Riviera: The Promised Land Remaster — Everything We Know

Japanese Developer, Sting Entertainment, has officially confirmed that Riviera: The Promised Land Remaster is currently in development. The confirmation was made on July 12, 2023, exactly 21 years after Riviera: The Promised Land first hit the market. Back then, Sting released the game solely on WonderSwan Color platforms in Japan on July 12, 2002. Then, the developer re-released the game on Game Boy Advance in Japan on November 25, 2004, and thereafter, re-released the game on the same platform in North America on June 28, 2005. Oh, Sting didn’t stop there, either. They went on to re-re-release the game on PlayStation Portable in Japan on November 22, 2006, in North America on July 10, 2007, and later, in Europe on April 4, 2008. 

But since then, Sting has gone silent, with no remasters in the works, even as current and next-gen consoles flooded the market. That’s until now. Get ready for a high-definition remastered version of Riviera: The Promised Land. This was the first entry in the Dept. Heaven series. And quite honestly, among the few authentic cult classic RPGs well ahead of their time. Curious to know the gameplay, platforms, and more or whether the remastered version will adopt the original storyline, word for word? Come along on our Riviera: The Promised Land Remastered— Everything We Know to find out.

What is Riviera: The Promised Land Remaster?

Riviera: The Promised Land is a cult classic RPG released in 2002 as the first entry in the Dept. Heaven series. The game made it onto WonderSwan Color, Game Boy Advance, and PlayStation Portable platforms over intervals of six years. Thereafter, developer Sting shifted focus to other episodes in the series. While also remastering a few other games like Knights in the Nightmare and Yggdra Union: We'll Never Fight Alone, also installments in the Dept. Heaven series.

On July 12, 2023, Sting confirmed that Riviera: The Promised Land will finally receive a remaster of its own. The announcement marks the 21st anniversary since the game first aired. So, definitely, the graphics and gameplay are a tad bit rusty to play now. With 50 reworked cutscenes, improved graphics, and dual language functionality, though, both old and newcomers alike will surely be happy to return to the Promised Land and relive Riviera anew.

Story

Riviera: The Promised Land takes place on a floating island called Riviera. Courtesy of Gematsu, Riviera: The Promised Land Remaster will restore the original characters fans grew to love. Ein and the Sprites will, once again, embark on a mission to save the people of Riviera from succumbing to eternal doom. The journey to fulfilling the mission will be filled with nostalgic moments. Fans will meet their favorite characters and enjoy compelling stories throughout their playthrough. 

All along, journeying across an immersive, fantastic world of Riviera. Oh, and Sting has taken the extra step to compose an entirely new soundtrack, promising an exciting tune that will please both old and new players alike. In addition, they plan to feature an extended storyline with more than 50 reworked cutscenes. As well as fully voiced audio and dual language, we presume will likely be Japanese and English.

Gameplay

We don’t know much about the gameplay except that Sting will refine the combat system to sync well in handheld mode. Also, the remastered version will have HD quality featuring improved graphics. However, if we’re to speculate, perhaps Riviera: The Promised Land Remaster will maintain the original unique exploration system. See, rather than freely roam around an open world; the original featured a point-and-click system.

It’s a little weird, yet interesting, to have a selection of spots to explore further in a certain area and have the freedom to decide where you’d like to go. A compelling and creative plot backed it up. As well as the battle system that featured a highly technical system you had no choice but to pay close attention to. If the cogs on the remaster run smoothly, perhaps newcomers will find their haven here, too.

Development

It’s been a long time coming. You may have even forgotten about Riviera at this point. But the game was a true cult classic that once Sting announced its remaster coming soon, its fan base quickly stirred up conversations around their expectations and overall excitement for the new game. 

Sting is no stranger to remasters, having released Knights in the Nightmare and Yggdra Union: We'll Never Fight Alone, both entries in the Dept. Heaven series. The two games were first released on Switch in Japan in 2022. However, Yggdra Union: We'll Never Fight Alone snuck its way on Steam, releasing worldwide in February 2023. 

Now, Sting is tracing its steps back to the first entry in Dept. Heaven, and currently working on the Riviera: The Promised Land Remaster. Seeing as Yggdra Union: We'll Never Fight Alone racked up considerable positive reviews on Steam, we certainly cannot wait to finally get our hands on Riviera.

Trailer

『約束の地リヴィエラ』本日で発売２１周年🌏❗️

そして…

HDリマスター化決定をお知らせします‼️‼️#リヴィエラ pic.twitter.com/z10Nw5NoDP

— スティング (@sting_pr) July 12, 2023

Save for the official announcement on Twitter, there’s no trailer currently available. However, we’ll be sure to keep an eye out and let you know once it’s out.

Release Date, Platforms & Editions

Sting has yet to confirm an official Riviera: The Promised Land Remaster release date. They have not confirmed any platforms that the game will launch on. And neither do we know of any editions currently available. 

If we’re to speculate, perhaps the remaster will launch on Switch and Steam platforms, given Knights in the Nightmare and Yggdra Union: We'll Never Fight Alone remasters released on Switch, and Yggdra Union: We'll Never Fight Alone made it to Steam a little later. While only Yggdra Union: We'll Never Fight Alone made it to the West, hopefully, Riviera does so too, and worldwide, because the audience for these games is definitely on the uphill climb.

So, what’s your take? Will you be picking up a copy of Riviera: The Promised Land Remaster when it drops? Let us know over on our socials here.