December Kickstarter Picks

Festival of Magic
Developer: Snowcastle Games
Total Amount/Goal: 47k/250k
Days Left: 16
Lowest Amount for Game: 20$ Computers, 25$ Wii U
Release Date: January 2015
Next Stretch Goal: Full Overworld (300k)
Launch Platforms: PC, Mac, Linux and Wii U

Festival of Magic is a turn-based JRPG being developed by the Norwegian indie developer Snowcastle Games. FoM takes place in the realm of Umbra, a place where both magicians and engineers lived in harmony, which lasted until the mystical clan of Valvur appeared. Before, the planet’s core clockwork was powered by the magicians and maintained by the engineers. The clan suggested the engineers could build a machine to make unlimited energy, an idea that eventually led to the exile of the unneeded magicians. In the aftermath the seasons stopped and the planet’s once used magical energy began to corrupt both animals and plants. With the Valvur clan beginning their world domination no one can stop them, but a group of small and unlikely heroes who the clan inadvertently angered set out to try.


Hand of Fate
Developer: Defiant Development
Total Amount/Goal: 31k/50k (Australian Dollar)
Days Left: 7
Lowest Amount for Game: 20$
Release Date: April 2014
Next Stretch Goal: New Cards and Creatures (70k)
Launch Platforms: PC, Mac and Linux

Hand of Fate is an action-based RPG with a unique twist on traditional rougelike gameplay. HoF takes place in a cabin at the end of the world where the dealer resides; inside you will draw your fate. The game is split into two main sections: on the table top and inside the world of your fate. While separate, both of these worlds affect each other greatly. On the table top you will be given cards that will affect your chances of survival in the game of death. In each run the dealer will have a court card, who is the boss that will await the player at the end of their run. It will then be added to the deck and you will start choosing your fate.

Treasurebear
Developer: Bear and Boar
Total Amount/Goal: 8.7k/70k
Days Left: 29
Lowest Amount for Game: 15$
Release Date: December 2014
Next Stretch Goal: More Costumes (70,001$)
Launch Platforms: PC, Mac and Linux

Treasurebear is an exploration platformer featuring the odd duo of the greedy Mimic Chester and the glutinous bear Barry. These two unlikely heroes meet after Chester is framed and kicked out of the Treasure Hunting Guild and begins his quest to clear his soiled name. While Barry doesn’t have any luxurious goals (and would rather just be trying out new foods) he joins Chester due to food-related circumstances. Their quest will take place across 16 different worlds as they try to find the culprit behind Chester’s excommunication, as well as to indulge Barry’s lust for foreign food.


Dex
Developer: Dreadlocks
Total Amount/Goal: £20k / £14k
Days Left: 8
Lowest Amount for Game: 7 £ = (About 11.50$)
Release Date: June 2014
Next Stretch Goal: Wii U Release (£26k)
Launch Platforms: PC, Mac, Linux and OUYA


Dex is an action/stealth side-scrolling RPG set in a technologically advanced neo-cyberpunk future. In the world of Dex humanity has greatly advanced in the fields of technology, to the point where most humans are wired up to a network in cyberspace. People see digital adverts on the streets, get news-feeds wherever and whenever they want, and can communicate with anyone in an instant. Of course all of these innovations are monitored and controlled by the government and major corporations. These new innovations have also given rise to artificial intelligence, which has in many ways surpassed humanity. Along with a deep and thought-stimulating story, Dex will be fully voiced and has fully hand drawn characters.


Lobodestroyo
Developer: Lefthanded Studios
Total Amount/Goal: 22k/35k
Days Left: 5
Lowest Amount for Game: 15$
Release Date: December 2014
Next Stretch Goal: PS4 Release (39k)
Launch Platforms: PC, Mac, Linux, OUYA and Wii U


Lobodestroyo is a N64-inspired collect-a-thon platformer being developed by Lefthanded Studios. The game follows Mutt, the runt of his litter. He awakens to find Mt. Justice in ruins, along with the disappearance of his wolf brethren who protect the citizens below. As well as all this, the high security safe that locked away ten heinous members of the La Liga de Los Villanos was broken into, allowing them escape. Now sporting his family’s champion belt, where the Luchadore spirit Dorado dwells, Mutt must track down each villain that has begun to overrun various worlds in the game and end their evil schemes.



LISA
Developer: Austin Jorgensen
Total Amount/Goal: 10k/7k
Days Left: 8
Lowest Amount for Game: 10$
Release Date: May 2014
Next Stretch Goal: Beach Resort (12k)
Launch Platforms: PC

A world without women. What would become of the civilization we once knew if such an event were to arise? LISA, a side-scrolling RPG developed by Austin Jorgensen, show us that future and it’s not pretty in any sense of the word. Human intelligence has decayed significantly, and within this new world only violence, drugs and prostitution mean anything. Those who are left inhabiting this doomed world are either perverts, monsters, supernatural beings or just plain stupid humans (your band of “heroes” included).