Garphill Games have announced on social media this week their new Kickstarter launch (AND IT IS LIVE!) in The Great Sea and Towers of Sifnos. A 2 for 1 with 2 standalone games within the 1 Kickstarter. Very exciting. They have also already smashed their pledge goals with the continued backer count going up and up at time of writing.
Garphill are no strangers to Kickstarter with many successful campaigns already completed, this includes Shipwrights of the North Sea, Spirited and Assyria as some examples.
These 2 new games are embedded in ancient Greece and what popped out to me from the social media post was the incredible artwork set to be seen on this game. It looked amazing and drew me in straight away. Here’s what they are about.
The Great Sea
“From their homeland in the Levant to the distant shores of Carthage, the Phoenicians made a name for themselves as master traders, seafarers, and navigators. Their fierce bireme galleys dominated the Mediterranean, with a focus on protecting their vital trade networks. They developed a new script for writing and produced jewelry, pottery, intricate glassware, and highly valuable purple fabrics. As a city state leader of Tyre, Sidon, Byblos, or Arwad, you need to assemble your fleet and establish your influence across The Great Sea.
The aim of The Great Sea is to be the first player to gain victory through conquest or commerce. Players must construct and mobilize their ships, fortify their trade routes, and research new technologies for land and sea. Key to their success will be controlling the various ancient temple sites across the map. The game ends immediately once a player's temple marker reaches the same space as either their combat or trade marker.”
- description from the publisher
Towers of Sifnos
“Following the aftermath of the Samian invasion, the Greek inhabitants of Sifnos sought to better defend their mineral rich land. Over the course of several centuries, they constructed a network of over seventy beacon towers scattered across the small island. This system would allow them to quickly communicate a variety of messages, and most importantly, warn of incoming sea invasions. Now's your chance to step into the role of an ancient Greek military commander! Prepare your people against raiding pirates by constructing towers, mustering soldiers, and investing into the future of Sifnos.
Your goal in Towers of Sifnos is to have the most victory points (VP) at game's end. Points are primarily gained by increasing your influence and successfully defending the mining operations of the island's three predominant minerals: gold, silver, and lead. Players track their influence over these minerals on their player boards. Several invasions will occur over the course of the game, granting players the opportunity to prove their proficiency and might. After each invasion, the pirates will either grow in number or much needed allied reinforcements will arrive. The game ends immediately after three waves of reinforcements have arrived at the island.”
- description from the publisher
It is great to see a Kickstarter smash its target from the off and there appears to be plenty to be excited for. There is a lot more detail to check out on the Kickstarter page as well as the opportunity to back. Well done, Garphill Games, and good luck bringing the game to life as the project continues.
