Barrel Rider Games has launched a crowdfunding campaign for Blades of Power, a standalone fantasy roleplaying game designed to emulate the nostalgic energy of 1980s Saturday morning adventure cartoons. Fully compatible with Old School Essentials and classic B/X rulesets, the project bridges the gap between retro mechanical structures and over-the-top, neon-infused science fantasy.
The campaign, which is still live at the time of writing, has comfortably surpassed its initial funding target of £7,582, securing more than £12,236 from hundreds of early backers. This surge in support arrives as retro-clone systems and 1980s-inspired media enjoy sustained interest across the tabletop hobby, with enthusiasts actively seeking games that trade grimdark realism for larger-than-life heroism and cosmic dread. A certain He-movie might be helping too.
Cartoons, Classes, and Cosmic Danger
The core of the game relies on reimagining traditional fantasy archetypes to fit an apocalyptic, synth-soaked landscape. The upcoming 300-page book outlines seven core classes, including the Crusader, Knave, Warrior, and the Wizard, whose magic draws from the volatile Arcanus Maximus at the risk of causing an Arcane Paradox. Demi-human classes like the Dwarf, Elf, and Halfling are equally tailored to the aesthetic, presenting characters as immortal fey or fate-blessed survivors fighting for the future of the universe.
Mechanically, the game elevates player characters into genuine heroes of their age through Hero Tokens and high-stakes “Do or Die Moments.” Critical hits are reserved exclusively for players, moving away from simple damage multipliers to offer dynamic, battle-altering narrative shifts. Conversely, game masters gain access to specialised “Boss Timers” for major villains, creating mechanical ticking clocks that trigger massive explosions if encounters drag on too long.
Beyond the core rules, the volume details the World of Ultimos, a setting where Queen Taris and her knights clash with the Serpentmen of Venom Spire. This setting introduces seven optional classes, such as the martial arts-focused Mystic, the hidden Ratling, the noble Saurian, and the Skeletarians, rebellious undead who have turned against their former necromantic masters.
Creative Pedigree and Production
The project is penned by James M. Spahn, an ENnie and Origins Award-winning industry veteran whose previous work includes The Hero’s Journey 2e, White Star, and design consultations on Necrotic Gnome’s highly acclaimed Dolmenwood setting.
Every Wizard and Elf spell can explode with the epic power of an Arcanus Maximus or backfire horribly in an Arcane Paradox. Wizards can research their own unique spells, but those who delve into the electric neon veins of magic itself run the risk of being forever changed in truly awesome ways by EPIC WIZARDRY.
Visual duties are handled by a robust lineup of established fantasy illustrators. Rick Hershey provides full-colour interior art, alongside contributions from Eric Lofgren, Dean Spencer, Jim Wampler, and JE Shields, who provides the primary cover art. The book also features a foreword by Brendan J. LaSalle, known for his work on the Dungeon Crawl Classics and Xcrawl Classics lines.
Narrative Reward Analysis
The campaign structure separates digital rewards from physical editions, with lower tiers providing coupon fulfilment via DriveThruRPG. The introductory level secures the foundational digital rulebook, while the middle tier introduces the physical 8.5×11 casewrap hardcover alongside its digital counterpart. The premier package adds a three-panel landscape Quest Master screen featuring Shields’ artwork, offering tables a complete mechanical reference kit straight out of the box.
Unlocking early stretch goals has already added optional “Public Service Announcement” rules to the digital rewards package, allowing groups to reframe their gaming sessions around an important life lesson to earn additional Hero Tokens, mirroring the exact structure of classic animated programming.
The crowdfunding drive runs until Tuesday, 30 June 2026 at 4:00 PM BST. Digital copies are slated for distribution in September 2026, while the physical hardcover books and master screens, manufactured in the United States by Wizard Tower Games, are estimated to ship in December 2026.
Campaign Essentials
| System Compatibility: | Old School Essentials / B/X Rules |
| Core Page Count: | ~300 Pages (Full Colour) |
| Funding Status: | Fully Funded |
| Digital Delivery: | September 2026 |
| Physical Delivery: | December 2026 |
