Designers: Adam Sadler (Descent: Journeys in the Dark Second Edition, Star Wars: X-Wing Miniatures Game – The Force Awakens Core Set, Warhammer Quest: The Adventure Card Game), Brady Sadler (Heroes of Terrinoth, Star Wars: X-Wing Miniatures Game – The Force Awakens Core Set, Warhammer Quest: The Adventure Card Game)

Artist: Justin Lucas

Publisher: Blacklist Games (Altar Quest, Brook City, Street Masters)

Genre/Mechanisms: card play conflict resolution, cooperative game, miniatures, scenario/mission/campaign game, variable player powers

Funding Status: At the time of this posting, Hour of Need is already fully-funded. In fact, pledges currently total just over the initial funding goal with 4 days left to go on the campaign.

Player Count: 1-6

Solo Mode: yes

Complexity: medium-heavy

Risk: medium-low

What It’s About:  A mission-based card, board, and miniatures game with a modular deck system (Hero Decks, Villain Decks, & Issue Decks, Boards, and Guides) to give the game its variability.

How It Works:  Each game Round consists of three turns: the Villain turn, in which the Hero draws and resolves 1 villain card; the Hero turn, in which the Hero performs 2 actions, resolves a threat phase, and draws 1 card from their Hero deck (Heroes may collectively take their actions in any order, one at a time); and the Issue Turn, in which the players draw and resolve 1 Issue card.

After each Issue turn, a new round begins. Play continues until the players have won by defeating the Villain, or lost due to the Villain completing their nefarious goal.

That’s really as far as the demo rulebook goes, but it’s enough to have a general idea of gameplay without getting into the specifics of the various cards.

Comparisons:  The best two comparisons are other games designed by the Sadler brothers that also use their Modular Deck System, as well as other card-based superhero-themed games. For the former, you can check out Altar Quest, Brook City, and Street Masters. For the latter, take a look at DC Comics Deck-Building Game, Legendary: A Marvel Deck Building Game, Marvel Champions: The Card Game, and Sentinels of the Multiverse.

What Should I Pledge?:
$35 Sidekick Tier: just Hour of Need: Judge & Jury (standalone 2-player box).
$65 Hero Tier: Hour of Need (4-player core game)
$109 Justice Tier: includes Hour of Need, Hour of Need: Judge & Jury (standalone 2-player box), Hour of Need: Gem & Ice (standalone 2-player box), and all unlocked stretch goals.

Add-Ons:
$10 Hero Play Mat
$5 5 Extra Dice
$8 12 Colored Base Rings
$35 Divine Law (standalone 2-player box)

KS Exclusives:
All pledge levels come with Hour of Need: Redemption, which includes 3 Villain miniatures and 3 Villain Decks so players may play Dowager, Curtains, and Punchline as Villains. This mini-expansion is a KS-Exclusive, as is the standalone 2-player box Hour of Need: Gem & Ice.

All-In Total: In the continental U.S., you’re looking at $109 for the Justice Tier, $10 for the Hero Play Mat, $35 for Divine Law, and $20 in shipping for a total of $174.

Hour of Need completes its Kickstarter on Tuesday, November 26th and tentatively ships in November 2020.