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

Project: Pacific Tide: Second Edition

Designer: Gregory M. Smith (The Hunted: Twilight of the U-Boats, 1943-45; The Hunters: German U-Boats at War, 1939-43; Silent Victory: U.S. Submarines in the Pacific, 1941-45)

Artists: Ilya Kudriashov (Brotherhood & Unity, Dual Gauge, The Wars of Marcus Aurelius), Brien J. Miller (Silent War, Steel Wolves: The German Submarine Campaign Against Allied Shipping – Vol 1, Stellar Horizons)

Publisher: Compass Games (Crusade and Revolition: The Spanish Civil War, 1936-1939; Enemy Action: Ardennes; The Russian Campaign)

Genre/Mechanisms: area movement, campaign / battle card driven, dice rolling, events, movement points, nautical, point to point movement, simulation, solo / solitaire game, wargame, world war II

Player Count: 1-2

Solo Mode: yes

Complexity: medium-heavy

Risk: medium-low

Summary: “A compact, strategic-level game covering the struggle between the United States (including some Commonwealth forces) and Japan in World War II. This game utilizes a unique and fast-paced, card-driven combat/build system revolving around carrier operations which will provide players with a multitude of decisions. Despite the strategic level of the game, there are operational and even tactical nuances, as players must decide when and how to commit their carrier forces, land-based air, and even their intelligence assets. To a degree, the Japanese player is racing against the clock. The quality of his pilots degrades over time, and starting in 1943, he also loses the strategic initiative as he becomes the second player. The U.S. Player is also fighting the clock, as he cannot sit back and take a relaxed approach to defeating Japan. If he doesn’t win by 1945, he doesn’t win at all. Tension builds as both sides race toward decisive carrier battles and seizure of key geographical objectives. The card-based combat/build system is a different take on the ‘normal’ event/operations points driven systems. Separate card decks are provided for the U.S. and Japanese player. Each year, the players receive that year’s cards for free, but must use build points to repurchase older cards. This causes the player a few agonizing moments, as they typically cannot afford to re-buy every card they needs (or thinks they need). Players must also decide which aspect of cards to use – many have multiple but exclusive uses (such as ‘Do A or do B’) and these uses sometimes give very different results based on operational or strategic needs at the time. To help ensure a tense and dynamic game, the system forces players to make many choices and decisions throughout play. Special rules are provided for amphibious attacks, repair of fleets, supply effects, and guerillas. Bidding rules determine which side one will play in a tournament-style play format. As a bonus for solo players, Pacific Tide features a solitaire assistant – commonly known as a ‘bot’ – which gives guidance to the player for either side during solitaire play. The assistant acts differently based on the ‘personality’ it’s been given: aggressive, defensive, or balanced. All game cards have a rating which the assistants will prioritize differently for play. While extremely competitive as a two-player game, Pacific Tide can be enjoyed again and again in solitaire play format with its unique, personality’ driven bot system.”

Base Pledge (w/shipping): $61

All-In (w/shipping): $92, includes additional games

Campaign Ends: 8/3

Game Ships: Oct. 2022

Funding Status: Funded; currently at 261% with 4 days to go.