Gameboy Color - Hype the Time Quest Review

Hype: The Time Quest is the gameboy colour version of the computer game of the same name. The game has Hype being sent back to the 1st era of the Kingdom he protects, conquering the villain in each era and moving to the next era. Everything in the game is based around or in the style of Playmobile's toys.

Gameplay: 7/10

While the computer game is a 3D action adventure game which requires you to time travel, this game is for most part a linear 2D action platform game. The town is the central area of the game, here you can buy weapons, obtain password and get healed at the herbalist. While in the town area, you control Hype from a top down view and can talk to a few citizens as well as the wizard who will help you return to your time. You will find out from the wizard that in each era you will have to collect three magical items. Each item is the goal of each level you travel to, so the level ends when you collect it. If you have collected all three items a dragon will be summoned and bring you to fight the main villain of the era. Once the villain is defeated, you will be then be sent to the next era.

While in the levels themselves, Hype can move around, attack with his sword, fire his arrows, cast spells, crouch, jump and climb. You have a limited amount of arrows and spells although since most enemies will be easily dispatched with one or two hits you will probably have little use for them unless you prefer to kill enemies from a distance. You do get hurt if you touch an enemy but if Hype lands directly on their heads, he will not take any damage and simply bounce off them. This is a good way of not penalising the player. Unfortunately, he does not have any particular exciting sword fighting techniques nor spells. He just swings his sword the same way over and over again. As for his spells, he has three different spells: fire, ice and lightning, but the only difference between the spells is the colour and the amount of damage done. Hype as a character definitely fits the game, but unfortunately could have been a more varied and interesting character with a few additional moves such as sword combos.

The dragon flying section which occurs after you have collected all items is a basic horizontal shooter. You travel through a cave, collecting coins and belching fire to kill enemies. There is no cave flying boss but at the end of it you will meet the boss villain of the era. The boss villain in the game is your standard kind of boss, each of them has their own pattern of attacking and unique powers. For example, one of the bosses you fight is a really tall knight that you have to literally cut down to size. Unfortunately, they are not particularly distinguished aside from looking like Playmobile toys.

Graphics:3.5/5

The graphics for the game are fairly detailed. Each level has its own graphics and different kinds items. For example, there is an observatory level full of stars and planets. The problem is that although relatively, detailed there lacks a uniqueness to the design. Most players would have seen it all before in other games.

Sound and Music: 2/5

The sound and music are acceptable but nothing exciting to write about.

Game design: 2/5

The game design is unfortunately a bit of a let down considering the Zelda games on the gameboy colour. Aside from the main town and the levels, there is no where else to go. The town itself is rather boring and aside from a few people and shopkeepers, there is nothing to do. The actual level designs are not particular great or innovative either, however they are rarely frustrating and you will almost never have to perform 'leaps of faith'. What is perhaps even more disappointing is the fact that they did not follow the PC game which allowed Hype to go back and forth in time to alter events in the past that would affect the future.

Longevity: 3/5

The game is relatively short and fairly easy. Average players will be able to finish it fairly easily as it was originally geared for a younger audience anyway. Most people will find it an average game, not terrible or bad.

For: Average platform game

Against: Too mediocre, Does not take advantage of everything

Name: Hype: The Time Quest

Genre: Action

Produced by: Planet Interactive Development

Year: 2000

Platform: Gameboy Colour

Runs on: Visualboy Advance

Scoring Summary:

Gameplay: 7/10

Graphics: 3.5/5

Sound and Music: 2.5/5

Game design: 2/5

Longevity: 3/5

Total: 20/30

Rating:

67%

-Reviewed by Barnabas