(or here’s a list of what launched yesterday that might deserve a closer look)

Project: Finding Anastasia: Deluxe

Designers: Brian Bremner, Alara Cameron (The Legend of Korra: Pro-Bending Arena, Kingdom Rush: Rift in Time, Mutants), Sean Howard (Unlocked: The Mansion of Mana)

Artist: Hector Romero

Publisher: Good Knight Games (Unlocked: The Mansion of Mana)

Genre/Mechanisms: cooperative game, deduction, hidden roles, murder / mystery, party game, roles with asymmetric information, spies / secret agents, targeted clues, variable player powers

Player Count: 1-8

Solo Mode: yes

Complexity: light

Risk: HIGH

Summary: “In the year 1918 the Russian people revolted against the monarchy. It was believed that the royal family was eliminated. However, a rumor claims that the Czar’s favorite daughter, Anastasia, survived and has been in hiding from those that are pursuing her. Her grandmother, the Empress Dowager, heard the rumors and decided to make it her mission to find Anastasia. After years of searching, the Empress invited those who claim to be or know Anastasia to a party, where the Empress hopes to learn enough to find Anastasia. One player is the Empress, while the rest of the players are guests. To find Anastasia, the Empress and her guests must ask questions of each other. The responses are marked on a central board for all players to see. By listening to the answers and exchanging hidden clue cards with each other players must deduce who is and isn’t Anastasia. As questions are answered, gems are given to players. The gems can be used on a player’s turn to perform actions such as gaining clues, revealing roles, or asking additional questions. The game continues until Anastasia is found or a role ability causes the game to end.”

Base Pledge (w/shipping): $45

All-In (w/shipping): $81

Campaign Ends: 2/15

Game Ships: Feb. 2023

Funding Status: Currently at 84% with 18 days to go.

Project: Yokai Septet Second Edition

Designers: Muneyuki Yokouchi(7 Symbols, and 7 Nations; Cat in the Box; Yokai Septet), yio (7 Symbols, and 7 Nations; Yokai Septet)

Artist: U

Publisher: Ninja Star Games (Sweets Stack, Wolf & Hound, Yokai Septet)

Genre/Mechanisms: card game, fantasy, mythology, team-based game, trick-taking

Player Count: 3-4

Solo Mode: no

Complexity: light

Risk: medium-high

Summary: “In Yokai Septet, your goal is to capture high scoring Boss Yokai by strategically playing cards from your hand. Each turn, players play a card from their hand following the rules of the ‘trick taking games.’ After everyone has played a card, the player who played the strongest card matching the lead suit takes all the cards played this turn. A new turn continues until one of the round’s end condition is met. At the end of the round, the winner of that round is determined. In a 4-player game, the game is played as a team battle of two players versus two players, whereas in a 3-player game, all players play individually competing. The winner of the round is the team that captured four or more Boss Yokai in a 4-player game, and three or more Boss Yokai in a 3-player game. The winner of the round scores points based on the Boss Yokai they aptured. New rounds are played until the game’s end condition is met, which can be either 2 points for a basic game, or 7 points for an advanced game.”

Base Pledge (w/shipping): $22

All-In (w/shipping): $22, same as above

Campaign Ends: 2/9

Game Ships: June 2022

Funding Status: Funded; currently at 445% with 12 days to go.