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Strictly Limited Games resurrects a forgotten Psygnosis game

Project HardCore image

The game, once thought lost forever, will make its console debut on PlayStation 4 and Vita.

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A "MetroidVania" game that was originally set to be published by Psygnosis on the Mega Drive, Mega CD and Commodore Amiga will finally see the light of day after very nearly never releasing at all, German publisher Strictly Limited Games announced earlier today. It is scheduled to arrive on PlayStation 4 and Vita during the first half of 2019, in both physical and digital editions.

Project HardCore, as it is currently--but perhaps not indefinitely--called was developed by Digital Illusions C.E. but was ultimately scrapped as the industry moved onward to newer and more exciting consoles. Even DICE itself lost track of the data and documentation, but now "HardCore" is getting a second chance at life thanks to the efforts of Strictly Limited Games.

"In 2017, thanks to some fortunate circumstances and the help of some friends, Strictly LImited Games managed to locate a copy of the original build," the publisher announced in today's press release. "Supported by some of the most talented minds and experts of the gaming industry, the two founding members Dennis Mendel and Benedict Braitsch have since then been working on the recovery of this retro-treasure for current-gen gaming platforms."



Numerous others from DICE are involved, as is Matt Phillips of Big Evil Corporation (who has recently brought a Mega Drive project of his own to market). From the sound of things, finally bringing HardCore to life has been a labor of love.

"I know the care, love, sweat and hard work that went into creating Hardcore in the first place by all involved parties," commented Fredrik Liljegren, one of DICE's four founders. "Thus, I think it is fantastic that this product finally gets to see the light of day and for people to be able to play it finally."

The game's design features numerous mid- and end-level bosses, as well as vertical-scrolling shoot 'em up stages that were originally planned for the Sega Maga CD version of the original release. For a particular audience, playing Project Hardcore could be a bit like digging up a time capsule, except the old experience is at the same time all-new. Are you excited to potentially get your hands on this one?

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Staff article by Jason Venter (August 16, 2018)

Jason Venter has been playing games for 30 years, since discovering the Apple IIe version of Mario Bros. in his elementary school days. Now he writes about them, here at HonestGamers and also at other sites that agree to pay him for his words.

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