Let's not mince words: Wages are low, money is tight, and no one is thrilled when they turn on the news. Yet the quest to make more video games via the power of fundraising continues.

As a general rule we recommend only backing crowdfunding campaigns if you feel comfortable with your own security and stability. We have no insider information or financial interest in any of these projects (unless noted otherwise) and no one at Retronauts has been compensated for including anything on this page. To the best of my ability I have not (and never will) endorse any campaign built around AI-generated assets.

Lethal Wedding (ends July 2 estimated reward date Feb 2027)
You'd think the start of a marriage would be a celebration but in this case, it's a call to arms. Play as the hopeful bride or her pending mother-in-law and shoot everyone standing between you and the altar. Solo or co-op, only on the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive or its emulator equivalent.

Tex Murphy: Killing Moon Rising (ends July 2 estimated reward date July 2028)
The 21st century has brought a new appreciation for FMV video games, in part because improved technology allows developers to better incorporate the footage into gameplay, and also because 90s nostalgia is strong. Under a Killing Moon designers Aaron Conners and Chris Jones seek to remake the 1994 original with full 3D environments that players can explore in addition to upscaled footage of the actors' performances.

Metro Siege (ends July 4 estimated reward date August 2027)
Beat-em-ups have never truly gone out of style and I love that developers targeting authentic retro hardware have embraced the genre. MS is a 16-bit video game for Amiga and the NEO•GEO with optional tiers for physical copies of the software. Of course, it runs on a modern computer too—visit the official site for a demo.

Code RAPID (ends July 30 estimated reward date May 2028)
I don't know if mech combat games are having a comeback or not but I suspect Armored Core VI did remind a lot of people that the genre exists. This project from just a four-person team offers frantic firefights, ample mech customization, and a demo on Steam.

ORIGINAL SIN: Prelude to Biohazard (ends July 30)
As much as I love Resident Evil, I'm of the opinion that the series lost a little piece of its identity when it stopped filming footage of real people to supplement the games. Hence my delight in discovering this fan-led "cinematic prequel" to the original game. You say you want to dress up actors and shoot them running around the woods of Pennsylvania? Then I want to see that happen.

• kickstarter
• fmv games
• 90's
• resident evil