There are many amazing games that have been created as a result of crowd-funding. Kickstarter is one of the largest of these crowd-funding platforms that developers go to in hopes of getting enough supporters to bring their projects to life.
Some of the most well-known Kickstarter game projects include Undertale, Omori, Shenmue 3, and Darkest Dungeon. With how many more projects are still open for backers, there are many more classics and success stories still waiting to happen on the platform.
The majority of projects only have a month to reach their monetary goals with backers often getting rewards for their participation in funding. These rewards vary from digital game copies, names in credits, merchandise, and others depending on the project and how much money a backer puts in. For those who want to help the development of interesting games, they should consider putting money into some of the following games still open for backers for April 2021.
Lone Fungus - Basti
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/620777061/lone-fungus?ref=section-homepage-view-more-recommendations-p1
First off is Lone Fungus, a game by Swedish developer, Basti. This game is a Metroidvania-type title that is inspired by Hollow Knight, Super Metroid, Super Castlevania 4, and Megaman X. It has a goal of around $29,502 USD which is converted from the goal of 250,000 SEK. The funding period will end on Wednesday, April 21, 2021.
Lone Fungus has players control a little sentient mushroom named Greencap. He has a sword that can be used in combat as well as a parry that can be triggered into a dodge-roll. These abilities all give Greencap extra mobility methods with players additionally able to learn more abilities as they go throughout the game.
Another big feature is the game's spell system. This has players able to learn various spells that can be cast through Greencap's sword with Greencap's appearance changing depending on which spell is equipped. Each spell additionally is tied to the lore of Lone Fungus with each spell-type representing one of the mushroom cultures from the game world's past. While some spells are more made for combat scenarios, players will also acquire spells that can help with puzzles.
Those interested can access the official demo for Lone Fungus to try it out. At this time, the game is only around halfway to its goal, so prospective backers can still check out the full Kickstarter page.
RV Punch - MilkShed Games
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/milkshedgames/rv-punch
Up next is a different take on the racing game genre with RV Punch by MilkShed Games. As the title suggests, it is a racing game where players control RV vehicles that are capable of punching each other. It has the goal of $75,000 USD with a funding period up until Sunday, May 9, 2021.
RV Punch takes the concept of RVs with giant robot fists and makes it more than a racing game with combat aspects. Players can use the giant fists coming out of the RVs to punch off the sides of walls to gain height, go around corners faster, and of course punch out other racers. The RVs additionally have access to another fist that comes out of the bottom of the RV, allowing the vehicle to jump and gain verticality.
With the amount of mobility options and how players can tackle the races, the maps are noted to be designed with the possible verticality in mind. This means that it is very possible for each lap and each race to be unique, despite players overall going on the same path.
Those who have an interest in this project can check out the official page on Kickstarter.
Cute Bite - Hanako Games
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/hanako/cute-bite-a-vampire-raising-sim-rpg?ref=section-games-view-more-recommendations-p1
Visual novels are commonly seen on Kickstarter, but Cute Bite has gotten a lot of attention due to its presentation as a "vampire raising sim + RPG." It originally had the goal of $2,065 USD converted from £1,500, but it has smashed its goal with it currently being over 500% funded as of this writing.
Cute Bite follows the player as they take the role of a vampire's servant. After their vampire master dies, players must take care of their previous master's daughter, who has reverted into the form of child. She must be taught how to hone her vampiric abilities and return to her adult form before the player's real age returns to them from lack of vampire blood.
Gameplay focuses on sending the vampire to classes, jobs, and get her access to human blood. When pursuing a human target, players will enter an RPG battle minigame where the vampire will attempt to feed using her learned skills. There are additionally many different character to meet with additionally plot lines able to be accessed. Depending on what players teach their young vampire mistress, they will earn one of the over twenty planned endings.
Although the game is more than funded, those interested can still pledge money to help the project reach further stretch goals and earn some of the backer rewards. The Cute Bite Kickstarter page can be found here.
Down Ward - Fisholith
http://kck.st/3rI5H6N
Down Ward is a pixel art styled platformer game by Fisholith where players control an owl named Gable. It had the original goal of $10,000 USD, but has recently reached this goal. Funding however will continue up until Friday, April 30, 2021.
Gameplay for Down Ward has players able to play as Gable with all of the usual abilities of an owl included. This means that players can fly and manage their air speed to avoid the various dangers in the world in this platformer. This also however means that Gable is as sturdy as an owl, with players only able to take one hit. With this in mind, players will have to move around with care and precision, making strategy very important. For example, the bodies of defeated enemies can be used as solid platforms.
What does separate Gable from most owls is her starlight blade that players can use against enemies to fight back or knock them away. The starlight blade additionally is used for a variety of puzzles that require more force than what a bird could usually provide.
Although Down Ward has reached its funding goal there are still multiple stretch goals that anyone can find on the game's Kickstarter page. Those interested can also access Down Ward's free early access versions on both Game Jolt and Steam.