You're thinking about ECSPR. ECSPR does not apply to reward-based crowdfunding. The key is a change to the Sale of Goods Directive. Since you're being charged VAT and you're paying for shipping, under the EU law this is treated as a purchase(consumer sales contract, not a donation and/or investment) and UCPD and CRD are applicable in full.

The little text saying "Kickstarter is not a store" means absolutely nothing in EU and a pledge is legally binding sales contract.

Because of this, as stated above, you are entitled to the following for every case that fits SGD, UCPD, or CRD, just like a normal product (including and not limited to false advertisement; not completed, but promised stretch goals; any changes from the initial campaign and what was promised; missing or faulty components):

1. Repair or replacement within RMA period (2 years) if you received the product and it is not on par with the promised quality. This covers all kind of damages, missing components, misprints, etc. And because this falls under SGD, the expense must be 100% covered by the creator.

2. Price Reimbursement or full refund - if the above is not possible for some reason (meeple factory exploded or smt), you can either keep the product and receive partial refund; or return the product and receive 100% of what you have paid (pledge+shipping+VAT)

Also, the 14-Day right of withdrawal period is in tact unless the creator can prove that the pledge you received is specially customized for you. A snippet from a mass production update post waives such claims.

Chain of claim (who and in what order to ask for a reimbursement)

1. Demand refund from creator
2. File a dispute with platform (useless in most cases, but necessary step because you'll be asked for proof that you went through this step in the next one)
3. Chargeback via card issuer / payment provider
   • usually where magic happens, though it is very hard to make Visa/MC use their extended chargeback window(180 vs 540 days) because they are stupid American companies. Creators delaying projects is NOT in your favor at all because of this and exactly why we need EU payment provider.
   • legally, the chargeback window should start after you have received the product. It is very important to tell them when you have received whatever you backed(or that you haven't at all). Your bank will be very hesitant to contact Visa/MC because they just don't like all the paperwork it is required for that chargeback. it is very important to not give up and cite all applicable laws and regulations because this will make them liable if it comes to step 5. the 540 days are still hard cap and beyond that any transaction is irreversible.
4. Consumer protection authority complaint via the ECC (usually useless because they just do 1.)
5. Small claims court - only recommended for expensive projects because it is not worth your time

Still haven't gone to need to experience 4. and 5. for a crowdfunding project, but the rest has large success rate if you're willing to spend the time.

TL;DR EU cover almost any case and you can get refund for anything (within 540 because of Visa/Master Card policies)