Pier Solar and the Great Architects

 PlayStation 4
Metascore
69

Mixed or average reviews - based on 6 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. Hardcore Gamer
    Oct 6, 2014
    80
    It may have taken WaterMelon a while to finally give us this gem, but it was worth the wait. If you’re looking for a memorable, old-school RPG, buy Pier Solar HD.
  2. Gaming Nexus
    Nov 4, 2014
    74
    While the presentation is spot on, the gameplay is marred by combat that seems to favor the enemies. Couple this with obtuse puzzles and an aimless story and you have an adventure game that is good, but doesn't stack up to the best games in the genre.
  3. RPG Fan
    Dec 1, 2014
    70
    In going so far retro, Pier Solar HD shows that it hasn't learned from modern advancements in game design.
  5. Game Informer
    Oct 13, 2014
    70
    I wanted to love Pier Solar HD. I grew up playing the titles it emulates, and seeing the look and feel so authentically captured gave me high hopes. However, I grew increasingly bored with Pier Solar once the initial wonder wore away.
  6. Push Square
    Oct 19, 2014
    60
    This is a retro RPG down to its very core, and if you aren’t prepared to accept its charmingly archaic quirks, you probably won’t relish your time with it. However, if you are willing to embrace its idiosyncrasies – some amiable, some aggravating - you’ll find a veritable wealth of content to explore.
  7. PlayStation LifeStyle
    Oct 7, 2014
    55
    While I loved getting that classic RPG nostalgia, much of the game found certain levels of tedium that quickly drove the experience of Pier Solar from nostalgia to a chore.

User Reviews

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User Score
6.7

Mixed or average reviews- based on 42 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 42
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 42
  3. Negative: 12 out of 42
  1. IanClue
    Oct 3, 2014
    2
    Terrible game when it came out with none of the game breaking issues corrected with the HD version. The first few hours are fun and theTerrible game when it came out with none of the game breaking issues corrected with the HD version. The first few hours are fun and the nostalgia effect is great. But as soon as your party is "full" the painfully drab battle system and slow animation make this game more a chore than anything else.

    The confusing maps and hidden goals are annoying, but typical of games in the 90s. You can consult a walkthrough if you get stuck, but there is no fix for spending 2 minutes after every 2 minute battle healing your party 1 at a time.    … Full Review »
  2. matthewbennion
    Oct 7, 2014
    8
    If you were a kid of the 80s / 90s it won't be hard for you to appreciate what Pier Solar HD has to offer. The game is a swan song to theIf you were a kid of the 80s / 90s it won't be hard for you to appreciate what Pier Solar HD has to offer. The game is a swan song to the golden age of 16-bit RPGs.… Full Review »
  3. Magus80
    Oct 1, 2014
    4
    Only played 10 hours so far before I got annoyed and stopped.
    Good: decent story, dialogue with some humor that feels natural but lacking    Only played 10 hours so far before I got annoyed and stopped.
    Good: decent story, dialogue with some humor that feels natural but lacking character development. graphics are nice considering this game was originally from 16 bit system along with enemies looking nice. Equipment / accessories add some decent customization.

    Bad: bland animations that take forever to play out and there's no options to speed or skip it. Normal random encounters can get very tedious, they usually last about 1-2 minutes. Not much of variety to enemies. Map design is all over the place, often requiring you to consult a guide to navigate. Healing in the field is just as annoying, you're forced to watch 5 seconds of healing effect animation each time that only heal 1/5 of your HP. All of those are very baffling game design choices that the devs went with would not hold up to the modern standard of most present-day JRPGs even including past JRPGs that were well-executed.

    Despite those glaring flaws in game design, I got a distinct impressions that this game is a labor of love and possibly could be enjoyable if you have a patience and are in a mood for something relaxing.    … Full Review »
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