Unveiling the Epic Starship of Terror Update: Inkbound's Major Changes Exposed!

Inkbound, a popular title developed and published by Shiny Shoe, the creators of the renowned game Monster Train, has just received a massive update called Starship of Terror. This indie multiplayer game combines turn-based RPG combat with roguelike ability drafting, immersing players in magical book worlds. The Starship of Terror update brings a host of improvements, including system enhancements, quality of life fixes, and exciting new modes that will further polish the game during its Early Access phase.

During a recent preview event for the Starship of Terror update, Game Rant had the opportunity to watch exclusive footage and chat with Andrew Krausnick, the creative director at Shiny Shoe. We discussed the significant changes that will be implemented in Inkbound, including the introduction of a brand-new class called the Star Captain. Furthermore, the Starship of Terror update will streamline player progression, introduce a thrilling daily challenge mode, and revamp the game's optional battle pass to provide a more consumer-friendly experience.

Streamlined Player Progression in Inkbound

The longevity and enjoyment of the best roguelike games come from the extensive choices and opportunities they offer players as they progress through each run. Shiny Shoe recognized that the initial version of Inkbound had a slight issue with excessive grindiness, and they are now taking measures to expedite player progression and reduce frustration. Alongside increasing the sources and quantity of experience points available, Krausnick explained that they are simplifying progression by focusing on a central leveling system rather than solely relying on quest completion:

"...you now have the freedom to earn experience points however you prefer, whether it's embarking on runs, winning battles, participating in daily challenges. This way, you can unlock more and more content, even if your main focus isn't solely on completing quests."

Diverse Daily Challenges

Krausnick also acknowledged the concerns raised by some players who found the completion of story quests to be too time-consuming. In response to this, a decision has been made to eliminate nearly half of the quests that do not directly contribute to the progression of the main story. Additionally, numerous item unlocks, which were previously obtained through story quests, have been integrated into the primary leveling track. This means that players can now acquire new mechanical and character building options, even if their focus is not solely on completing the main story's objectives.

Shiny Shoe's debut game, Monster Train, has gained immense popularity for its highly anticipated feature - the daily challenge mode. This mode introduces dynamic mutator conditions to the game's core formula, revolutionizing each run and offering a thrilling experience. Krausnick, the mastermind behind Shiny Shoe, reveals their well-thought-out three-pronged strategy to strike the perfect balance between challenge, fairness, and variety.

We aim to include one positive mutator, one negative mutator, and one that creates a balanced challenge, depending on the strength of the others. Our goal is to ensure that each day feels unique and different.

This mutator-rich mode will feature various effects, such as randomizing player abilities, replacing different enemy types in a level, and causing all enemies to take damage when one enemy is hit. More complex combinations will alter the way ability cooldowns function, either resetting them every turn or allowing players to charge a cooldown by using their primary attack. Occasionally, players may start with specific items that synergize well, such as increased potion drop rate paired with bonus effects for using potions.

Players who are seeking more subtle modifications to Inkbound's fundamental gameplay will find great value in the game's fresh trinket system, which will also debut alongside Starship of Terror. With the ability to handpick distinct trinkets at the onset of a playthrough, players can precisely refine their strategies, such as willingly embracing a disadvantage in the early stages for the prospect of amplified power later on.

A Better Battle Pass

Inkbound has received a highly positive reception on Steam thus far, with the majority of the limited complaints pertaining to its battle pass system. Krausnick acknowledged that "we made the mistake of not critically assessing other games when making assumptions." However, Krausnick emphasized that Shiny Shoe is actively listening to players and has decided to revoke the expiration of older battle passes. The objective is to create a FOMO-free experience that ensures long-term support for the game.

Additionally, Shiny Shoe aims to enhance controller compatibility, ensure accessibility for color-blind players, and revamp the game's collection system to offer a more extensive range of upgrades. The Inkbound expansion and the Starship of Terror update are currently accessible on PC.