January Kickstarter Picks

Shadowrun: Hong Kong

Developer: Harebrained Schemes

Total Amount/Goal: $513,000/$100,000

Days Left: 31

Lowest Amount for Game: $15

Release Date: Summer 2015

Next Stretch Goal: Expanded Magic ($550K)

Platforms: Windows, Mac and Linux

The Shadowrun franchise has had a long and somewhat chaotic history in the videogame medium. The tabletop series has seen its fair share of video game adaptations, but none have received as much praise as the Kickstarter-funded Shadowrun Returns and Shadowrun: Dragonfall – Director’s Cut. Now Harebrained are back on Kickstarter once again to help fund the latest instalment in the cyberpunk franchise, Shadowrun: Hong Kong. Unlike most projects on Kickstarter, if this campaign were to have failed then Shadowrun: Hong Kong would still have been created. The Kickstarter campaign will allow the developers to create extra missions, characters and improve various gameplay/visual features.

For those unfamiliar with the franchise, Shadowrun is a story-driven, turn-based tactical RPG. It features a cyberpunk theme as well as fantasy setting twists. The gameplay comprises of you commanding your crew of misfit “shadowrunners” through tactical missions. Each member has distinct abilities, a class (including Rat Shaman and Former Red Samurai), strengths and weaknesses, as well as personality traits. How to make the best use of them during dangerous situations is up to you. Shadowrun: Hong Kong will also feature a game editor that will allow players to create a never-ending amount of additional content. The editor will apparently be easy to use and will include assets from the previous two games as well as those from Shadowrun: Hong Kong.





Drift Stage

Developer: Super System Softworks

Total Amount/Goal: $41,000/$30,000

Days Left: 22

Lowest Amount for Game: $10

Release Date: December 2015

Next Stretch Goal: None

Platforms: Windows, Mac and Linux

The Racing genre has actually lost a number of sub-genres since the 7th generation of consoles. Nowadays only realistic racers (Forza, Gran Turismo, and F1) and kart racers (Mario Kart) tend to prove successful. The heyday of arcade racers like Ridge Racer, Daytona USA, and others is long gone. But three men won’t accept such a fate; they have teamed up together to change this bleak situation with a game known as Drift Stage.

Drift Stage is a love letter to PS1-era arcade racers, boasting neon/bright graphics and a Eurobeat soundtrack. It even has palm trees, since no arcade racer can be complete without them. Of course the most important part of an arcade racer is how it feels and Drift Stage is a game where the tiniest mistake of drifting too late or grazing a wall while drifting can separate you from your best track time. It will feature cars from 70s up to the 90s and will include a variety of modes such as Single Race, Time Trial, Career Mode, Local and Online Multiplayer, and more. If any of this interests you then you can download the demo here.





The Grisaia Trilogy

Developer: Frontwing

Total Amount/Goal: $378,000/$160,000

Days Left: 14

Lowest Amount for Game: $30 ($80 for the Trilogy)

Release Date: Fall of 2015

Next Stretch Goal: None

Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux and Vita (Pending Sony’s Approval)

Just as in December with their Clannad Kickstarter, Sekai Project once again gets a mention in our Kickstarter Picks series. This time around Sekai is bringing over a less well-known IP (although it is gaining in popularity thanks to a recent anime), the Grisaia series. They will be bringing over all three games, but backers can opt to receive either just the first game ($30 digitally) or all three ($80 digitally). As with Clannad, the Grisaia series has you making choices that will alter the story.

The three games are set in Mihama Academy, a normal-looking high school that is in fact an isolated learning environment with only five students, all female. This all changes when Kazami Yuuji (a.k.a you) transfers to the school. The game follows Yuuji as he interacts with his eccentric classmates and tries to open their damaged hearts to find out why they got sent to Mihama in the first place.





Into the Stars

Developer: Fugitive Games

Total Amount/Goal: $86,000/$85,000

Days Left: 17

Lowest Amount for Game: $20

Release Date: Summer 2015

Next Stretch Goal: Crew Platoon Pack ($105K)

Platforms: Windows and Mac (PS4 at $255K)

“Oregon Trail meets FTL in an open world”. That’s how Into the Stars (ItS) describes itself. How close to making those words a reality the developers will come is still unclear, but fortunately the game has four industry veterans behind it to help make those dreamlike words a reality.

The story of ItS follows the crew of a spaceship that is on a mission to find a new home for humanity. During this voyage you will be in complete control of the ship, and must manage your crew, weapons, and ships systems. There will be over 80 zones to explore, each featuring specific opportunities and dangers.

While exploring in ItS you will meet with various alien races; some out for your blood, others willing to trade with you. Dealing with those who become violent in an efficient manner is vital for your ship's survival, whilst those who are more friendly become important lifelines. ItS features perma-death for crew members that are killed during your voyage, so who survives and your mission’s overall success will be entirely dependent on your decisions as captain.