Half-Minute Hero is a love letter to RPG fans and a chance at reconciliation for RPG haters.
The game is split into four campaigns and one epic last level. Each of the campaigns is patterned off a different genre: traditional RPG, real-time strategy, shooter and survival. Each campaign is divided into 30 30-second levels in each of which the player races against time to stop evil lords, old foes and the death of a king. It's a heavy handed, but hilarious mechanic that forces the player to frantically rush through each stage.
Before we move forward, it's best to know that not all levels end up being just 30 seconds, because a time-reversing mechanic can extend a level while you attempt to reach your goal.
However, missions in Half-Minute Hero are for the most part very brief, which really separates it from the typical RPG fodder. The limited time available to the player removes the grind from RPGs, or it should be said, the grind is significantly more tolerable now and tends to be quicker than the few blinks of the eye. Depending upon the campaign, battling becomes fairly automated while you level up. The player enters into battle and fights the monsters automatically without the need for micromanagement or player input.
It can be explained until we're blue in the face, but to better understand the mechanic, just watch this video:
If you're a fan of RPGs, you'll enjoy how this game turns convention on its head and gives you a great adventure while poking fun at it with self-aware humor; if you're not a fan of RPGs, this is a game that doesn't feel like one. You don't get bogged down in party micromanagement and there's always a feeling of intense, heavy action.
In a game based on beating the clock, there are bound to be moments where frustration sets in. A small misstep, an unintended battle on the way to town, not being able to pick up an object or any number of things can be deadly in Half-Minute Hero. Many times the game was turned off in frustration at losing a level for a stupid reason, but its just too hard to put down and any number of frustrations are temporary and easily overcome with dedication.
The mix of genres makes it so that players won't get bored. Outside of the bland real-time strategy game, Half-Minute Hero rarely disappoints.
Fans of old games and pixel art will latch onto the stylized look and style of game; it's a love letter to the RPGs people grew up with, created by people who should be drug tested.
