Awaken Realms’ S.T.A.L.K.E.R. The Board Game has seen an astonishing crowdfunding success on Gamefound. The 1-4 player solo/co-op survival adventure, set in an alternative version of the Chernobyl Nuclear Plant Exclusion Zone, has currently raised over $817,979 from 3,947 backers, achieving an incredible 1,635% of its original $50,000 goal. With 20 days still to go, the campaign’s success shows no signs of slowing down.
Based on the popular S.T.A.L.K.E.R. video game series, the board game captures the grim atmosphere of the infamous exclusion zone, filled with anomalies, relicts, mutants, and dark secrets. In the game, players assume the roles of asymmetric stalkers, each with customized gear, to explore this hazardous landscape, where every bullet spent costs them money.
The game is built around a fully co-operative, story-based “zone” crawling mechanic. Each mission calls for strategic decisions, whether to sneak past dangers or confront them head-on. However, players must always stay on their toes as the Zone is brimming with surprises, such as radioactive rain, emissions, anomalies, and roaming bands of mutants that can interfere with their plans. Moreover, players can take solace knowing that these dangers also pose a threat to the bandits and gangs in the area.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. The Board Game offers two gameplay modes. In the campaign mode, players embark on a story-driven adventure divided into three chapters, each taking 10-12 hours to complete. Alternatively, the Zone Survival mode offers one-off sessions filled with surprises and unscripted adventures.
The game’s narrative is centered around a mysterious transmission that has begun broadcasting throughout the Zone. Players will face hard decisions and grim dark adventures in a setting that accurately captures the suspenseful atmosphere of the source material.
Awaken Realms’ S.T.A.L.K.E.R. The Board Game illustrates the company’s commitment to creating immersive, richly thematic board games. Given the explosive crowdfunding success and the high anticipation among backers, the game’s release promises to be a major event in the board gaming community.