Gamefound Fall Feast

Earthborne Games – Hubworld Aidalon

This is going to be a competitive game. It’s still going to be a card game, but very different than Earthborne Rangers. The world setting looks very interesting to me, the artwork is fun and has a sci-fi element to it. They want to create a more thoughtful and complex card game, kind of like how there has been a lot of TCG/CCG’s in that area. So some of that feel but without chasing cards. More like a competitive living card game. Crowdfunding to launch the game and then release more stuff every six months to retail. Some Andoid Netrunner feel to the game from the sounds of it.

Archon Studios – Master of Orion: Ad Astra

It’s an adaptation of a video game. It’s a massive 4X video game so how will it work over to a video game. I think it looks like a standard 4X game, and that’s good because that’ll match the video game. And it looks like it’s going to be a very big game. Interesting to me, mainly because it’s based off of a video game, and it’s making me tempted to try out the game.

It’s not just going to focus on combat, which is kind of expected. And it’s going to be a long game about 120 minutes per player. Some interesting thing because it’s going to be manufactured in Poland at Archon’s own production facility. There is a solo mode as well.

Orange Nebula – Vestige

Orange Nebula always makes some interesting games, so I’m curious on this one. This is going to be a modern Euro set in space. You’re going to be covertly trying to work the underground and find a way to get off the moon. It’s going to be a resource management game. I am interested in this one because it’s Orange Nebula, but from the sound of it, I want to know a lot more about the game before I consider backing it. I like the idea of trying to get off a moon after technology and society has collapsed and everything is this underworld sort of theme. It’s not supposed to be too complex and approachable for Orange Nebula games.

Synergic Games – Rise of Myths: Cthulhu

Another Cthulhu themed game, this is going to be a cooperative rogue-lite deckbuilding game. I love the sound of all of that. And it’s interesting it’s only a max three player game, so it’s fairly specific. And you unlock content that you go, so more stuff that I like. This really sounds like a game for me. The style of play, I love deckbuilding. It is going to have a solo mode but also can be heavily cooperative with how card play interacts. All of this is awesome to me. There is some comic lore for each character which is cool for a follower gift.

CMON – Super Fantasy Brawl Reborn

I love Super Fantasy Brawl. Do I need more of it, I question that, I need to play all my stuff again. This is a fun battler with some great challenge of attack your opponents and more. But this is going to be a brand new game, and it is going to have a challenge system. But there is going to be an upgrade pack to make all the existing champions for the new game. I am a bit bummed about this, but I need to see what this changes.

As to why changes to the game? They want to keep some of the playstyle. And it is going to tweak new challenges for the game. They really didn’t say much more on it. But I think the main elements of the game. Plus TMNT Champion Packs plus more to come.

Skykingdom Games – The Waste of Parts

Skykingdom Games made Isofarian Guard a game that I really enjoy. This however is a one to five player cooperative game. You control a giant mech, I like that, it sounds awesome. You need to make it across the waste and scavenge pieces to keep your mechs going. That sounds very cool to me. I think that it’s pretty awesome in terms of a theme. And each player is in the mech together which is also a cool twist on it as well. This is much smaller game than Isofarian Guard in terms of how much space it’ll take and just the size of the game itself.

Rock Manor Games – Seas of Havoc Reprint and Expansion

I need to play my copy. I’ll leave it at that. Not really, but it’s something that you’ll be able to see reviews and thoughts on. Generally I’ve heard good things about the game. There is going to be an expansion as well. It’s been hard to find thus far and it’s been marked up a ton on the secondary market. So the hope is that it’ll be more available. I plan on getting this one played prior to the campaign to let you know if you find that your thoughts and tastes align with me. The expansion seems to add more variability versus adding in new elements to the game.

Nerdlab Games – Final Titan

This is going to be a drafting game with some auto battling. I want to know how this is going to go because it’s not a theme that immediately jumps out to me. Nerdlab games also put out Mind Bug. This is going to be a free for all battling game. And seems like a lot of die rolling and it could be pretty fun. It reminds me of a Dice Throne, but also they said 3-5 is probably the sweet spot which is interesting. You send in a champion each round, or you skip, and they want that decision making process, so it sounds like a one on one battle but when you go into battle is interesting.

Adam’s Apple Games – Tatsumi

This is going to be a thematic abstract game. I was hoping they’d be talking about Defenders of the Dictionary which I thought was a ton of fun at Gen Con. I’m kind of meh on games that are mainly abstract even with a theme. It’s a 1-4 player game with a solo experience which is interesting for an abstract game. I wonder how much of a puzzle it will be because I do enjoy a good solo puzzle. The artwork is cool on the game for sure.

Dark Horizon Games – Earth Under Siege Flashpoint Reprint and Nemesis Expansion

A stealth dungeon crawler game, so yes, it’s the type of game that I am interested in. The game has a very good score on BGG, which is exciting as well. It makes it one that I don’t need more of that style of game, but it’s also one that I’d probably like to play. It’s going to add in some side missions into a more involved adventure. So that’s an interesting way to add in an expansion as it’s going to take some standalone stuff and adds in a campaign for those. And it’s possible now to just be a boss battler game as well with the expansion.

Boom Studios – The Complete Jim Henson’s LABYRINTH Graphic Novel Collection

This might just actually be a graphic novel. Likely stuff that is tied to a Labyrinth board game, but also, kind of odd for Gamefound. So not something, even with liking Labyrinth that I’m all that interested in.

Archon Studios – Dungeons and Lasers Porthaven

This sounds like a mini which again isn’t really my thing. But a way to set-up a pirate campaign. They also have a supplement for that as well. So interesting, but definitely an easy pass for me. It’s like the Boom Studios one where it just isn’t for me.

Final Thoughts on the Fall Feast from Gamefound

Nothing from Awaken Realms, though they seem to do it once a year. I’m still very interested in the next game that they have coming. What is your favorite from the Gamefound Feast?

For me, I think that Rise of Myths: Cthulhu is really exciting. I’d love to play that one because there are so many things that I like about. The Waste of Parts is probably my second most exciting one from the list. That is just a theme that sounds different and unique. Plus there are a lot of very other interesting things on Gamefound right now as well. I need to play more games, figure out which to keep and maybe back a few more.

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Why I Initially Backed the Cosmere RPG?

Let’s start out with what drew me to this campaign in the first place. Honestly, the biggest thing is the theme. I like the Mistborn series, in fact, with the deckbuilder coming out for it, I’m reading through it again. And I’m enjoying it more the second time through. Plus I love the Stormlight Archive. Those books are amazing and while they are a beast to read, I enjoy the unfolding world and story. I’m working my way through them a second time, on audiobook, as well.

I really like the idea of playing in the worlds as well. Both of them would offer really interesting role playing possibilities. From the spren in Stormlight Archive to the burning of metals in Mistborn, all of that feels like it could provide a lot of unique storytelling and room for adventures.

Finally, I just like RPG’s. I like to sit down and play or run Dungeons and Dragons in particular. But when I could make it to AcadeCon, I loved trying out new systems in a setting where it was all about trying and playing new games. And this is a new system with the other two things going for it, so I was immediately interested in it.

So Why Did I Cancel?

Budget

There are two main reasons why I cancelled. Let’s dive in and talk about them some. The first one being, it’s expensive. I need to make a choice as to what I get and what I don’t. And this is not a choice that I’m always the best at making. And it’s something that I want to get better about. But that’s not the main reason that I cancelled it. But it is part of it and a good reason. Especially because the level I’d have wanted to back would not be that cheap because I want it all, or at least a bunch of it.

How Many Systems Do I Need?

The bigger reason is, I need to determine that I am going to play. When I look at it, I think it looks like fun. Again, I love the setting of the Cosmere RPG. And I think I’d enjoy playing in that world. However, I know from my past experience of owning different RPG’s, I don’t play them. My brain likes to hold one RPG in it, and that one right now D&D 5th Edition. And I already bought the new stuff for 5th Edition. So I need to learn those updates when they come in.

And previously I’ve owned systems like the Dresden Files Fate system. Star Wars from Fantasy Flight also was in my collection. Fiasco and some other smaller ones were on my shelf for ages. What did I find out? I don’t play those systems. I play a single campaign and my campaign of choice is in Dungeons and Dragons. If someone else were to invite me to a game, I’d play for sure. But I don’t need to own it myself. And I still even own the new Marvel system which I need to run a game of as well.

Why Talk About My Choice with the Cosmere RPG?

Let’s wrap up by talking about why I wanted to talk about this. I was really torn on whether or not to keep my pledge. Even now I know late pledging will be an option. But I want to hold my ground on it, because I think that my reasons for not backing are good, for me. And I think that is so much of it.

There is part of me that feels like I am missing out. Why, because I think I truly would enjoy the system. And I think that part will exist as I see people get in the game when it comes out. And it might even be one that I pick-up later. But I need to know and have a plan for playing it. If I don’t, it is going to be another thing where I keep it around because I want to play it, but I don’t get around to playing it.

Did you back this massive crowdfunding campaign? If so, can I play in your game?

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Top 10 Anticipated Crowdfunding Games

10. Grimcoven

Let’s start with Awaken Realms and a game that is just about to go live by the time this article is coming out. In fact, it might have, and I can’t wait for this one. It is a boss battling game where you are hunters who tap into powers to defeat monsters. But tapping into powers can make you monstrous in nature yourself. So how do you not give into that dark side while leveling up and defeating a monster?

Now that might all sound like a campaign to you, but the fun thing is that it’s not. It is a thematic boss battler that you play a one off. You still get to level up your character in the battle, but no needing to plan on playing the game for weeks on end. Instead you can just pull it off the shelf, grab your hunter and start fighting.

Back now.

9. Avatar: The Journey of Aang

I want a fun Avatar game and this one looks like it. A cooperative game where you need to help Aang get all his powers in line because if you go too slow the comet will come and Fire Lord Ozai might be too powerful to defeat. It isn’t a give campaign game, but it is going to provide story as it goes along. Which I like that about it because it makes it more accessible for me to play with people who just like Avatar and are maybe less into board games.

8. Edgeguard

Now we’re coming to a campaign game. I got to demo this one and do a bit of coverage on it when it was on crowdfunding the first time. The game is fun, it’s a good straight forward campaign game with dice chucking, leveling, weapons, and really all that you would want. Did it stand out as something that is highly unique, not really, but it stood out because it was solid and familiar feeling. I’m not sure when this coming back to crowdfunding but I can’t wait.

7. West Story: A Town Building Game

Next up we have something smaller again. An old west game where you aren’t fighting bandits but instead you’re making your town and trying to have the best town possible. It is going to be that sort of engine building and tableau building that I definitely find interesting. And it is probably going to be one of the cheaper games on this list because it isn’t going to come with a ton of minis for it.

6. StarDriven: Gateway

Next up is StarDriven Gateway, and I’m not going to say too much about this one. Why, because I’ll be saying more about it leading into GenCon and I already talked some about it with the Feast and the GenCon events that I signed up for. So I get to demo this one and I’ll really get to know if it is a game for me.

5. Skytear Horde Campaign

This list has a few campaign games on it and a few expansions on it. This one is both. Skytear Horde is a game that I like a lot. It’s a very good solo tower defense game, or two player. And I like the energy management of the game as you try and figure out how to keep the horde from overtaking your troops and taking down your base.

This is going to offer a mini campaign. So I like that about it, maybe a game I can sit down in an evening and play all three connected games or one that I can stream over a few weeks. One I want to get back to the table soon.

4. Odalin

Next we have Odalin. It’s a dungeon crawler in a dark desert fantasy setting. That element is different, it’s not the typical European setting. But what will it offer that is different. Dragori games, though, has a good track record so I’m definitely hopeful for this one. I do need to know what price point this one is coming in at, because there  is another big game that might steal the funds from this one that we’ll talk about coming up.

3. Ascension Legends

Next up is Ascension Legends. I like Ascension a lot as a deck building game. It isn’t all that complex and Ascension Legends is just going to offer another box of stuff and another jumping in point. My main question, or the question I’m asking myself, is do I need more of Ascension. It is already a game that I own a fair amount for it. And it does hit the table still with good ease, but do I need more?

2. The 7^th Citadel

You might think, I already have that game. And y es, you are right. You can see how my Drums of Desolation play through is going. But The 7^th Citadel is coming back for those who missed it. And if you are like me, it is coming back with more threats that you can add into your game. That is going to open up even more replayability in the game. And I think even now with the Drums of Desolation there are certainly things that I could do a whole lot better. So I’m excited to see what new stuff will be added.

Back it now.

1. Lands of Evershade

And this truly is my #1. I am so excited for Lands of Evershade. This is a giant RPG and board game experience from Awaken Realms. I love their massive story games. ISS Vanguard is one that I want to get back to. And I beat everything in the original Tainted Grail. And I won’t lie, I’m very tempted to get back Etherfields to experience that one. But Evershade look amazing and I’m really curious to see what all the game is going to have. Because the RPG elements, I’m curious to see how they’ll manage to create a story  that doesn’t just seem like a choose your own adventure.

Final Thoughts

First off, no honoable mention, it’s shocking. There are some that I could put on an honorable mention, but 10 is a lot. That’s a lie, here are some of them just with no details what so ever. Also catching my attention:

• HEXPlore It: The Mountains of Godai
• Flames of Fafnir
• Agemonia Reprint/New Heroes
• Dragonbond Quest

That’s enough for now. And while I’m expecting those most of all the ones I’ve mentioned will come out this year, who knows. Some of them might be pushed back. I just expect with the Awaken Realms or any of them that were part of the Gamefound Feast, we’ll be seeing those on crowdfunding in 2024. Is there any that stands out to you as a must back? Or any crowdfunding games I missed that I should checkout?

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Top 5 Anticipated Backed Gamefound Projects

5. Witchbound

Let’s start out with what is going to be a game that I stream. Witchbound is a light game with a click and choose adventure to it as you combine items to pass tests, read story and explore maps. But you see everything on the map so you can just try and go anywhere or do anything.

But the game play, while very simple, is a ton of fun. It’s really cool to just explore a world, not worry about a ton of difficult skill checks, more just figure out what you need to do to succeed. I’m hoping that the artwork and story are progressing well and that the game when I get it will be as good as the demo I played.

4. DANTE: Inferno

Inferno is another big game, and that is going to be common the this list and the Kickstarter one. I expect I won’t see DANTE: Inferno for a while as it was just crowdfunded this year. But what I saw from it I really liked. From the makers of Chronicles of Drunagor, this game is quite different. It is more of a bass battler versus a campaign dungeon crawler. I like the sound of that, though. It is still a campaign and you make choices for the adventure, but your combat is against a boss. The Dice Tower and others have playthroughs that really drew me into how the game works and how dynamic the actions can be.

3. Dragon Eclipse

Now from Awaken Realms, and is this the only one from them, though there’ll be one (maybe two) on the list of upcoming projects. Dragon Eclipse is supposed to feel some like a CCG/TCG and some like Pokemon (which is a CCG/TCG) but with a dragon theme. It looks really fun and the aesthetic works for me. That is true with basically everything that Awaken Realms does. I’m even considering the deluxe version of Castles of Burgundy, a euro game. But I haven’t said much about this one, just that I know that I’m excited for it.

2. Planet Unknown Supermoon

Another one that I don’t remember a ton about, except this one I know the game well. Planet Unknown is an amazing tile placement game of terraforming a planet and going up on tracks. The Supermoon expansion adds some moons you can terraform instead but doesn’t change up the game that much.

Now that I’m thinking about it, it is way to long since I played this game. I want to get it to the table again soon because the experience is just a lot of fun. And this is going to add more to the box without adding more to the game. And I get a cover for the lazy Susan that holds the tiles, which is going to be amazing.

1. The Elder Scrolls: Betrayal of the Second Era

Finally we have The Elder Scrolls from Chip Theory Games. This is a new game but leverages their Too Many Bones system. I like that system and I like Too Many Bones, but the aesthetic isn’t my favorite. Here is a setting and aesthetic that I am going to enjoy more. And it does offer a bit of a campaign. Though, I think the campaign is more of some stories that you can string together to give you that short campaign and levelling experience. It isn’t a long 100 hour game or something like that which in theory should make it hit he table easier.

Honorable Mention

I got one of course, it’s common at this point. But Arydia: The Paths We Dare Tread is a tricky one to place for me. I late pledged it through Gamefound, so I am putting it here. This is a big campaign game, which I know is a shocker. But I can’t wait for this one because it plays on three different levels. You play on a story map, that then you can drill into settlements and things like that, and then you go into a house and it can be a dungeon crawler. It is a long sentence to say that. I like that idea and just looking at playthroughs, I can’t see how it won’t be for me.

Final Thoughts

So what have you backed on Gamefound? Again, I can certainly do more than just five, but I wanted to limit it some. I’m going to sneak a couple more in here, but the CMON God of War game that I am excited for. There is Robomon, a robot Pokemon collector sort of game and adventure. I know that one has had a bunch of changes, so I’m tentatively excited for it. Oh, and lest I forget, The Witcher: Path of Destiny. I need more shelf space.

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Top 5 Anticipated Backed Kickstarter Games

5. Horror on the Orient Express

This is one of the more recent games that I’ve backed, but I’m really excited for it. Mainly because the aesthetic of the game is really neat. You are on a train and you need to figure out who might be a cultists and stop bad things from happening before really bad things happen. But from what I can tell there are mechanisms that make it feel like a train. And you get a train as your board, so you move around something that is thematic. It is intriguing that way and I like that I is one off game.

My expectation is that this is going to be fun and challenging cooperative experience. Ideally one that I lose more often than I win, but that I feel like if I’d just done a tiny bit better I could have won. I also don’t expect to see this one for a while.

4. Stonesaga

Next up is Stonesaga, and the order of these is mainly made up. This one I’m very excited for, but it’s a bit less exciting because I’ve been on the playtest for it now twice. Not that that is a bad thing, it just means that I’ve experienced some of the game through TTS (Tabletop Simulator), so I think I know what the first bit is about. Again, not a bad thing, just means I’m a bit less excited about it, maybe.

But once I get it to the table, there is going to be a lot that is cool about it. I’m excited to see how this campaign game works where it isn’t as narrative, it more just remembers what you’ve done before and you build on that. And there is a lot of game that I haven’t seen, so that is going to be exciting to see how it builds upon those main actions with new challenges.

3. Horizon Forbidden West: Seeds of Rebellion

I have middling hopes for this one. Mainly I’m not trying to get too excited about it because the first game around Horizon was just okay, from what I’ve heard. I need to play my copy of it to see what I think about it. But this one adds more to it. It isn’t just the “new” setting of the Horizon games, it is also a campaign game. And we know I love campaign games. So that has me interested in it, it feels like it should add more depth to the game. But it depends on the level of the story.

From what I’ve heard about the original game is that it’s fun but it doesn’t feel enough like Horizon. And I say fun, I think for some it’s disappointing because you compete on hunts and that is about it. But if this can add even more to the system and it is cooperative, I like the sounds of it.

2. X-Men Dice Throne

Honestly, I shouldn’t write that much about this. By that I mean, I love Dice Throne. It is 8 new characters that I get to play in the game. But let’s talk about the extra stuff with it. It isn’t just the characters, it is also a new cooperative mode. I’m meh on the idea of Dice Throne being cooperative. And Dice Throne Adventures, while it looked interesting in theory, it never got played. I think what threw me off about that was that it seemed too long with too little feel of story. These missions now seem to be a whole lot shorter, so it is more likely to hit my table.

1. Rogue Angels

Finally, no shock here, there is Rogue Angels. I love the game, I love my plays of this game. And the updates that Emil is coming out with and how massive the story is getting, I cannot wait to play it when it finally ships. I don’t expect it for a while and I am okay with that. When it comes in, it is going to be a game that I get to the table quickly, and I hope that I can find a great group for it who are as excited about it as I am.

Honorable Mention

Of course the list can’t just be five. The one that I want to talk about here is the 25^th Century Import Collection. I’m excited for a lot of the games. Hamster Roll is probably the one that I want to get the most, but there are a ton in there. But because it is a bunch of games, I kept it off the list. It’s hard to weigh 8 games, or more I think versus a single game.

Final Thoughts

I won’t talk about more, but I want to talk about a few more. I plan on slowing down some on crowdfunding campaigns, but so many interesting games are coming out that I want to try. The simple solution is play more games, figure out which are the best for me. Do you have a game that you’re excited about from Kickstarter? And let’s keep in mind this is just for Kickstarter, my Gamefound list is coming.

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March Gamefound 2024 Feast Event

Go On Board: Cyberpunk 2077

A cooperative game set in the Cyberpunk 2077 world. I’m curious about this because Go On Board has made some fun games. This one definitely looks more interesting than the CMON one to me. Though, I am curious about that one as well. For me, this one that I’m going to follow. I also plan to dive into it as more information comes out. It’s an action adventure game, which I like, and, like I said, cooperative.

But Cyberpunk, for me, is a game, video game, that I am not that familiar with. But it’s supposed to surpass what is in The Witcher Old World. It has a campaign, which, we know I like them. For me a concern, there is a real time element to it, I need to see what it is.

https://gamefound.com/en/projects/go-on-board/cyberpunk-2077-the-board-game?ref=search

Skytear Horde

This is a reprint of a game that I really enjoy. I already went in on the “big box”. Is this going to fit in the big box, what do I need to know about this one. I want to get my new stuff and play that. But they are introducing something that I want. It’s going to be a campaign game now. It’s a few games, so as a solo experience, it’s going to be a shorter campaign. By campaign, more it’s probably strung together games.

Yup, this is going to be a hard one for me to pass on. I like that element of having a campaign, and there is going to be levelling up, which is something that I’m always there for. It’s supposed to be a rogue-like experience, so probably like a Slay the Spire. The previous one is coming in May, this one will launch after it.

https://gamefound.com/en/projects/skytear/skytear-horde-campaigns?ref=search

Rock Manor Games: StarDriven Gateway

I enjoy what Rock Manor games does, so, great, I’m going to be interested in another one. It’s going to be a space exploration, completing missions, possibly pick-up and deliver. How it’s trying to differentiate itself from other games in that you need to really manage your crew. It is, I believe going to be competitive, but there is a solo option. There are going to be different scenarios that you can play, but it’s going to have different goals. And some of the scenarios are going to be cooperative as well, which is interesting. I think it sounds like an interesting twist, and a dangerous game for me, because I’ll want to check it out.

https://gamefound.com/en/projects/mike/stardriven-gateway?ref=search

Mindbug

It’s going to be a continuation of Mindbug, Mindbug is a game that I own, but I need to play. This is the first one where it doesn’t interest me that much. And that’s mainly because I don’t know if it’s a game for me. There are elements that sound quite intriguing, but it isn’t one that stands too intriguing to me. Mainly, will it be something that I want to keep playing as mainly a two player game. I own too many two player card games to play, several of them TCG’s, Mindbug gives me that feel.

https://gamefound.com/en/projects/marvin-hegen/mindbug-battlefruits?ref=search

Dragori Games: Odalin – Dungeons of Doom

It’s a dungeon crawler, is this whole Feast just for me or mainly for me? I need to get my Tanares Adventures and try that to see if it’s a company that I want to checkout more of their games. This one looks very cool and sounds fun. One of the elements that they talk about in the game is how you can get a lot of items. It’s going to be a campaign game, but with some random dungeons and play it as a one off. And you might want to go back and farm or go back to one to find a secret passage. It’s another big dungeon crawl campaign, so of course I want it.

https://gamefound.com/en/projects/dragori-games/odalin-dungeons-of-doom?ref=search

Moon Crab Games – Leviathan Wilds

This is a reprint and expansion of the game. It’s mainly, I think a solo game. And the game itself looks really intriguing. However, it’s not one that I believe has delivered, from the sounds of it. I think that it might be one that I really enjoy. But I’m not going to be jumping into quite yet. But as an experience of the game, I expect it to be one that I’d enjoy.

https://gamefound.com/en/projects/moon-crab-games/leviathan-wilds-second-printing?ref=search

Phalanx Games – Hannibal and Hamilcar

I know nothing about this game, but it’s not a new one. I think I’ve seen a bit about it, it’s about 25 years old. For me, this doesn’t really feel like a game that I’d enjoy. There are probably some extra fancy stuff, but not that interesting for me. It’s going to be split into two boxes after they had put in one box. And, since there are minis, it’s time to make it fancy with some metal minis.

https://gamefound.com/en/projects/phalanx/hannibal-and-hamilcar?ref=search

Quined Games – Stupor Mundi

Another historically themed game, and it’s going to be a strategy game. This is a euro game that is going to be leaning into that beige look. For me, it’d be a try before I buy, not that it might not be a good game, but it’s hard for me to judge a lot of these games without playing them. I find that I like them, but which ones get played the most, it’s tough. But it sounds like a fairly interactive game, it’s not going to be a solo, you do your own thing euro game.

https://gamefound.com/en/projects/quined-games/stupor-mundi?ref=search#/section/project-story

Metis Creative – Historica Arcanum: Cults of London

This is a company that mainly has done RPG’s, but it takes their RPG setting. This is an asymmetric deck building game. I don’t think I’d have thought it was going to be like that. The aesthetic looks very intriguing. It’s a competitive game, though, which isn’t a bad thing. But it sounds like it’s going to be a highly social game, kind of that backstabbing feel. Which, I worry, might mean that it is a take that sort of game, which isn’t what I’m really looking for. If it’s not too much backstabbing, it might work, but from the sound of it, I don’t love it. I like the setting, though.

https://gamefound.com/en/projects/metis-creative/historica-arcanum-cults-of-london?ref=search

Bad Crow – Avatar: The Journey of Aang

It’s a cooperative journey of a game, I am super excited. I love Avatar, my wife loves it more than I do. Is this going to be a game that we can really dive into, I hope so. Man alive, this is an exciting announcement for me. I also wonder it’s going to be with the story that has existed. It takes a little bit to get to how it plays. It does sound like it’s going to be the main story of the show. And the players are going to be training Aang, helping him to get ready.

That itself sounds fun, as you learn new things and become better as being a bender. Plus then there are going to be press your luck elements that are going to be the different challenges that you do. It has a solo mode as a 1-4 player cooperative game. But there is a competitive mode as well, which is interesting, but probably one that I wouldn’t play too much.

https://gamefound.com/en/projects/companyofheroes/avatar-the-journey-of-aang-?ref=search

Final Thoughts

And that’s all of the games. This is truly a feast from Gamefound. For me, a few of them standout. Avatar: The Journey of Aang is probably my top one. It’s an IP that I really enjoy. It isn’t my favorite, but it is up there in terms of shows that I’ve seen. Likewise, more Skytear Horde sounds fun, Cyberpunk 2077, Odalin, and StarDriven Gateway all sound like they do things that I’d very much enjoy.

Let me know if any of these sound like games that you’d love to back or find out more about?

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Initial Opinions

This has been a mixed bag of opinions from people in the board gaming community. A number of people are kind of balking at it because “is that what a crowdfunding site is for”. And some people, myself included are kind of “meh” on it either way. I think the big complaint from some people is that it’s on a crowdfunding site. Now, keep in mind this isn’t being crowdfunded, it isn’t having stretch goals. This is a product and game that are going to happen.

And I think it is worth pointing out, these people don’t have an issue when Stonemaier games does preorders for their games. Or really any company does preorders for their games, it’s more that it is on Gamefound. So it’s a bit hypocritical, and generally comes across more as an issue with how they think CMON operates versus a preorder system. I’m not going to get into that part of it, but I’m going to call it out as what it is.

But Why Does Gamefound do Preorders

So what is the advantage of having Gamefound do their preorders versus a company doing it on their own site. Firstly, that means that you don’t need to maintain as much of an eCommerce site as you would otherwise. There is inherent security with financial transactions that you need to think about. Gamefound is built to handle those transactions. Actually, that’s the main point of the site. Yes, it’s a crowdfunding and pledge manager site. But when it comes down to it the main point is to get you to put money into a game and run that transaction. When that happens, that is when a game can be made.

Now Gamefound just offers a function that most publishers were doing on their own anyways. The difference is, the site is built for providing updates, it’s built for collecting and protecting the transactions. And I, as someone who has done software and web development, am all for a company specializing in what they are good at. CMON should make board games.

Gamefound and other like sites, if they can provide a preorder service or storefront services even, should. Because I don’t trust a board game company to run security like they should. This isn’t a knock against them, it’s more just a statement of fact, it’s a bigger liability to spread yourself too thin or not have the correct resources. And with my money, I’d prefer to have it better handled.

Why Should Game Companies Use It For Preorders

I kind of went over one reason. It allows a game company to focus on what they know how to do. They know how to make games. They don’t need to worry about security and other things. But that isn’t the only reason.

I think more companies should run preorders and push preorders. And on their own site, that’s sometimes hard to drive the traffic there. People look for new games on something like a Gamefound or a Kickstarter or other crowdfunding site. So it automatically gets more eyes on it. And doing preorders is useful for a company because they know how much to order.

Stonemaier and Lorcana

Let’s look at two examples of Stonemaier, even with preorders generally can’t produce enough to keep up with what they have coming out. So it creates a scarcity and panic around tracking it down. Or Lorcana, Ravensburger should have known it’d be bigger than what they printed, but they created a scarcity that if they hadn’t fixed quickly could have killed off Lorcana. A good preorder system can help with that.

The other reason, and this might be an issue with CMON doing it, but again, we don’t know CMON’s finances fully, so how much money they have sitting around who knows. But if a game doesn’t need stretch goals, a preorder is better than crowdfunding. It, again, gives you an idea of how many copies you need. If you sell 10,000 copies in preorder you know to order another 10,000 copies, or something like that, for retail. You probably also know that if you only get 1,000 preorders not to order 200,000 copies.

But it also helps in that it doesn’t create unneeded bloat. There is no need for a stretch goal. It is just a game your game as it is. No need for expansions with 10 extra minis that add nothing. No need for linen card and box finish. And for a company like CMON, I think that’s a good thing. It helps them know how much to order, but it also helps them create and keep a focused game.

Final Thoughts on Gamefound Preorders

For me, I believe that the positives heavily outweigh any negative. This is a practice that a ton of companies already do. It is just now on Gamefound. And for me, that is a great thing. It means that a game gets more eyes on it, it means that a game company can probably sell more preorders. There is less risk involved for the end user because it’s a secure system built for financial transactions. Overall, I think it’s a win win for the companies and the consumers.

In fact, I’m going to go so far as to say, I want other companies to do this. And I want Gamefound to offer a storefront option to board game companies. Instead of them using whatever other third party options are out there for them, build it into a company that knows how to work with board game companies. And a company that can increase the visibility of it. But even if they don’t, I hope that more companies start to use them for preorders.

What are your thoughts on this? Do you see an issue with Gamefound having a preorder system?

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5 Crowdfunding Games Coming Soon

5. Vampire the Masquerade Chapters

This one is already out, not that it’s already on crowdfunding, but the game is already out. I am already playing this game and loving it. But there are some issues, mainly there is a lot more errata than you’d like to see for a big campaign game. Some things don’t lead where they should, and the story books work well, but they are creating a better solution.

So if you want an improved upon version of this Vampire story adventure RPG in a box game. It is coming back at the end of the month. That said, I’m going to have to see if they have an errata pack and what the timeline is for that. I’ll probably get it, but I expect it’ll show up after I’m done with the campaign.

4. Dragonbond Quest

Next up is Dragonbond Quest. This is from the Sadler brothers who made a Warhammer version of this as well as a Terrinoth version for Fantasy Flight. They’ve since branched out and done their own thing. Now they are working with Draco Studios to make another game in their Dragonbond setting. They are working with Logan Giannini who has worked with Chip Theory Games.

I’m definitely curious about this one. The Terrinoth and Warhammer versions are fun. But I want to see what they add to the game and how they build upon it. I’m hoping with Giannini helping on it, it’ll be developed into something a bit bigger. But one that I’ll want to track down some game plays.

3. Guns of the Old West

Until I looked today I didn’t know Guns of the Old West was a thing, not it should arguably be the top one on the list. This list just isn’t really in much of an order. At least when it comes to the Top 3.

Guns of the Old West looks like a big old west campaign adventure game. I don’t know a ton beyond that, I see cards, I see dice, and I see what looks like is going to be a very big game. So it’s definitely my type of game. The thing that is holding it down is that it’s a 2-8 player game. That’s a very high high end player count. And it doesn’t have solo, which is how I play so many games.

2. Wandering Galaxy

Next up is Wandering Galaxy. This uses a system that is finally getting more use. Freelancers last year, Wandering Galaxy coming to crowdfunding this year, Plaid Hat Games is putting out another game using their crossroads system. The original was Dead of Winter which is a fun game, but one that is not in my collection aymore.

Wandering Galaxy feels like it’s going to be a wacky fun adventure which is what I’m looking for. I get a bit of Space Dandy feel to it, maybe some Cowboy Bebop, but if you’ve watched Space Dandy, you know how goofy that can be. So I am very excited for Wandering Galaxy to hit crowdfunding.

1. Dante: Inferno

Finally is Dante: Inferno. This is from the same company that did Chronicles of Drunagor, a game that I want to come back to at some point in time. This looks like it’s going to be a big game again and there are some game plays out there now that I need to check out.

The question, as always, is do I need another big game in my collection. The answer is most asuredly not, but I still want it. So if the videos look fun on it, or with Guns of the West, I’m going to have to spend some time considering.

Which to Back?

I’ll have to end up seeing if I back any of these. But the last three in particular are really interesting to me. If I hadn’t already gotten a copy of Vampire The Masquerade Chapters that would be really high for me as well. That’s the one, because I’ve played it, that I recommend people look into, I really like the simplicity of the system and the fun of the story that we’ve played thus far.

From the top three, right now Wandering Galaxy is probably my top one. Guns of the West would be if it had solo play. Now it might be that it kind of does have solo play. If the game is cooperative, well, then you can control multiple characters and make it solo, but because they don’t say that, now I need to dig into it more to know for sure.

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Most Anticipated Crowdfunding Arrivals in 2024

List is in no particular order

10. The 7^th Citadel

With the delays around The 7^th Continent and the subsequent expansion, I went into backing this one knowing it would take a while. Well, it seems like that while might be almost up. They have gotten some production samples, I think white box stuff, so it means it’s getting close.

What is The 7^th Citadel, in case you forgot, it’s an adventure game. You are someone from a citadel, not a great place to live. When things start falling apart there, you head out and you find what the world outside the citadel is like. This is a cooperative adventure and survival game built upon the 7^th Continent system. But also then improving upon it. Like, I appreciate it more so how it handles it. The end doesn’t happen as suddenly it feels like. And the game, at least the opening scenarios that content creators demoed has more story and direction to it.

9. Agemonia

This is one that I late pledged that should be coming fairly soon as well. You know what type of game this is, a big adventure game. What caught my eye on the early playthroughs of this was some of how the system worked. You played through a scene and in that scene you play cards onto it. So as you interact with a location a character might leave. Or if you don’t get there fast enough, someone might get chased off. I like the dynamic feel of what the game is offering.

I also appreciate that this looks like not too heavy a rules system. Plus I own plenty of campaign style games where the rules system is fairly heavy. This one felt like it had more of the choose your own adventure style to it and that was the focus of it. Simpler checks and less crunchy figuring out how you move around, things like that.

8. Arydia: The Paths We Dare Tread

Now we’re onto one that is definitely crunchier. And another one that I late pledged. This one I expect probably  mid 2024 or even late, I haven’t checked on the latest updates. But this one I got pulled into because of one element of the game. It plays on three different levels. Not literally, but when you play, sometimes you are at a world level traveling from place to place. At those places you might sink into a scene level needing to do specific things and have specific interactions. And some of those might drop you into a tactical combat level. And well, that’s combat.

I expect a lot from this game. And I mean that in a good way as both story and as the crunchiness of the mechanisms in the game. It isn’t going to be a beer and pretzels dice chucker. I want more strategic elements and a good immersive story.

7. Divinity Original Sin

Next up with Divinity Original Sin is one that I know is delivering now. So there is a small small chance I’ll get my copy before the end of the year. I say small because I actually pre-ordered this one versus backing it from Larian. The original campaign only kind of interested me. It looked like a super ambitious game. Awesome, that’s fun, but I couldn’t really tell how the game was going to play. And the game has been majorly reworked since then. When I saw the Dice Tower playthrough, I knew it was one I wanted to play.

The game system looked like it offered a lot of fun, but without being too complex. What you did made sense, I like that it’s not a tactical battling sort of game. Yes, there are tactics, but it’s not a dudes on a grid position yourself. That is what I find I enjoy playing more, and there is a lot of opportunity for story as well which excites me.

6. Dungeon Kart

Now for a different type of game. Dungeon Kart is a Mario Kart style racing game. Having played it and Tiny Turbo Cars, Dungeon Kart is one that I liked better which made it pretty easy to get rid of (sell) Tiny Turbo Cars. The turns are snappy, the power ups are fun, and the game is meant to be played really quickly.

I like how each driver has their own abilities. I like getting the power up cards. This is one that I can definitely see playing with basically anyone because there isn’t that much that you need to think about as you play it, until you realize that there is strategy as you try and set-up your lines and your upcoming turns. Of course, all of that before you get taken out.

5. Mythwind

I won’t be waiting long for this one. The game is in the US at this point and it’s making it’s way to the fulfillment company, I’m very hopeful to see this one mid to late January, if I had to guess. So it’s kind of cheat, but I’m very excited to get it. Some of that is because there is an expansion coming to crowdfunding probably late spring, I’d guess. What that expansion is, I don’t know.

But let’s talk about Mythwind a little bit. What is this game? I’m not even sure I know 100%. It is a cozy game in that you aren’t really trying to win, there is no win condition. Instead it’s more like a Stardew Valley or Animal Crossing. Games that I haven’t played really, but I’m curious about this in a board game. Can I set it up on one end of my game table and just open up the table when I have some free time, play a handful of minutes and call it good. That’s what I want from Mythwind.

4. Primal: The Awakening

Yes, I believe this will finally come. This is one that got caught in that 2020/2021 time frame and because it was a new company and because they unlocked a lot, it was majorly delayed. But it sounds, oh yes it sounds, like it is getting close. They are getting white boxes, we are seeing minis, so it feels like Primal is finally going to happen.

What is Primal, well it is a campaign game, but also a one off boss battler of a game. You level up your hunters and you tactically battle whatever the giant monster is. I’d say, really think Monster Hunter the board game. I know there is a game for that, but this is different in that you aren’t doing grid based movement. It’s just four areas that you’re trying to flank the monster, draw it’s attention to set-up the next attack. I think the system looks very cool with card based play and discarding of cards to do attacks. There is just a lot about this game that makes me think it’s going to be a great tactical puzzle.

3. Slay the Spire

I talk about this one pretty often. It is one I think it’ll come out this year, latest updates made it seem like that. I expect that this will be the latter half of the year,  maybe around Gen Con when it comes out. Slay the Spire is a deck building game where you fight monsters, play out cards and it’s a really simple system. I like the video game a ton, I play it on Malts and Meeples from time to time. Which I just did recently, and now it has me wanting to play it even more. I really love the game and the system.

2. Tidal Blades 2: Rise of the Unfolders

Another one that I got in on with the late pledge. Tidal Blades 2 was definitely on my radar because of it worked. You are building up a grid of actions that you are taking in a dungeon crawler. So it’s kind of a programming type of game. When a row is full, I think this is how it works, you activate the whole row and wipe it. But as you add, you’re adding in cards and activating that row, it’s only when it fills up that you wipe it. I think that sounds like a really intriguing puzzle for a dungeon crawler.

This is a game where I need to play the original first as well. Granted, it’s very different but I love the world with the artwork and just kind of how the setting works. I think that a dungeon crawler sounds fun, and I want to play around with the dice upgrading worker placement system of the first game as well.

1. Witchbound

I think the designer had told me he hoped to be done about this time with the game and getting it off to printing. That was when it was on Gamefound or shortly before. It is not at that point. I think there is a bunch of work to do, which is okay. Plus, I want this game to be the best that it can be. I really liked the point and click adventure style of the game. You’re basically interacting with items, trying different combinations and seeing what happens. It’s another game that I found fell into that cozy sort of vibe.

This is one also that is a campaign and it’s solo only. But because of the story nature, definitely could see playing it multiplayer as well, just with the group experiencing the story and making the decisions jointly. I likely won’t do that, but I do plan to play it on Malts and Meeples. So when it comes in, I can kind of play it multiplayer and let the audience help influence my choices.

Final Thoughts

Looking at what else I have in my preordered on Board Game Geek there is going to be a lot coming in. It’s another reason that I really want to play through more of the games that I own but haven’t played through yet.  I need to know what I want to keep and what is going to make way for other games.

These are not in a particular order, like I said. And I think that there are others that will come as well. Out of the ones I listed I think I’m most excited Agemonia and Primal. I’ve been waiting on Primal for so long though that Agemonia might pass it up. Which would you want to play first?

Anticipated Crowdfunding Campaigns

Honorable Mentions

Man vs Meeple and Dice Tower campaigns. I like to call out some of my favorite content creators and their crowdfunding campaigns. These two are some of the bigger ones, at least in who I watch. But they are both keeping an eye on. They generally have cool promos and things like that. Plus it’s a good chance to show your support for these different content creators.

Mythwind – Right now this one sits on the honorable mention section. I think it could move up into the actual list, but there are two reasons it’s down here. Mythwind is a game that I’ve already backed but it hasn’t quite yet delivered. And it’s a game with a unique theme. The goal is to be a cozy board game. Think of something like Animal Crossing or Stardew Valley. There is no win condition, just a game you can keep playing. I want to know if that is good. The other reason is that I don’t know what it’s adding a $20-30 playable character to mix into the game, I’d consider. Just basically a reprint, I’ll pass.

Spire’s End – Rangitaki – This is one that maybe should be on the list. But I’m tossing it in as an honorable mention. I’m doing that, because it’s one that I’m going to back. I like the other Spire’s End games, I don’t think that this is going to be any different. And I like how the different versions of Spire’s End play differently. This one I hope builds on that, maybe offers a little bit less luck and will be another fun game I’m likely to play on Malts and Meeples.

7. Diablo

Right now not much is known about the game. But it’s supposed to be live on crowdfunding, I’m guessing Kickstarter, in later 2024. That’s a ways out, so it might move, probably not up. But I want to learn more about it. I like the Diablo video games, even with their issues at basically every launch. And for a board game, I hope that it’ll work better or at least not need a big errata pack a year after it comes out because it needed rebalancing.

That said, my hopes for this one is that it’s not just a monster battling game or something like that. Diablo most certainly has that and about a million pieces of loot. But a game like this should have some story as well. If I were to say what I want it to be like, give me something like Oathsworn. That story and then boss battler and repeat over a number of chapters or scenarios. I don’t know that Diablo has enough for a story for a really heavy scenario upon scenario game. But mixing in scenarios with bosses over a 10-12 chapter campaign, I’d love to see that. Of course to go with that, I need loot drops as well. And maybe an option to grind a few times just to get that last piece of a set that I need.

6. God of War 

Now, you might know there is already a God of War game out there. It is probably even tempting with how cheap it is. Let me make it easy for you, don’t buy it, it’s not a good game. That said, I bought it hoping I was wrong. Maybe for $5-10 it is an okay game just not a God of War game. CMON announced at CMON Expo Thailand that it’s coming out as a miniatures game, and a completely different game system. What system is that, no clue, but I’m hoping for a narrative adventure sort of game. But CMON doesn’t do the big campaign games, they just do big crowdfunding campaigns.

So if it isn’t going to be a big campaign style of game, what am I hoping for? I’m leaning towards a Cthulhu: Death May Die game. It’s that big scenario sort of game where you face off in a scenario and against a unique boss. The cool thing about how Death May Die does it is you can combine each boss into whatever scenario. There are scenario cards and there are boss cards. Give me a combination making like that, and I’ll be very intrigued.

5. Horror on the Orient Express

So here is where we do have a Lovecraftian game. I didn’t get a chance to sign-up for an event at Gen Con last year. I wish that I had because this sounds like my type of game and it looks very cool. It’s a horror themed game where you’re on the orient express. You’re trying to find the cultists or who you should be worrying about on the train before you go mad or die. I don’t know a ton more details about it then that. Man vs Meeple said it well when it reminded them of Unfathomable but with fully cooperative.

Beyond that, though, this is an amazing looking game. The board itself is a train, like a 3D train. How will this store, will it be a deluxe version, I don’t know. But give me a 3D cardboard train, I am interested. It’s going to help immerse me in the theme. So I want to watch playthroughs and dig into this one to see if it’s my type of game when it hits crowdfunding in 2024.

4. Tokyo Highway – Rainbow City

Honestly, one that I’m unlikely to back. But let’s talk about it still because it offers some color and fun to Tokyo Highway a game that already looked amazing. This is just going to add in a few more buildings to go around or start from. Before everything was grey except your cars and a couple of pillars. Now there’s less grey and more color which is going to add to the fun of the game. If you want to get Tokyo Highway or considered it, this might be a good jumping in point.

3. The Eternaut

Some of the games I just stumble across, and this is one of them. Eternaut sounds cool because it’s a lot of things that I like. It’s a survival game for 1-4 players after deadly snow has covered Buenos Aires, which seems like most snow would. I hope that it’s cooperative game, but we’ll see. They say story driven, so generally that means towards cooperative play. How it plays, I’m not sure, but the theme is definitely ones that interests me.

2. The Thinning Veil

This one caught my attention because of the artwork on the box. It’s a solo campaign game, that’s something I like as well, or a Solo dungeon crawler I should say. But it looks to be a card driven game, or at least has a good number of cards to it. I’m curious to see how this one will flesh out, what level of story there is, and how the mechanisms work. But I’m following along because there is definitely a fair amount that is interesting in the game to me. It also promises that sort of game on a budget, so what does that mean?

1. Dante: The Invasion of Hell

There are a number of games around Dante and the Inferno coming to Gamefound in 2024. This one I believe was supposed to come in 2023, but Creative Game Studios was nice and basically said, we’re going to have one project going at a time. So they had Chronicles of Drunagor: Apocalypse not yet fulfilled in 2024, it has just fulfilled now. Once that is done fulfilling, then it’s on to Dante. That is a plan that more people and companies could go with and I’d be happy.

But Dante is still interesting to me. I think that the boss fights and campaign driven always get me interested. And it’s a game that I can play solo as well as in a group. My hope is that it’s a bit more streamlined than Chronicles of Drunagor. That one has a look of cool things in it, and I like them, but it is a lot. So something just a bit more streamlined would really interest me.

Final Thoughts

I expect more games to pop onto the list for 2024. There are always games that come out of nowhere, and I haven’t had the time to dive into all of them. But generally there are a few that catch my attention right away. Also there are sometimes upgrade packs or the like with games I already know I like. Isofarian Guard, Gloomhaven, and Stars of Akarios all had them last year.

Is there a game you know is coming to crowdfunding in 2024 that you’re excited for?

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