spacealien_vamp | Entries tagged with kickstarter

Status: Funded

This is a race game from the designer of the popular Key series (particularly Keyflower) in which players use cards to place animals on a map of the world and cause them to multiply and spread across the continents. The game itself has already been produced in Europe; this campaign is simply to import it to the US. I was sorely tempted by this one, but it doesn't have pretty art (like Evolution) or detailed science backing the theme (like Bios: Megafauna), so I decided to pass for now.

Dreary Hamlet

Status: 34% funded

This is an adventure game in which players combat monsters to win loot. The player with the most loot when everyone is dead is the winner. The art is amazing, and the coins are pretty. The backstabby nature of the game is a drawback, but it does have rules for solo play, so I could theoretically use it that way and not have to worry about playing a mean game with my friends. The biggest problem is that I'm not a huge fan of dice-based combat.

Games I Viewed:
Folklore: The Affliction

Status: Funded

This is a dark fantasy RPG-style cooperative dungeon crawl with detailed miniatures. The components are impressive, and the designers have a past history of producing a very popular game (Descent) in the same genre. I just think A) the theme is a bit too dark for my taste, and B) I already have two cooperative fantasy miniatures games that I never get to play, so I don't really need another.

Scythe

Status: Funded

This is an area-control miniatures game from the designer of Viticulture. I looked at it because I think Stegmaier runs good KS campaigns, but I don't have any particular interest in area control as a game mechanism, so this one isn't compelling to me.

Sword & Sorcery

Status: Funded

This is another cooperative fantasy miniatures game. Again, I just can't see myself getting this one played, when I don't even get to play the ones I already own. Also, the big-breasted scantily clad female miniatures are a turn off for me.

Kodama: The Tree Spirits

Status: Funded

This is a card game in which players play cards with illustrations of tree parts on them to build a large image of a tree. It is a re-theming of the game Kigi to make it more evocative of Mononoke Hime. While I think the art is really adorable, I'm afraid the game itself is too light for my taste.

The Great Dinosaur Rush

Status: Funded

In this game, players are archaeologists finding dinosaur bones at a dig site and secretly assembling them into dinosaur skeletons. I think the theme is awesome. I'm just not convinced that the game mechanics would appeal to me.

Game I Backed:
Agility

Status: 82% funded

In this 2-player game by the same designers as Morels, players use cards to gather resources that are used to purchase different breeds of dogs and train them to run through agility courses. Not only are some of the components hand-made, the designer has also offered to personalize a card in each game for backers who send in photos of their own dogs. I don't know how often I'd get a chance to play it, since my 2-player games tend to sit around collecting dust for lack of an opponent, but it's too adorable to pass up.

Game I Viewed:
Spirit Island

Status: Funded

In this cooperative game, players are the native deities of an island who are banding together to repel foreign invaders. What I like (aside from the fact that it's cooperative) is that it takes the standard Euro theme of settling a new land and reverses it. The problem is, this particular publisher tends to make games that are incredibly fiddly.

Bonus link:
Holding out for a Euro

Game I Viewed:
Shadowrift: Eve of the Sickle Moon

Status: 91% funded

This expansion for the cooperative fantasy deckbuilder Shadowrift adds more gameplay elements such as enemy decks and hero cards. I traded away my copy of Shadowrift and went in for Thunderstone instead, but someone else might be interested.

Game I Viewed:
Gloomhaven

Status: Funded

This cooperative fantasy game strives to give players an RPG experience, complete with a persistent campaign. While I think the game itself is probably good, I already have Myth, so I don't really need another game of the same type.

Honorable Mention:
Carolina Game Tables

Status: Funded

These tables are made so that a game or puzzle can be left set up inside the well while the removable top can be set over everything to allow the table to be used for meals or other things. The price is cheaper than the popular Geek Chic line of tables, but the 5-inch rim looks far too wide to me; players would have to reach relatively far to get to the game pieces.

Meepillows

Status: Funded

These plush pillows in six different colors are made in the shape of a Carcassonne meeple. While I do think they are adorable, the colors just don't really match my house.

Games I Viewed:
Trove: The Crystal Caverns

Status: Funded

This is an asymmetrical game for 2-4 players in which each player has a completely different style of play and ultimate goal for victory. I think it's a really interesting idea, I just have doubts that it would get any table time among all my other game choices.

Gloom of Kilforth: A Fantasy Quest Game

Status: 21% funded

This is a high fantasy RPG-style game that can be played either competitive, cooperative, or solo. The art is gorgeous (though I see they were careful to remove the image of the scantily clad woman that was prominent on the pre-KS test page). I've been following the development of this game on BGG for over a year, so I know a lot of work has gone into it. Right now, however, I don't know that I'd be willing to fork out $75 for it.

Honorable mention:
Tabletopia

Status: Funded

This is a digital platform that allows board game designers and publishers to upload their games for people to play electronically. It will be run as a tiered subscription service, such that someone with a premium account can invite basic members into a private room to play premium games. They compare it to a Netflix subscription; I would probably compare it to a WoW subscription, since that's what I play. I am tempted by this one, since it would allow gaming with friends and family living far away, but with my crazy work schedule I know that timing a game would take a lot of planning and therefore the amount of use might not be worth the subscription cost.

Game I Viewed:
Foragers

Status: 43% funded

This is a strategy game by the designer of Biblios in which players are primitive hunter/gatherers who earn points by bringing back food to feed their tribe. It is different from most of the designer's previous games in that it is not intended as a filler. While I'm curious about this one, the theme doesn't particularly grab me.

Games I Viewed:
Loop, Inc.

Status: Funded

In this time-travel themed game, players are attempting to accomplish goals in the past by visiting it three times. The twist is that every subsequent trip, the player must include the same actions in the same order as the previous trip(s) to simulate not being able to change what has already occurred. While it sounds incredibly clever, I need to start cutting back on game purchases, so I will probably pass on this one.

Shadowrift 2nd Edition

Status: Funded

This cooperative deckbuilding game is getting a new printing with updated art and improved rules. Since I just got rid of my original 1st edition copy, I don't need to re-acquire it, but someone else might be interested.

Quest: Awakening of Melior

Status: 37% funded

This is a solo dice game with added variant rules to accommodate multiple players. I actually ordered a copy of the prototype version two years ago, so I technically already own it. The art is definitely a selling point. If I were more of a fan of dice games, I'd probably be more enthusiastic about the finished version.

Games I Viewed:
The Gallerist

Status: Funded

This is the newest game by the designer of such heavy classics as Vinhos and CO₂. I looked at it because it seemed like an interesting theme, but this designer's games tend to be more complex and brain-burny than I prefer.

Apotheca

Status: Funded

This is a semi-abstract game in which players are apothecaries trying to concoct potions in order to gain membership in a secret society. The components are gorgeous, I'm just not sure what I think about the game mechanics. It does have a solo variant as a stretch goal, which makes it more tempting.

Argonauts

Status: Funded

In this cooperative game, players control a band of mythological Greek heroes as they journey with Jason to bring back the Golden Fleece. The art is fantastic, but the project designers seem worryingly amateurish. For example, they are planning to evade customs charges for the backers by claiming a lower value than the actual cost of the game, which is...kind of illegal.

Games I Viewed:
Foe Hunters

Status: 28% funded

This is a cooperative fantasy deckbuilding game, in which the players take on specific fantasy archetype roles and engage in combat against a card-driven enemy. I think the art (as much as has been shown) is appealing, but the game time of 60-90 minutes gives me pause. That seems rather long for a deckbuilder. Also, it looks like there are only two Foe decks, so it makes me wonder about the replayability.

Dark Dealings

Status: 52% funded

In this filler card game, players are evil creatures whom fantasy heroes have been sent to defeat. The player who lasts the longest against the heroes' attack is the winner. What appeals to me about this game is that it is playable solo. It is also relatively inexpensive. I just don't know that I need another filler.

Game I Backed:
Eminent Domain: Exotica

Status: Funded

This campaign is a combined project for both Exotica and an unrelated game (by a different designer) set in the same universe, Battlecruiser. I'm only pledging for Exotica. The campaign allows backers to add on previous Eminent Domain games. I still haven't gotten to play the game with the expansion, since I'm always teaching it to new people, but I expect that I will someday.

Game I Viewed:
Epic Card Game

Status: Funded

By the designers of Star Realms, this is a combat card game modeled on Magic: The Gathering that fixes what some consider to be flaws in the Magic system. It purports to offer the complete trading card game experience in a single box, no booster packs required. While the art is outstanding, and I consider Star Realms to be a great game, I'm not really into TCG/LCG-style play, where you have to construct a deck before the game starts. It's really tempting, though, and if they offer a solitaire or cooperative variant (maybe as a stretch goal), then I'll buy it.

Games I Viewed:
Mottainai

Status: Funded

This is a new multi-use card game by the designer of Glory to Rome and Innovation. I'm attracted to it by the Japanese-ish theme, but I haven't been very impressed by the designer's previous games. (I didn't like Innovation, and while I think Glory to Rome is okay, I like the derivative Eminent Domain much better.)

Japanese: The Game - Storyteller Deck

Status: Funded

This is a core deck (playable by itself) with a theme of Japanese folklore to help players learn the Japanese language. It can be used together with previously published expansion decks. I don't particularly need it myself, but I have to admit that the art is great.

Game I Viewed:
Defenders of the Realm: Dragon Expansion (2nd Edition)

Status: 68% funded

This campaign is for an updated version of the dragon expansion, which adds a number of enemy miniatures and rules to the base game. I never bothered to buy the first edition (despite DRAGONS), because it makes me sad when dragons are the enemies.

Honorable Mention:
Victory Point Cafe

Status: 21% funded

This campaign is to assist in funding the opening of a new board game cafe in downtown Berkeley. It plans to open this summer with a 500-game library accessible with a $5 cover charge.

Game I Backed:
The Dwarves

Status: Funded

This is a project for an English version of an award-winning German cooperative game about dwarves protecting their land from encroaching evil monsters, along with an expansion that upgrades the game components. Rahdo compares it to Defenders of the Realm, saying that it gives a similar feel yet plays in half the time. Although it's a shame that backers have to buy both the plain base game AND the separate component upgrade (there's no "deluxe" base game with the upgrades already added, so backers have to pay for all the original plain components that will never be used), I did at least manage to get in on the earliest bird tier.

Games I Viewed
Epoch: Early Inventors

Status: 9% funded

This is a tile-laying game in which players must travel to different environments to collect resources that can be used to make tools. While the art is not bad, the theme doesn't particularly grip me, and the project doesn't appear to have gained much momentum.

Samara

Status: 71% funded

This is a worker placement game in which workers are placed onto a calendar, so they will not be available to perform tasks until future rounds. It reminds me of a simpler version of Tzolk'in, just without the fancy Mayan calendar wheels. Since I already own Tzolk'in, I didn't feel the need to back this one.

Edited to add:
Assault on Doomrock: Doompocalypse

Status: Funded

This is the expansion to the cooperative adventure game that funded last year on Indiegogo. I have the base game, but I haven't gotten a chance to play it yet. I really like the sense of humor, though.

Honorable mention:
Vanguard Meeples

Status: 99% funded

This is a project on Indiegogo for metal meeples in various colors.

Game I Viewed:
Gateway: Uprising

Status: 12% funded

This is a deckbuilding game for 2-3 players. The artwork is pretty amazing, but not much gameplay detail has been posted yet. I'm mildly tempted, but not enough to pledge without more information.

Game I Backed:
Evolution: Flight Expansion

Status: Funded

This campaign is for a 2nd (updated) printing of the Evolution base game, plus its first expansion. I backed the base game last year, so I'm getting the expansion this time. Sadly, I haven't actually gotten a chance to play my copy of the game yet, which means I just have to hope that I will enjoy it.

Game I Viewed:
Cuisine a la Card

Status: 37% funded

This is a deckbuilding game with a theme of putting together ingredients to create meals. I like the theme, and I like deckbuilders. Unfortunately, I have already spent way too much on games, so I'll have to pass on this one.

Games I Backed:
Norsaga

Status: 62% funded

This is a puzzle card game in which players are trying to build a heroic lineage while matching ancestors together who have specific genetic traits (represented by colors). The colors built up in the lineage give the player special powers each turn. I played this one at GenCon last year and found it to be an entertaining filler. Also, if the rules haven't changed since then, it is possible to have same-sex couples as ancestors.

Raiders of the North Sea

Status: Funded

This sequel to Shipwrights of the North Sea is a worker placement game in which each player only ever has one worker. Each turn consists of placing a worker on the board to carry out an action, then removing a different worker from the board to resolve another action. What I like about this game (on top of the quirky art) is that the players attack neutral settlements on the board rather than each other, so it is less aggressive than its predecessor.

Game I Viewed:
Valeria: Card Kingdoms

Status: Funded

This tableau-building dice game is inspired by Machi Koro but has added elements such as hidden goals for each player and different currencies that can be used to purchase different types of cards. It also has the same artist as Raiders of the North Sea above. All the reviews I've seen so far are very positive. I've considered backing it, I just don't know that I can justify the cost when I already own the original Machi Koro (plus expansions). Also...Myth: Journeyman just ate my gaming budget for the month.

Honorable Mention:
Rahdo Runs Through Year Four

Status: Funded

Game reviewer Richard Ham is raising funds for his next year of videos. (I didn't get a prototype tester spot this year; they were already full when I saw the page, which was about 30 minutes after it went live. They must have gone fast.)

Games I Viewed:
Wizard's Academy

Status: 50% funded

This is a cooperative miniatures game in which players are student wizards with unpredictable abilities and are trying to save their school. I find the idea tempting, but the price is a bit too high after all the other things I just bought.

Best Treehouse Ever

Status: 60% funded

In this drafting game, players select different room tiles and add them to a personalized treehouse, then they make decisions about which types of tiles will score for everyone. This strikes me as a filler version of Among the Stars, just with a different theme and unusual scoring mechanism. Since I already own Among the Stars, and I already backed Between Two Cities (another drafting/tile-laying filler), I'm going to pass on this one.

Game I Backed:
Myth: Journeyman

Status: Funded

This campaign is for updated materials and expansions for the cooperative miniatures game Myth. So far I have managed to restrain myself and am only pledging at the $6 level to get the revised rules and cards.

Game I Viewed:
Mistfall

Status: Funded

This is a cooperative fantasy card game. If it had launched any other month, I probably would have backed it. However, I have spent an absurd amount of money on crowdfunding this month, and I can't justify the expense.

Games I Backed:
Parfum

Status: Funded

From the designers of Fresco, this game involves rolling dice for various scents and then combining those scents to create perfumes that can then be sold to customers for profit (victory points). I jumped on one of the early bird slots on the strength of my appreciation for Fresco, but it's highly likely that I will eventually drop out before the campaign ends. I already own the Fresco Big Box, Finca, and Scoville, all of which fill the "resource management with lots of colorful bits" niche. The only thing this adds is dice, which I don't particularly like.

Between Two Cities

Status: Funded

In this quick-playing tile-laying game for up to 7 people, players must cooperate with the neighbor on each side to build the best city. The player with the highest scoring city wins--the catch is that each player can only score the worst of the two cities that player has worked to complete. I think this is something that should go over well with the neighbors. I will probably pretend that my Eiffel Tower is Tokyo Tower, though.

In other board game news, Rio Grande Games has officially announced that they will be releasing the Arctic Scavengers expansion.

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