Watch your Back: Week October 30 to November 5

October was one of the busiest months of the year regarding crowdfunding releases. Now let's see what the first week of November has in store.

***

If the launch date announcement is correct, The Thinning Veil will go live on Kickstarter on October 31. This is a 1-4 player cooperative dungeon crawler inspired by Celtic lore.

On each turn, you roll the custom dice to determine your hero activation, and then spend the activation cubes to search for treasure, explore new tiles, and interact with enemies. During combat, you roll your dice and, if you roll one or more hits, you roll again to apply the damage. This is a campaign game consisting of a series of scenarios, but you can also play one-off sessions. The game is also playable with just one hero.

Image source: BGG

Personal opinion: This is a traditional dungeon crawl game, and I must say I'm tempted. I've been itching for an adventure game with minis, and, unless Elden Ring (that's launching later in November) is in any way better, I may very well be backing this one.

***

Next up, we have Slay the Spire: The Board Game: a 1-4 player cooperative deckbuilding game inspired by the popular app game by the same name. The game is split into acts, and you can play with just one character. A die roll determines the monsters and relics that are available in each round. It is launching on Kickstarter on November 1.

Image source: BGG

Personal opinion: Since most people are familiar with the app, there is not much info regarding gameplay around yet. I am one of the few who haven't played the app game, unfortunately, so I don't have an opinion. I am a fan of deckbuilding though, and will probably take a look at a video when it launches.

***

Roll Player Adventures: Gulpax's Secret is a new campaign expansion for the 1-4 player cooperative narrative adventure game Roll Player Adventures. It consists of seven scenarios and requires the base game to play.

War is in the horizon in the world of Ulos, and a group of heroes set out to discover the secret of Gulpax the crafter, and take part in the events that shape the fate of their land. You will consult the storybook to progress the game, and pass skill tests to face encounters. The base game and Nefras's Judgement expansion will be also on offer in the Kickstarter on November 1.

Image source: BGG

Personal opinion: I always pass on storybook games.

***

Then we have The Adventures of Tennessee James: a 1-4 player Indiana Jones-style push-your-luck game in which you are an archaeologist leading an expedition team through pyramids, temples and ruins in search of treasure.

The game is competitive, but can also be played solo against the game. When you reveal a tile, it will either be treasure or a trap. If it's a trap, you have to play your cards to defeat it or else lose a member of your team. It is launching on Kickstarter on November 1.

Image source: BGG

Personal opinion: This looks more like a family game to me, and it's too cartoony for my liking.

***

And lastly, Zerbique notified me that Goblin Uprising will feature a co-op campaign that can be played solo by controlling two characters. The game's main mode is semi co-op, and your goal as goblins is to defeat the High Races. It is launching on Kickstarter on November 1.