Tahira: Echoes of the Astral Plane is a Kickstarter with seven days left. They’re up to $40,735 AUD and are asking for $68,000 AUD. Watch the trailer!

What first caught my eye about Tahira is that it stars a woman of color. Then, the setting drew me completely in. Here’s what’s going on:

“Once, it is said, humanity roamed the stars with impunity. That time is long past. On what was once a partially terraformed outpost world, the descendants of the long-dead colony struggle to eke out an existence on a planet that is growing ever more inhospitable. You are Princess Tahira of Avestan, a small kingdom to the west of humanity’s last great city, Babylon. The death of your brother has left you as the sole, unwilling heir to the Throne. After your anxiety over this burden sparked an argument with your father, you left Avestan to explore the lands that lie to the south. A year later, a message arrives warning of a vast army intent on returning to the stars, crushing all who stand in its way, and begging you to return home.”

The art and gameplay that’s show in the trailer reminds me a bit of The Banner Saga, but definitely distinguishes itself. Everything is rotoscoped (inspired by The Banner Saga), and the environments are hand-painted. They’re using Unity! The game is envisioned as episodic, and the campaign will cover the first game. It’s inspired by the team travelling through Turkey, Syria, Jordan, Israel, Nepal, and India. Combat is inspired by Fire Emblem, Advance Wars, Final Fantasy Tactics, XCOM: Enemy Unknown, and The Banner Saga. Max LL is doing the soundtrack. Tahira is being created by a three-man Australian team, called Whale Hammer Games. Follow on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, the Tahira site, and the WHG site. Back it here!