Half-Minute Hero is a solid game, built on some very neat concepts, that's definitely worth checking out.
(Note this review does give away what modes are unlocked after the third mode is completed. Other then that, nothing else is revealed/spoiled about the game's story."
The game itself is broken up into 5 modes. The first being Hero 30, which are 30 levels of mini RPGness. The game includes everything you would see in a RPG: towns, items to buys, leveling up, grinding, money earning, and of course Boss fights. The object is to defeat the Boss of each level in 30 seconds or less. Sometimes you need more time then 30 seconds; You can turn back time by7 praying to the statue goddess... which really means paying money, that doubles each time you sue it in a level. Overall, I really liked the game play of those levels, and everything seemed to work out very smoothly.
The second is Evil Lord 30, which is a Real Time Strategy game (in 30 seconds) across 30 levels. i didn't like this mode so much as the others. You have access to three monsters; Brutes which are great against speed type enemies, Nimbles, which are great against shooting enemies, and Shooters, which can take down brute types. Your aura around you dictates how strong your summons are, and how many you can summon at a time. If you are hit, you summon level takes a hit, making it harder to complete a stage. Luckily you can, like in Hero mode, for a price, use the golden barrels that house the goddess to not only turn back time, but return your summon stats to maximum. Sometimes the levels get a bit too intense to summon and this mode, out of all 5, seemed to be a hassle at times. Luckily ti doesn't last as long as Hero 30
Third, is Princess 30, which is a 30 second shooter. I liked this mainly for the change of pace in the game at this point, albeit it was a bit too easy for me. You as a Princess progress across 30 levels with your knights trying to complete quests, all while getting back before 30 seconds are up. The red carpets across the level allow you to turn back time, for some coins.
Fourth, is the Knight 30 mode, which is an action game that you try to keep the Sage safe for 30 seconds while it charges it's spell to end the level and send the monsters packing. This has 30 levels as well. It was a nice change on the 30 second concept since the sage has to go untouched for 30 seconds nonstop. You can guide the Sage around the level to protect it, set traps, use weapons (that break very easily) or try to use your own body to protect the sage. You'll die a lot, but luckily the game doesn't end as if you guide your spirit back tot he sage, you can live to protect the sage again. So in other words, whatever it takes in this mode, PROTECT THE SAGE!
Finally. the story ends with a 5th mode, which is 1 level that ties all the previous mode's stories together in an RPG in 3 minutes.
There's also a bonus mode which is a single level you try to beat in 3 seconds. Yes, THREE SECONDS. Thank god it's not part of the main game. It's insane.
The graphics for the game are pixeled backgrounds and characters to give the game a fitting 8-bit retro look, while the cut scenes (or cut scene screenshots) are detail artwork images.
As for the music and sound, the game sounds fantastic with fitting RPG tunes. It brings out the nostalgia of the old games it's inspired by.
Overall, I liked the game's neat concepts, though Hero 30 is the best out of them all. I give this an 8.0 out of ten. Solid game, very neat concepts, worth checking out.