Nothing embodies the Holiday spirit more than helping someone achieve their dreams. Crowdfunding has allowed game developers to bring new ideas to life with the support of everyday people instead of investors. While not all projects are a success, a community will form around a good game and see it out until the end. We have seen this many times with previous Kickstarter games such as Undertale, Pinstripe, Shovel Knight, and Superhot.
This list will take a look at some Kickstarter games that rose to the top this month so you have a chance to consider them before time runs out.
Hell Eluja – the Social VR Horror Game
While games like Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes encourage cooperation to save your friend, Hell Eluja is the polar opposite. One player navigates through the dungeon as the hero, while other players are dungeon masters who place monsters in the hero’s path.
The hero uses the VR headset and dungeon masters use the tablet. There are several monsters to choose from to prevent your friend from collecting all the keys and escaping.
The concept is interesting – this game will be a great way to test the strength of your friendship. It also makes VR more accessible as it is built for the affordable Samsung Gear VR headset. With further funding, the developers will expand to Oculus Go, Google Daydream, Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, and PlayStation VR.
Expected delivery is November 2018. Open funding will end at 12:00 PM CST tomorrow, December 1.
Nimbatus – The Space Drone Constructor
As the name suggests, Nimbatus – The Space Drone Constructor allows you to build and fly your own drones. You can use various parts to make your drone any way you want, and then complete missions in a procedurally generated universe. There are also drone races, drone vs. drone combat, and other extras waiting to be unlocked. You can download the demo to test it out yourself and see if you want to back the project.
It will be playable on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems, and should arrive on Steam early access soon.
The minimum donation to receive the game is 14 USD, and the estimated delivery is March 2019. Currently, they have more than doubled their Kickstarter goal.
Open funding for this game will end on December 4.
Raji: An Ancient Epic
Raji is a beautiful action-adventure game, set in ancient India, that follows the journey of a young woman chosen by the gods.
Every part of the game is hand painted. There are different weapons and patron gods to choose from that allow you to customize your play style. The mythology is present in every aspect of the game, and the artwork alone makes it no surprise that this game was chosen as a “Kickstarter Project We Love.” You can download a demo on Steam to see it for yourself.
The developers hope to eventually release the game on PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. The minimum donation to receive the game on PC is 21 USD, and the estimated delivery is February 2019. If the stretch goals are met, a donation of 37 USD will get you a copy of the game on the console of your choice.
Open funding for this game will end on December 11.
1st Degree: Murder-Mystery BL/Yaoi Visual Novel
This game’s genre, mature visual novel, may be more niche than the others on this list.
1st Degree follows a dark storyline of a forensics graduate chasing a serial killer. The twist? You choose who you want to date and who dies.
This project, started with a small group of friends, may soon triple its funding goal, and has around 200 backers currently. You can download the demo from their website to try it yourself.
The game is being developed for Windows, Mac, and Linux, and over half their stretch goals have been met. The minimum donation to receive the game is 15 USD, and the estimated delivery is December 2018.
Open funding for this game will end on December 8.
Deiland – RPG, adventure and sandbox game in a little planet
This RPG adventure has elements of a sandbox game with farming, crafting, and building mechanics. The developers have had experience with mobile sandbox games in the past. There are twelve characters, 100 quests, and your very own sandbox planet, the titular Deiland, that looks like something from Super Mario Galaxy.
You play as Arco, the smallest of his family, who must awaken the magic crystal dwelling inside Deiland. The graphics look stellar for an indie title.
Deiland is unique because it was supported by the Square Enix Collective and has already nearly doubled its funding goal. The final game is being created for PC and PlayStation 4.
It will be released in English, German, Spanish, and Valencià (a dialect of Catalan), and there’s a chance for a French version as well.
The minimum donation to receive the game is 15 USD, and the estimated delivery is June 2018.
Open funding for this game will end on December 7.
Blue Omen Operation – A Stylish and Hot-Blooded RPG
Out of all the Kickstarters on this list, Blue Omen Operation is my favorite. After finishing Undertale I have been looking for something with a similar vibe; Blue Omen‘s sample art made me pull out my wallet.
The game is a 2D RPG with an action-command battle system that focuses on timing. There’s a colorful cast of characters, including Jiro, a man with supernatural powers gained from a parasite, and Yagiko, his partner-in-crime specializing in the dark arts. You play as these two characters as they uncover the secrets of an ancient sarcophagus from space that has a strange aura.
The final game will be available for Windows and Mac, but the current demo is only for Windows. BananaSoft has received more than triple their initial funding goal and have only a few stretch goals left.
The minimum donation to receive the game is 15 USD, and the estimated delivery is September 2019.
Open funding for this game will end on December 6.
The best part of Kickstarter is being along for the journey and being one of the first to play a game. There’s also the exclusive perks of art and soundtracks, and sometimes even figures and posters.
If you missed the opportunity to donate to these games, that’s alright. You can still visit their Kickstarter pages to find other ways to follow the development and release dates.
Keep an eye on crowdfunded games – there’s usually at least one that will strike your fancy.
