December Kickstarter Picks - Article
by Jared Katz , posted on 05 December 2013 / 3,750 Views
Developer: Snowcastle Games
Total Amount/Goal: 47k/250k
Days Left: 16
Lowest Amount for Game: 20$ Computers, 25$ Wii U
Release Date: January 2015
Next Stretch Goal: Full Overworld (300k)
Launch Platforms: PC, Mac, Linux and Wii U
Festival of Magic is a turn-based JRPG being developed by the Norwegian indie developer Snowcastle Games. FoM takes place in the realm of Umbra, a place where both magicians and engineers lived in harmony, which lasted until the mystical clan of Valvur appeared. Before, the planet’s core clockwork was powered by the magicians and maintained by the engineers. The clan suggested the engineers could build a machine to make unlimited energy, an idea that eventually led to the exile of the unneeded magicians. In the aftermath the seasons stopped and the planet’s once used magical energy began to corrupt both animals and plants. With the Valvur clan beginning their world domination no one can stop them, but a group of small and unlikely heroes who the clan inadvertently angered set out to try.
FoM follows the basic old-school turn-based combat that was once a staple of the JRPG genre. Differentiating itself is its pairing system. In this system your party is made up of pairs consisting of one warrior and one protector character. The warrior fights by using consumable items like ammo while the protector can heal and use other spells. Instead of the usual MP system, the game has Support Points which are recovered when the pair are damaged. To keep your ammo/consumables in stock you can visit the Village of Plumpet Island, where you can farm the plants that are turned into ammo/consumables. These plants are called Barnacles which, with good gardening skills, can gain special magical attributes.
Developer: Defiant Development
Total Amount/Goal: 31k/50k (Australian Dollar)
Days Left: 7
Lowest Amount for Game: 20$
Release Date: April 2014
Next Stretch Goal: New Cards and Creatures (70k)
Launch Platforms: PC, Mac and Linux
Hand of Fate is an action-based RPG with a unique twist on traditional rougelike gameplay. HoF takes place in a cabin at the end of the world where the dealer resides; inside you will draw your fate. The game is split into two main sections: on the table top and inside the world of your fate. While separate, both of these worlds affect each other greatly. On the table top you will be given cards that will affect your chances of survival in the game of death. In each run the dealer will have a court card, who is the boss that will await the player at the end of their run. It will then be added to the deck and you will start choosing your fate.
You receive cards face down to choose from. These cards will be events that have their own rewards and can have multiple options in how to act. When battling, you are sent to the other world along with your deck, which holds your equipment. Inside this world the game plays like a typical action RPG and will not end until all enemies are destroyed. After you beat the Court Card it will be sent away. You also will receive new cards to add to your deck, improving your chances in future battles.
Developer: Bear and Boar
Total Amount/Goal: 8.7k/70k
Days Left: 29
Lowest Amount for Game: 15$
Release Date: December 2014
Next Stretch Goal: More Costumes (70,001$)
Launch Platforms: PC, Mac and Linux
Treasurebear is an exploration platformer featuring the odd duo of the greedy Mimic Chester and the glutinous bear Barry. These two unlikely heroes meet after Chester is framed and kicked out of the Treasure Hunting Guild and begins his quest to clear his soiled name. While Barry doesn’t have any luxurious goals (and would rather just be trying out new foods) he joins Chester due to food-related circumstances. Their quest will take place across 16 different worlds as they try to find the culprit behind Chester’s excommunication, as well as to indulge Barry’s lust for foreign food.
The game's main focus isn’t completing levels as quickly as possible, but rather to explore the levels to find new treasure and to complete puzzles in a variety of ways. While a multitude of enemies and bosses stand in their path, the two are not without their own ways of fighting. His years of training at the guild have given Chester plenty of different combat moves, including picking up and throwing enemies/objects, as well as using his precious loot as weapons. On the other hand Barry’s power comes from the simple fact that his height and weight can be used to crush most enemies. Treasurebear also features naval warfare. After doing enough damage to opposing ships the duo are able to climb aboard and loot their way through the pirate booty.
Developer: Dreadlocks
Total Amount/Goal: £20k / £14k
Days Left: 8
Lowest Amount for Game: 7 £ = (About 11.50$)
Release Date: June 2014
Next Stretch Goal: Wii U Release (£26k)
Launch Platforms: PC, Mac, Linux and OUYA
Dex is an action/stealth side-scrolling RPG set in a technologically advanced neo-cyberpunk future. In the world of Dex humanity has greatly advanced in the fields of technology, to the point where most humans are wired up to a network in cyberspace. People see digital adverts on the streets, get news-feeds wherever and whenever they want, and can communicate with anyone in an instant. Of course all of these innovations are monitored and controlled by the government and major corporations. These new innovations have also given rise to artificial intelligence, which has in many ways surpassed humanity. Along with a deep and thought-stimulating story, Dex will be fully voiced and has fully hand drawn characters.
In Dex, problems can be solved by using weapons/explosives/gear or good old fists, but can also be solved in AR (augmented reality). When in AR you can use your Avatar to hack almost anything, from a simple door to a person’s implant, causing them to be paralyzed. While in an AR state your body is open to attacks by viruses and malware, which can cause you damage or status effects. Along with viruses there are a variety of things found on today’s web that will affect you, like spam, Trojans, and more. While most things can be interacted with in the AR state there are still people who aren’t connected to the AR, which makes them impervious to any form of AR attack. The game allows you to customize yourself via gear and upgrades, which means you can develop your own play style.
Developer: Lefthanded Studios
Total Amount/Goal: 22k/35k
Days Left: 5
Lowest Amount for Game: 15$
Release Date: December 2014
Next Stretch Goal: PS4 Release (39k)
Launch Platforms: PC, Mac, Linux, OUYA and Wii U
Lobodestroyo is a N64-inspired collect-a-thon platformer being developed by Lefthanded Studios. The game follows Mutt, the runt of his litter. He awakens to find Mt. Justice in ruins, along with the disappearance of his wolf brethren who protect the citizens below. As well as all this, the high security safe that locked away ten heinous members of the La Liga de Los Villanos was broken into, allowing them escape. Now sporting his family’s champion belt, where the Luchadore spirit Dorado dwells, Mutt must track down each villain that has begun to overrun various worlds in the game and end their evil schemes.
Lobodestroyo takes concepts from a handful of popular game series, including Megaman, Metroid and Banjo & Kazooie. The hub for the game is the town of Costa Lucha, which allows players to travel to the various worlds. As well as providing transportation, the town also has its own secrets and challenges to resolve. Mutt learns new abilities as he defeats each of the La Liga de Los Villanos, including the ability to belch fire. These abilities can be used in old worlds to unlock new areas and secrets throughout the game. Those who back the game on Kickstarter will get access to backer-only areas which include the Presidential Suite and an island with your own virtual mansion.
Developer: Austin Jorgensen
Total Amount/Goal: 10k/7k
Days Left: 8
Lowest Amount for Game: 10$
Release Date: May 2014
Next Stretch Goal: Beach Resort (12k)
Launch Platforms: PC
A world without women. What would become of the civilization we once knew if such an event were to arise? LISA, a side-scrolling RPG developed by Austin Jorgensen, show us that future and it’s not pretty in any sense of the word. Human intelligence has decayed significantly, and within this new world only violence, drugs and prostitution mean anything. Those who are left inhabiting this doomed world are either perverts, monsters, supernatural beings or just plain stupid humans (your band of “heroes” included).
The game plays in old school Final Fantasy fashion with each of your characters having their own special skills depending on their class. Throughout the game you will be tested on how much are you willing to sacrifice to keep yourself and your teammates alive. You will be faced with several tough decisions throughout your game; will you pay cash for the survival of a captured teammate? Are you willing to lose your limb (and have a permanent stat decrease) to save them? Will you give away a location of a town to marauders for a profit only to lose any chance to recruit that town's citizens or acquire quests from them? In LISA, survival is only obtainable to those who are willing to give up on what’s not essential and sacrifice it in order to hold onto what is.
