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Half-Minute Hero Review for PlayStation Portable (PSP)

Half-Minute Hero Review for PlayStation Portable (PSP)

I’ll Have Seconds

Despite the title, Half-Minute Hero is a full-length game that is anything but short or half-baked. Take a classic, old-school RPG and trim the fat and inject some extra genres and you`ve got this lean, mean, action machine. It`s everything that you like in an RPG without everything that you don`t. This is not for the purist, but if you`re looking for a game that is guaranteed to make your head spin, don`t miss out on Half-Minute Hero.

Half-Minute Hero screenshot

The game gets its name from the fact that you have thirty seconds to get through each level. That’s not much time, I agree, and so did the developers. So in an effort to help you save the world, which has been enchanted to self-destruct in that given time, you will be able to extend the time limit. As in traditional RPGs there is always lots to do. There are monsters to fight, dungeons to crawl through, items to collect, characters to interact with, and experience points to accrue that will ultimately level-up your character. So getting more time in each level will allow you to perform more of these tasks. Fallen enemies can be looted for cash – the currency you need to purchase more time from the Time Goddess. This will keep you in the game, but the more time you want, the more it’s going to cost you.

There are so many things to do within the allotted time that you’ve got no time for slacking. That means no boring, drawn out cutscenes or lengthy soliloquies from mundane characters. Most times you won’t be able to complete a level in time, but having to tackle it again is not a downer, it’s all part of the gameplay. You’ll be forced to rethink your plan of attack, and because the gameplay is dynamic (always changing), it’s not like you’re going through each level by trial and error. You can attempt to get through a level as quickly as possible or you can stay longer and discover alternate paths complete with new side quests, characters, and unlockables. The replay value can be quite tremendous if you want to discover everything.

Gameplay elements include features from genres such as RPGs, shooters, action, puzzles, and real-time strategy. There are four main modes, each of them highlighting a different genre, but still related to the core gameplay. More on these modes in a moment, but there are more options awaiting the ambitious player including ad-hoc multiplayer. You can expect to spend more than 20 hours exploring all of the modes and all of the secrets, although you can opt to get through the game in a day.

Half-Minute Hero screenshot

The storyline is the standard, save-the-world scenario, but it’s presented with healthy doses of hilarity. The game pokes fun at itself, and nowhere is that more evident than in the cheesy eight-bit graphics. No doubt this saves the developers a lot of time and effort, but the imaginative character models and the terrible-on-purpose renderings impart uniqueness to the game that state-of-the-art 3D graphics couldn’t hope to attain, at least not with this game (this is true despite the fact that it would even look bad on a Game Boy Color). It all comes together in Half-Minute Hero; a testament to Xseed’s infamous eccentricities.

Our hero arrives in a strange new land, an enchanted kingdom that is under the spell of an evil sorcerer. You are implored by the king to help. The king is not only helpless but he’s also useless. You’re basically on your own with the help of some non-playable, interactive characters that you’ll meet. The entire world will end in 30 seconds unless you can buy some time. The speed in which your quests unfold will have you reaching for a seatbelt.

Half-Minute Hero screenshot

While this game is played in fast-forward, the gameplay is not marred by the speed, it’s enhanced. It may seem like a novelty, but the time limit does not make this game a one-trick pony. It’s got a great deal of depth despite the fast pace and relentless action. You’ll be confronted by several situations requiring strategic decisions, and occasionally dumb luck. Skill is also involved as you navigate your way through dangerous obstacle courses, combat enemies, and perform shooting in the shooter mode, or the Princess 30 mode as it’s called.

Half-Minute Hero screenshot

The other two main modes are the Evil Lord 30 and the Knight 30, a real-time strategy and an action mode, respectively. There is also an unlockable 300 mode where you will have 300 seconds to perform your task, and a 3 mode, in which you will have only three seconds to get things done. Good luck with that one.

Controls are never confusing, a good thing since you’ve got fast decisions to make. You’ll mainly be concerned with moving in a specific direction and pressing the action button that is somewhat context-sensitive, allowing you to strike at enemies, access areas, and collect objects. Characters are full of asinine comments designed to make you lol. The soundtrack is fully orchestrated, guitar-based metal pop, in contrast to the 8-bit graphics. The mood of the music varies depending on your situation and location. The sound effects are tight and crunchy, especially the combat sounds.

Hero 30 mode is where you’ll be spending the majority of your time. It incorporates all of the featured gameplay elements, and it’s done so in a cohesive fashion. It never feels disjointed or forced. An ad-hoc mode pits you against other three other players in a race to see who can get to the boss and defeat him first in Hero mode. It’s another great playable feature that is almost worth the price of admission alone. Overall, this is a unique game that is fresh and fun. It’s hard to imagine anyone not enjoying it. If you have a PSP, you simply have to have Half-Minute Hero in it.

RATING OUT OF 5 RATING DESCRIPTION 4.5 Graphics
Old-school, 8-bit graphics presented with humor and soul. Great effects. 4.6 Control
Simple and effective control scheme. Designed for quick reflexive gaming. 4.8 Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
Great guitar-based tunes always fit the atmosphere. 4.8 Play Value
A fun, fast, frenetic game that is truly unique. 4.7 Overall Rating – Must Buy
Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.

Game Features:

  • Fast-paced Action for Instant Gratification – A fresh new way to play games, clearing stages in 30-second intervals.
  • Four Completely Different and Unique Game Play Modes – Four distinct storylines and modes that encompass an action RPG, a shooter, an escort mission, and a strategy game, keep the gameplay fresh and varied.
  • Over 15 Hours of Total Gameplay – With each of the four unique modes containing 30 distinct stages, short individual play times add up to many hours of total gameplay.
  • Intense Multiplayer Action – Connect two to four friends through ad-hoc wireless connection for blazing fast competition!
  • Old-School Graphics, New-Age Metal Sound – Classic 8-bit graphics give this game its unique visual style, while original music by one of Japan’s most critically-acclaimed guitarists keeps a pace as fast and furious as the gameplay.

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