Though many large scale projects seem to take the majority of the Kickstarter attention at the moment it's worth mentioning that it is the smaller independent projects that really benefit from it most...which is why I pledged to this particular project which I have now received...
I pledged for the rulebook and the player aids though there were also pledges including miniatures funded during their previous Kickstarter as well. Details of this successfully funded project and their previous also successful Kickstarter can be found HERE and HERE should you be curious. The game designer also has a blog where new scenarios and various articles on the game can be found which is located HERE. Should the article inspire you to give the project a go then the rulebook, models and various other bits and pieces can be found for purchase HERE. They also have a Facebook page HERE.
I suppose some background on the Kickstarters goals (all achieved thankfully) and then some information on the game itself would be helpful as well...
Broken Contract
Broken Contract is a miniature adventure game of dramatic action in a dystopian future. When a crew of indentured miners contracted to an interplanetary mega corporation get pushed to the edge, they decide to lash out against the hired security forces that stand between them and freedom.
Broken Contract is designed for 2 or more players and the average game takes 60-90 minutes. Our goal for this Kickstarter was to raise the funds to release the 32 page softcover Broken Contract Rule Book, along with a bunch of new play aids like the Broken Contract Character Dashboard Set (6 dashboards), the Chit Set (of 30 counters), Critical Successes and Failures Dice Set (4 dice), a 32 card Ability Deck (with 26 new Abilities), a 32 card Equipment Deck (with several cards for new equipment) and a new deck of Blank Character Cards (16 blank Character Cards and 16 blank Character Stat Cards).
Broken Contract, as a game, is not just about fighting one another. Achieving your objectives includes classic adventure elements like searching for items, carrying fallen comrades, dive rolling under closing doors, or throwing your enemies down open shafts!
To that end, game play in Broken Contract mixes elements from a variety of board games, RPGs, and miniature wargames to give the players a wide breadth of options within the game. Your chosen character doesn't just have the options to Strike, Shoot, and Walk you will also have reason to Crawl or Dive Roll. In cinematic glory you will Jump over carts and Prone Characters, and even beg for Mercy! to potentially halt an attack. And in most cases a simple roll of the dice will determine your dramatic successes and failures.
The above starter sets are available from their webstore but unfortunately I didn't pledge for them so they won't be appearing in this article..maybe in the future though...
Broken Contract is designed to be a scenario driven game with a progressing narrative, where the Breakers try to overtake the Black Squadron Security officers, increase their numbers, acquire weapons and helpful items, and find their way closer to the surface and eventual escape. The Black Squadron officers will endeavor to suppress work stoppage and insurrection before it spreads, often by apprehending the Breakers, sounding alarms, sealing exits, and beating them into submission. You can craft this evolving narrative on your own, with your own scenarios and customized characters, or sit back and rest assured that we will be expanding the Broken Contract universe with a series of supplements based around numerous story arcs, including Loyalist miners, the criminal underbelly within the mines, and, of course, life outside the mines after a successful break attempt. But for now we are focusing on the core rules and getting people playing the game.
...and now onto the actual unboxing...
Broken Contract - The Box
The rulebook, cards and other player aids arrived in this basic but functional box.
Broken Contract - Dice
The game uses a combination of standard six sided dice and some custom critical success and critical failure ones.
Broken Contract - Character Dashboard
The game uses some handy cards to keep track of the characters. The set consists of six though I've only shown pictures of two here.
Broken Contract - Cards
The game uses a number of cards in conjunction with the above handy character dashboards.
Broken Contract - Ruler and Tokens
The ruler and tokens are both made of a hard cardboard material and are double-sided. The tokens obviously need 'popping' out.
Broken Contract - Rulebook
TThe 32 page, full colour, Broken Contract Rulebook contains all of the rules you need to get started including, The Basics of playing a wargame, An explanation of Stats and Checks, The dynamic Action and Interruption system that is the core of the game, Weapon Special Rules, Creating Characters and Assembling a Crew and 'The Hard Way': A three Act mini-campaign of re-playable missions.
The rulebook is excellent quality and the instructions are clear and concise with enough charts and diagrams to make referencing specific rules very easy indeed. Here's a look at the front, rear and a few sample pages.
If any of this has piqued your interest then please peruse the links at the top of this feature and give this independent project whatever support you can.
Thoughts and comments are (as usual) most welcome.
Should you ever choose to purchase something based on one of my features or reviews then it would be nice if you could let the company know where the inspiration came from...who knows...they might be grateful to the poor unappreciated blogger who sent you their way...if however I've put you off a product...well...you can keep that info to yourself...
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