{"id":2088,"date":"2009-11-04T09:30:07","date_gmt":"2009-11-04T15:30:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lungfishopolis.com\/?p=2088"},"modified":"2009-10-29T15:37:24","modified_gmt":"2009-10-29T21:37:24","slug":"30-seconds-of-pwn-half-minute-hero","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/greghowley.com\/lungfish\/2009\/11\/30-seconds-of-pwn-half-minute-hero\/","title":{"rendered":"30 Seconds of Pwn: Half-Minute Hero"},"content":{"rendered":"

The premise of Half-Minute Hero sounds sounds simplistic but essentially the goal is to save the world from the Evil Lord in 30 seconds. Doesn’t sound like much of a game from that description but I assure you, there’s much more to it. The game is broken up into three main chapters and with some challenge stages that can be played separately. Each chapter is made up of several episodes, and yes the goal is to complete each one in 30 seconds. Every episode is set up so that it feels like you’ve played an entire game, the credits even roll after you complete an episode. The next episode starts up with a recap of what you just accomplished and then sets the stage for the next Evil Lord you must defeat.<\/p>\n

I suppose the best way to describe the gameplay is to say it’s a mini-RPG, with minimal user input. You can acquire gear and weapons with your standard RPG stats, and each item nicely affects your performance. You are then dispatched to defeat the Evil Lord and the 30 second timer starts ticking away. However, there are a few caveats to the time limit. Time stops when you enter villages or towns. You can also buy more time from
\nthe Time Goddess (who is wickedly funny) but your funds have to be closely managed between purchasing healing items, buying the necessary weapons and gear or extending your time. You may not always have the money to extend the time limit and will have to hustle or watch the Evil Lord destroy the world when time runs out. Of course, the Time Goddess has ways of putting you back in the action but this makes every episode require a different set of strategies. Do you buy more time or pick up that Fly Swatter that will let you defeat insect enemies in one hit? So many decisions, so little time…<\/p>\n

Once you set out on your adventure, you’ll run around on the world map looking for the Evil Lord and will then bump into any number of random encounters. Combat switches to side view and is automatic (hey, you really can’t do turn based or hack ‘n slash in just 30 seconds) so you’ll plow through enemies or be kicked back to the world map. You’ll also level up based on these encounters, sometimes 2-3 levels per fight, which is required for when you face the toughies at the end of each episode. There may also be side quests that have to be completed before you can tackle the Evil Lord, almost requiring that you buy extra time. Defeating the Evil Lord pops up a flag on his castle, Super Mario Bros. 3 style and then you’ve saved the world. For now.<\/p>\n

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Graphically the game is very different from what you’d expect from a PSP game. You get a top down world map view ala The Legend of Zelda (yes, the NES version) and then combat is sidescrolling ala Super Mario Bros. (again, the NES version). If my hints didn’t already tip you off, the game is presented in an over exaggereated 8\/16-Bit style. It’s done in such a way that you can tell they’re making things purposely blurry or pixelated to poke fun at the adventure games from days gone by. I really like it, cracks me up when you get close-ups of your hero or the Evil Lords and have to try to figure out what you’re looking at.<\/p>\n

I really enjoy games that don’t take themselves too seriously and Half-Minute Hero surely knows how to make fun of its gameplay gimmick. About 10 episodes in, the game pits you against a crocodilian Evil Lord and admits it’s having a hard time coming up with new Evil Lords for you to fight. Sometimes after battles on the world map you’ll get the message “You > Evil”. Another of the Evil Lords is an afro’d wizard that stole a
\nship’s sails for bedsheets, complete with groovy disco music in the background. Even the gear and supporting characters are all in on the joke.<\/p>\n

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For a handheld game, this one hits on all the right levels. You get some quick, fun gameplay, with enough adventure and RPG elements to keep you coming back time after time. For a game that sells 30 seconds of adventure, I’ve spent nearly three hours with it already and I’m still on the 1st chapter. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to save the world and the clock is ticking.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"