Despite Peter Molyneux claiming that “Kickstarter is a destructive force for video games,” as it may cause developers to oversell a project (oh, the irony), the crowdfunding site still plays host to a smorgasbord of quality, undiluted games. This week on Kickstart This! we have top-down survival game Unsettled, Action-RPG Shooter Blood Star, and finally the Myst-esque FPS Waking the Glares.
Project: Unsettled
Genre: Top-Down Survival Adventure
Platforms: PC (Win, Mac, Linux)
Funding Target: $30,000
What Is It?
Unsettled is what you get if someone took the original GTA and set it in a desolate, post-apocalyptic world instead of a city populated by gangs and hookers. Players must craft tools and weapons to survive attacks from wildlife and the rest of humanity, which includes NPCs as well as other players within the persistent online setting. It has a dash of the Fallout series too, with players able to befriend canine companions, or, if they have the skill, create robot guards.
Why Fund It?
Everplay Interactive is on their way to creating the closest thing we might ever get to an open-world version of The Walking Dead. Players are free to wander off and explore this vast world, which is possible because of the simple, yet well-executed, graphics. Travel alone or form a gang; stick to the country or trawl through the wreckage of various cities: the choice is wholly yours.
Best Rewards?
- DRM-free copy of the game – $12 (early bird – 500 copies), $15 otherwise
- Two copies of the game for you and a friend – $20 (early bird – 500 copies)
- Game, digital wallpaper, and soundtrack – $25
- Game, digital wallpaper, soundtrack, and plus Making-of book – $45
- Name in the game, plus four copies of the game – $125 (limited to 100)
- Help design a random encounter, plus 10 copies of the game – $995 (limited to 20)
- Your likeness in the game as NPC, plus 10 copies of the game – $1,250
Project: Blood Star
Genre: RPG Action-Shooter
Platforms: PC, PS4, Wii U, Xbox One
Funding Target: £3,000
What Is It?
An RPG action-shooter that does not take itself too seriously, Blood Star is a manically-paced game where you control a cloned soldier of the Blast Corporation. This soldier fends off wave after wave of enemies while trying to find mysterious gems known as Blood Fragments, which are a source of unlimited power (and they also taste delicious with a touch of whipped cream).
Why Fund It?
Paris-based Dark Screen Games has put a lot of love into this game. It oozes character, evident in the angular, blocky, larger-than-life design of the enemies and weapons (including a baguette gun!). The hand-painted art is accompanied by a ton of features, lots of planets to explore, and four player local and online multiplayer modes. The game looks and feels amazing, and the small amount the team is seeking will help them move it to consoles. In the words of director Francois von Orelli,”I just want to make a ****ing good game!”
Best Rewards?
- Game alone in digital format – £12
- Game plus beta access – £15 (limited to 100)
- Game, beta access, and Weapon & Equipment DLC – £50 (limited to 100)
- Game plus help design a weapon – £100 (limited to 10)
- Game plus help design a monster – £250 (limited to 5)
- Game plus help design a planet – £500 (limited to 2)
Project: Waking The Glares
Genre: Exploration FPS
Platforms: PC (Win, Mac), PS4, Xbox One
Funding Target: $85,000
What Is It?
Reminiscent of Cyan’s epic puzzle game Myst, Waking the Glares sees you take control of Dawnfall, a wanderer who can hear a mysterious voice leading him on a journey between worlds. He is also in possession of a mysterious book, which holds the key to why time and space have become distorted.
Why Fund It?
If you have an Oculus Rift kicking around, then you might want to know that this game is heavily promoting its compatibility with the VR format. However, Waking The Glares is designed to be immersive with or without the Facebox (because you know that’s what Facebook will call it, right?). The environments themselves are large and detailed, and the book within the game will also be available as an ebook, meaning players can fully delve into the backstory behind the game in their spare time.
Best Rewards?
- DRM-free copy of the game – €10
- Game plus digital artbook, soundtrack, and wallpapers – €25
- Game, digital package, t-shirt, personalised postcard, and game credit – €45
- Previous rewards plus your face in the game – €150 (limited to 50)
- Mega-bundle – One of only 10 physical versions of the game and three DRM-free versions, plus physical copies of artbook, soundtrack, in-game book, two t-shirts, and three posters – €500 (limited to 10)
- The mega-bundle plus an NPC character shaped in your likeness – €5,000 (limited to 10)
Until next time…
So there you have it: three new titles for this week, all worthy of your rupees, and all with some great rewards in return for your donation. I’m off to eat some potato salad.
