2022 Part 2: the KS that I'm considering backing

Last year JW and Athena had written posts about what was on their backing horizon for the rest of the year, so it inspired me to do the same this year.

In August, Trailblazers should launch. I have four good reasons to want it: the look of it reminds me of a more complex version of Bandido, which is something I would jump on any day; it looks like a small game, so it may be cheap; I like the publisher, Bitewing Games, Nick Murray being a very nice member of the Knizia guild; Space Biff wrote a very good review about it. So, unless something goes very wrong price-wise, I'm backing it.

In early September, we'll have Fateforge, a Fantasy dungeon crawler. I have started to read designer diaries and it looks fairly interesting, with a lot of emphasis on short yet intense sessions. The Fantasy setting looks unique (although I would like to write a little something about it), but I'm not sure about getting yet another game of this kind.

Behemoth is described as "an epic and immersive co-operative adventure game with elements of deck-building, exploration and innovative AI mechanics that adapts to players' actions". This sounds fun, right? Except we've got very little actual info about it in months, and nothing but this picture, so, it's just very vague for the time being.

Then there is Heroes III in November. Of course, I want it! It's Heroes III! But if I want Heroes III so badly, maybe I should spend some time playing the actual video game, rather than wasting tons of money on a minis-fest that will never see the light of day? In the end, it will very much depend on the actual offer.

Crown of Ash is intriguing and features unique art. I'm tempted by it every single time a new image pops up. Yet there are two caveats: it's an area control game, which I love, but I have tons of these and they don't get played; there is a solo mode, but I doubt this kind of game can ever get good solo (I have good hopes for Bloodstones though because it's scenario-focused, not AI-driven). I have read through the rulebook and got bored (buildings, combat, bla bla bla).

Materia Prima: the Inquisition Expansion is an obvious and very likely the only "sure" back of this list. The looks of the base game are incredible, the production is lovely, and the designer is a nice guy. But I have never played it because of the lack of a solo mode. So, given the expansion brings in a solo mode, to me it's clearly a must-have.

The Old King's Crown looks so pretty, I want it! But nothing in this game really interests me. It's a card game, and reading the cards' effects, it reminds me a bit of a convoluted trick-taking game with convoluted abilities all around. It's pretty clear this game doesn't align with my gaming tastes, but that art! Except I don't back games for their art alone.

I've already expressed my interest in Warden Chronicles in a Freshly Added post. It's still intact, but we have received even less news about it in 2022 than we did in 2021. I just don't know what's the status of the game, or if it ever will be a thing. Too bad!

Just to avoid listing nothing but Fantasy games, here is Millenia, where you develop your civilization over, well, millenia, and your empire goes through the ages with each game cycle. It sounds intriguing and all, but the complexity score already tells me I'll probably look the other way when the time will come to pledge.

Finally, Robomon. The theme couldn't interest me less (I have never liked Pokemon), and the art is repellent, but the design looks pretty unique and well thought-out, and reading about it has consistently increased my interest. At least I hope it will be a success, it does seem to be a labor of love and the first time this creator/publisher (who already published its fair share of games through KS) seems so much enthusiastic and involved (which is reflected by the time he spent on it). So, for sure, I will have a good look at this campaign, no matter what.