Sortasoft, LLC launched a Kickstarter campaign on November 29th, 2012, hoping to receive $35,000 for their historically-inspired RPG, Meriwether: An American Epic. Their project focuses on recreating the adventures of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, who led the Corps of Discovery on a mission to explore the western region of the United States in the early 1800’s.
According to the Kickstarter page, Meriwether offers “a unique blend of roleplaying, resource management, exploration, diplomacy, and survival.” Gameplay revolves around implementing these five concepts in conjunction with the storytelling based on the historical real-world experiences of Lewis and Clark’s exploration team. Levels are structured based on those play types, each having their own unique gameplay experiences.
Everything else in the game, from traveling and hunting to conversation interactions and team management, are all very deep systems that look to make Meriwether a promisingly entertaining experience. Coupled with a unique art style and help from a professional historian, Sortasoft has solidified the title’s vibe and have made the game feel like an authentic 19th century adventure.
Meriwether: An American Epic is an incredibly ambitious project, especially so for this five-person development team, whose background primarily consists of contract work and smaller titles. As of press time, the Kickstarter page indicates that Sortasoft has raised nearly $40,000 with just 30 hours to go and that they are now pursuing stretch goals.
For more information on the project and what the team hopes to do with it, visit their Kickstarter page or the website for the game.
