Steamforged Games’ Dark Souls Kickstarter Begins!
April 19, 2016 by brennon
Steamforged Games' Dark Souls Kickstarter has begun. If you want to delve into a world of dangerous foes, perilous adventure and of course - superb looking miniatures - then come and check this one out...
Dark Souls is a favourite video game of those who love deep storytelling adventures revealed in interesting ways and of course those who fancy a challenge. The difficulty of Dark Souls is legendary as is the world building so lets see if Steamforged are up to the task of replicating this!
What's In The Box?
Inside the main boxed game for Dark Souls you will get quite a collection of heroes, monsters, mini-bosses and of course mighty final bosses which will really test your strategic edge.
This is quite a nice package for the core game and it features a lot of replay value thanks to the way the game plays. We'll get more into that a little later on however.
It seems like they've been able to really replicate the look and feel of the Dark Souls world. As well as the main game there will also be Stretch Goals.
Stretch Goals
The first of these for Kickstarter backers will be the Pyromancer.
Retailers will also get access to their own set of Stretch Goals with additional creatures that will be available after the campaign at retail. For example the first of these is The Last Giant.
It all sounds like a rather impressive package right now and I wouldn't be surprised if these folks are able to push through a whole bunch of stretch goals before long.
The Game
As mentioned above the game has some interesting mechanics which allow you to enjoy some fascinating replay value. The game is also brutally hard with some terrifying enemies driven by A.I decks allowing one to four players to brave the darkness.
The heroes that are available right now include the Knight, Warrior, Herald and Assassin. Each of them can pick up gear and other weapons as you wander through the dungeon tiles and uncover new encounters against dark denizens.
Just like in the video game you will be pressing on through unknown locations and taking on new challenges that could make for your end. Do you push on to the next room or head for a bonfire, rest up and gather more strength?
When you do face off against enemies they come with a built in A.I allowing you to play without the need for a Game Master. Bosses will have an entire deck to work from and interestingly as you play you will be able to work out the bosses next move since it doesn't reshuffle until you take it down to a certain level of health.
When I saw this I was immediately impressed. I love the idea that the game has this pattern learning mechanic built into it which mirrors the video game so well. With that in mind it also matches the way bosses change in video games where they bring in new moves throughout phases of a boss fight.
You can find out more by watching the gameplay video above at the top of this article. This will give you a quick run down of the brutality that you can expect to run into when you play a game of Dark Souls. I really love the node feature of movement too which makes the game look a lot more free-form.
Will you be backing this?
"Inside the main boxed game for Dark Souls you will get quite a collection of heroes, monsters, mini-bosses and of course mighty final bosses which will really test your strategic edge..."
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"I love the idea that the game has this pattern learning mechanic built into it which mirrors the video game so well..."
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Funded in 10 minutes. All stretch goals reached…
I started encoding my credit card stuff for the early bird pledge, when there were only three pledgers. By the time I ended, there were more than 900 pledgers… Pretty impressive. The hype is real.
Having that. Yup.
Anyone know how big the normal human minis are?
Looking at the video I’d guess 25-28 mm ?
That boss is huge … as it should be.
They’ve answered that one- they’re 32mm scale.
Of course, what 32mm means to different folks can vary.
It looks cool, but $125 for a board game, dang.
the models don’t rock my boat. not my cup of thee
over 300 % funded already, watched the how to play video looks really solid mechanics. Sadly I will have to wait for retail cash at the moment has boring real world drains on it. Of course can always encourage LGS to back
A lot of hate for the retail exclusive stretch goals on the kickstarter. I can see how Steamforged are trying to generate some business for physical stores but at the same time I think in the spirit of Kickstarter everything should be available to everyone. Aren’t the retail exclusives something they could have done at a later point?
backed! I completely missed it at Salute. I never played this video game, I remember seeing the big knight, but never got to visit the guys over there. So many things to see, and so little time. Well anyway, I watched the video, and was immediately sold. I am now even considering buying the video game and give it a try 🙂
I wonder is this market expanding? It seems like they hit at the right time, dark souls has the lucky privilege of having an excellent brand name backing it up, but kingdoms death has been slowly developing the macabre horror market for awhile, which is very different from most horror markets which can easily be taken into other games such as werewolves and vampires.
However the macabre has a distinct feel to it one that it seems that others don’t really have as much, and I wonder if this opening up a whole new market in the miniatures industry.
I think the combination of an insanely popular video game series (with rabid fan base) is what sold this within minutes.
And the art work itself is practically begging to be turned into 3D models that can terrify anyone.
Yes, however, the reason I beg the question is because macabre horror has distinctly Freudian aspects to it which turn a lot of people away from the game, and these games are succeeding in spite or perhaps because of that. Take for example Executioner Smough, the character’s head looks extremely phallic, to the point where it would be censored, not even mentioning the weapons. It is strange for what has been traditionally quiet a prudish consumer base, see the reaction to Prodos Games Space Crusade to change their mind. Perhaps they are not even aware, if that is the case… Read more »
I think you are mistaking the issue with Produs’ space crusader – its the not exposed flesh but rather a throwback to the 80’s and earlier and a rather outdate and misogynistic portrayal of women. Hence the bizarre and weird deamons are more than welcome. Personally did not see the phallic nature thing, taking a second look can kinda see where you seeing it but don’t really agree.
Macabre horror has a long history of Freudian symbolism, if you can’t see it… I am not sure what I can do for you. Take a look at H.R.Giger works, or perhaps youtube fun a little more light…
https://youtu.be/LueVmefY_Kg
The symbolism is there regardless of it you agree.
The makers of that video seem to be disowning it in the comments lol “Hey everyone, thanks for the feedback. OK, this video clearly is not us at our best. We rushed to get this out before the U.S. release of Dark Souls III — and in doing that, we messed up. This doesn’t meet the standard we’ve set for ourselves and that you’ve come to expect of us. It means a lot that so many of you have provided smart, insightful responses and input. We may try this one again. Thanks for the support , y’all.” There’s very little… Read more »
Seriously? @Redben Executioner Smough head is a penis, complete with testicles. Not mention the body… Just because they are getting negative feedback, that doesn’t make their video wrong. Most people react negatively to any reference to Freudian analysis, doesn’t make it wrong. People react negatively to evolution, and many other things, just because people are upset, doesn’t make them right. If you can’t see that, well I guess I will be taking a Taxi ride with blind Freddie instead. Well that’s all I can say without getting negative, and I do everything possible not to be negative on here. So… Read more »
I haven’t watched the video. The university library frowns on those things lol. I just took a look at the comments and it amused me that that was the first one. Them admitting that their video was wrong might make their video wrong, but like I say, I haven’t watched it so I’m not commenting on that either way. I said there was very little of that sort imagery in this, not that there was none. Unless there is more than one mini you wish to highlight then that seems like very little to me. Certainly not in the same… Read more »
@caladors I don’t need you to do anything for me, people see what symbols they are inclined or choose to see. I am a huge fan of Giger, so I feel I have sufficient illumination on his works which doesn’t support your point.
@redben also have to agree on the bland and uninspired on the Space crusader point.
Back on topic KS is now over 1400% funded is a stunning result for steamforged, and I have every faith they will deliver a quality product.
“sincerely apologise that my not agreeing 100% with you has placed you in this difficult situation. My perceived ignorance on this matter must be a tremendous burden to you.” “…start from the assumption that you are right and any disagreement, no matter how small, is tantamount to denying the theory of evolution, then perhaps you are wise to stop talking.” @redben said I stopped talking because of conversations I have seen devolve This remarkable statement of ‘sincerity’ some how seems to lack its spirit. That is why I choose not to argue. I have seen, similar ‘arguments’ and that is… Read more »
Really? Smoughs helmet looks like a penis? News to me.
There’s very little sexual imagery in the Souls games.
Have to agree and if any one has a penis to balls ratio is a’la the mini I feel sorry for them
This.
I think the reason his armour is the way it is, is because Smough is supposed to be a Cannibal sumo style character?
At least that’s what I’m getting from reading the Souls Wiki.
I’m trying to talk myself into backing it … but …
– a number of those miniatures does not really do it for me
– they have to get an “ok” from Namco Bandai for every single concept art / miniature? That’s why – despite all the stretch goals being down – they can’t put up the new ones?
– some stretch goals / add-ons are “retailer only”?
read the fine print.
The retailer stretch goals will be available to backers in the pledge manager.
Sure, we’re not getting them ‘for free’.
However I think this is a good way to encourage retailers to back the kickstarter and get some early stock with a little extra they can sell cheaply or at profit as a reward.
It’s nice to have the kickstarter funded, but we need to look beyond the boost that allows this game to be made.
Proper support at retail is what would benifit all of us.
Where is that fine print? I only found:
“•Retailer Bonus Unlocks – We have built into the Kickstarter several additional retailer bonus unlocks that once unlocked will provide ‘Add-On’ purchases available only at retail and not purchasable during the Kickstarter by backers. These will not be limited runs but a general release available to all customers upon launch of the game in shops.”
clarified in one of the updates
You mean this? “Quick bit of clarification regarding the retail exclusive add-on stretch goals… •The retailer exclusive unlocks are general release items. This means that every customer will have access to them from their local game store upon release. •These are not limited in number or Kickstarter exclusive •If you don’t have a local game store, you may order online via steamforged.com direct OR any online retailer •All normal Stretch Goals will be added FREE to your pledge” That still does not say you could add those retail unlocks in the pledge manager. Yeah, you can buy them from SF’s… Read more »
May have been one of the comments under an update, possibly that one – I did go look but comments have blown up
Now added at bottom of campaign page btw
funded in 3 minutes, if only I could be so grossly incandescent
3rd Kickstarter of the day … and the least interesting … does not look bad but it is up against the deep one and Pirates!
That really spoiled my focus.
I’m seriously debating backing all three… Have to agree if I were to only back two this wouldn’t be one of them
hate to correct my fellow ks pledgers, but it was actually funded in 3 mins, can u believe that??!! Nonetheless i cant wait to sell my kidney for this one “D
The A.I In the dark souls board game is more brutal than the computer game. In this system every time you encounter the same boss it changes and you need to give yourself time to learn it.
Remind anybody else of Kingdom Death?
It does have a similar feel to it.
For me it was the other way around, saw Kingdom Death thought Darksouls…
The most successful boardgame on KS to date is Zombicide: Black Plague. At just over 12 hours in, Dark Souls is around 75% of Z:BP’s day one funding total with plenty of time left to overhaul it. I don’t expect the campaign to have the same legs as Z:BP, though if stretch goals keep piling on it shouldn’t be entirely front-loaded, and it certainly looks set to be one of the most successful crowdfunded tabletop games. I guess the lesson here is if you want your game to blow up on KS, get me on your promo video…. lol
Looks like this will pop my KS cherry. I hope it’s not a one and done deal though I’d like them to continue to support it with more minis.
The quality of the last render doesn’t look quite as good as the rest; if the models end up looking as good as the rest though, then you’ve got a very nice looking game.
That said, I can’t help but feel a little bit skeptical about renders and what the end-products look like; for example the Labyrinth boardgame final models looked a tad basic compared to the early renders.
Weren’t those Labyrinth minis pre-production 3D prints rather than the finished product?
Given that these minis are likely to one piece/pre-assembled boardgame plastics then I wouldn’t expect the highest level of detail to them. Even the Kingdom Death: Monster plastics, which were hard plastic sprues, weren’t quite at the level of the corresponding resins. It may be that Steamforged make these available as a hobby product also, Studio McVey were selling resins of the some of The Others minis at Salute, but I would go into this assuming nice boardgame plastics rather than high level hobby minis.
With regards to your question; /shurgs I’ve no idea. I just remember seeing pics of what they hoped the models would look like, and what they ended up looking like and being slightly disappointed.
I’m happy to admit that not really knowing how things work, my expectations might have been too high, but as I said (and perhaps I’m being unfair), I think until I actually see the models, I’m slightly weary how they might end up looking.
I think the likes of Blood Rage or Super Dungeon Explore might be a good indicator of the level of quality of the minis in this.
if they are as good/bad as Star Wars from FFG, I would be very happy. Anything but the bendy soft plastic used by Level 7 Omega Protocol from Privateers Press.
Blood Rage miniatures (in my opinion) are exceptional for board game miniatures. If Dark Souls comes even close (or even achieves Black Plague level), the miniatures will be quite nice indeed.
I believe they said the minis would be produced by Ludofact, who did the Zombicide minis if I’m correct. No experience with those though so not sure if that’s good or bad 😛
Having handled the new one-piece plastic casts from Prodos, I think most people would be extremely happy with the Dark Souls minis if they were produced with that process.. but given the timing (and the fact they already have someone lined up) it seems highly unlikely!
As for the theme, the aesthetic is definitely in the same ballpark as Kingdom Death but from what I can see of the renders (and recall from the game) it’s barely a 5 to KD’s.. 11. Still something to object to if you didn’t care for KD, of course.
This does feel like it could be one of the last, great value kickstarters that we’ll see, though. Everybody seems to be scaling back these days, even Mantic.
This does look like a game with potential. I like the battle board tactics. I’d like to see more about the dungeon exploration though.
Three words:
PRAISE
THE
SUN
\[T]/
I backed this, Im hoping the minis are as good as promised