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

Project: Bestiary of Sigillum: Collector’s Edition (on Gamefound)

Designer: Peter Vibe (Bestiary of Sigillum)

Artists: (this assumes the artists are the same as in the first edition, since there are not any credited yet for the Collector’s Edition)– Peter Vibe (Bestiary of Sigillum), George Vostrikov (Bestiary of Sigillum)

Publisher: CrowD Games (Deep State: New World Order, Enigma: Beyond Code, Winter Queen)

Genre/Mechanisms: abstract strategy, area majority / influence, fantasy, grid movement, variable player powers

Player Count: 2-4

Solo Mode: no

Complexity: medium-heavy

Risk: medium-high

Summary: “An updated & extended version of Bestiary of Sigillum. Design and illustrations were reworked, and now the game looks even greater, allowing players to immerse themselves into an atmosphere of a fierce fantasy battles. The game has neither random events, nor hidden information, which makes it a great battle of wits, which couples greatly with impressive replayability, strategic depth and room for all kinds of tactical decisions. In Bestiary of Sigillum you take on the role of summoners in the Kingdom of Two Castles. To play the game, you choose and summon your force of otherworldly heroes. Each character has a distinct combat role with a unique set of abilities which, when combined well, will compliment and reinforce other heroes. The main goal of the game is to destroy the opponent’s castle. In order to do so, you should control siege towers placed on the game board, and destroy enemy characters. You should carefully think through every move, keeping an eye on the opponent’s actions and pick characters paying attention to their strengths and weaknesses.”

Base Pledge (w/shipping): $43

All-In (w/shipping): $61

Campaign Ends: 12/7

Game Ships: July 2023

Funding Status: Currently at 25% with 21 days to go.

Project: The Big Box Campaign

Designers: Stefan Feld (Bora Bora, Bruges, The Castles of Burgundy, Merlin: Big Box, Trajan), Kristian Amundsen Østby (Escape: The Curse of the Temple – Big Box Second Edition, The Magnificent, Santa Maria, Trails of Tucana), Wolfgang Panning (Fresco Mega Box, Maharani, Olé!), Michael Rieneck (Cuba, Merlin: Big Box, The Pillars of the Earth, World Without End), Marco Ruskowski (Fresco Mega Box, Kobold, Parfum), Marcel Süßelbeck (Fresco Mega Box, Kobold, Parfum)

Artists: Patricia Limberger (12 Thieves, Alhambra, Fresco Mega Box), Dennis Lohhausen (Ark Nova, A Feast for Odin, Gaia Project, Merlin: Big Box, Terra Mystica), Oliver Schlemmer (Escape: The Curse of the Temple – Big Box Second Edition, Fresco Mega Box, Kingdom Builder)

Publisher: Queen Games (Amerigo, Chicago Express, Fresco, Lancaster, Shogun)

Genre/Mechanisms: adventure, archaeology / paleontology, cooperative game, dice, dice rolling, expansion, exploration, modular board, real-time, tile placement (Escape: The Curse of the Temple – Big Box Second Edition), action queue, art, grid movement, painting / paintings, renaissance, set collection, simultaneous action selection (Fresco Mega Box), area majority / influence, medieval, roll / spin and move, rondel, set collection, worker placement (Merlin: Big Box)

Player Count: 1-6 (Escape: The Curse of the Temple – Big Box Second Edition), 2-4 (Fresco Mega Box, Merlin: Big Box)

Solo Mode: yes (Escape: The Curse of the Temple – Big Box Second Edition), no (Fresco Mega Box, Merlin: Big Box)

Complexity: light (Escape: The Curse of the Temple – Big Box Second Edition), medium-light (Fresco Mega Box), heavy (Merlin: Big Box)

Risk: low

Summary: “Escape: The Curse of the Temple – Big Box Second Edition is a real-time, cooperative game in which all players must escape from a temple after awakening an ancient curse. Players navigate through the temple by rolling dice and matching symbols to rooms, thereby gaining entry and visibility into adjacent rooms. So the temple ‘map’ randomly unfolds as you explore further. But as you explore, don’t wander too far. All players must find the exit before the curse seals the adventurers in forever. The real-time aspect is enhanced by a soundtrack that is your timer for the game.

Dive into the magnificent era of the Renaissance in Fresco. You belong to the best fresco painters and are hired to restore the ceiling painting in the cathedral to its former glory. Put your skills to the test to win the bishop’s favour and thus the game. This Mega Box includes new artwork and combines the basic game with all modules (1-17). These can be combined with the basic game as desired, thus extending the playing possibilities. Each module also influences the duration of the game – for even more and longer lasting fun.

The Merlin: Big Box contains a new expansion, Morgana, as well as the Arthur and Knights of the Round Table Expansions, as well as the two Queenies. It also features some upgraded components. Morgana adds three new expansion modules which may be played in any combination with the base game of Merlin or the other expansions: Morgana, where players draft a purple die from a common pool to gain special abilities; Market, when on turns that players are not able to complete a mission card, they are allowed to take one-time bonuses from the market board; and Caerleon, in which new locations replace the principalities of the base game– in each location, which are randomly placed, players gain a specific resource or take a specific action, receiving a bonus if they use a specific henchmen.”

Base Pledge (w/shipping): $90

All-In (w/shipping): $267

Campaign Ends: 11/25

Game Ships: Mar. 2023

Funding Status: Funded; currently at 175% with 9 days to go.

Project: Dark Venture 2nd Edition

Designer: Rob Lemon (Dark Venture)

Artist: Rob Lemon (Dark Venture)

Publisher: Gilded Skull Games (Dark Venture)

Genre/Mechanisms: adventure, card game, cooperative game, dice rolling, grid movement, hand management, modular board, print & play, role-playing, science fiction, solo / solitaire game

Player Count: 1-4

Solo Mode: yes

Complexity: medium-light

Risk: HIGH

Summary: “A retro, story-based, adventure card game where players construct a twisting narrative to explore a dystopian future with their heroes, completing quests to win the game. Pursue your destiny through the ravaged wilds of Darkgrange where magically-mutated creatures prowl the grounds of every seemingly abandoned building and stretch of dilapidated roadway. Players maintain a hand of Location, Item and Character cards, playing them on their turn by spending Action Points. Locations are played and attached to the map, then descriptive story entries are read that set up actions to be triggered and decisions to be made. Items, including weapons, magical artifacts, armor, and potions, can be placed from a player’s hand into their heroes inventory for them to use. Players may want to play other Characters from their hand to complete a quest or thwart an enemy.”

Base Pledge (w/shipping): $14

All-In (w/shipping): $35

Campaign Ends: 12/8

Game Ships: June 2023

Funding Status: Funded; currently at 134% with 22 days to go.

Project: Elestrals TCG

Designer: Dan Clap

Artists: various (22 different credited artists)

Publisher: Elestrals

Genre/Mechanisms: 2 player only games, card game, collectible components, deck construction

Player Count: 2

Solo Mode: no

Complexity: medium-light

Risk: HIGH

Summary: “In a game of Elestrals, your Spirit cards are your most important resource: they are your health and fuel when playing cards and attacking your opponent. Knowing when to use your Spirits and when to save them is a key strategy. There are five types of Spirits. Most decks have a mix of different types, and the Elestrals and Runes that you Cast will often need specific Spirits or even combinations of them. To get started, each player must have a Spirit deck with exactly 20 Spirits in it; players can mix and match different Spirits or play as many of the same ones as they like. Each player must also have a Main deck with exactly 40 cards in it, where Runes and Elestrals go; players can only have up to three copies of any single card, necessitating some variety. Players can look through their own Spirit Deck any time they like, and ask their opponents how many cards are left in their Spirit Decks. But players can never look through their opponent’s decks, so they won’t know exactly which Spirits they have left. Once players’ Main Decks are shuffled at the start of a game, they can’t look through it unless a card tells them they can.”

Base Pledge (w/shipping): $56

All-In (w/shipping): $585

Campaign Ends: 12/4

Game Ships: Aug. 2023

Funding Status: Funded; currently at 20,376,500% with 18 days to go.

Project: Glory and Empire: First Victories – Wellington versus Napoleon (on Gamefound)

Designer: Terry Doherty (La Bataille de la Moscowa Third Edition)

Artist: Terry Doherty

Publisher: Lock ‘n Load Publishing (Lock ‘n Load: Band of Heroes, World at War: Blood and Bridges, World at War: Eisenbach Gap)

Genre/Mechanisms: 2 player only games, dice rolling, hexagon grid, napoleonic, wargame

Player Count: 2

Solo Mode: no

Complexity: medium-light

Risk: medium-high

Summary: “First game in the The Glory and Empire series. Glory and Empire is a fresh look at grand tactical command, maneuver and combat during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Period. The system is focused on command, maneuver and combat that is fast playing, yet accurate and rich with detail. The rules consist of a Soldier’s, Battalion and Brigade rules set. Players can learn the basics with the Soldier’s rules, move to a full fledged simulation with the Battalion Game and pick and choose rules from the Brigade Game to suit their tastes. The Soldier’s Game gives players new to the era an introduction to foundational concepts of tactics in the horse and musket era. In the Soldier’s and Battalion Games there are the usual Line, Column, Square and skirmishers. The Battalion game has two types of Skirmishers, introduces important concepts for maneuvering forces on the battlefield and has more detailed close combat procedures. The Brigade Game adds close columns, attack columns, closed square, Austrian division masses. Artillery is simplified for the Soldier’s and Battalion Games, but the Battalion Game adds artillery ammunition. The Brigade Game adds bombardment zones, bounce through, howitzer fire and separate ammunition tracking for round shot, shell, canister and shrapnel. The Brigade Game also gives players more tools to react to enemy moves. Or players can jump right into the Brigade Game and understand how grand tactical maneuvering was practiced on the battlefield during the 18th and 19th centuries.”

Base Pledge (w/shipping): $125

All-In (w/shipping): $125, same as above

Campaign Ends: 12/13

Game Ships: Mar. 2023

Funding Status: Funded; currently at 115% with 27 days to go.

Project: Heroes of Might & Magic III The Board Game

Designers: Kamil Białkowski, Jakub S. Olekszyk (Wolfenstein: The Board Game)

Artists: Iana Vengerova, Tomasz Badalski (Wolfenstein: The Board Game)

Publisher: Archon Studio (Masters of the Universe: Battlegroud, Vanguard of War, Wolfenstein: The Board Game)

Genre/Mechanisms: action points, adventure, alliances, area majority / influence, campaign / battle card driven, cooperative game, dice rolling, events, exploration, fantasy, grid movement, hexagon grid, income, miniatures, modular board, monsters, movement points, player elimination, scenario / mission / campaign game, semi-cooperative game, solo / solitaire game, tile placement, video game theme, zone of control

Player Count: 1-3

Solo Mode: yes

Complexity: medium-light

Risk: medium-high

Summary: “An adventure-driven strategy game for 1-3 players set in the cult fantasy universe. The game includes competitive, cooperative, and solo scenarios to battle and explore your way through. The adventure maps are represented by tiles, with each tile divided into seven hexagonal fields. Play different scenarios with different victory conditions, explore the adventure map to discover various locations, and play out epic battles using the unique miniature models that represent the iconic units from the original game. All battles will be performed with models on separate boards.”

Base Pledge (w/shipping): $92

All-In (w/shipping): $242

Campaign Ends: 11/29

Game Ships: Dec. 2023

Funding Status: Funded; currently at 2293% with 13 days to go.

Project: Maple Valley

Designer: Roberta Taylor (Creature Comforts, Octopus’ Garden, Sherwood Showdown)

Artist: Shawna J.C. Tenney (Bugs on Rugs, Creature Comforts, Wizards of the Wild)

Publisher: Kids Table BG (Creature Comforts, Fossilis, Wreck Raiders)

Genre/Mechanisms: animals, hand management, set collection

Player Count: 1-5

Solo Mode: yes

Complexity: light

Risk: medium-low

Summary: “On the day when the last snowflake of winter has melted away, all of the critters emerge from their cozy homes to celebrate…and that day is today. Maple Valley’s annual Spring Festival is a gathering of friends welcoming the warm months ahead, and you don’t have a lot of time to prepare. While the adults get the village into shape, the youngest (and swiftest) forest animals from each den are sent scrambling through the blossoming woods, completing the last-second tasks that will make the Festival a success. The trails aren’t always clear; you’ll need to climb, swim, and dig your way to the most bountiful groves, forage for fresh spring ingredients to help villagers complete their errands, and unearth curiosities that will attract skillful scouts to your growing team. Set in the delightful world of Creature Comforts, Maple Valley is a game of traveling trails, finding friends, and celebrating new beginnings.”

Base Pledge (w/shipping): $55

All-In (w/shipping): $114

Campaign Ends: 12/8

Game Ships: Dec. 2023

Funding Status: Funded; currently at 448% with 22 days to go.

Project: Project EOS Rise

Designer: James Baker

Artist: Michael Storey

Publisher: James Baker

Genre/Mechanisms: adventure, cooperative game, negotiation, poitn to point movement, push your luck, role playing, science fiction, space exploration, variable player powers, worker placement

Player Count: 1-4

Solo Mode: yes

Complexity: medium-light

Risk: HIGH

Summary: “A cooperative space adventure game that mashes up worker placement, push your luck, and dice placement game mechanics. You and your crew will travel the universe, hunting down Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs) that will advance your progress towards finding the Paradise Planet. Once the Paradise Planet is located, the crew will put everything on the line in a desperate attempt to reach it and win the game. Project EOS Rise features a ‘Roll For Location’ game system that ensures each playthrough generates a unique universe with unique challenges. As well, a light RPG system allows the crew to explore and discover multiple paths to victory. Whatever path you take, the four characters – Pilot, Combat Specialist, Engineer & Medical Director – can advance their skills strategically to best benefit your mission. Do you spend credits to expand the EOS and open new actions like mining, scanning, or crafting? Do you become a smuggler and deliver interesting cargo to distant galaxies to gain intel and advance your progress? Do you attack Alien ships using the combined strength and skills of the crew? Whatever path you choose ‘Time is of the essence’ because each year exploring brings the star marker on the Extinction track one step close to game over. Also keeping the Starship EOS in working condition is paramount because, if the Command room is destroyed, your mission is aborted. In either case, the game is lost.”

Base Pledge (w/shipping): $86

All-In (w/shipping): $86, same as above

Campaign Ends: 12/15

Game Ships: July 2023

Funding Status: Currently at 28% with 29 days to go.

Project: Strange Orbit: Undermine

Designer: Jordan Mathews

Artist: Sam Mameli

Publisher: KinSoul Studio (Alkemia)

Genre/Mechanisms: abstract strategy, action points, asteroid, contracts, exploration, hexagon grid, market, mining, multiple maps, science fiction, take that, three dimensional movement, tile placement, variable player powers, variable set-up

Player Count: 2-6

Solo Mode: no

Complexity: light

Risk: HIGH

Summary: “An action-strategy game played in quick rounds. Players only have a few turns to get in, secure their haul, and extract their spoils on a collapsing asteroid. Strange Orbit features a tactile world composed of hexagonal resource tiles, which ensures that each game’s layout is unknown and requires crafty exploration using each character’s unique abilities. The player who collects the most valuable haul after the asteroid collapses is deemed the winner. On each turn, players receive 10 action points to move, climb, build, deposit, and disrupt other players on a living board that is constantly changing shape. Players search the board for valuable minerals such as gold, emeralds, and diamonds in order to extract and deposit in their personal stashes. Players must be careful around other players who may attempt to steal or destroy their resources.”

Base Pledge (w/shipping): $55

All-In (w/shipping): $85

Campaign Ends: 12/15

Game Ships: Aug. 2023

Funding Status: Currently at 6% with 29 days to go.

Project: Werewolf: The Apocalypse — Retaliation

Designers: Thomas Filippi (Kiwetin, Until Daylight, Vampire: The Masquerade – Chapters), Gary Paitre (Kiwetin, Until Daylight, Vampire: The Masquerade – Chapters)

Artists: (seven different artists are credited for this game so we are simply listing the art director)– Marie-Michèle Ayotte

Publisher: Flyos Games (Kiwetin, Until Daylight, Vampire: The Masquerade – Chapters)

Genre/Mechanisms: cooperative game, dice rolling, fighting, horror, role playing, scenario / mission / campaign game, solo / solitaire game, storytelling

Player Count: 1-4

Solo Mode: yes

Complexity: medium-heavy

Risk: medium-high

Summary: “A new violent, mature and visceral role-playing board game game set in the World of Darkness. Intended for solo play as well as up to four players, Werewolf: The Apocalypse — Retaliation takes place in Yosemite Valley, following a deadly battle that left your pack all but decimated. With only a full lunar cycle to recover, rebuild your Caern, and prepare for your final revenge against Wyrm entities, your choices will weigh heavily upon the fate of your characters. The game includes immersive branching scenarios, intense combats, mesmerizing investigations, beautiful minis, and a profound roleplaying experience.”

Base Pledge (w/shipping): $149 (this price also includes a 7% VAT)

All-In (w/shipping): $365 (this price also includes a 7% VAT)

Campaign Ends: 12/1

Game Ships: Mar. 2024

Funding Status: Funded; currently at 298% with 135 days to go.