A new cooperative board game based on the One Piece anime, titled Dawn of Liberation, has quickly surpassed its Kickstarter funding goal. Developed by KessCo, the game allows 1 to 4 players to assemble crews and battle villains in the Wano arc setting. It has raised nearly $160,000 against an initial target of $10,000, with 29 days remaining in the campaign.
The game draws heavily from the One Piece franchise, particularly the Wano arc, featuring new artwork of locations like Wano and Onigashima. Players explore these through elements such as the Red Scabbards and a translucent purple Onigashima Dice Tower. The initial roster includes 17 playable characters, with four more unlockable secrets, encompassing main Straw Hat members like Luffy, Zoro, Nami, Usopp, Sanji, Chopper, Robin, Franky, Brook, and allies such as Kamazo, Jinbe, and Bepo. Opponents include bosses like Big Mom, Snake Orochi, Jack, and the central antagonist Kaido.
In gameplay, players select a captain and crew members, whose roles influence stats and abilities. For example, Luffy's card uses different stats depending on whether he is captain or crew. Each character has a main ability for actions like gathering resources, defeating enemies, or adding samurai to the board. Teams complete missions by collecting required resources and lore, which contribute to the Tobi Roppo board representing the six Beast Pirates members. The number of completed Tobi Roppo affects the time available during the final Onigashima raid against Kaido.
The game emphasizes cooperation without a strict turn order, allowing players to strategize synergistically. Characters pursue personal goals to upgrade their cards for better stats. Additional mechanics involve building lore, balancing samurai defense with objectives, gathering allies or smile fruits from a discovery bag, and rescuing jailed characters to maintain progress. While the depth may initially overwhelm, it soon forms a cohesive experience appealing to franchise fans and general players alike. Dawn of Liberation launched on Kickstarter and continues to fund as of the campaign's early stages.
