Ink: A Quick, Clever, and Beautiful Tile Game
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We’ve been playing Ink recently, and it’s quickly become a firm favourite. It’s one of those games that’s easy to pick up, plays in around 40ish minutes, and still gives you that satisfying, “just one more go” feeling. If you’re looking for a game that’s both visually striking and mentally engaging, Ink deserves a spot on your shelf.
Ink has that comforting feel of games you might already know — for me, it’s somewhere between Carcassonne and Azul. There’s the thoughtful tile placement, the pattern matching, and the slow, satisfying build of your own little network. But Ink brings its own clever twist to the table.
Instead of building a landscape or mosaic, your aim is to connect coloured ink trails by placing tiles — all while trying to use up all your ink bottles. The more efficiently you connect those colours, the closer you get to victory. It’s simple in concept, but gets wonderfully tactical as you go.
The 12 o'clock twist - think before you pick: Here’s where Ink really shines. The tiles you’ll play with are arranged in a circle, and on your turn you’ll move your player marker clockwise around that circle to choose one. Sounds easy enough — but if your marker passes the 12 o’clock point, you’ll have to take an X card.
These X cards aren’t just a mild inconvenience — they’ll cover up part of one of your placed tiles, blocking off potential connections and throwing a spanner in the works. So every choice becomes a bit of a puzzle:
Is the tile you really want worth the penalty?
Can you make a clever play and avoid the X card altogether?
If you do have to take one, where can you place it so it does the least harm?
It’s a brilliant little bit of tension, and it makes even the simplest decisions feel meaningful.
Ink is the kind of game you can teach in a few minutes, and your friends will be up and running straight away. It’s a fantastic choice for new players — easy to learn, no fiddly setup, and turns go quickly. But there’s plenty here for more experienced gamers too. You’ll be thinking a few moves ahead, weighing up risks, and constantly adjusting your strategy based on what’s available.
Games last around 30 minutes, so it’s perfect as a warm-up/cool down game, a filler between heavier titles, or even just something to scratch that itch for a spare of the moment game night.
We’re big fans of Ink for a few key reasons. First, the artwork and design are absolutely gorgeous — it’s a beautiful game that really stands out on the table. The rules are simple, but every turn gives you a meaningful decision to make, which keeps the gameplay clever and engaging from start to finish. It’s also the perfect length too — short enough to fit in a quick round, but fun and satisfying enough that you’ll often want to play two or three games back-to-back.
Ink is a gem. It’s thoughtful, quick, and clever, with just the right amount of tension to keep you hooked. It’s perfect for couples, families, or friends looking for something accessible but strategic. Whether you’re new to board games or you’ve got a shelf full of them, this one deserves your attention.
1-4 players