Since Kickstarter’s launch in 2009, the online crowdfunding platform has been integral in funding a wide variety of projects within the gaming industry.Popular franchises likeBloodstainedhave been created through Kickstarter and the platform has also seen the revival of classic gaming staples likeShenmue. Recently,Armed FantasiaandPenny Bloodwere officially revealed through Kickstarter as spiritual successors to two fan-favorite RPG franchises. Now, their Kickstarter campaign has officially launched, giving fans a deeper look into the upcoming RPGs.
Armed Fantasialooks to serve as aspiritual successor to western fantasy RPGWild Armswith the game being headed up by formerWild Armsproducer Akifumi Kaneko.Armed Fantasia’s section of the Kickstarter introduces itself as taking an “old-school JRPG style” with players venturing across a vast desert expanse. The game’s “Cross Order Tactics” combat will combine elements of turn-based RPGs with “high octane action.” The Kickstarter also revealed more staff working onArmed Fantasiawith character design done by Tomomi Sasaki and soundtrack by Japanese music group Elements Garden.
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Penny Bloodpresents itself as a “dark investigation through the 1920s” set in various real-world locales within the United States, Europe, and Asia.Penny Bloodwas created as a spiritual successor toPS2 RPG trilogyShadow Hearts, with the originalShadow Heartsdirector Matsuzo Machida at the helm.Penny Bloodwill feature the return of several otherShadow Heartsstaff members with character designer Miyako Kato and composer Yoshitaka Hirota creating the soundtrack alongside veteran composer Akari Kaida.
TheArmed FantasiaandPenny BloodKickstarterproject also reveals details for the campaign’s intent to fund both games alongside one another. Backers can pledge 5,800 JPY to secure a digital copy of one of the two games, as well as beta access. Physical versions and OSTs can be acquired by pledging 8,300 JPY. Higher tiers include additional merchandise and backers looking to obtain both can pledge 11,000 JPY for digital versions and 15,200 JPY for both physical versions. The Kickstarter also includes prices converted to USD with single digital and physical versions running for approximately $42 and $60, respectively.
Armed FantasiaandPenny Bloodserve as the most recent in a long line of spiritual successors promoted by major players in the gaming industry on Kickstarter.Mega Mancreator Keiji Inafune headed up the Kickstarter forMega Manspiritual successorMighty No. 9, which became one ofKickstarter’s most successful gaming projects. Franchises likeThe WitcherandThe Binding of Isaachave also seen successful crowdfunding campaigns through Kickstarter.Armed FantasiaandPenny Bloodlook to be loving homages to two fan-favorite franchises from the late 1990s and early 2000s.
