Tina Olah
Crowdfunding Chronicles Volume 13 - 6/1/2019
This week's cast: Demons, monsters, and Persephone.
06.01.19 - 5:15 PM

"Monsters, Demons and Mythology." That is not, in fact, the title of a textbook, but rather the theme of our roundup this week, consisting of a point-and-click adventure, a turn-based RPG with stealth elements, and a collection of monster-filled fun. Catch up on your supernatural education with the highlights below!


Highlights: Ongoing Campaigns to Keep an Eye On

Demons Never Lie
Campaign Ends: June 14
Characters talking in a kitchen

Platform: Windows, Mac and Linux. Stretch goals add Switch.

It's been a few weeks since Crowdfunding Chronicles covered a traditional point-and-click game; this is a source of mild disappointment for me, as I am quite taken by the genre. Enter Demons Never Lie, a thrilling new adventure made entirely with voxel and low-poly graphics.

The game is an atmospheric horror title following the second life of John, a miserable gentleman who recently joined the deceased after a long and horrible life. Approached by a demon shortly after his funeral, John accepts a proposition for a do-over — a decision which may have terrible consequences. Many other details about the plot haven't been revealed yet, though the trailer highlights a number of murders and sinister rituals. Thankfully, the atmosphere manages to remain creepy and mature despite the blocky, Lego-like characters, and it looks like there will even be a voxel-graphic love scene. Oh my!

Demons Never Lie is a project of Madrid-based solo developer Maika Hernández, also known as IndieBug. Funds raised during the campaign will go towards hiring additional help (such as translators), as well as adding more graphic and music assets. Overall, I'm quite impressed with what I see, especially considering it's all been the work of one developer. Horror and graphic adventure fans, take note!


Hegemone Pass
Campaign Ends: June 10
Pixel graphic scene: a mostly pink fantasy garden with tables and chairs

Platform: Windows and Linux. Switch and Xbox One versions are being looked into, but have not been confirmed.

Hegemone Pass, a stealth RPG with turn-based battles, combines Greek mythology and Magical Girl anime in an adorable pixellated package. You play as Persephone (referred to in this game as "Core"), who is on a mission to reclaim her throne after it was stolen from her by her dear sweet mother. Fun times with the family!

The game is described as a stealth RPG; you need to try and sneak your way around enemies, lest they summon reinforcements. If you're too late and the alarms sound, other foes on screen will join the battle as well; make sure to approach and defeat your opponents before you're spotted!

Battles themselves use the "Hegemone System," which heavily emphasises leaders. Defeat the head of the opposing team and the other baddies will escape; likewise, if your own leader is defeated, you're treated to a nice Game Over screen. Thankfully, you have the option to change leaders mid-battle and also give them various stat bonuses. Additional battle strategies involve timelines, flower-based equipment, and reclaiming stolen titles from your foes.

I particularly like the character designs and art direction of Hegemone Pass. The graphics use a very simple 8-bit style, though it's all very feminine, particularly the pastel backgrounds, glitter-infused magical abilities, and charming character costumes. I'd definitely recommend this title to fans of Sailor Moon, She-Ra, and other cute anime!


Monster Prom 2: Holiday Season
Campaign Ends: June 6
Monster roadtrip with a nice sunset in the background

Platform: Windows, Mac and Linux. Consoles may be possible, but not confirmed.

Dear Readers! Do your romantic interests lean towards werewolves and fish people? Alternatively, did you enjoy playing the original Monster Prom, a colorful, creature-filled multiplayer dating sim? If so, then keep reading, because Monster Prom 2 is on the way! Rather than continue in the genre of the original, this sequel is actually three shorter games in one. All of them have a multiplayer focus, though from what I gather, it looks like playing solo will also be an option. Let's take a look at the three games within!

The first game, Monster Camp, is a dating sim, though it's smaller in size than the original title. Additionally, many new features are present, such as the option to spread rumors, tell campfire stories, and enjoy all manner of alcoholic beverages. The drinks, in particular, unlock new plotlines and have mysterious effects on the characters...just like in real life!

Monster Retreat is a narrative adventure leading up to an epic turn-based snowball fight. Taking place in a number of wintery locations, the game has you choose your lead character and set off to recruit allies and learn new skills for the upcoming battle. I particularly like the strange individuals in this one, including a recruitable character inspired by kale (yes, the leafy vegetable) and a technique involving a gnu reading the newspaper.

Monster Roadtrip, the final title, is a survival game with co-op elements. You depart on a fun and exciting automobile adventure, full of all manner of strange stops, events, and hitchhikers; just make sure not to get stranded! The survival elements largely take the form of resource management; you need to keep an eye on money, food, and gas, or your roadtrip might become the opposite of fun.

While I'm not too big on multiplayer games, I love the variety of fun and colorful character designs I see here. Although the bartender cat wearing a stylish wizard suit makes me worry; if he's anything like most cats, those drinks will be on the floor in seconds.


Noteworthy Updates: News from Finished Campaigns

  • Boyfriend Dungeon (Campaign Page), the game that allows you to fight with and date your weapons, will have a new and much-improved demo available for E3. Additionally, the developers will be revealing their next title at the Kinda Funny Games Showcase on June 10th. Read up on these updates (and more) here!

Disclaimer: While it's possible some of us at RPGFan may be backers of the games mentioned in these articles, this does not influence our coverage or our featured game choices. We make our selections simply based on the active campaigns we feel our readers might find interesting, and we are not given special access or perks by the developers.

tl;dr: We think these games show potential and want to share them with you.


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