[dropcap size=big]E[/dropcap]very week we take a brief look at all of the Kickstarter video game campaigns that launched in the previous week.  This isn’t to say that all of these projects are worth your hard earned cash, but with any luck having all of them in one place will make it easier to educate yourself on the projects you’d like to back, and which ones to run from.  You’ll find two types of campaigns listed, “featured” and “the rest“.  Featured campaigns are those that contain a significant amount of game information, are from known developers, or are significant in some other way.  The rest of the games are usually smaller campaigns that are lacking in information, are from unknowns, have unanswered questions, or have not yet stood out for one reason or another.


Featured Campaigns :

Luckslinger is a spaghetti western action platformer with cowboys and hip hop thats crowdfunding on KickstarterGame : Luckslinger

What it is : Marcus wrote: “You know, after taking a look at hundreds of Kickstarter pages it can be pretty difficult to surprise me – butLuckslinger did exactly that in its very first line. Here it is: “Luckslinger is a hip-hop infused spaghetti western action platformer where the amount of luck you have affects the world around you.” For one, the world of westerns is not pursued nearly enough in video game form and hip-hop music is pretty excellent as well. Thankfully, it sounds like the gameplay mechanics are enjoyably challenging as well..”

Keep an eye on it in our calendar


Neptune Have Mercy is a new submarine based roguelike that's crowdfunding on Kickstarter.Game : Neptune, Have Mercy

What it is : Marcus wrote: “It all begins when a group of scientists are invited to explore Neptune’s moon Triton in Neptune, Have Mercy. The team, along with military and other specialists, board a submarine and begin their exploration. As the name implies, this journey is anything but safe and that poor submarine will have to deal with the many dangers lurking within the ocean. It’s a great hook that sounds even better when you hear that gameplay compared to a combination of Ecco the Dolphin, FTL, Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet, and Metroid.”

Keep an eye on it in our calendar


Judo is an oldschool martial arts fighting game that's crowdfunding on Kickstarter.Game : Judo

What it is : Marcus wrote: “It’s incredibly weird (but awesome) how video games appear to be so cyclical. After years of chasing more realistic things, today’s modern indie developer often looks to the past for inspiration. Case in point, Judo is a 2D fighting game for one to four players which looks pulled from a classic arcade machine. It features simplistic gameplay mechanics, but with more room for variety when going up against others. The goal of Judo is to throw your opponent down three times. You’ve also got to ensure you don’t fall out of the ring.”

Keep an eye on it in our calendar


Izzy's Revenge is a new cartoon styled platformer that's crowdfunding on Kickstarter.Game : Izzy’s Revenge

What it is : Marcus wrote: “2D action platformers are one hot commodity on Kickstarter, with at least a handful cropping up every month.Izzy’s Revenge is the latest and thankfully offers up some distinguishing characteristics to draw viewer attention. The game tells the story of Izzy after her scientist father dies in a zeppelin accident. Prior to this, the two had been partners in research – but now she is all alone. With her brilliant mind, and need for revenge, she strikes out against the four guilds which oversee Steelbridge. Along the way she will recover weapon plans and use them against all enemies in her path.”

Keep an eye on it in our calendar


Orion Trail is a space themed update to the classic Oregon Trail. It's crowdfunding on Kickstarter.Game : Orion Trail

What it is : Marcus wrote: “What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear Orion Trail? Well, if you’re anything like me, you might have thought “The Oregon Trail” (or Orion Burger but that’s beside the point…) This computer classic was treacherous but enjoyable thanks tot he fact that it basically let kids play games at school. Orion Trail by developer Schell Games certainly channels the difficulty, but does so with a distinctly tongue in cheek vibe. The game feels like it emerged from a generation not because of its pixelated visuals but thanks to the irreverent humor oozing from every digital pore.”

Keep an eye on it in our calendar


Underworld Ascendant marks the return of Looking Glass Studios alumni and the Underworld series on Kickstarter.Game : Underworld Ascendant

What it is : Marcus wrote: “Back in 1992, Ultima Underworld brought about a new style of gameplay for RPGs. Instead of offering more top down or isometric perspectives you were really thrust into a first person perspective ala FPSes, but with an obvious PC RPG slant. Although an Ultima Underworld 2 was released shortly after, fans were unable to find future Underworld releases beyond it and instead gravitated toward a new era of RPG games instead. Those developers behind the original are back in their own indie studio, OtherSide Entertainment, and finally have the ability to create their newest game. Now it’s known as Underworld Ascendant and those who adored those classic PC titles can show their support via funding.”

Keep an eye on it in our calendar


Windwalkers is a sci-fi action rpg that focuses on multiplayer. It's crowdfunding on Kickstarter.Game : Windwalkers

What it is : Marcus wrote: “I’m going to be honest with you, before the Windwalkers campaign appeared on my radar, I had never heard of the sci-fi novel “La Horde du Contrevent” by Alain Damasio. However, it appears I am not alone in this (at least as far as non-French speakers are concerned). Development team Forge Animation, despite having a great concept for an adaptation of the book, were unable to attract heavy investment due to a lack of notoriety for their source of inspiration. All the same, I’m pretty intrigued by the Windwalkers Kickstarter campaign, although there’s still of information still guarded.”

Keep an eye on it in our calendar


Seaworthy is a strategic single-player pirate adventure roguelike that's funding on Kickstarter.Game : Seaworthy

What it is : Marcus wrote: “Do you recall which was one of the first few games to usher the concept of “rogulike” back to the forefront of gaming? FTL: Faster Than Light, of course! Now, imagine a game that in many ways seems based on the many strengths of that title, but replace space ships with pirate ships and instead of being out in space you’re in the middle of the ocean. That’s what Seaworthy promises, and despite being in a pre-alpha state, they’ve already shown off enough to prove they’ve definitely got that FTL vibe going but with some differences as well.”

Keep an eye on it in our calendar


Cat Simulator is exactly what it sounds like; a cat simulator. It's crowdfunding now on Kickstarter.Game : Cat Simulator

What it is : Marcus wrote: “We originally didn’t cover Cat Simulator during its campaign back in April 2014 because it showed very little promise. In fact, the developer barely showed anything at all other than a model of a white kitty cat. Now it’s 2015 and Cat Simulator is back! Although the campaign page still leaves something to be desired, it’s a lot more lively this time around. Now we actually know a little bit about what the game will become, so let’s discuss what’s new!”

 


The Miskatonic is a side-scrolling horror comedy visual novel that's crowdfunding on Kickstarter.Game : The Miskatonic

What it is : Marcus wrote: “When it comes right down to it, there are two great gaming genre loves in my life: horror and visual novels. A lot of other folks seem to dig them too, which is why we get super creepy visual novel releases every once in a while. The latest in this trend is The Miskatonic by Rapscallion Games which is currently seeking funding via Kickstarter. Unlike a lot of pure visual novels which showcase horror purely by dialogue and visuals, this one imparts some classic survival horror gameplay as well..”

Keep an eye on it in our calendar


 The Rest of the Campaigns :

Sim Hero v2.0 : A top-down RPG with a very pronounced strategic flavor to it.

SIEGE : A late 90’s looking action shooter.

Lovely Haunting : A visual novel with a unique “solve your own murder” twist.

Himeko Sutori : A tactical JRPG with some very snazzy graphics.

Tree of Life : A sandbox MMO survival game, a great concept.

Hope of Valor : A WWII FPS with nothing to show except for a powerpoint slide.

Snooze 3D : A sleeping simulator, stranger things have been funded I suppose.

Hellcrest : A low-fi action game that takes place in prison; would be nice to see the game in action.

Public Assault RAMPAGE : This campaign has a $100k funding goal and absolutely nothing to show, not even concept art.

The Bread Pub Brawlers : A “First person bread brawler,” most curious.

What Remains : A survival horror game that needs to show more if it’s going to ever hit its $90k funding goal.

Pro Detective: Case Files : Sometimes when I see campaigns I get a little sad. Not because it’s laughably bad or scammy, but because it just makes my heart hurt.  This is one such campaign.

Nebula Online : A sci-fi MMO that looks pretty interesting, not bad!

Holy Ship : An arcade shooter with a chuckle worthy title.

Battle Box: Clash : An arena fighting game that needs to have more shown if people are going to back.  A ton of artwork though.

Metal Gear Solid 1 PS4 Remake : We’ve already discussed it here.  Hasn’t been taken down yet.

The Ladder of Presidents : I really dig the artwork of this cute casual game.

World War 3 Online : One of the more offensive campaign I’ve seen; not just for how little work has been done, but for the subject matter. You too can defeat “Demonic Prophet Muhammad” for a mere $900k.

FleetCOMM : A campaign to port FleetCOMM to PS4.

NimNims : A casual action puzzler with some great arwork.

Guardians Warriors : Two trailing of nothing but blazing text, and lots of screenshots that are Unreal engine tech scenes and not the actual game.

Adventure Tiles : An RPG that’s a card and boardgame mashup, looks like it could be fun.

Project Grail : Another MMO that’s going to solve the world’s problems.

Crystal Quest™ Classic : A snazzy update to the 80’s classic.

Alpha Version.0 : An oldschool looking action platformer.

Space Bar : Some text, no video, and no art. Move along.

Way to Valhalla : “Mechwarrior meets Eve Online” is a phrase that should get wallets flying open.

Saradomin : Remake the much loved Runescape for only $1,000.

Girlcraft : “Minecraft for girls.”

Project Zaria : A massive Minecraft powered MMO, for just $1,200.

Octanis : A 16 big RPG with lots of game footage in the video, but no screenshots.


That’s it for last weeks Kickstarter campaigns.  Watch your wallets!

About the Author

Greg Micek

Greg Micek has been writing on and off about games since the late nineties, always with a focus on indie games. He started DIYGames.com in 2000, which was one of the earliest gaming sites to focus exclusively on indie games.

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