DICE's cancelled Sega Genesis game, Hardcore, is finally getting a release
DICE is reviving a decades-old Sega Mega Drive game for the PlayStation 4 and PS Vita.
Back in 1994, DICE was developing a "Eurostyle 2D shooter" for the Sega Megadrive/ Sega Genesis, Commodore Amiga, and Sega Mega-CD, that ended up getting canned when it was on the brink of being finished. Now, German-based publisher, Strictly Limited, is raising the game from the dead, with Project Hardcore, that will see the devs complete the title using original "original Sega Mega Drive development hardware," before porting it to PS4 and PS Vita.
"Project HardCore (working title) is a eurostyle MetroidVania-platformer appealing especially to classic 2D-action-game enthusiasts with its intricate level design and numerous mid- and end-bosses," reads the press release, via ComicBook.com. "Vertical-scrolling Shoot ‘Em Up-stages, originally planned to be exclusive to the Sega Mega CD version, will also be integrated into the final version, delivering the most complete experience possible and bringing back memories of games like SWIV for the Commodore Amiga."
Harcore was "about 99% finished" at the time of cancellation, and had already been previewed in a number of magazines, including Sega Power, who said they were filled with "excitement at the fun and guns of Hardcore”.
"We intend to finish the game the way it was meant to be played!" says Strictly Limited Games. The original developers are even getting involved, with the hope that the "missing tank levels" from the original can make their way back into the game.
The game was relegated to being put on hold when the more powerful PlayStation console made its debut the same year, with its fancy pants 3D graphics. Strictly Limited Games describes the discovery of the original build back in 2017.
Since then, the two founding members, Dennis Mendel and Benedict Braitsch, have been joined by DICE's Mikael Kalms, as well as members from the original dev team - DICE co-founder Fredrik Liljegren, and Valkyrie Entertainment founder, Joakim Wejdemar.
"I know the care, love, sweat and hard work that went into creating Hardcore it in the first place by all involved parties," said Liljegren."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.”
Hardcore will release on PS4 and PS Vita in 2019.