Here are some previous game previews I published, covering past crowdfunded campaigns.
Kickin’ Back: Knights & Bikes
We live in a golden age of entertainment and media. Thanks to the internet and the game-changing possibility of crowd-funding and other content creating, developers big or small are able to release video games that we may have never got the chance to witness in years past. That being said, it can still be a challenge sometimes to sift through projects on places like kickstarter, and separate the innovative and promising games from the games that frankly could use a little more work and time. With this article, and the ones to come, I plan to share and highlight games that capture my interest and may be worth your support and investment to see them come to fruition.
Today, the project I want to highlight is a game called Knights and Bikes. Created by developer Foamsword games, Knights and Bikes is a cooperative action-rpg with inspirations and influences drawn from classic games: Earthbound and Secret of Mana. The game is also heavily influenced by 80’s kid adventure movies like The Goonies and carries with it an air of nostalgia and exciting, adolescent adventures. Knights and Bikes centers around characters Nessa and Demelza as they explore their home island of Penfurzy, interacting with the wacky denizens and uncovering the mysteries that surround the ancient knights and legends of the island. Players can control Nessa and Demelza either alone with the help of AI characters, or with a friend through local co-op. Gameplay is built around completing quests given by the islanders, finding treasures and other collectables, and exploring the island both on-foot as well as with the help from a fully up-gradable bike.
The art and style of Knights and Bikes is absolutely brimming with character and charm. From the already released footage and stills, the game is looking to be a beautiful and unique experience with meticulous thought and care put into it by the developers. It’s a testament to the skills of developers Rex Crowle (whose credits include games like Tearaway and LittleBigPlanet) and Moo Yu (LittleBigPlanet and Ratchet & Clank), that everything created has come from this modest two-man team.
At the time of writing this article, Knights and Bikes is sitting at about 70% funded with two weeks left in its campaign. Should the game be funded, it will release on PC, MAC, Linux, as well as PS4. The campaign features a wealth of reward tiers ranging from digital copies of the game to physical collectors edition boxes and hand-made plushes. I highly recommend funding this promising game or at the very least, checking into the campaign and sharing it with as many people as possible. These talented developers deserve to have the chance to create and deliver this game and I eagerly await the chance to explore and experience Knights and Bikes myself.
Kickin’ Back: Pinstripe
Hello, and welcome back to another installment of Kickin’ Back, where I highlight game projects that capture my attention and may deserve your support on the crowd-funding site Kickstarter. Today, the focus is on the beautiful and haunting: Pinstripe
Through Heaven & Hell
Simple, yet masterfully crafted and complex. These are words you don’t often hear associated with each other, however, they perfectly surmise the game vision of one-man developer Thomas Brush. Everything from the game’s gorgeous, whimsical 2D graphics to the haunting, sweeping soundtrack is expertly realized and created by Thomas for his third higher-profile solo game project: Pinstripe. A testament to his artistic prowess, Pinestripe is a beautiful game that demands your attention and support.
Simple=Better
In today’s day and age, games with enormous budgets and a plethora of tacked-on features are primarily focused upon. Sure these games are often more than great and thoroughly enjoyable, but sometimes a stripped-down and simpler game has to be made to tell a different story. That game is Pinstripe, and its story surrounds the character Teddy as he treks through literal Hell to find and rescue his lost daughter Bo. Thus, a classic, 2D adventure game unfolds filled with puzzles and zany characters and your trusty shotgun to sort out the two. With this simplistic approach, the true focus of Pinstripe, the unique art; gripping score; and thoughtful story, can fully shine. Immersion is paramount, as Thomas states in his Kickstarter: “The goal [of Pinstripe] is to make you feel like a kid again without being bogged down with stuff that is confusing and unnecessary”.
And Back Again
Pinstripe’s campaign has deservedly received a lot of coverage and support since its inception, and will be funded over its targeted goal when the Kickstarter ends in currently five day’s time. The game deserves all the support it can get throughout its whole campaign, and I strongly recommend backing this project if you wish to do so. Thomas has added quite a few stretch goals that have been reached, and the campaign features a wealth of rewards and perks to choose from with your donations. I eagerly await the game’s slated release of August 2016, and how the game will continue to evolve and grow under Thomas’ care.