Game Info
Year
2025
Players
1-4
Age
8+
Playtime
45 min
Collection
Mechanic profile
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Vibe profile
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Description
Ink is an unforgiving medium. However, when mastered with care, its spontaneity and brilliance can create visual effects of astonishing richness.
INK invites you to deploy your talent by creating sumptuous paintings worthy of the greatest collections.
When art meets strategy, ink flows as a river!
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All mentions
Browse transcript mentions, sentiments, pros/cons, mechanics, topics, quotes, and references.
Total mentions: 15
This page: 15
Sentiment:
pos 12 ·
mix 1 ·
neu 1 ·
neg 0
Showing 1–15 of 15
Video QSce5R48sRA
Unknown Top 10 List at 2:53 sentiment: positive
video_pk 66404 · mention_pk 161675
Click to watch at 2:53 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Free-form ink flow creates varied patterns
- Strategic depth with options for different strategies
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- creativity, color, and spatial patterning
- abstract ink-art tiling landscape
- puzzle-driven with elegant components
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- multi-color strategy — each player has constraints about their two target colors
- Pattern scoring — areas score based on patterns and colors
- tile laying — playersplace ink colors to form color areas
- tile placement — playersplace ink colors to form color areas
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Hello and welcome to 2026. So this year I am doing four lists for my top games of 2025.
- This is the medium box game list.
- What would you put in this category? What do you think of my choices?
- Parks and Potions. This is a wonderful game. It looks amazing.
- I adore this game. I cannot wait for the expansion to come out in 2026.
- The artwork on this is incredible. It is really, really fun.
- This game for only being in a box this size is a table hog, but it is really cool.
- Obviously, I enjoy an ocean theme.
- There’s a ton of amazing tiny components in here with no lid.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 0kNO4TzeUnU
Video Essay at 14:03
video_pk 66077 · mention_pk 160603
Click to watch at 14:03 · YouTube ↗
Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- use of painted miniatures — Ank with two painted miniatures mentioned
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Miniatures are cheap to produce and they sell extremely well because they are seen as a premium item and can be priced accordingly.
- What I can do, however, is dispel the idea of the value of miniatures. They are not as expensive as the price of board games with miniatures would lead you to believe.
- It's like you're speaking different languages. In other words, when you play a video game, you can connect with something emotionally, but you don't get to own it physically.
- The onus should not be on the consumer. It should be on the industry itself.
- I am a big fan of bonnets, and also bees, but not together. I couldn't help but notice that when I purchased the Iron Fist Alexander miniature, it looked really cool.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video z2l506PqnHY
Watch It Played Discussion at 9:08 sentiment: neutral
video_pk 64419 · mention_pk 157876
Click to watch at 9:08 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
neutral
Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- investing in the game it's why we like sports you know you get to know the people the characters the history the comebacks the underdogs and you invest in the game
- the sillier the game the more invested you get in it
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video GYX9nO_zjAY
Ryan and Bethany Board Game Reviews Review at 1:40 sentiment: positive
video_pk 62250 · mention_pk 154759
Click to watch at 1:40 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- fun first-player dynamic
- compact yet robust feel
- works well with the overall set’s pacing
Cons
- thematic flavor is light, which may not appeal to all
- rules may require examples for clarity
Thematic elements
- frustration/self-amusement through play
- Travel-sized micro-game collection; abstract interaction
- humorous, competitive
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- hand management — Players manage a small hand to influence outcome on each turn.
- hand-management — Players manage a small hand to influence outcome on each turn.
- turn-order manipulation — First-player advantage shifts; players jockey for position.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- eight full board games in this one little pouch
- this set is absolutely brilliant absolutely genius
- we were blown away with how much you can do in such a little package
- the cards are two-sided one is positive one is negative feel upside down
- in Sly you're drafting these cards face down into the hen house
- this is a horse racing game
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video d_xg3--sqyA
The Dice Tower Top 10 List at 7:32 sentiment: positive
video_pk 39809 · mention_pk 120269
Click to watch at 7:32 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- visually striking; color jars are delightful
- streamlined components; tactile joy
- abstract but satisfying to play
Cons
- some players may dismiss due to perceived simplicity
Thematic elements
- color placement and balance
- abstract ink aesthetic; color jars
- abstract/puzzle-like
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Area Control — place jars on the board to optimize color patterns
- area control / pattern placement — place jars on the board to optimize color patterns
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- these are just productions that made me go, 'Wow.'
- it's not really a game as much as it is a puzzle
- the production I think is topnotch
- I like the production of this one
- the cards have a gold sheen across the cards
- it almost looks like a toy
- the deluxe edition feels like a jewelry box
- this is the total package
- I think it's one of my favorite games I've ever played
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video B7JknDGQ9S4
The Dice Tower Top 10 List at 1:16 sentiment: positive
video_pk 35627 · mention_pk 106448
Click to watch at 1:16 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Easy to learn
- Beautiful production
- Accessible for new players
Cons
- Abstract feel may be off-putting
- Theme is minimal
Thematic elements
- abstract ink wells and territory building
- Circular rondelle in the center
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- color-specific placement — Ink wells have color restrictions affecting rewards.
- roundel drafting — Move around a rondelle to draft tiles and create spaces to place ink wells.
- tile placement — Place tiles in front of you to create large enough areas for ink wells.
- Tile placement / area building — Place tiles in front of you to create large enough areas for ink wells.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- The gimmick is you have a large plastic cube that has magnets on it, and you are rolling it around a board picking up tiles.
- Magnets are cool, folks.
- This one's simple with a fun, bright theme, and I found it easy to jump into and play.
- Ink is a game in which you are, well, basically getting rid of ink wells. That's it.
- it looks very abstract because the inks wells don't mean anything, but it's easy to play and fun for people to get into.
- Simple, fun, easy. That is pencil pirates.
- chunky components very much interactive where your tower might block the towers behind you and then they don't score any points
- Very interesting, silly artwork, but anybody can play it.
- If you like games like Rummy or games that we call card shedding where you're trying to get rid of all the cards from your hand, this is an amazing one.
- beautiful bright color artwork. The whole package comes together very nice.
- Magical Athlete is not a game to be taken seriously by any means, but it's just so entertaining and fun to play.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video tfs0_MVy8lw
Just the Rogue Top 10 List at 13:04 sentiment: positive
video_pk 32583 · mention_pk 96446
Click to watch at 13:04 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- beautiful art and thematic table presence
- puzzle-like placement that rewards planning
- color-based bonuses add depth
Cons
- layout can be unforgiving if you miss a key tile
- requires careful color/palette planning
Thematic elements
- Art-focused puzzle about connecting colored regions
- A painterly world of color regions and bottles
- puzzle-heavy with a strong tactile component
Comparison games
- Cascadia
- Sanctuary
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- bottle_bonus_trigger — Filling regions triggers bonuses and tableau bonuses
- color_region_expansion — Place tiles that connect to existing regions to grow color areas
- tile_drafting — Draft tiles from a quill reel to place on a color network
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Sweetlands looks like candy but punches like a brick.
- Nova Era is my game of 2025.
- Pandemic with extra steps, but walking is on brand.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video hvLh-B1jd4k
TheGameBoyGeek - Hi Quality Hi Energy Board Game Reviews Discussion at 0:15 sentiment: positive
video_pk 28588 · mention_pk 83847
Click to watch at 0:15 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Tight, puzzly abstract gameplay with a satisfying rondelle mechanic
- High variability via different bonuses each game
- Encourages efficient color grouping and planning
- Solid pacing and flexible options to recover from blocks
Cons
- Interaction is relatively light compared to Azul or Sagrada
- Random tile draws can hinder two-player games and sometimes slow momentum
- Hard to visually parse the reverse side of each tile at a glance
- Endgame can feel anticlimactic if one player pulls far ahead
Thematic elements
- Color matching, tile placement, and race to complete painting objectives
- Abstract painting puzzle using colored ink bottles on a round board (rondelle) with dynamic color objectives
- Analytical review with personal impressions and comparisons
Comparison games
- Azul
- Sagrada
- Enaria
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Compound Scoring — Completing specified group sizes grants bonuses that can enable further turns or tile manipulation.
- Double sided tiles — Tiles have front and back sides with different requirements; you may need to flip to assess fit.
- Edge to center progression — Drawing from the bag and placing tiles can progressively unlock abilities that affect future turns.
- Ink bottles as jokers — Certain ink colors can act as wildcards to satisfy color requirements when needed.
- Objective driven scoring and bonuses — Completing specified group sizes grants bonuses that can enable further turns or tile manipulation.
- Rondel — On your turn you move a bottle around a circular track to pick a tile that helps you advance your painting.
- Rondelle tile selection — On your turn you move a bottle around a circular track to pick a tile that helps you advance your painting.
- tile placement — Place tiles to form color groups on your painting and aim to complete objectives.
- Tile placement and painting — Place tiles to form color groups on your painting and aim to complete objectives.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- This is essentially a sort of an abstract game in the sort of family of Azul style games.
- This game is fantastic. I really liked it a lot.
- I love rondelles in games, and this has that matching up how you get your tiles, and I think that facilitates it very nicely.
- The most clever part of this game actually.
- It is a race, so essentially you are just trying to be and some people might say there has to be player traction. No, not really.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video lFzAOLjmHG0
TheGameBoyGeek - Hi Quality Hi Energy Board Game Reviews Top List at 1:19 sentiment: positive
video_pk 13780 · mention_pk 40256
Click to watch at 1:19 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Elegant combination of drafting and rondel mechanics
- Visually appealing painting abstraction
- Engaging tension between color selection and goal fulfillment
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- artistic color placement and pattern completion
- abstract painting world; rondelle-based color collection
- abstract puzzle with evolving bonuses
Comparison games
- Azul
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- color management — Two-color focus with a supply that can force a turn loss if exhausted.
- pattern/goal scoring — Complete contiguous color groups to satisfy goals and place ink blobs.
- rondel movement — Move around a roundel to collect ink and trigger actions.
- tile drafting — Draft colored ink tiles and place them to build a painting.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Ink. Now, this game is a lot nicer than Azul, I would say.
- The second side is a little bit more thinky, a little bit more bite to it.
- This game is absolutely fantastic.
- If you're looking for a two-player game that has a little bit of everything, Gatsby's it.
- This is the first game of this type that I know of ... takes that concept and just adds a lot of things around it.
- This is a lifestyle game where like I didn't have any baseball cards when I played this.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video mPrAUhI1c6Y
TheGameBoyGeek - Hi Quality Hi Energy Board Game Reviews Top List at 12:43 sentiment: positive
video_pk 13645 · mention_pk 39883
Click to watch at 12:43 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- nicer than Azul in terms of interaction and blockability
- rich tension between color management and painting goals
- varied bonuses create satisfying multi-move turns
Cons
- risky when you over-extend on colors
- some players may prefer lighter drafting
Thematic elements
- colorful drafting and painting-inspired puzzles
- abstract ink blot paintings come to life on a rondelle
- artistic, puzzle-driven
Comparison games
- Azul
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- chain-triggered bonuses — large turns trigger bonuses that vary each game
- color management and goal-based placement — start with preferred two colors and manage ink supply to complete color-group goals
- tile drafting / rondelle — draft tiles from a cycle and place to build a painting of ink blobs
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- This game you're going to be basically dressing up uh the kids in different costumes.
- You're going to be mixing and matching or matching and placing them on different things.
- Waddle is kind of a meaner area control game.
- There's a little bit of everything here. There's pressure your luck. There's some planning and mitigating.
- Datoms is a crunchy puzzle to figure out.
- Ink is a lot nicer than Azul, I would say, uh because you can't really totally hoe someone by sticking them with tiles they can't have.
- Positano. Tons of interaction. If you like sort of meanness blocking with some secret auction, that is very interesting.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 4w2MlnVCP18
Actualol Review at 14:29 sentiment: positive
video_pk 7215 · mention_pk 128596
Click to watch at 14:29 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- strong social interaction
- engages players in quick, memorable moments
Cons
- depends heavily on player dynamics; can stall with uncertain groups
Thematic elements
- secret signaling and social deduction
- subtle signaling and covert communication among players
- fast, playful, lighthearted
Comparison games
- Caribou Camp
- Wink (self-referenced as a comparison)
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- hidden roles — Players secretly signal to each other without being noticed by others.
- observation and memory — Players watch and infer others' signals to gain points.
- secret signaling — Players secretly signal to each other without being noticed by others.
- turn-based signaling and scoring — Rounds conclude with scoring based on signaling success and deception.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- it's a lovely slice of bluff and Double Bluff
- the presidency can switch hand many times as players try to get the best deal for themselves
- how much corruption can you get away with
- it's very easy to get into it, plays in about 30 minutes and yet has an incredible depth of strategy
- Pantheon is a solid expansion; it adds a few extra elements without overcomplicating things
- the gods are powerful, copying symbols or boosting science can create big moments
- Checkpoint Charlie works well for what it is a simple speed deduction game
- there's so much going on in this game that it's very hard to pull off thought out moves
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video oDIArzZcDic
The Brothers Murph Discussion at 8:12 sentiment: mixed
video_pk 3481 · mention_pk 10318
Click to watch at 8:12 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
mixed
Pros
- cool, colorful components
- has trigger powers when tasks are completed
Cons
- rulebook rough; some BG clarifications contradict rules
Thematic elements
- color matching and task fulfillment
- colorful ink/pigment puzzle on a grid
- abstract puzzle with vibrant visuals
Comparison games
- Framework
- Sagani
- Nova Luna
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- tile/colour placement — place colored tiles to complete color groups; ink bottles modify groups
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Don't tell me theme doesn't matter. Yes, it does.
- This is one of those games where drafting out different teams could be really cool.
- It's a banger.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video sIYAtUlb_LI
TheGameBoyGeek - Hi Quality Hi Energy Board Game Reviews Top List at 9:29 sentiment: positive
video_pk 3464 · mention_pk 10262
Click to watch at 9:29 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Beautiful, color-rich components and art
- Deep planning with rondell and tableau-building
- Dynamic scoring with ink bottle mechanics
Cons
- Rules and bonuses change every game
- Some players may find it heavy for an abstract color game
Thematic elements
- artistic expression and color grouping
- Abstract art-collection themed game with ink bottles
- stylized, painterly theme
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Ink bottle management and color constraints — Each player has two preferred colors; managing ink bottles matters.
- Rondell/roundel mechanism — Move around a rondelle to select and place tiles.
- tableau building — Place color-themed cards into groups to meet objectives.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- The big Essen Spiel fair in Essen Germany is about to happen later this week.
- This one, in my opinion, is a better list, but it always gets less views than the other list.
- It's a simple easy game there but there's still a lot to think about.
- Gatsby is an amazing two-player 30-minute abstract strategy game.
- Mindbug orig is an amazing game. Now, it's my two-player game of the year.
- Take Time is fantastic.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video HZjChi3Wy5o
BoardGameGeek Review at 0:00 sentiment: positive
video_pk 1951 · mention_pk 5538
Click to watch at 0:00 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Strong take-and-make drafting interaction that influences others and your own planning
- High interaction and the sense that your choices actively impact opponents
- Rich, flexible scoring with many viable paths and clever combos from bonuses
- Tactile components and aesthetic design that reinforce the theme and make play satisfying
- Good replayability due to variable bonuses and tile/starting tile mix
Cons
- Starting tiles and X-tile setup can feel fiddly and may slow cleanup
- Graphic design and component clarity could be improved for easier setup and readability
- Luck plays a non-trivial role via bag draws and starting tiles, which may frustrate some players
- Two-action turns (move two bottles, or draft and place) can feel low-t interaction on some turns
Thematic elements
- Color composition, pattern matching, and area control through ink bottles
- Art studio palette and ink-based painting with shared drafting and objective areas
- Abstract puzzle-driven theme rather than a narrative experience
Comparison games
- Azul
- Cascadia
- Calico
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- area completion and scoring bonuses — Players complete objectives by matching colored spaces and areas on their pallet boards; completing objectives grants bonuses and enables scoring of larger areas.
- board and palette interaction — Pallet boards constrain color focus (yellow/orange, etc.), guiding what ink bottles can be placed and which colors are prioritized for scoring.
- end-of-round and tie-break rules — The round ends when a player exhausts their bottles. Black ink is used to manage excess, with tie-breaks determined by black-bottle totals across players and possible repeat rounds until a winner emerges.
- resource management and reuse — Ink bottles are moved, spent to score, or removed from the painting. Bottles removed via bonuses re-enter play in a different form, enabling dynamic rebuilding of opportunities.
- tile drafting — Six tiles sit around a central wheel (quills). Players move an ink bottle to one of the quills to draft a tile, with the option to circle the board to optimize access and leverage color/area needs.
- variable bonuses and powers — Two-card bonus system (numbers 1–12) determines powers that can alter scoring, move or remove bottles, or modify objectives, creating strategic depth and combo potential.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- This is a take and make game that works for me because there is so much going on with you making good choices for how you're arranging your board.
- The interaction, the luck. It's all there and wrapped up in a beautiful looking box.
- You have a fair amount of control in what's there.
- I like games like that where again, you've got the randomness that's coming.
- I really love this aspect of Ink; there is so much going on with taking tiles and building.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video f5yZrc583A8
The Dice Tower Top List at 5:18 sentiment: positive
video_pk 774 · mention_pk 2256
Click to watch at 5:18 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- beautiful components
- cozy vibe and strong finish display
Cons
- may hinge on spatial reasoning that not all players enjoy
Thematic elements
- spatial tiling and ink resource management
- artful ink-well world
- cozy, aesthetically focused
Comparison games
- Kingdomino
- Floriferous
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- combo/ability triggers — groups of ink wells grant special abilities.
- rondell movement — circular movement mechanic affecting options.
- spatial tile placement — place ink wells to create groups and territory.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- This is a critical darling, a bestseller of the year, and one that really earns that place with its interesting gameplay and punchy return of investment in time to game play.
- Really love this one. Certainly one to play if you value your time.
- gorgeous world that you are living in for those 30 minutes to an hour.
- This is a really neat game that also plays very quick because you are drafting them into your deck.
- one of the funniest games that you will have your entire family rolling on the ground laughing about.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
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