Time Hollow Review for Nintendo DS

System: DS	Review Rating Legend
Dev: Tenky	1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid	4.0 - 4.4 = Great
Pub: Konami	2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
Release: Sep. 23, 2008	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	5.0 = The Best
	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
Players: 1	3.5 - 3.9 = Good

Same thing can be said about the soundtrack. The music is also very appealing, and it definitely contributes to the overall suspenseful feel of the game. I found it to be very pleasing, as opposed to other games that just make you move the volume switch all the way down. It's true the game could have used a few more sound effects and some voice acting to bring the story to the next level, but overall, there's not much of a reason to complain about this. After all, it's just a DS game; we're used to "basic."

Time Hollow screenshot

Of course, you know what basic means; it means there's not a whole lot to it, which is the case with this game once you finish the six-chapter story mode. There are no other modes to extend the replayability, which is what makes the $30 price tag a little steep. However, there's one thing that could bring a few more hours of gameplay to the table. Depending on a couple of specific choices that you make throughout the game, you'll be able to reach an alternate ending. If you follow the most reasonable path, you'll end up where you're supposed to, but if you decide to go for the twist, the story will become a little shorter and will take you elsewhere. If you'd like more information about this, you'll have to read a walkthrough!

In conclusion, Time Hollow offers an enticing story, cool cinematics, and a nice soundtrack. It's possible some players will be bored after a while, especially with things constantly changing back and forth. Others might be left wanting for more, especially because there's only one game mode available. However, this is a quality title that some of you should explore. It's worth at least a rental if you're into games like Phoenix Wright. A purchase only makes sense if you're a game collector like me or if you plan to pass this game along after you're done playing.

By Maria Montoro
CCC Site Director

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

4.0

Graphics
Anime cutscenes are very appealing. Charming character design lets you see their personalities.

3.5

Control
Basic point-and-click action. Nothing remarkable here, but at least it works.

3.9

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
Engaging, high-quality music produces the right effect on players. Additional sound effects would have been nice to hear.

3.5

Play Value
This is the kind of story game you only need to play once. However, it's engaging while it lasts.

3.8

Overall Rating - Good
Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.

Game Features:

Deep storyline with clever puzzles that will challenge and intrigue gamers as they search for answers in the mystery that unravels around them.

New storytelling and puzzle-solving mechanic of the Hollow Pen will have players exploring both the present and the past simultaneously.

Cinematics are created by the famous anime studio AIC, producers of such shows as Blood+ and Gun X Sword.

A variety of interesting characters that come to life via the writing of popular Japanese writers Junko Kawano and Takehiko Hata.