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Pier Solar HD stalled by certification, additions detailed
Pier Solar HD developer WaterMelon Co. is releasing its touched-up Mega Drive and Sega Genesis RPG on more than 10 platforms, and understandably, they've hit a bit of a snare this week in the certification process: While the build that WaterMelon submitted to Valve was cleared for release on Steam, Microsoft rejected the version due to what WaterMelon's update describes as "internal requirements." The studio is holding off on submitting to Sony and Nintendo until the issues Microsoft had with Pier Solar HD are resolved, but on a positive note, WaterMelon's update adds that correcting the issues "doesn't take as long as we thought." Once Pier Solar HD is cleared on all platforms, WaterMelon will announce a release date. While we're waiting, WaterMelon has extensively detailed the additions to Pier Solar HD beyond its visual boost. Beyond new areas to explore, chests to loot and bosses to trample, at least one new ending has been included, with WaterMelon teasing the potential inclusion of secret endings. Pier Solar HD also uses a reworked save system, which is based off traditional save points rather than the original version's method. Three extra songs that didn't fit on the original cartridge, a doubled inventory capacity and Achievements join Pier Solar HD's additions, including built-in Achievements for the Dreamcast and Wii U versions. An optional new graphic mode also applies a smoothing "hq3x filter" on pixelated elements, offering more rounded edges on things like character and enemy sprites if a cleaner trip down memory lane is desired. [Image: WaterMelon Co.]
Pier Solar HD Kickstarter ends with over $230K in pledges
Pier Solar HD has more than hit its Kickstarter funding goal, bringing in $231,370 at the end of the campaign this morning. People were sufficiently piqued by the idea of an HD remake of a present-day Genesis RPG to not only get developer WaterMelon Co. to its $139,000 goal, but to exceed every stretch goal set by the developer.That means the released game will be a "Directors Cut" with additional material. It also means Pier Solar HD will be released on Android, Ouya, and Wii U. Everyone who backed the project will get a digital copy of "One Year at WaterMelon," a video documentary about the development of Pier Solar HD and two other SNES and Genesis projects.
