Viking Route, a cooperative game for 1 to 4 players with an ingenious compass-and-magnets movement mechanic, has launched on Kickstarter, with an initial funding goal of $15,000. In Viking Route, players will brave the wind and set sail on an incredible adventure aboard a magical Drakkar. Influenced by magical Ravens, sent by Odin to steer your course, and by the winds of Fate, they will face powerful and monstrous creatures out of the Norse Mythos, fulfill challenging quests, and prepare for the final battle to avert Ragnarök. The project will run on Kickstarter until December 20th.
Designed by Martino Chiacchiera, Luca Maragno, and Guido Albini, and developed by DAM Things!, Viking Route is produced by Ares Games. In spite of its endearing art style, the game suitable for everyone – thanks to its strong aesthetics and fantastical setting, its strategic nature and adjustable difficulty levels, it will present even experienced players with a challenging gaming experience.
Viking Route is played on a beautiful three-dimensional Viking ship and a scenario board, where the Drakkar is represented by a compass. Multiple magnets (the Ravens and Wind) are manipulated by the players to steer the course of their ship. Players must also manage the resources of the Drakkar and their hand of cards to confront opponents and achieve the goals of their quests. The game can be be played either independently or as part of a continuous campaign, ending in an epic final confrontation to prevent Ragnarök.
The Viking Route project on Kickstarter offers two Pledge Levels: Viking, at $55, for a copy of the retail edition of Viking Route and a selection of stretch goals, and Jarl, at $65, for a copy of the Kickstarter edition of the game, including Viking miniatures and all unlocked stretch goals. The suggested retail price of the regular edition (not including the Kickstarter contents) will be $59 USD.
The contents of the standard version include the 3D Drakkar, 2 sails, a compass, 4 miniatures with magnet, 4 heroes and 8 enemies standees, Hero and Enemy sheets, 4 game boards, 43 cards (Fate, Enemy, World, Help of the Gods), Fate and Help of the Gods boars, and over 70 counters, markers and tokens. The Kickstarter Edition will feature miniatures for the heroes and several premium components to be unlocked during the campaign, to make the game even richer and more exciting. The project will present funding goals for the most important funding milestones, and a series of daily missions related to social goals.
Viking Route is expected to ship to backers in September 2025 from Ares Games’ main warehouse in the USA and from secondary warehouses in Australia, Canada, Italy, UK and China. No customs charges will apply to backers in Australia, Canada, EU, UK, China and other Asia-Pacific countries, or the US.
