Inua - A Story in Ice and Time in IOS

Adventure

Walkthrough, Guilds, Tips on this special game

Our Site Score

94/100

Inua: A Story in Ice and Time is a rare gem in the mobile adventure space. It is a hauntingly beautiful point-and-click narrative that weaves together three distinct eras of the Canadian Far North. The way the game connects a 19th-century sailor, a 1950s filmmaker, and a modern-day journalist through the legend of Nanurluk is nothing short of masterful. The 'idea-planting' mechanic, where you find concepts in one era and plant them in the minds of characters in another, makes you feel like a ghost influencing the flow of history.

The art direction is breathtaking, utilizing a diorama style that feels tactile and alive. More importantly, the game was developed in collaboration with Inuit writers and advisors, ensuring that the folklore and history are treated with the respect and depth they deserve. It’s more than just a game; it’s a moving, mystical experience that explores themes of survival, time, and the consequences of our choices. If you appreciate high-quality storytelling, this is an absolute must-play.

Reviewed on: Tue Feb 13 2024
Dinsun Avatar

Dinsun Review

Now this is more like it. Inua isn’t trying to trick you into watching ads; it’s trying to tell a story, and a damn fine one at that. As someone who appreciates historical accuracy—or at least the effort of it—I found the intersection of the Franklin Expedition and Inuit folklore to be genuinely compelling. The art direction is evocative, using a stylized, almost storybook aesthetic that fits the shifting timelines perfectly. It’s rare to see a mobile game treat Indigenous culture with this much respect and nuance without falling into tired tropes.

However, let’s be clear: this is more of an interactive diorama than a 'game' in the traditional sense. The 'puzzles' are essentially just clicking on the right thought bubbles to move the plot forward. There’s no failure state, no real challenge, and the pacing can feel glacial—pun intended. It’s a bit preachy in the final act, and the actual interaction is so minimal that I found myself wishing it were either a short film or had a bit more meat on its mechanical bones. It’s good, maybe even great for what it is, but it’s a 'play once' experience that doesn't quite reach the heights of the classics I grew up with.

Overall Stats

Pros & Cons

  • Incredible atmosphere and art design
  • Deeply researched and respectful narrative
  • Excellent voice acting and soundscapes
  • Mechanically very thin
  • Short duration with zero replay value
  • Pacing can feel slow for those wanting 'action'

Technical Report

Performance: Flawless performance on modern devices; no bugs encountered.

Accessibility:
  • Subtitles
  • Adjustable Text Size

Audience Fit

Buy if: You love narrative-heavy adventures and historical mysteries.

Skip if: You need mechanical complexity or skill-based challenges to stay engaged.

Similar Games:
  • Bury Me, My Love
  • The Gardens Between

Reviewer Context

  • Reviewer: Dinsun, looking for quality over quantity.
  • Hardware: iPhone 13 Pro
  • Playtime: 4 hours
  • Status: Finished Story

The Game

Available on: iPhone, iPad, iPod

Version 1.0.3Thu Feb 17 2022

Bug on the end kinematics fixed.


A Mystical Game in the Canadian Far north

Set off on a mystical journey to the Canadian Far North with Inua: a story in ice and time, a point & click narrative adventure spanning multiple eras.

Meet Taïna, a present-day reporter determined to discover the truth behind the disappearance of the Terror, one of the ship of the Franklin expedition whose goal was to explore the Arctic in the 19th century. Her destiny is mysteriously linked to that of Peter, a young filmmaker covering a military expedition in the 1950s and Simon, a sailor of the Franklin expedition struggling to keep his crew alive.

Navigate through time to discover what links them together. Search for ideas, instill them in the characters' minds and guide them toward Nanurluk, the mythical polar bear who lived 10 000 years ago.

A Mystical Time Travel Experience

Go on an adventure in the far North of Canada, navigate through the ages, and interact with the past to change the present. In Inua, you’ll need to unravel space-time to solve mysteries and guide the characters on their journey. Move from scene to scene, era to era, and uncover events of the past, unearthing new ideas that influence the characters' minds. Help Simon, Peter, and Taïna overcome the obstacles standing in their way, and change the course of history.

A Historical Saga

The original and supernatural scenario of Inua is based on a very real story: that of the Franklin expedition, a British mission in the 19th century to explore the Arctic that resulted in shipwreck, disease, and mutiny. The fate of this expedition is still largely unknown. Gather clues and discover its history!

Inua - A Story in Ice and Time:

- A fantasy tale based on incredible historical facts..

- An extraordinary story inspired by Inuit tales and legends, with support from Inuit writer Thomassie Mangiok and advisors Billy Gauthier and Monica Ittusardjuat.

- A game designed by the creators of Bury Me, My Love, and Vignettes, adapted from the original story by Nathalie Frassoni and Frédéric Bouvier, with the breathtaking artistic direction of Delphine Fourneau from the Klondike collective.


Requires iOS 11.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.

Explore time and space, influence character decisions, and change history

A Mystical Game in the Canadian Far north

Set off on a mystical journey to the Canadian Far North with Inua: a story in ice and time, a point & click narrative adventure spanning multiple eras.

Meet Taïna, a present-day reporter determined to discover the truth behind the disappearance of the Terror, one of the ship of the Franklin expedition whose goal was to explore the Arctic in the 19th century. Her destiny is mysteriously linked to that of Peter, a young filmmaker covering a military expedition in the 1950s and Simon, a sailor of the Franklin expedition struggling to keep his crew alive.

Navigate through time to discover what links them together. Search for ideas, instill them in the characters' minds and guide them toward Nanurluk, the mythical polar bear who lived 10 000 years ago.

A Mystical Time Travel Experience

Go on an adventure in the far North of Canada, navigate through the ages, and interact with the past to change the present. In Inua, you’ll need to unravel space-time to solve mysteries and guide the characters on their journey. Move from scene to scene, era to era, and uncover events of the past, unearthing new ideas that influence the characters' minds. Help Simon, Peter, and Taïna overcome the obstacles standing in their way, and change the course of history.

A Historical Saga

The original and supernatural scenario of Inua is based on a very real story: that of the Franklin expedition, a British mission in the 19th century to explore the Arctic that resulted in shipwreck, disease, and mutiny. The fate of this expedition is still largely unknown. Gather clues and discover its history!

Inua - A Story in Ice and Time:

- A fantasy tale based on incredible historical facts..

- An extraordinary story inspired by Inuit tales and legends, with support from Inuit writer Thomassie Mangiok and advisors Billy Gauthier and Monica Ittusardjuat.

- A game designed by the creators of Bury Me, My Love, and Vignettes, adapted from the original story by Nathalie Frassoni and Frédéric Bouvier, with the breathtaking artistic direction of Delphine Fourneau from the Klondike collective.


Ratings & Reviews

4.6 out of 5 with 53 Counts
Age Rating 9+

Screenshots

Inua - A Story in Ice and Time screenshot 1Inua - A Story in Ice and Time screenshot 2Inua - A Story in Ice and Time screenshot 3Inua - A Story in Ice and Time screenshot 4Inua - A Story in Ice and Time screenshot 5Inua - A Story in Ice and Time screenshot 6Inua - A Story in Ice and Time screenshot 7Inua - A Story in Ice and Time screenshot 8Inua - A Story in Ice and Time screenshot 9Inua - A Story in Ice and Time screenshot 10Inua - A Story in Ice and Time screenshot 11Inua - A Story in Ice and Time screenshot 12Inua - A Story in Ice and Time screenshot 13Inua - A Story in Ice and Time screenshot 14Inua - A Story in Ice and Time screenshot 15Inua - A Story in Ice and Time screenshot 16

Inua is a point-and-click narrative adventure inspired by the tragic Franklin expedition. Navigate through time to guide Simon, Peter, and Taïna as they unravel a mystery spanning centuries. By exploring 3D dioramas and planting ideas in characters' minds, you will help them overcome obstacles and interact with the mythical Nanurluk to change the course of history.

Features

1

Breathtaking 3D diorama art style

2

Authentic Inuit storytelling and folklore

3

Unique 'idea-planting' puzzle mechanic

4

Emotional story spanning multiple eras

5

Point-and-click exploration

Tips

News on this game

Inua: A Story in Ice and Time is an upcoming point-and-click narrative adventure based on a true story set in the Arctic

The Pixel Hunt / IKO has teamed up with ARTE France to take players on a journey through the Great North in Inua: A Story in Ice and Time.

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Gameplays

Q&A

Yes, it is based on the real-life mystery of the Franklin expedition, a 19th-century British Arctic mission.

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