Think back to some of your favorite all-time RPGs - does your mind wander to the 16-bit era? It probably should, with legendary titles like Secret of Mana, Chrono Trigger, FF VI, and countless others from that golden age of gaming. Here's one you may not have heard of: Pier Solar.
WaterMelon, an Iowa-based company with passionate members all over the world, brought us Pier Solar and the Great Architects in 2010 for the Mega Drive/Sega Genesis. This classic 16-bit RPG has been described as a love letter to the phenomenal RPGs of old, featuring a 100% original story and 50+ hours of gameplay with over 300 locations, nearly 500 unique treasure chests, and over 800 NPCs. Like any great RPG, it's stocked with hidden places and mini-games to encourage exploration.
The innovative battle system allows for control of up to five characters, with strategic moves such as counter-attacks and energy-storing mechanics to unleash more powerful moves and spells. Immersion is heightened even more by the original soundtrack, a retro masterpiece written solely for Pier Solar. You'll get sucked in immediately by all of this along with the thrilling plot:
Pier Solar is a 16-bit RPG that tells the story of Hoston, a young botanist who is on a quest to save his father from a mysterious illness. Along with his two best friends Alina and Edessot, the three friends embark on a quest seeking a rare herb to cure the illness of Hoston's father. Little do they know, it is the beginning of a winding journey that unravels his father's past and the mystery of Pier Solar and the Great Architects.
Are you intrigued yet? You can experience the original from the Magical Game Factory shop, or... you could hold out for their latest, funded Kickstarter project: Pier Solar HD.
With this newest iteration of the series you get the same classic gameplay you did on the Genesis, but on multiple new platforms and with thousands of reworked, HD graphics. Improvements in the inventory and combat systems are being made, plus some added storyline that didn't make it into the original cut.
An expanded audience will be able to enjoy the revamped game, which will be coming to Xbox 360, PC, Mac, Linux, and Sega Dreamcast in HD. New stretch goals recently added to the official Kickstarter page indicate that with enough funding, Pier Solar may even make it to Android, OUYA, and Wii U!
Gamers via the WaterMelon Magical Game Factory have contributed the most funds to the project so far. This unique approach to crowd-driven funding allows gamers to invest in various projects, with their impact on development proportionally rising to the amount of contribution. The more GEMS they've invested in a project, the more weight is given to their votes and opinions when consulted. Upon completion, investors receive not only a copy of the game, but other goodies and exclusive bonuses.
Other projects currently at the Factory include ProjectY, a cyberpunk role playing beat'em up, and ProjectN, a yet undetermined type of game that investors are dreaming up as we speak!
Head to grab a last-minute funding perk from their Kickstarter campaign, or check out what the Magical Game Factory has to offer at http://www.magicalgamefactory.com.
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