the inventive setting makes it stand out in a crowded field.
Although minor pacing flaws and occasional visual clutter prevent it from achieving true excellence, they do little to lessen the overall enjoyment. Whether playing alone or with a friend, there’s a sense of joyful experimentation at the core of every run.
It may not reinvent the rules— but it colours them beautifully.
