How did it get to be February so soon? Now that the longest month of the year (in terms of having no money) is done and dusted, we can look forward to funding an exciting plethora of new video games that need a little help to push them from cool concepts into coffee-fueled development.
This week we have Limbo-esque puzzle-platformer Orphan, comic-style 2D platformer Izzy’s Revenge, and finally Star Trek-inspired space adventure comedy Orion Trail. Let us boldly go where many men and women have gone before!
Project: Orphan
Genre: 2D Action Platformer
Platforms: PC (Windows, Mac, Linux), PS4
Funding Target: $32,000
What Is It?
Orphan takes its inspiration from similar games such as Limbo and Monochroma not only in terms of gameplay but in its colour scheme as well. It uses shadows and silhouettes to greater maximise the fear and horror of the main character, a young boy who finds himself the sole survivor during the first night of an alien invasion. The gameplay demo shows the emphasis on stealth, something rarely seen in a 2D platformer, in order to gain the advantage over and attack the robotic invaders.
Why Fund It?
It’s been given the Kickstarter Staff Picks label, and has also passed the Steam Greenlight process. This double seal of approval is understandable given how gorgeous the graphics are. While in some places it is very minimalistic, it is broken by light flares, ray guns, and burning objects. These are little touches that elevate the world to something very scary and believable.
Best Rewards?
- Digital copy of the game and credit in game – $15
- Two digital copies of the game, beta access, digital art book, plus your name or message attached to a collectible item – $50
- Previous rewards plus one item of merchandise (choose from a mug, t-shirt, mouse pad, and more) – $100
- Previous rewards plus a hardcover art book (limited print) – $150
Project: Izzy’s Revenge
Genre: 2D Comic-Style Platformer
Platforms: PC
Funding Target: $55,000
What Is It?
Izzy’s Revenge sees the titular inventor leaping and running through the city of Steelbridge, hunting down the heads of the powerful guilds who stole her inventions. However, she managed to keep a hold of her holographic energy weapon, which can change into pretty much anything!
Why Fund It?
The animation and hand-drawn art style have a very European punk feel to them, which makes sense given that developer Indie4Fun is based in Spain, while the corrupt city of Steelbridge appears to have been loosely modeled on Paris. The cartoon graphics and fast-paced, side-scrolling action makes this steampunk title one to look forward to, and should peak the interest of fans of the genre.
Best Rewards?
- Digital copy of the game – $15
- Digital copy of the game and digital soundtrack – $20
- Digital copy of the game, digital soundtrack, and digital art book – $30
- Previous rewards plus two printable dioramas, two signed postcards from the game world of Steelbridge, four badges, and beta access – $70
- Physical copy of both the game and soundtrack – $100
- Previous rewards, t-shirt, and your likeness in the game (limited to 10) – $500
- Previous rewards plus a statue of you in the game (limited to six) – $1,000
- Previous rewards as well as helping design a mini-boss (limited to two) – $2,000
Project: Orion Trail
Genre: Space Exploration Adventure
Platforms: PC (Windows, Mac, Linux)
Funding Target: $90,000
What Is It?
Orion Trail is a pixelated version of Star Trek with a healthy dose of Futurama– and Galaxy Quest-style humour. Take your crew on a journey into the stars, fending off attacks from aliens, surviving a Spacesquatch, and cleaning out the ship’s engines when they become infested with warp weasels. Many, many scenarios are thrown at the new captain and his fearless crew, and players must make difficult choices if they are to survive the void.
Captain Picard didn’t put up with this crap!
Why Fund It?
While Trekkies are waiting for Paramount to pull its head out of its exhaust nassel and get the new movie (and potential new TV series) going, this game will definitely fill the time. For those not so Trek inclined, the game comes laced with lots of humour, and promises to be very challenging. Schell Games has already tested a small prototype of the game, and is now looking to add lots of content, including new scenarios to play through, aliens to meet, and even away missions!
Best Rewards?
- DRM-free download of the game and your name in the credits – $10
- Early Access Steam Key plus a digital copy of the soundtrack – $20
- Previous rewards plus you get to name an unfortunate Red Shirt character – $50
- Previous rewards with a bonus red t-shirt with the Galaxy Force insignia – $75
- Previous rewards, an extra blue t-shirt, and an officer character designed in your likeness (limited to 30) – $200
Until Next Time…
For players, these are another three worthy contenders for your kind donations. For developers, keep sending us your projects so we can feature them on Kickstart This! For those that are thinking of launching a project in the next few months, I’m still hammering away on a sequel to the Kickstart This! How To Get More Coin For Your Game Project guide, which is shaping up to focus on the finer details that can elevate your crowdfunding campaign above the myriad of others.
