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[Eponasoft]

Frozen Utopia, a group I do programming for, is just about set to release their first production, a PC Engine conversion of the old indie classic, Mysterious Song. It's a traditional RPG in the vein of Dragon Warrior.

It's a project that was started in 2005 when the group first formed... everyone had a lot to learn about the machine that they dealing with. The project wrapped up early this year and was sent off to manufacturing in early March, but complications with the pressing house delayed things quite a bit. Finally, now, we have a check disc with the game on it, which is being tested on the intended hardware. If all is up to spec, final manufacturing will begin in mid-August for a late August or early September release.

Everything about this is very niche... the market for the game is extremely small due to the weak market penetration of the console during its active life. As such, only 500 copies of the disc are being produced. About 200 of them have already been sold (pre-orders), so there are still some left. During development, the game was tested on every known PC Engine emulator and, in the end, performs flawlessly on all of them.

The original idea was not to sell the game but to give it away as a free download. However, the PCE community demanded a physical release of the game, since the old hardware does not take too kindly to CDRs and there's a vast difference between playing a console game on a computer as opposed to the console itself.

There are a lot of differences from the original version. Fully-voiced, full-screen cutscenes were added, the in-game graphics were remade (in the case of the tilework) or enhanced (in the case of the sprites), the music was all remixed and enhanced, and the game itself was extended by quite a bit (the original game is relatively short). This remake also includes unlockables... it has a full bestiary and armory, plus a picture gallery... things that were not included in the original. Also, finishing the regular game a certain way unlocks an alternate version of the game with a different ending. There's a few more secrets in there too.

If you're into true retro games (aka games on actual old consoles rather than just retro-themed games on modern PCs) and you like traditional RPGs, check it out.

[moi]

you guys are awesome

[Eponasoft]

Thanks moi

Just a quick update... the check disc passed inspection, so the producer passed along the instruction to the manufacturer to begin replication. It is likely to begin immediately. The boxes should arrive in Illinois in a couple of weeks... all the pre-orders will be shipped first, then we'll be doing regular orders.

[Eponasoft]

According to Mr. McKenna (the producer), the game has finished manufacturing and is set for release sometime next week, possibly as early as Monday. It's still available for ordering as well.

[sublinimal]

I remember Mysterious Song! One of my early ventures into JRPGs. From what I remember, it was short but hard, and the ending made me tear up a bit.

Like you said, this is niche as hell, but I found a gameplay video on Youtube and I can tell it's made with true indie passion.

[Eponasoft]

The game's finally been released! Here's what the finished product looks like:



It's available for order at http://www.frozenutopia.com/

[Eponasoft]

The Brothers Duomazov, one of the web's premiere PC Engine review sites, has posted their review of the game.

http://www.thebrothersduomazov.com/2012/10/mysterious-song.html

There's still a few copies of the game left, but they sold better than expected.