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HYPE: THE TIME QUEST (GBC)
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Publisher: Ubi Soft.
Developer: Ubi Soft Montreal. Released: August 2001. Genre: 2D Action/Adventure. Other versions: PC; PS2. Posted 8th October 2024. By Tom Clare © 2024 |
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The Game Boy Color iteration of Hype: The Time Quest trades the PC version’s more expansive 3D adventuring for classic, 2D side-scrolling fare. Based on the Playmobil medieval series of toys and its rather uninspired-looking hero, Hype appeared a quaint idea for a video game of the early 2000s. It’s hard to shake the idea it would have been viewed as a rather old-fashioned gaming experience upon its original release. Still, whilst there’s nothing world-beating here, it’s a decently-crafted adventure.
Hype, the titular knight, must battle through four time zones, one each for the sequential rules of Kings Taskan I-IV. Each era begins in a superficially evolving version of the village. This acts as a hub that provides options to buy health, arrows, spells and passwords with coins earned during the levels. Each world offers three levels that can be tackled in any order the player chooses, before an era concludes with a side-scrolling shooter section and a boss fight.
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The village hubs could have offered a little more, but the levels are fun and make good use of the medieval setting
The game does not attempt to reinvent the wheel, but its platforming is fun. The knight responds with alacrity, and both the general ledge-hopping and the combat, whether it’s melee or projectile-orientated, is satisfying enough. Solid collision physics present nothing to grumble about, and though there’s little in the way of unique gameplay features, each level presents a healthy dollop of platforming to keep you occupied.
Here, The Time Quest is fairly well kitted out: the protagonist is able to climb, slide and crawl through gaps, meaning each area offers a little more than moving right and jumping. Levels typically offer doors to optional rooms, though circuitous level design means it’s not always clear which ones lead to dead ends, and which ones represent the way forward. There are some reasonable boss fights that encourage the player to learn their foes’ attack patterns, and some competent dragon-riding, side-scrolling shoot ‘em up bits. These are a bit samey and though it’s true they’ll never be mistaken for Gradius or R-Type, they do exhibit a versatility of design.
Here, The Time Quest is fairly well kitted out: the protagonist is able to climb, slide and crawl through gaps, meaning each area offers a little more than moving right and jumping. Levels typically offer doors to optional rooms, though circuitous level design means it’s not always clear which ones lead to dead ends, and which ones represent the way forward. There are some reasonable boss fights that encourage the player to learn their foes’ attack patterns, and some competent dragon-riding, side-scrolling shoot ‘em up bits. These are a bit samey and though it’s true they’ll never be mistaken for Gradius or R-Type, they do exhibit a versatility of design.
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Hype fares strongest in its visuals. Whilst its gameplay offers little players won’t have experienced before, its beautiful backgrounds elevate its otherwise sturdy levels through some inviting settings. You’ll witness lively, animated duels playing out in the distance, whilst the colourful laboratory and castle walls settings fit the bill nicely. Levels are prettily drawn and, for a Game Boy Color outing, there’s an impressive degree of scenic detailing, and whilst it does occasionally rely on palette swapping, the environments feel pleasantly distinct. Hype himself looks good too, moving with clarity and fluidity, whilst enemies are typically simple but clearly defined. It’s also worth pointing out that the central protagonist looks more convincing in 8-bit form than his rather garish equivalent in the 3D versions of the game. In this instance, less is more.
Starting with three lives, the game offers a fair challenge by rote of the scarcity of opportunities to add to this tally. Passwords record your progress, meaning carelessly dropping lives may cost you later on. Defeating bosses without losing a life can prove tricky, and you may find yourself having to replay sections of the game, fine-tuning your performance to ensure you’re well-stocked going into the final set of levels. The difficulty balancing is nicely judged, as you’ll meet encounter plenty of hazards and lots of enemies, but things rarely feel cheap or unfair. That said, its twelve levels don’t represent a lot of playing time and its difficult to make a serious case for additional runs.
Starting with three lives, the game offers a fair challenge by rote of the scarcity of opportunities to add to this tally. Passwords record your progress, meaning carelessly dropping lives may cost you later on. Defeating bosses without losing a life can prove tricky, and you may find yourself having to replay sections of the game, fine-tuning your performance to ensure you’re well-stocked going into the final set of levels. The difficulty balancing is nicely judged, as you’ll meet encounter plenty of hazards and lots of enemies, but things rarely feel cheap or unfair. That said, its twelve levels don’t represent a lot of playing time and its difficult to make a serious case for additional runs.
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Hype has a few different weapons at his disposal, and the combat works pretty well
The village hubs feel like a missed opportunity, purely because they’re so similar across the four time zones. A few buildings and characters are moved around, but this proves more of a nuisance than a novelty. There are very few distinctive NPCs, a modest number of whom could have added a bit of dialogue to help set the scene and paint a picture of changing times. Instead, whilst the levels themselves develop somewhat, there is no appreciable sense of time changing, a theme that is central to the story. Though it doesn’t impact the gameplay, it feels like a missed opportunity.
Hype: The Time Quest is a good platform adventure. Its visuals prove the highlight, with endearing and impressive designs helping enhance the medieval setting and, in so doing, crafting a fun, fantastical atmosphere beyond the scope of most Game Boy Color creations. A lack of originality counts against it somewhat, but if you’re a fan of side-scrolling adventures, there’s enough to justify giving it a try.
Hype: The Time Quest is a good platform adventure. Its visuals prove the highlight, with endearing and impressive designs helping enhance the medieval setting and, in so doing, crafting a fun, fantastical atmosphere beyond the scope of most Game Boy Color creations. A lack of originality counts against it somewhat, but if you’re a fan of side-scrolling adventures, there’s enough to justify giving it a try.
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VERDICT
"Hype: The Time Quest offers little in the way of new ideas, but its endearing setting, sturdy platforming and pretty visuals mean that, for fans of 2D adventures, it may be worth a look." OVERALL: 6/10 |
OTHER ACTION GAMES WITH SWORDPLAY REVIEWED
Genpei Tōma Den (1990, PC Engine)
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Ghost of Tsushima (2020, PlayStation 4)
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