IGN really only covers Kickstarter games that stand out as games that matter -- and this week there are three that stand out as games with incredible potential.
This trio of fundraising campaigns innovate, experiment, and reinvent in ways that excite us -- and we think they'll make you happy, too. Check 'em out, and let us know which you're most into.
What is it? A "first-person post-disaster survival simulation set in the Northern wilderness," where Earth is basically in total blackout, which sounds stupidly cool. It's less about action ("Combat is rare, and highly lethal.") and more about the introspective, contemplative things people endure under duress. Developer Hinterland is looking to bring it to PC/Mac/Linux next October.
Why's it matter?
The developer is pure rockstar. The creative director, Raphael Van Lierop, worked on Warhammer 40K: Space Marine, Company of Heroes, and Far Cry 3. His technical director worked on everything Volition has done right -- Red Faction Guerilla and the Saints Row series. Also, the art director worked on League of Legends and The Unfinished Swan, which should bring its Aurora Borealis-ridden skies and cartoon/animated style alive. Conceptually, this is something unlike we've ever seen, and it's pushing into new territory in the same way that got us excited about Gone Home and Journey.
It's an open world where you're meant to discover how humanity would react to an absence of technology, communicative means, electricity, and other comforts -- and there's something very literary about that, like an essay or thesis in playable form. Any game that focuses on people, humanity, and reality is far more interesting than the mindless, me-too, blood-drenched similarities of most modern action games.
Anything else?
The Long Dark is an episodic adventure where survivors can be as hostile as the environment. The Kickstarter pitch claims "this is not a game about shooting or thoughtless killing," and that's about the best thing I have read about any Kickstarter game. If you're down with survivalism, resource management, desperation, and the promise of subtle storytelling, The Long Dark is up your alley.
Kickstart it if you wonder whether the you could contend with Mother Nature in the Great White North.
What is it?
Hyper Light Drifter's gorgeous art reminds me most of a Sword & Sworcery/Shadow of the Colossus mash-up, which is nice, because apparently you'll be swording and sworcerying some big-ass monsters in the Zelda-esque dungeons.
Why's it matter?
What stands out most is how Drifter handles combat -- it's not messing around. It's fast, messy, loud, noisy, and chaotic. The main character's skill-set includes a cool shield, flashy pistol, a cute companion character, and a quick dash that's useful in both combat and traversal. The potential to combine these systems is really exciting in an exploration/adventure game, and the weapon upgrades -- laser-rifle, homing bullets, heck yeah -- get my motor runnin'.
Anything else?
It's coming to PS4 and Vita if Hyper Light Drifter cracks $220,000 -- and with 26 days to go at press time, the odds of it making the $40K it needs seems pretty high. Oh, and the lead programmer is responsible for Samurai Gunn, which is about one of the best things I've played in ages, and Fez's composer Disasterpeace is doing the soundtrack.
Kickstart it if you can't get enough of killing in ominous caverns.
What is it?
The creator of Mutant League Football is making a "spiritual successor" (see: total remake, but he doesn't own the rights) to the Genesis classic. It's trying to land on Xbox 360, PS3, mobile, and Xbox One/PS4. Also, it's a game about football where skeletons and mutants can literally punch each other to death, so it's got that going for it, too.
Why's it matter?
Are you kidding me right now? Mutant Football League is bringing a cult classic back, isn't that enough for you? Well, all right. It's a goofy spin on the NFL that appeals to sports fans and haters both. Hardcore gridiron nerds should love the jovial violence that they really wish football had. It's also a hilarious and approachable interpretation of the sport, with enough strategy to its senseless violence to make it important to each play.
Anything else?
Robomodo -- developer of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater HD -- is helping out, and that's a bunch of dudes and dudettes who seem to get what makes a remake work. Here, though, there's room to modernize what is one of the most memorable, weird things to ever come out of the games industry.
Kickstart it if you like to play dirty.
Mitch Dyer is an Associate Editor at IGN. He’s currently reading David Benioff’s City of Thieves. Read his ramblings on Twitter, follow him on IGN, and listen to him on Podcast Unlocked .
Source : ign[dot]com
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