Way back at the start of the new year, Ben gave us a little sneak peak into a new board game project from Gamestart Studio. Bringing forward a tabletop RPG board game experience putting anthropomorphic heroes in the forefront in Darkest Doom.

Darkest Doom is now on Kickstarter, as players adventure out in a competitive dark fantasy environment inspired by XVII century Europe... to survive across a gruelling nine days. Of course, doing all of this by taking the role of many a fantastical fur-ocious hero.

Darkest Doom Trailer // Game Start Studio

Over the course of nine days of the Eclipse, Darkness has crept in across the lands of Betel. Heroes are rising to attempt to rid the region from the perils of the dark and ferocious threat. Fearless and skilled guardians will be competing to survive on one of their four paths to victory.

1-4 players will take on the role of a hero set in the Region of Betel. As players explore different areas, they'll be working hard on their player boards to level up their chosen hero's stats. To do this, they will need to undergo a series of quests that allow players to tailor their progression. Players will have complete control over the areas of progression on their boards along with additions to spells, equipment, traps and encounter cards to bolster up characters as tools by tailoring statistics. Offering a unique character-building experience whilst facing the looming threat of the Darkness.

Guardian Miniatures And Player Boards // Darkest Doom

There are several characters which you could choose from, placing players in the role of Sela the White Fox, Roana The Crow, Urian The Wolf or Tristam The Bat.

Players can choose their path to success, they may want to prove to be the best Guardian and rightful heir, or seek out ancient relics providing them with some weight in the current rotting world. However, if players would like to journey through the game solo, Bot Guardians have been made available too, allowing up to three in a game.

Board and Component Preview // Darkest Doom

The title truly does explore many different avenues of gaming, whether that be roleplaying as your anthropomorphic guardian, or exploring the map for the experience. All of which tied together with the familiar management of tokens, dice, cards and player board. And of course, stunning character miniatures!

There are two different pledges available on the campaign at the moment. With a "Darkest Doom Pledge Limited 48H" pledge, which includes the core box, two expansions (one KS exclusive), and all included stretch goals, and the Guardian Edition Pledge Limited 48H pledge, which will have the above contents, however more additional gaming goodies such as the Endwalker Graphic Novel, Elder's Relic Pack, Metal Coins of Destiny and a neoprene gamemat.

Lake Ghost // Darkest Doom

Both of these pledges are only available for the first 48 hours, and bundle up perfectly for a collector. However, if you do not want to collect there are still 13 days left on the clock and you will see yourself without the KS exclusive expansion once the first 48 hours passes.

If you are keen on exploring the open world of Betel, there is tons available as part of the Kickstarter to immerse you further. Including daily check-ins regarding the story and context of characters, a bunch of videos from creators, a closer insight to miniatures, expansions and adventures, and a closer look at the goregous artwork from the game. If you are interested in dark fantasy titles with anthropomorphic animals embedded - be sure to take a look at the Darkest Doom Kickstarter.

What do you think of the wide and weary world of Betel?