Kickstarter Check-In: Story Universe, Encased

RPGamer’s ad hoc Kickstarter Check-In feature returns for a look at two ongoing crowdfunding campaigns. This edition features Corren Bros.’ Story Universe and Dark Crystal Games’ Encased.

Story Universe

Story Universe is a JRPG-inspired title from two-man developer Corren Bros. The turn-based RPG sees players controlling a spirit who can influence events across multiple worlds. Each of these worlds has its own cast, themes, and stories, which link together in an overarching tale concerning dark entities called the Demiurges.

Each world’s story is itself split into a series of episodes, with the palyer spirit taking control of the world’s main character. Each episode is designed to be completed multiple times, doing so will increase the Episode Level, but this will in turn lead to big changes to the episode itself as well as its characters.

Players move around between various nodes, though there are multiple hidden nodes that may contain loot or give access to secret routes. Nodes will have various things on them including NPCs, while coming across an enemy on a node leads to combat. Combat sees the characters represented by cards, with only one character able to act during a turn. The system also includes various item, equipment, and minion cards hat have their own unique effects.

Corren Bros. is looking for $20,000 in funding by November 5, 2018. Those who pledge at least €15 will receive a digital copy of the game as part of their backer rewards. Story Universe is being developed for PC and is initially planned for release in 2020.

Encased

Encased is billed as an old-school isometric turn-based RPG. The game from Dark Crystal Games is a sci-fi title set in an alternate version of the 1970s where players explore the Dome, a structure found in a remote desert. The Dome, whose unknown constructors have been given the name the Forefathers, houses many mysterious technologies and artifacts, but also contains security systems, traps and anomalies.

Players control a new recruit for the CRONUS Foundation, an organization founded by the powerful governments of the world. In the character creation, players pick which one of the five “Wings” they belong to, which grants certain starting bonuses and other options within the game. In their first foray into the Dome, however, a mysterious entity is discovered, with the result being the entity is unleashed upon the world, while the player character is knocked into a five-year slumber, waking up to find a vastly different world.

Combat is turn-based, with players given control over their character while various companions are controlled by the AI. Encased also features a faction system, with each faction having two unique endings plus two more endings for unaffiliated characters, as well as a justice system and day-night cycle.

Dark Crystal Games is looking for €86,000 in funding by October 16, 2018. Those who pledge at least €21 will receive a digital copy of the game as part of their backer rewards. Encased is being developed for PC, Mac, Linux, PS4, Xbox One. and Nintendo Switch. An Early Access version is planned for 2019, with a full launch initially planned for later in that year, with the console versions currently expected in 2020.

Please note that RPGamer’s crowdfunding coverage is solely at staff discretion. Campaigns may send a press release to news@rpgamer.com, but are asked to please not personally petition RPGamer staff via e-mail or social networking. Coverage is not guaranteed. Thank you!