Bendy and the ink machine, a survival horror game, has gained an almost cult following since its original release in 2017. Originally released episodically, Bendy and the ink machine had its fanbase rise rapidly. The game made so much heads turn that it outgrew its PC roots. A whole line of merchandise already followed the conclusion of the game on the PC. Console owners can now also enjoy the gloomy story of Bendy and the Joey Drew studios he was created in.
Youtube/twitch made it big, but does it live up to the hype?
I’m probably a bit cynical but when I first hear from a game because some Youtubers made it popular, I get suspicious. In this day and age of sponsored videos I often wonder what is still genuine and what is (over)hyped. Bendy and the ink machine could easily be another jump-scare filled excuse of a game so a 25-year-old Youtuber could scream at it like a little girl – I’m looking at you Five nights at Freddy’s. But after playing it, I can safely say Bendy and the ink machine is an immersive horror story where every scare is needed to propel the story.
Scary cardboard cutout
In Bendy and the ink machine, you are Henry Stein a former member of the animation team behind Bendy the demon, Boris the wolf and Alice angel among others. You get a letter from Joey Drew to come visit the studio. After 30 years the studio looks rundown and upon entering there seems to be no sign of life. The only things remotely alive are the cardboard cutouts of mascot Bendy that keep popping up all over the place. Although Bendy looks quite Mickey Mouse like, you get the feeling something’s off. Once you start up the titular Ink machine, you start seeing the Bendy cardboard following you, leaving you to feel watched.
Story-telling Bioshock style
The greatest thing about Bendy and the ink machine is the story that slowly evolves with each new area you find. Shattered around the place are tape recordings which help tell the story and the weird things that happened after you left the place 30 years prior. These short snippets of inspiration leave just enough to your own imagination to go further into the lore of the game to see if you were right. Trust me when I tell you that there are some epic curveballs thrown at you.
Axe wielding vs. puzzle solving
In bendy and the ink machine you rely on your environment to survive. You’ll need to explore the studio and solve puzzles to progress. Along the way you’ll find objects like an axe, a wrench, a lead pipe, … which can be used to solve puzzles but also double as a potential weapon. Although battles are scarce, they do happen, and you’ll need to either fight or run/hide. Choosing when to go in full axe wielding modus and when to hide will make the difference between survival and an untimely death. The battles do feel clunky making them my least favorite part of the game. Nothing game breaking though but something I would’ve liked to see fixed.
The atmosphere makes for a great experience
Bendy and the ink machine suffers from occasional glitches. The environment is rendered from “hand-drawn” textures – think borderlands – to emphasize the 1930s cartoon vibe. When moving fast the geometry of the place doesn’t quite hold up. Despite some of these flaws – again nothing game breaking – the style of the game really adds atmosphere. Exploring the place alone tells a story with the different parts you’ll discover. The sounds you’ll hear all fit the tension building storyline. All this helps building an experience which leaves you baffled at the end.
Conclusion
Bendy and the ink machine isn’t flawless but once looking past those you’ll end up with a massive immersive experience that will leave you wanting more. I can now fully see the appeal that made this game the “overnight” hit it has become. Bendy and the ink machine proves once again that Indie games can be as good – and even better – than triple A titles. Looking forward to more from theMeatly Games team. In the meanwhile, get Bendy!
