Half-Minute Hero

Half-Minute Hero
Developer(s) Marvelous Entertainment
Publisher(s)
Director(s) Kotaro Yoshida
Designer(s) Kiichi Hosaka
Koichi Takazawa
Kazuo Araki
Yasuyuki Kobayashi
Toshinari Fujii
Composer(s) See soundtrack section
Platform(s) PlayStation Portable
Xbox Live Arcade
Microsoft Windows
Release date(s)

PlayStation Portable

  • JP May 28, 2009
  • NA October 13, 2009
  • EU February 19, 2010[1]
  • AUS March 19, 2010

Xbox Live Arcade

  • INT June 29, 2011

Microsoft Windows

  • INT September 27, 2012
Genre(s) Real-time strategy, action role-playing, shoot 'em up
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer

Half-Minute Hero (勇者30 Yūsha Sanjū, lit. "Hero 30") is a hybrid real-time strategy/action RPG/shoot 'em up developed by Marvelous Entertainment.[2] It was initially released as a PlayStation Portable exclusive in Japan on May 28, 2009,[3] in North America on October 13, 2009[4][5] and in Europe on February 19, 2010. It was re-released on the Xbox Live Arcade on June 29, 2011 under the title Half-Minute Hero: Super Mega Neo Climax.[6]

A sequel, Yūsha 30 Second, was released in Japan on August 4, 2011.[7] It was localized by Marvelous USA and released on Steam on April 4, 2014 as Half-Minute Hero: The Second Coming.

Gameplay

Half-Minute Hero's single player mode features 6 different game modes. Each mode is based on one part of a larger story, and as such, the last three modes are not available until the player has completed the first three modes; these last three modes are then unlocked in order after completing the previous mode. Each mode centers around a mechanic based on a limited amount of time (normally 30 seconds as implied by the game's title) to complete that part of the game.[8]

There is also a limited multiplayer mode in which two heroes can fight to complete a quest before the other. The multiplayer mode features three stages in which the two players will fight to collect power ups and level up in order to fight the Evil Lord at the end.[8]

Development

Half-Minute Hero was originally a downloadable freeware game called "30-Second Hero", whose concept was adopted by the producer for a PSP title. It was designed to be a quirky adaptation of the traditional, lengthy role-playing video game formula into 30 second intervals. The 8-bit graphics were designed to appear "old-school", resembling 8-bit RPGs such as early Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy games, and make the player use their imagination.[9]

Half-Minute Hero: Super Mega Neo Climax

Half-Minute Hero was re-released for the XBLA on June 29, 2011 as Half-Minute Hero: Super Mega Neo Climax. This version contains the "Super Mega Neo Climax" mode which allows the game to be played with enhanced graphics more akin to anime than 8-bit RPGs. Additionally, the "Evil Lord 30," "Princess 30," and "Knight 30" modes have been significantly reworked. Instead of the altering game styles found in the PSP version, the XBLA versions of these modes are identical in play style to "Hero 30" and feature only one level. The "Hero 30" campaign does have 6 new quests stemming from the "Treasure Land" stage, though. These quests involve the Overlord being awakened early and the hero has to acquire the aid of the five time beasts, however these levels also replace the "Another Goddess" stage found in the original version. The sound test mode, art gallery, and bestiary have also been removed from the XBLA version, normally unlocked after completing "Hero 3" in the PSP version.

Other changes include the addition of achievements, online multiplayer, as well as possible future downloadable content.

Half-Minute Hero: Super Mega Neo Climax Ultimate Boy

Half-Minute Hero was re-released for the PC on Steam and Playism on September 27, 2012 as Half-Minute Hero: Super Mega Neo Climax Ultimate Boy. This version is a compilation of almost all of the game modes that featured in the previous releases with the exception of the Another Goddess and Valhalla Knights stages.

Sequel

A sequel titled Yūsha 30 Second was released in Japan for the PSP on August 4, 2011. It was localized by Marvelous USA and released on Windows via Steam on April 4, 2014 as Half-Minute Hero: The Second Coming.

Soundtrack

The soundtrack of Half-Minute Hero features contributions from many well known Japanese game composers. They include Toshihiko Takamizawa, Yoshino Aoki, Hideki Asanaka, Kakeru Ishihama, Hiroyuki Iwatsuki, Yuzo Koshiro, Motoi Sakuraba, Koji Hayama, Norihiko Hibino, Takushi Hiyamuta, Kenji Fujisawa, Hiromi Mizutani, Yasumasa Yamada, Yasuo Yamate, Biei Morioka, Toru Nakagawa, Minako Adachi, and Megumi Komagata.

Reception

Reception
Aggregate scores
AggregatorScore
GameRankings84.32% [10]
Metacritic84/100 [11]
Review scores
PublicationScore
1UP.comB+[12]
Eurogamer8/10[13]
GameSpot8/10[14]
IGN8.8/10[15]
RPGamer4/5[16]

Critical reception

Half-Minute Hero received positive reviews. Aggregating review websites GameRankings and Metacritic gave the PSP version 84.32%[10] and 84/100[11] respectively.

Awards

Half-Minute Hero won several awards from RPG-focused websites.

References

  1. "Half Minute Hero Coming To Europe In Early 2010 – PlayStation.Blog.Europe". Blog.eu.playstation.com. 2009-11-03. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
  2. Michael McWhertor (2009-01-29). "Yuusha 30: Turns Out Countdown Clocks Are Sometimes Warranted". Kotaku.com. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
  3. Spencer . February 13, 2009 . 2:13am (2009-02-13). "Hero For 30sec Gets A Date And A Demo". Siliconera. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
  4. Spencer . January 21, 2009 . 7:02am (2009-01-21). "Marvelous Mystery Game Is For PSP And Not Just For Japan". Siliconera. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
  5. Spencer . September 10, 2009 . 11:33am (2009-09-10). "Half-Minute Hero Timed For October". Siliconera. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
  6. Brian Ashcraft (2011-05-26). "The PSP's Quickest (And Most Charming) Game Coming to Xbox Live". Kotaku.com. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
  7. "Anunciada secuela de Half Minute Hero". RPGPlayer. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
  8. 1 2 Spencer . February 6, 2009 . 7:18am (2009-02-06). "Hero For 30sec's Five Gameplay Modes". Siliconera. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
  9. Pavlacka, Adam (2009-10-09). "'Half-Minute Hero' (PSP) Developer Interview". WorthPlaying. Retrieved 2009-10-22.
  10. 1 2 "Half Minute Hero reviews". GameRankings.
  11. 1 2 "Half Minute Hero reviews". Metacritic.
  12. Justin Haywald (October 11, 2009). "Half Minute Hero review: Lose hours of your life in this adventure, 30 seconds at a time.". 1UP. Retrieved October 11, 2009.
  13. Simon Parkin (December 10, 2009). "Half Minute Hero review: 30 seconds of fame.". Eurogamer. Retrieved December 10, 2009.
  14. Shiva Stella (October 15, 2009). "Half Minute Hero review: This unique role-playing game's spritely charm and frantic pace will delight you for far longer than its title suggests.". GameSpot. Retrieved October 15, 2009.
  15. Greg Miller (October 9, 2009). "Half Minute Hero review: Because I don't want no one-minute man.". IGN. Retrieved October 9, 2009.
  16. Adriaan den Ouden. "Half-Minute Hero review: Time is Money". RPGamer.
  17. "RPGamer.com Best of 2009 Awards". RPGamer.com. Retrieved 2010-01-20.
  18. "RPGLand.com RPGs of the Year 2009". RPGLand. Retrieved 2010-01-17.
  19. "RPGFan Feature - Games of 2009". Tentonhammer.com. Retrieved 2010-01-13.

External links

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