USS Freedom is live (Roam free into space)
Update: USS Freedom has launched on Kickstarter and the campaign will run for 17 days. There is a single pledge tier that gets you a copy of the game. You may choose to have the minis ink-sprayed (available as an add-on).
Our preview post below was published on November 13.
USS Freedom is a 1-6 player cooperative sci-fi adventure game in which you travel with your spaceship selling commodities, having encounters with aliens, and exploring strange planets. It will launch on Kickstarter on November 17.
USS Freedom is a campaign game consisting of 36 hour-long missions. Since you will be drawing different encounter cards each time, the campaign is replayable. In the solo mode, you will have to control 12 characters (probably not as difficult as it sounds). The game comes with two boards, one that shows the planetary system (neoprene mat) and one that displays your spaceship. The heroes are cosplayers, so expect to play with quite a colourful cast (dwarf, cleaning lady, Orthodox priest, robot etc.).
Each round has 5 phases: Interstellar, Navigate, Encounter, Combat, and Conclude. In the Interstellar phase, any spaceship minis on the interstellar map move. In case of a collision, you immediately proceed to the Encounter phase. In the Navigate phase, you move your ship to an adjacent space on the map, and choose one of the possible encounters. In the Encounter phase, you resolve the encounter card you've chosen. It may be a new mission or a fight with hostile aliens.
When Combat occurs, you will have to use the abilities of your crew in order to face the enemies. The actions of the heroes are powered through Aether. You will draw crystals from your Aether pouch and activate the heroes you wish to use. You will also have to activate the weapons and shields of your ship through the ship's engine. In the Conclude phase, you reap the rewards of the encounter if it was successful, or you may trade commodities or upgrade the ship.