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

Project: Gathering Gloom

Designers: Harvey Cornell, Carlie Cornell

Artists: Carlie Cornell, Teresa Guido

Publisher: Dragon Phoenix Games

Genre/Mechanisms: adventure, cooperative game, deck construction, hand management, horror, point to point movement, variable player powers, variable set-up

Player Count: 1-4

Solo Mode: yes

Complexity: light

Risk: HIGH

Summary: “A cooperative game in which the players take on the role of a Witch, Mad Scientist, Vampire, Werewolf, Zombie, or Ghost and work to resolve a series of crises at their mansion and businesses. Each character has one or more special abilities and some have vulnerabilities. They use their own attributes as well as those of villagers they have beguiled into minions along with resources on their ‘Misdeed’ cards to resolve 14-16 crises in order to win the game. Gloom gathers every turn based on events as well as from Evidence or Peril cards. If the gloom reaches 50 or more before resolving all the crises, the players lose. Also, if the fear that the villagers have about anyone player reaches twelve or more, the family is exposed and the players lose. The village has seven locations to visit along with three family locations on the board. There are many things to do on the map since each location has a unique action the player can take. There are also alternate buildings that can be selected at setup to add variety to play. On your turn, you roll dice to determine events. Then you can move to any location on the board, where you may activate an on-arrival action; you may use cards to perform other actions; you may resolve crises in family locations. Finally, you check to see if any villagers or stalkers are going to activate. You draw up for your next turn, and you are done.”

Base Pledge (w/shipping): $65

All-In (w/shipping): $95

Campaign Ends: 10/31

Game Ships: Sep. 2023

Funding Status: Currently at 27% with 19 days to go.

Project: In Dreams (on Gamefound)

Designers: Mike Berg (Tides), Jamie Thul

Artists: Mike Berg, WOMBO Dream

Publisher: Side Room Games (Black Sonata, Maquis, Orchard)

Genre/Mechanisms: card game, hand management, solo / solitaire game

Player Count: 1

Solo Mode: yes

Complexity: light

Risk: medium-high

Summary: “A slightly surreal storytelling game for one player and the winner of the 2022 54-Card Game Design Contest on BoardGame Geek. The core deck of In Dreams provides card-based journaling prompts with vivid imagery and evocative text to immerse you in a dreamworld you wouldn’t have otherwise imagined. 36 prompt cards each have 4 prompts on them, and a location on the back. 18 event cards have 3 events each, modified by six possible ‘tones.’ The cards chain together in interesting ways to create millions of potential unique encounters. The dreamscape is fluid and surreal. Close your eyes and let the dream carry you through worlds never before imagined.”

Base Pledge (w/shipping): $20

All-In (w/shipping): $30

Campaign Ends: 10/30

Game Ships: June 2023

Funding Status: Funded; currently at 192% with 18 days to go.

Project: In the Heart of Darkness

Designer: The Moongrel (Dungeons of Draggmar, Sleep Tight)

Artists: not credited

Publisher: The Moongrel (Dungeons of Draggmar, Sleep Tight)

Genre/Mechanisms: action points, cooperative game, dice rolling, hand management, horror, point to point movement, set collection, solo / solitaire game, trading

Player Count: 1-4

Solo Mode: yes

Complexity: light

Risk: HIGH

Summary: “In this fast paced survival horror game, explore the many locations on the macabre island of Mora. Confront its demonic creatures, uncover its secrets, and try to escape alive. In The Heart Of Darkness is a game with fast, dynamic, and suspenseful gameplay. It’s quick and easy to learn, but challenging for experienced players alike. The game is full of tactical choices and hard decisions that can punish or kill you if not played wisely. In The Heart Of Darkness drags you to the atmosphere of Gothic Horror novels and movies. It brings you directly into the macabre and the mysteries of an island filled with ancient secrets and demonic presence. Replay value and three difficulty levels – overcome different challenges and goals.”

Base Pledge (w/shipping): $59

All-In (w/shipping): $59, same as above

Campaign Ends: 11/9

Game Ships: Dec. 2023

Funding Status: Funded; currently at 635% with 28 days to go.

Project: Sniper Kill Confirmed

Designer: Jay Kirkpatrick

Artists: Brien J. Miller (Silent War, Steel Wolves: The German Submarine Campaign Against Allied Shipping – Vol 1, Stellar Horizons), Bruce Yearian (Blue Water Navy: The War at Sea, The Russian Campaign, The Third World War: Designer Signature Edition)

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

Genre/Mechanisms: campaign / battle card driven, dice rolling, modern warfare, scenario / mission / campaign game, simulation, solo / solitaire game, solitaire only wargames, wargame

Player Count: 1

Solo Mode: yes

Complexity: light

Risk: medium-low

Summary: “A card-driven solitaire wargame. You take the role of a sniper and his spotter in search of your target and completing your mission. You and your spotter enter play on one of four terrain maps: jungle, desert, countryside, or ruined city. Though you are at distance from your mission target, you will need to score morale points to be able to move into new zones, getting closer to your target. As you do, enemy hostiles may be seen, forcing you to avoid detection or they may need to be engaged to complete your mission. Movement into new zones closer to the target, is achieved by KIA enemy hostiles which gives you morale points that are expended in order to move but beware of the trip wires and claymore mines. Doing this all the while trying not to draw too much attention to yourself. The enemy may call in reserves looking for you. Many items may help you such as scopes and med kits and other useful equipment. A hand of cards gives the player options to fire, move, crawl, and hide. Location cards are used in each zone and the player will gain cover from these cards but also may find a surprise event. The player will need to earn morale points to be able to move into the next zone, these are earned by killing enemy hostiles. A player only has a certain number of wounds that can be taken during a mission and critical wounds will see the player in real trouble. Taking a shot is a tense moment the wind and other factors could affect the shot, if missed enemy hostiles will move closer towards the sniper and may even attempt to conduct an assault against them. Not only may single missions be played. A campaign is also possible consisting of ten missions. As each mission is completed, you will accumulate kill points which may be used to upgrade your weapons or obtain additional equipment.”

Base Pledge (w/shipping): $68

All-In (w/shipping): $68, same as above

Campaign Ends: 10/22

Game Ships: Jan. 2023

Funding Status: Funded; currently at 183% with 10 days to go.