Pier Solar's "polishing" process continues

Mega Drive RPG Pier Solar, due for release in a few months, is continuing the polishing process on its graphics, sound and script. The latest screenshot shows major improvement, especially on the tiles, which now repeat seamlessly.

The light at the end of the tunnel "just keeps getting brighter" say WaterMelon, with "a few more maps, some sound effects, and NPC dialogue implementation stand[ing] between us and capital-V-Victory".

The final game will be laced with extra content, such as side-quests and "other bonuses".

I hope the game is a success, the team saying they will produce further Mega Drive games if this happens. Not another RPG, please!

Pier Solar development going at a "blistering pace"

Pier Solar, due for release sometime this year, is apparently moving on at a "blistering pace". So blistering, in fact, that the website has written it in all capitals.

The script is now complete, with proofreading going on now. This is the sixth draft of the script, the one we will be seeing in the final game. The music tracks for the game are coming together as well, being described as "delicious". I'm sure they'll be all the more delicious with the Mega-CD support.

A German gaming magazine is going to be previewing the game in next month's issue, giving it some much deserved publicity. I really hope this game is a success; if so, I will look forward to future Watermelon titles!

More Pier Solar comparison shots released

This week the Watermelon team released some new screenshots of the improvements they are making on their Mega Drive RPG Pier Solar.


This time, we see the forest's makeover. The changes are again subtle, but still an improvement. There has been a slight palette change, along with other small touch-ups. Overall it's looking lovely.

The team have said that a release date will be announced in the coming weeks, with internal deadlines all ready being set. I'll report as soon as we hear anything.

Pier Solar gets graphical improvements

One of the reasons why new Mega Drive RPG Pier Solar was pushed back was because graphical improvements were being made. Well, last week, screenshots of some of these improvements were posted.

Before...

The starting town in the demo has been shown, and although the changes are subtle, they still increase the quality. The developers say they have started the "polishing process" on older areas, to bring them up to scratch with the newer ones.

...After!

As for a release date, the team say that one area of the game's development is complete, with another being finalised at the end of this month. When will we be able to play it? "Soonish"...

P.S. You may notice my logo has had "graphical improvements". Now it has a Master System-style grid background!

Could Pier Solar get an XBLA release?

The latest area in the game, "Oasis Town".

Water Melon Development, the team behind Mega Drive RPG Pier Solar, have said that the game may see a future Xbox Live Arcade release.

They have told C+VG that "the door is open for a re-release or perhaps a remake on the current generation of consoles, when the Mega Drive/Mega CD version is finished".

It seems that there has always been the possibility of a current-gen release: "we've been looking at XBLA since Microsoft opened up to XNA games and it's a definite possibility in the future. At present though, we're looking forward to the completion and release of the Mega Drive version, so that we can then start planning for new games. A next-gen port of Pier Solar (or maybe even its sequel) is definitely on the list of things to do."

The high quality manual, as stolen from C+VG!

I think the game in its present form would be good enough to release on XBLA, especially since Mega Man 9 was released with retro graphics. What's funny is that C+VG can't comprehend that people still release games for old consoles, describing Water Melon as a "team of crazies". Nice!

You can see the game's website here, and my recent news post here.

Pier Solar's boxes revealed

This is a little late as I have only just found their new website, but the boxes for the upcoming Mega Drive game Pier Solar have been revealed. The game is region-free, but you can choose which regional style your box will be.

You can choose from the later European blue box, the Japanese Mega Drive box or the North American Genesis box. They are made out of cardboard rather than plastic, as the original clamshell design proved unsatisfactory. The box has holders for the cartridge and Mega-CD enhancement disc.

The box art itself is very nice, and is much better than Super Fighter Team's recent efforts. Their latest game, Legend of Wukong, was released for the Mega Drive on December 3rd.

Look how delicious the manual will be!

A while back I reported that the release date had been pushed back. This is indeed true, and will now see a release nearer May 2009. The loss of a team member on the project and graphical improvements have caused the release date to slip back.

The game is looking very good, and I hope it is a success. The developers, Water Melon, say that if the sales are good then they will look at creating more Mega Drive games in the future. Something that isn't an RPG, please!