Watch your Back: Week April 16 to 22

While I'm trying to recover from the financial blow that was Chip Theory's Elder Scrolls, let's take a look at what else is hitting crowdfunding these days.

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Pioneer Rails is a 1-80 player flip 'n' write game in which you are a railroad owner competing with rivals for dominion over the railways.

The game uses poker cards that you will be drafting from to build your network on the map, and to also build a good hand. As you mark routes on the map, you may capture bandits and pass through towns. In the solo mode, you are given objectives to fulfill. It is launching on Kickstarter on April 17.

Image source: BGG

Personal opinion: Seems good for R'n'W fans.

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On the next day, April 18, on Kickstarter, we have Fighters of Europe. This is a 1-4 player wargame in which you take part in air combat above Great Britain in WWII.

It comes with 10 scenarios. Each side moves their planes up to their movement points, and then attacks. If the opponent can't dodge, they get hit. Each scenario has different objectives, models and features, like bombs.

Image source: BGG

Personal opinion: I like the fact that the game has gotten rid of dice and made fights less random. If I was in a wargaming mood, I would consider it.

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Puzzle games creator Rita Orlov brings us Threads of Fate: a 1-4 player solo/cooperative puzzle in which you have to solve the mystery of the disappearance of two professors.

It is inspired by Norse mythology, and will provide you with letters, drawings, websites and riddles you have to figure out. It is launching on Kickstarter on April 18.

Image source: BGG

Personal opinion: Much as I'm intrigued by this assortment of components, I'm afraid to give it a go. It will make me feel stupid, and I don't need to be reminded of that.

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The Deluxe Edition of Teotihuacan: City of Gods is coming to Kickstarter also on April 18. This means a big box, upgraded wooden tokens, inserts, alternative artwork on the boards, and fabric pouches. Here is the Kickstarter preview if you wish to check out the goodies.

Image source: Board & Dice Facebook

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Kingdoms of Akandia: The Seven Realms is a 1-4 player cooperative fantasy adventure game in which heroes are trying to prevent the spread of the forces of darkness.

You will first select your character, and set up the board according to the instructions of the storybook. On a hero's turn, you can move and then perform one action (e.g. trade or craft). Fights with enemies are performed by rolling dice and adding modifiers. It is launching on Kickstarter on April 18.

Image source: BGG

Personal opinion: The timing is poor with this one, as it comes out right after Elder Scrolls. It looks like a decent open world adventure game but I don't know if it stands a chance.

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Let's end with Weirdwood Manor: a 1-4 player cooperative adventure game in which you are trying to protect the Manor and its owner from a monster fae and its scarab minions.

Every time a character or an enemy takes an action, there is a shift in time that rotates the rooms on the board. Both heroes and monsters use their deck of cards to perform actions, and the game ends if the fae monster is defeated or time runs out. It is launching on Kickstarter on April 18.

Image source: BGG

Personal opinion: It seems to be a family-style game which is not my style.