Dinky Ink Station

Dinky Ink Station is a mission in the Octo Expansion.

Gameplay
Agent 8 must complete the level with limited ink, and they start with only half an ink tank. There are two optional vaults which both contain an ink refill which can be used in order to destroy reinforced crates and use propeller lifts to reach the final goal. In addition, a third ink refill is available if the player climbs some nearby wooden crates. With proper technique, this refill can be obtained in three shots or two blasts and allow Agent 8 to complete the level without opening a vault with either the or the.

The keys required to open the vaults are located to the left and right after defeating the enemies in each trial. The area to the left contains several Octotroopers and a Shielded Octotrooper. The area on the right has two Octocopters and an Octobomber. Access to either side requires using ink to hit the Inkrail for that side. Defeating either side will lead to four Squid Rings appearing on the Inkrail path.

For the path to the goal, the player will encounter three sets of reinforced crates with each crate taking thirteen shots from the .96 Gal to break and four shots from the Luna Blaster. Of the first set of boxes, the left awards ten Power Eggs, while the right one holds armor. The second set has five Power Eggs to the left and ten on the right. The third set is optional if the player uses the propeller platform properly and awards nothing when destroyed.

After getting past the three sets of reinforced crates, the player will come to a small arena with a glass wall, two inflatable barriers, and a Sanitized Octoling using a Brella. Entering the arena will prevent Agent 8 from picking up any remaining refills. Once the Sanitized Octoling is beaten, a Launchpad will appear to take the player to the final part of the level.

In the final section, the player will land on another platform with a propeller. Agent 8 will need to use it to get over the wall that leads to the goal. The platform with the goal has four optional switches. Hitting a switch flips a panel and reveals a hidden object. Two panels hide an enemy, one hides a Balloon Fish, and the fourth hides a Power Egg pack. A larger platform below the goal platform can be used to view the items and enemies, with an inkable Ride rail returning Agent 8 to the upper area.

Agent 8 must be conservative with their ink, making most of the three full restores they have. At most, the player can safely fire the .96 Gal nineteen times initially and 39 times with a refill. For the Luna Blaster, this limit is five shots initially and eleven with a refill. For both weapons, Agent 8 can be risky and fire their last shot off, provided that they pick up a refill or touch the goal within approximately three seconds. This gives a maximum of 140 shots for the .96 Gal and 42 shots for the Luna Blaster.

Quotes
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S2 Icon C.Q. Cumber 2.png C.Q. Cumbergreen
"I regret to inform you that in this area, submerging in ink won't refill your tank."

"And if you run out of ink, it's game over."

"However, there are ink refillers you can use - please be sure to do so."

"You ran out of ink - test failed."

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S2 Icon Cap'n Cuttlefish.png Cap'n Cuttlefishgreen
"Don't let that turn you into a dried-up husk like me!"

"Excellent - now your skin will be supple and silky smooth!"

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S2 Icon Marina 2.png Marinagreen
"Sounds like you can't simply submerge yourself in ink to refill your tank here."

"Save your ink and attack that shield guy from behind!"

"There's the key! Head back to the ink refiller!"

"Phew - what a relief!"

"You're running out of ink!"

"Um, maybe more like... TAKE DEAD AIM AND ONLY SHOOT AS MUCH INK AS NECESSARY!"

"I guess you could try to fill up at an ink refiller..."

"Watch out for the Brella so you don't waste your ink!"

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S2 Icon Pearl 2.png Pearlgreen
"Keep a close eye on how much ink you've got left, ya hear?"

"It's all about your aim!"

"Right then - head to the ink refiller!"

"Let 'em have it. OPEN FIRE!"

"Gotta break the boxes to move forward, eh?"

"There's the exit!"

"Time to go hard!"

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Trivia

 * The title and subtitle are a reference to children's toy Shrinky Dinks, which were popular in the eighties.
 * Dinky Ink Station is the only mission in the Octo Expansion to use the .96 Gal.
 * This station has computers, or more specifically, X68000 and peripheral devices floating in the background.
 * Bumpin' 8-Ball Station and Girl Power Station have the X68000 and peripheral devices floating in the background as well.