In an era where games are saturated with laser cannons, sniper rifles, and .44 magnums, it’s refreshing to see a game where all that mindless shooting and killing is null and void. As Kevin Chen, the director of Four Horsemen puts it, “There is combat in this game, but the only weapon you have is empathy. You have to win the game with your heart.” It sounds a tad cheesy, but I like the direction the team at BabyCastles Nuclear Fishin’ Software is taking this visual novel. There’s plenty of depth, humor and intellect to this story about four immigrants who find shelter in an old WWII bunker and drown themselves in punk rock. It’s “a microcosm of real immigrant communities and the legacy of borders”, taking a closer look at what happens to immigrants after the news cameras stop following them around.
You use your wits and smarts to make choices that affect your relationships with others, which in turn determine things like prices in shops and your number of dialogue options. I’m a big fan of the artwork, with a unique vibe to each and every character, and the overall look is definitely befitting of the dirty punk rock scene. There are tons of other gameplay features listed on the Kickstarter, which give the impression that BabyCastles Nuclear Fishin’ Software has really done a solid job working on content, gameplay, storyline and artwork before presenting it to the public. I’d like to see some stretch goals (hopefully with some voice acting), and a short team bio at the bottom of the Kickstarter. So far, they’ve raised more than $3000 of the $15,000 they’re asking for.
The demo is also available for download, and you can track the progress of the Four Horsemen Kickstarter in our Campaign Calendar.
From the look of the Kickstarter it sounds more like it’s about migrant communities than anything else. The idea is interesting, but the artstyle could be a lot better.
Hmm… better is subjective, at least in the art style. Personally I’m digging both the unique design and the innovative story idea. I do wish they would add voice acting though.
I can understand not having voice acting as a Kickstarter, as long as it’s being created from the ground up. The story is interesting, and while your right that the art style is subjective, it just doesn’t do it for me.
The only way I’d back this is if they added voice acting. Or at least as a stretch goal. I played the demo and I’m not a fan of clicking on dialogue options.