After Horizon Zero Dawn launched back in 2017, it was well-received by critics and fans alike. Now, that popularity has carried over to the board game based on Guerrilla Games’ creation. Less that two hours after a Kickstarter for the board game went live, it had been fully funded – and broken through a number of stretch goals. Now, a few days after the Kickstarter’s launch, over $1 million has been raised for an original goal of only $200,000.
Steamforged Games is the creator of this Horizon Zero Dawn game, and this isn’t the company’s first successful Kickstarter campaign. It has also created a Dark Souls board game, as well as one based on Resident Evil 2. Just recently, Steamforged launched a successful campaign to create miniatures based on characters from Critical Role. Now, Steamforged will be manufacturing a “semi co-operative tactical action game.” It’s designed for 1-4 players, and set in Horizon Zero Dawn‘s universe.
“Assigned a dangerous quarry by the Hunter’s Lodge, players choose a tribe and class for their hunter and embark on an adventure through the wilds,” Steamforged explained on its Kickstarter page. “A variety of machines and unexpected events lurk along the way, and awaiting them at the end of the trail is a lethal boss fight.”
Steamforged also published a demo video, with combat and gameplay from the board game for interested players to watch. “Combat is deeply tactical, offering players meaningful choices at every turn,” the page reads. “Hunters can sneak through tall grass and remain hidden until the time to strike is right, but every second which passes means the machines are one step further along their patrol routes. Wait too long, and your prey will leave the playing area and you’ll fail the encounter — attack too soon, and you’ll make enough noise to attract the attention of every enemy in earshot.”
Check out the video here:
In addition to the base board game, Steamforged will also be working on a Frozen Wilds expansion (based on the video game’s DLC), and other extra creatures and characters for players to encounter in their game. You can take a look at the full Kickstarter here. The Kickstarter will be running for another 15 days. Currently, Steamforged expects to ship the game 12-15 months after the campaign ends.