Pier Solar and the Great Architects

Last updated
Pier Solar and the Great Architects
Pier Solar and the Great Architects cover art.jpg
Developer(s) WaterMelon
Publisher(s) WaterMelon
Designer(s) Tulio Adriano [1]
Gwénaël Godde
Artist(s) Armen Mardirossian
Composer(s) Zable Fahr
Tulio Adriano
Tiido Priimägi
Platform(s) Dreamcast
Genesis
Linux
OS X
Ouya
PlayStation 3
PlayStation 4
Windows
Wii U
Xbox One
ReleaseSega Genesis
  • WW: December 20, 2010
PS3, PS4, Windows, OS X, Linux, Ouya
  • NA: September 30, 2014
  • EU: November 12, 2014
Wii U
  • NA: November 6, 2014
  • EU: November 27, 2014
Xbox One
  • WW: November 21, 2014
Dreamcast
  • WW: October 25, 2015
Genre(s) Role-playing
Mode(s) Single-player

Pier Solar and the Great Architects is a homebrew role-playing video game developed and published by WaterMelon for the Sega Mega Drive. The game was released worldwide on December 20, 2010. [2] The game optionally utilizes the Mega CD expansion device to enhance its audio capabilities. [3]

Contents

Plot

Setting

The story is focused around three best friends — Hoston, Alina and Edessot. [4] Hoston's father falls ill and the three friends are left to seek a rare magic herb to cure him. This story later develops into a much larger plot surrounding Pier Solar and the Great Architects.

Characters

Development and release

Cover for Sega Dreamcast release (2015). This cover is styled just like a retail PAL Dreamcast game. Artwork by Armen M. Pier-solar-hd-dreamcast.jpg
Cover for Sega Dreamcast release (2015). This cover is styled just like a retail PAL Dreamcast game. Artwork by Armen M.

Development of the game began on June 8, 2004 as a small project by the community of the website Eidolon's Inn, [5] [6] a community dedicated to homebrew-development for Sega video game consoles. The project was originally intended to be a simple RPG based on the members of the community, and the target platform was the Mega CD. At that time the project was simply called Tavern RPG, a reference to the website's message boards being called "The Tavern".

As development progressed the original idea was abandoned in favor of a full-fledged fantasy RPG of greater scale. By 2006 the game engine had become sophisticated enough that the creation of actual content could really begin. While most of the Eidolon's Inn community was no longer directly involved, other people joined the team, leading to a core of eight members with additional help from many more. [7]

Goals for the game became ever more ambitious, with the development being switched from the Mega-CD, for which CD-ROMs would have been inexpensive to produce, to the Sega Mega Drive, a system using more expensive cartridge-based storage media. To allow for the transition without having to reduce the amount of game content, it was decided to use a cartridge with 64 megabits of memory, making it technically the "biggest" game cartridge for the system, while finding a way to utilize the superior sound hardware of the Mega-CD at the same time if the device was present.

The game was announced in a developer's blog with the launch of a website shortly after revealing the game's final title in January 2008. A demo was released later the same year to play on emulators, with pre-orders starting at the same time. A release at Christmas 2008 was announced. The game got considerable media attention for a homebrew title during the following months, with the UK magazine Retro Gamer featuring a two-page article in issue 49 and numerous websites reporting on it. [8] [9] [10] [11]

However this release date was not met, the developers citing the departure of a team member who had contributed essential graphics to the game, and his wish not to have his work used in the final version as the main reason. The delay was announced on November 14, 2008, [12] but no new release date was given. Still media attention remained steady, [13] with Germany's longest running print video game magazine M! Games and UK magazine GamesTM reporting.

The game was shipped in December 2010, two years after the originally intended release date. Three different versions of the game have been released: Classic, Posterity and Reprint. The Classic and Posterity editions each have three different language packs, while the Reprint features the three most common European languages: English, French and German. The Japanese language pack originally included Japanese and English languages but the Japanese language was dropped and French and Spanish included due to a lack of volunteers to proofread the Japanese translation.

Even prior to the game's official release date, the game had already sold out through pre-orders. Due to overwhelming demand, WaterMelon decided to produce a second, also limited, run with a so-called "Reprint Edition", which sold out in 12 days. WaterMelon announced the production of additional copies on Thursday, September 15, 2011. The third and final forecast re-print of the Mega Drive/Genesis cartridge was due to be released on March 25, 2014. It had yet to happen, but Watermelon has assured fans they will be ready for late April/early May. However, this release date was not met either. This reprint edition finally started shipping to customers in late February 2015.

On February 22, 2021 WaterMelon announced they would begin sale of their intellectual property, including Pier Solar and Paprium, along with unreleased games and their hardware. [14] [15]

Pier Solar HD

On November 5, 2012, the game's developer WaterMelon announced on its Kickstarter page that it was developing the game for Xbox 360, PC, Mac, Linux and Sega Dreamcast. [16] Later in the same month, WaterMelon elaborated their project further, additionally opening an opportunity to make the game available in Japanese, and to release the game on Android platforms, Ouya and Wii U. [17] Early in the following December, the Kickstarter page successfully surpassed the project's minimum donation goal, and assured game's release on Wii U, which had the highest required stretch. [18] On November 15, 2013, it was announced that the Xbox 360 version was currently delayed, and the game will come to both PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 in March 2014. [19] WaterMelon announced their studio's acceptance into Microsoft's Xbox One developer program on December 4, 2013, as well as their intention to publish Pier Solar HD on the console. [20] In February 2014 it was announced that Pier Solar HD had been delayed again and is now expected to be released in Q2 2014. [21] On August 19 it was announced that Pier Solar HD is in certification and will be released as a cross-buy title for PS4 and PS3 on September 30 and as of October 2 PS Vita. [22]

The Dreamcast version was the last one to be released on November 27, 2015, the reason for the delay was that unlike the digital releases, the DC version had it to be completely bug tested as it couldn't be patched. [23] The final game features battle speed and frequency options, newly drawn cutscene artworks, as well as a 3 minutes opening animation created by the game's character designer and cinematics director, Armen M.

Reception

Pier Solar and the Great Architects was met with mixed reviews from critics. While its presentation was widely praised, reception to the gameplay was average. Hardcore Gamer's Bradly Halestorm praised the game's use of a "vibrant color palette" and its "strong art direction", calling the game "one hell of a roleplaying experience". [29] RPGFan's Derek Heemsbergen said that the game's graphics, music and atmosphere were "fantastic", but felt that the actual gameplay was too frustrating, noting what he perceived as a "labyrinthine" design in many areas. He also described parts of the game's combat as "tedious and repetitive", citing "lengthy" animations and "high difficulty" as reasons. [40] RPGamer's Mike Moehnke concluded that the game was "unlikely to appeal to many people weaned on more recent generations of RPGs", adding that "those with a more retro mindset will find some enjoyment". [39]

The game's soundtrack received widespread acclaim. Heemsbergen called it "catchy" and noted that it helped "[augment] the game's atmosphere". [40] Game Informer 's Joe Juba said that the soundtrack helped in achieving an "authentic 16-bit" look, calling it "absolutely fantastic". [28] Halestorm called it "a triumph" and added that it managed to "convey strong emotions" with "beautifully arranged" compositions. [29]

In 2011, 1UP.com identified Pier Solar and the Great Architects as one of the "31 homebrew games worth playing." [45]

Related Research Articles

<i>Alex Kidd in Miracle World</i> 1986 video game

Alex Kidd in Miracle World is a platform game for the Master System. It was released in Japan on November 1, 1986, followed by North America in December 1986, with Europe in September 1987, plus South Korea in October 1988, and Brazil in 1989. It was later built into many Master System and Master System II consoles. A remake by Merge Games and Jankenteam, titled Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX, was released on June 22, 2021.

<i>Shining Force</i> 1992 video game

Shining Force is a 1992 turn-based tactical role-playing game for the Sega Genesis console. It is the second entry of the Shining series of video games, following Shining in the Darkness. While primarily a traditional fantasy-themed game, it contains some science fiction elements.

<i>Earthworm Jim 2</i> 1995 video game

Earthworm Jim 2 is a 1995 run and gun platform video game and the sequel to Earthworm Jim, and the second and final game in the Earthworm Jim series developed by original creators Doug TenNapel, David Perry and Shiny Entertainment. It was released in late 1995 and early 1996 depending on region and video game console, initially being released for the Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo Entertainment System, before being ported to other platforms.

<i>Shining in the Darkness</i> 1991 video game

Shining in the Darkness, released as Shining and the Darkness in Japan, is a 1991 role-playing video game for the Mega Drive/Genesis video game console. It was the first in the Shining series.

<i>Phantasy Star IV</i> 1993 video game

Phantasy Star IV: The End of the Millennium is a 1993 role-playing video game by Sega for the Sega Genesis. It was first released in Japan and later in Europe and North America in 1995. It is the fourth and final game in the original Phantasy Star series, concluding the story of the Algol Star System. Phantasy Star IV kept many of the gameplay elements of the previous game, including turn-based battles, overhead exploration, and magic spells. It received mixed reviews upon its release but has since been considered one of the greatest video games of all time.

<i>Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master</i> 1993 video game

Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master, released in Japan as The Super Shinobi II, is a 1993 hack-and-slash platform game developed and published by Sega for the Mega Drive/Genesis. It is the direct sequel to the previous The Revenge of Shinobi. The game was intended to be released in 1992 and to be very different from the final version of the game in terms of levels and storyline. Shinobi III received critical acclaim. It's been ranked among the greatest Mega Drive/Genesis games.

Homebrew, when applied to video games, refers to software produced by hobbyists for proprietary video game consoles which are not intended to be user-programmable. The official documentation is often only available to licensed developers, and these systems may use storage formats that make distribution difficult, such as ROM cartridges or encrypted CD-ROMs. Many consoles have hardware restrictions to prevent unauthorized development.

<i>Shining Force II</i> 1993 video game

Shining Force II is a tactical role-playing game for the Mega Drive/Genesis console developed by Sonic! Software Planning and published by Sega in 1993. Its storyline is not directly connected to the original Shining Force, although a Game Gear title Shining Force Gaiden: Final Conflict links the two games' plots.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sega Genesis</span> Home video game console

The Sega Genesis, known as the Mega Drive outside North America, is a 16-bit fourth generation home video game console developed and sold by Sega. It was Sega's third console and the successor to the Master System. Sega released it in 1988 in Japan as the Mega Drive, and in 1989 in North America as the Genesis. In 1990, it was distributed as the Mega Drive by Virgin Mastertronic in Europe, Ozisoft in Australasia, and Tectoy in Brazil. In South Korea, it was distributed by Samsung Electronics as the Super Gam*Boy and later the Super Aladdin Boy.

<i>Bomberman 94</i> 1993 video game

Bomberman '94 is a video game from the Bomberman series which was developed and published by Hudson Soft for the PC Engine and released on December 10, 1993, in Japan. It was later re-developed by Westone and re-published by Sega as Mega Bomberman on the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis in 1994 in other areas. The PC Engine Bomberman '94 was later released outside Japan through the Virtual Console and the PlayStation Network.

Prope Ltd. is a Japanese video game development studio founded by Sonic Team head Yuji Naka, along with 10 other former Sonic Team staff.

<i>Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games</i> 2009 video game

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games is a 2009 sports and party game developed by Sega. Like its predecessor, it was published by Nintendo for Japan and Korea and by Sega in the Western world. The game is officially licensed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) through exclusive license International Sports Multimedia. The game is the third official crossover title to feature characters from both Mario and Sonic's respective universes, the first and second being the game's predecessor Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games and Super Smash Bros. Brawl respectively. It was released on the Wii and the Nintendo DS in October 2009, and is the first official video game of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Video games in Japan</span>

Video games are a major industry in Japan, and the country is considered one of the most influential in video gaming. Japanese game development is often identified with the golden age of video games and the country is home to many notable video game companies such as Nintendo, Sega, Bandai Namco Entertainment, Taito, Konami, Square Enix, Capcom, NEC, SNK, and formerly Sony Computer Entertainment. Japan is currently the third largest video game market in the world after China and the United States.

<i>Bayonetta</i> Video game series

Bayonetta is an urban fantasy action-adventure video game series created by Hideki Kamiya. It is developed by PlatinumGames, owned by Sega, and currently published by Nintendo. The franchise was introduced in 2009 with Bayonetta, which was followed by two sequels, Bayonetta 2 (2014) and Bayonetta 3 (2022), as well as a spinoff, Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon (2023). The games follow the titular character, a witch who wields dual pistols, shooters in her high heels, and long, magically transforming hair which becomes a deadly weapon.

<i>Paprium</i> 2020 video game

Paprium is a side-scrolling beat 'em up video game for the Mega Drive developed by studio WaterMelon and released in 2020. It was announced as part of a crowd-funding pitch in 2012. Development took eight years, with little to no communication with game's backers or the press, and the game was widely considered to be vaporware.

<i>Ghost Blade</i> 2015 video game

Ghost Blade is a 2015 vertically scrolling shooter video game developed and originally published by German studio HUCAST Games as an independent commercial release for the Dreamcast. It was re-released between 2017 and 2018 by JoshProd. A high-definition version titled Ghost Blade HD was also released for PlayStation 4, Wii U, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch. Controlling one of three fighter crafts, the player fights to protect Mars against the corrupt artificial intelligence Shira. Its gameplay consist of five stages, with players gathering collectible items and defeating enemies to build combos and maintain a high-score, while avoiding collision with their projectiles and obstacles.

References

  1. Agnello, Anthony John (November 19, 2013). "Back from the dead: 9 modern games for obsolete consoles". The A.V. Club . Retrieved December 4, 2013.
  2. Nreive at 4:17 pm. "Pier Solar released on Mega Drive/Genesis • Retroaction". Retroactionmagazine.com. Archived from the original on 2011-08-26. Retrieved 2011-08-13.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  3. "Watermelon on Facebook". Facebook . Archived from the original on 2022-04-30.[ user-generated source ]
  4. "The Storyline Of Pier Solar". Piersolar.co.uk. Archived from the original on 19 November 2008. Retrieved 2011-08-13.
  5. "Eidolon's Inn : Tavern RPG". Eidolons-inn.net. Archived from the original on 24 August 2011. Retrieved 2011-08-13.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  6. "Eidolon's Inn : Pier Solar aka. Tavern RPG". Eidolons-inn.net. Archived from the original on 24 August 2011. Retrieved 2011-08-13.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  7. "Pier Solar, credits and contact details!". Piersolar.com. Archived from the original on 2019-10-28. Retrieved 2011-08-13.
  8. "Pier Solar, they talk about Pier Solar!". Piersolar.com. Archived from the original on 2019-10-28. Retrieved 2011-08-13.
  9. Travis Fahs (2008-10-03). "Independent's Day, Vol. 5: Pier Solar Flares - PC Feature at IGN". Uk.pc.ign.com. Retrieved 2011-08-13.
  10. computerandvideogames.com Mike Jackson. "News: New Megadrive game in the works". ComputerAndVideoGames.com. Retrieved 2011-08-13.
  11. "Re-Genesis". 1up.com. 2008-10-30. Archived from the original on 2012-10-17. Retrieved 2011-08-13.
  12. fonzie (2008-11-14). "Pier Solar DevLog.: Important Notice Regarding Pier Solar's Release Date". Tavernrpg.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2011-08-13.
  13. "Why would anyone develop a new game for obsolete Sega hardware? | Game development | Features by Develop". Develop-online.net. 2009-02-20. Archived from the original on 2011-03-09. Retrieved 2011-08-13.
  14. "WM's Magical Game Factory". www.magicalgamefactory.com. WaterMelon. Archived from the original on 22 February 2021. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
  15. "PAPRIUM_Communique_de_presse_EN_02_2021" (PDF). Paprium. WaterMelon. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 February 2021. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
  16. "Pier Solar HD - Kickstarter". Kickstarter. Archived from the original on 6 May 2016. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
  17. Green, Andy (2012-11-28). "Pier Solar Kickstarter Campaign Successful, Wii U Port Added As New Stretch Goal". Nintendo Life. Retrieved 2012-11-29.
  18. McFerran, Damien (2012-12-04). "Pier Solar HD Kickstarter Smashes Through Wii U Stretch Goal". Nintendo Life. Retrieved 2012-12-05.
  19. Schulenberg, Thomas (16 November 2013). "Pier Solar HD to launch by March 2014, coming to PS3, PS4". Engadget . Retrieved 10 May 2016.
  20. Goncalves, Tulio (2013-12-04). "Dreamcast and Other News". WaterMelon. Retrieved 2013-12-31.
  21. "Throwback RPG Pier Solar HD delayed to April, 3DS version considered". joystiq.com. 2014-02-20. Retrieved 2014-04-01.
  22. "Pier Solar HD Certification Status, Elysian Shadows & Juicy Diary". WaterMelon. 2014-08-19. Retrieved 2014-08-21.
  23. "Pier Solar | Dreamcast Scene". www.dreamcast-scene.com. Archived from the original on 2016-06-07.
  24. "Pier Solar and the Great Architects for PC Reviews". Metacritic . CBS Interactive. September 30, 2014. Archived from the original on 2020-06-28. Retrieved 2021-03-02.
  25. "Pier Solar and the Great Architects for PlayStation 4 Reviews". Metacritic . CBS Interactive. September 30, 2014. Archived from the original on 2020-09-02. Retrieved 2021-03-02.
  26. "Pier Solar and the Great Architects for Wii U Reviews". Metacritic . CBS Interactive. November 6, 2014. Archived from the original on 2020-09-23. Retrieved 2021-03-02.
  27. Purcell, Neil (January 13, 2011). "Review: Pier Solar & The Great Architects - Water Melon's new game for the Sega Genesis". 1Up.com . IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on 2014-04-07. Retrieved 2021-03-03.
  28. 1 2 Juba, Joe (October 13, 2014). "Pier Solar HD - An RPG That Stays Young Forever (Reviewed on: PlayStation 4)". Game Informer . GameStop. Archived from the original on 2021-02-06. Retrieved 2021-03-02.
  29. 1 2 3 Halestorm, Bradly (October 5, 2014). "Review: Pier Solar and the Great Architects HD (Version Reviewed: PlayStation 4)". Hardcore Gamer. Hardcore Gamer LLC. Archived from the original on 2016-03-25. Retrieved 2021-03-02.
  30. Halestorm, Bradly (November 7, 2014). "Review: Pier Solar and the Great Architects HD (Wii U)". Hardcore Gamer. Hardcore Gamer LLC. Archived from the original on 2020-11-27. Retrieved 2021-03-02.
  31. Metsa, Fabien (October 21, 2014). "Test : Pier Solar and the Great Architects HD (PC)". Jeuxvideo.com (in French). Webedia. Archived from the original on 2020-11-26. Retrieved 2021-03-02.
  32. Metsa, Fabien (October 21, 2014). "Test : Pier Solar and the Great Architects HD (PS3)". Jeuxvideo.com (in French). Webedia. Archived from the original on 2020-11-26. Retrieved 2021-03-02.
  33. Metsa, Fabien (October 21, 2014). "Test : Pier Solar and the Great Architects HD (PS4)". Jeuxvideo.com (in French). Webedia. Archived from the original on 2020-11-26. Retrieved 2021-03-02.
  34. Rockstar78 (October 21, 2014). "Test : Pier Solar (MD)". Jeuxvideo.com (in French). Webedia. Archived from the original on 2020-11-26. Retrieved 2021-03-03.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  35. Meli, Jowi (November 5, 2014). "Pier Solar and the Great Architects Review (Wii U eShop) - Build me up and tear me down". Nintendo Life . Nlife Media. Archived from the original on 2021-02-07. Retrieved 2021-03-02.
  36. Bonds, Curtis (December 2, 2014). "Pier Solar HD Review - The fan-made Genesis RPG makes the jump to the Wii U". Nintendo World Report. NINWR, LLC. Archived from the original on 2021-02-09. Retrieved 2021-03-02.
  37. Andersen, Kell (October 18, 2014). "Pier Solar and the Great Architects Review (PS4) - Pierless". Push Square . Gamer Network. Archived from the original on 2020-11-02. Retrieved 2021-02-17.
  38. Jones, Darran; Hunt, Stuart (May 26, 2011). "Retro Rated - Reviews: Pier Solar And The Great Architects - If Secret Of Mana and Dragon Quest had a baby (Featured System: Mega Drive)". Retro Gamer . No. 90. Imagine Publishing. pp. 94–95.
  39. 1 2 Moehnke, Mike (October 26, 2014). "Pier Solar and the Great Architects - Review: Genesis (Sometimes) Does What Nintendon't [Platform: PC]". RPGamer. CraveOnline. Archived from the original on 2015-10-05. Retrieved 2021-03-02.
  40. 1 2 3 Heemsbergen, Derek (December 1, 2014). "Pier Solar and the Great Architects HD (Review Platform: Sony PlayStation 4)". RPGFan. RPGFan Media, LLC. Archived from the original on 2015-08-25. Retrieved 2021-03-02.
  41. Heemsbergen, Derek (July 15, 2012). "Pier Solar and the Great Architects (Review Platform: Sega Genesis)". RPGFan. RPGFan Media, LLC. Archived from the original on 2021-03-03. Retrieved 2021-03-03.
  42. Martínez, Xavi (November 20, 2014). "Pier Solar and the Great Architects - Pier Solar and the Great Architects es una necesaria bofetada de nostalgia que, a pesar de no llegar a la cumbre de los juegos de rol de Mega Drive, todos los aficionados al rol oriental deberían probar". GamesTribune (in Spanish). GTM Ediciones C.B. pp. 1–2. Archived from the original on 2015-03-09. Retrieved 2021-03-03.
  43. Vigna, Anthony (December 12, 2014). "Review: Pier Solar and the Great Architects - Almost a modern classic". Nintendojo. Archived from the original on 2021-02-15. Retrieved 2021-03-02.
  44. Bacchus, Anthony (December 1, 2014). "Pier Solar and the Great Architects Review (Xbox One) - Built with love". Pure Xbox . Gamer Network. Archived from the original on 2015-09-08. Retrieved 2021-03-02.
  45. Winterhalter, Ryan (April 29, 2011). "31 Homebrew Games Worth Playing — We track down some of the game industry's most interesting homebrew games from over the years". 1UP.com . IGN Entertainment. pp. 1–6. Archived from the original on 2016-04-04. Retrieved 2023-02-12.