Watch your Back: Week April 10 to 16 (Part 1)
Oh boy, I've been dreading the arrival of this week because there are so many games to write about. So many launching on the same day, elbowing each other for a place in the crowdfunding sun. Which one will shine the most? Let's see and decide.
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Far Cry: Beyond is a 1-4 player cooperative legacy fighting game based on the video game series by the same name. It is set in an alt-history 1984, in the midst of both Cold War and a meteor shower. You will be taking control of a team of heroes, each with their own weapons and skills, and carrying out missions.
As the campaign progresses, you will be opening up envelopes, using stickers, and applying rules changes. The game allows for simultaneous play, meaning that a character can intervene in another character's turn and help out during a fight. It is launching on Kickstarter on April 11.
Personal opinion: I have no experience with the video game, so this looks like yet another fighting game to me. I'm not fond of legacy components either, even if the creators say it is replayable.
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Moving on to Escape from Stalingrad Z: a 1-3 player cooperative zombie apocalypse game in which you are trying to survive hordes of zombies during World War II. You are playing as either a Soviet or a German soldier and have to go through the scenarios outlined in the accompanying notebook. The book itself is also the game board on which you will be playing.
As in any standard zombie game, you will search rooms for supplies and try to face the undead with your weapons. The base game will come with standees and tokens, with the option to replace them with minis if you prefer. It is launching on Kickstarter on April 11.
Personal opinion: I'm slightly tempted, but I already have several zombie games, I guess I don't need another one. I would consider it otherwise, it looks good.
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On the same day, April 11, on Gamefound, we have For Northwood! A Solo Trick-Taking Game. This will be the crowdfunded edition of designer Wil Su's card game prototype The Emissary (JW has played it, you may check out his impressions). Originally designed to be played with a standard deck of playing cards, it was eventually picked up by Side Room Games.
As the title says, this is a trick-taking game in which you are trying to play a higher-numbered card from your hand in order to beat the card played by the game AI. You have allies with special abilities on your side and, when you win a trick, you also earn the ability of the leader that you played against.
Personal opinion: My problem here is the artwork. I don't mind animals in games, but these ones remind me of the style you see in feeding sets for babies. I'd rather play with the most boring deck of playing cards than this kawaii nonsense. Zerbique has written his thoughts about the game as well, they'll be posted here soon.
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Next, we have Blade Rondo: a 1-2 player card game by the Japanese company Domina Games that will be brought to the English-speaking world by Japanime Games. You are playing as a Swordian: a hero whose swords manifest in the battlefield in the form of legendary characters. There is not much information about the gameplay other than that you choose the cards you wish to spend during fights, and that the solo mode promises to be robust (the designer is known for his previous game, Shephy). It is launching on Gamefound on April 12.
Personal opinion: I'm interested in this, but need to see a playthrough. There is a strong chance that I back it.
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Lucky Duck Games partner up with Van Ryder Games in The Dark Quarter: a 1-4 player cooperative app-driven mystery-solving game in which a team of investigators is trying to solve crimes in 1980's New Orleans. Each character has different stats and starting abilities which can be upgraded later on. They also have a set of dice which they use for skill tests. The app will guide you through each scenario, giving you all the story bits and the tasks you have to carry out. It is launching on Kickstarter on April 12.
Personal opinion: This looks like Arkham Horror with an app, and it's a no from me.
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We'll end the first part of the overview with Table Golf Association: a 1-8 player dexterity game in which you will be flicking a metal ball on a set of hex tiles, trying to reach your target. The meat of the game lies in handling the challenges of the different terrain types: some tiles force you to flick with your non-dominant hand, or with your thumb, or with your pinky, and each of them allows you a maximum flicking distance. It can be played solo or competitively, and it will launch on Kickstarter on April 12.
Personal opinion: Honestly, it looks like a fun game. I would definitely play this with friends if given the chance. Solo flicking may be enjoyable too but I don't know if it'd see much table time. I'll think about it if the price is right.
Okay, let me catch my breath, and we'll continue with Part 2.