Darksiders Devs Using Crowdfunding To Revive Classic Comic Series as JRPG

Developers from the studio behind Darksiders have launched a Kickstarter to bring back a much-loved fantasy comic book series as a turn-based RPG.

Heading up the studio, which is called Airship Syndicate, is Joe Madureira--a veteran comic book artist renowned for his work at Marvel Comics--and Ryan Stefanelli. Together the two founded Vigil Games.

Their first project brings back Battle Chasers, a comic book series created by Madureira and published by WildStorm in 1998. The series developed a passionate following but has remained dormant since around 2001.

Battle Chasers: Nightwar is a video game set in the same universe as Madureira's series, and the studio is asking for $500,000 in crowdfunding on Kickstarter to make it.

As the game's developers note, while Darksiders drew heavy inspiration from The Legend of Zelda, Battle Chasers: Nightwar is inspired by Japanese role-playing games such as Final Fantasy.

"Battle Chasers: Nightwar is a love letter to one of our favorite genres of gaming: the JRPG," the Kickstarter reads.

"We grew up playing legends like Final Fantasy, Suikoden, Chrono Trigger, and Phantasy Star. While many greats continue to come from Japan, very few western developers are creating them. With your help we're going to change that."

Nightwar takes place in an area called a lost continent called The Grey Line, where "nothing has ever come from, or survived entering." Players take control of Gully and "her unlikely band of adventurers" as they venture into the territory and attempt to find her father, a great hero called Aramus that ventured into the Grey Line but has not returned.

Familiar faces such as Garrison, Knolan, and Monika will return for the video game entry.

Gameplay is built on many familiar genre pillars such as Active Initiative Bars, Mana, and special abilities.

The dev explains: "The turn-based combat in Battle Chasers is inspired by the great JRPGs of years past, with three major features: the Dual Mana system; an Active Initiative Bar with random buffs and debuffs; and momentum-shifting super attacks called Battle Surges.

For fans of the studio and its previous works, Airship Syndicate has struck a deal with Nordic Games--current owner of the Darksiders property--to offer War's Chaoseater sword as an in-game item for Kickstarter backers.

Nordic Games bought the Darksiders franchise from THQ and has previously teased plans for a third instalment in the action series.

"Naturally (and extremely excitedly!), there will be a large-scale project based on Darksiders, but for now it is very important for us to take care of the existing games and make those available to a broader audience," the company said, discussing the remastered version of Darksiders 2.

"Bringing Darksiders2 to current gen was a logical step for us and the team at Gunfire Games know their trade inside-out, so we easily and quickly had lots of ideas that we wanted to realize for this specific edition."

In May 2014, Madureira also hinted that the Darksiders series isn't dead: "The new owner, Nordic seems very committed to continuing the series," he said.

"As far as my involvement, I can't say at this point. Hopefully we will all have exciting news about the franchise soon!!!!!!"