In TV and film, it's a well-worn cliché: This message will self-destruct in 30 seconds. But in the land of bloated videogames, size - it is sometimes claimed - matters. Half-Minute Hero goes completely against the grain: in each level, the hero must save the world, 30 seconds at a time.

A homage to a bygone era, Half-Minute Hero fuses old-school visuals with a modern-day twist. In each level, a Dark Lord discovers a new way to destroy our Hero's world: he must solve a series of puzzles and level-up enough to defeat the massive end-of-level boss. In 30 seconds. Every time.

Of course, there are certain mechanics to extend our Hero's lifespan. Worshiping the Goddess of Time at certain locations - for a fee, of course - can replenish the clock, but only up to a maximum of 30 seconds. Levelling up - the old RPG staple, though this time possible every few seconds - allows our Hero to plough through combat more quickly - but only when the legend "You > Evil" appears does he stand a realistic chance of defeating the level's Dark Lord.

Four different gaming styles and in-game characters combine to offer tremendous variety. Blazing shooters, escort missions and quick-witted strategy will all play a part in the game's 100-plus missions - and then there's the multiplayer options which cater for up to four Half-Minute Heroes at a time (ad hoc mode).

Half-Minute Hero is genuinely one of the most inventive games around, and impossible - as proved by science - to play without grinning.

Visually, it's a love-letter to 8-bit classics, with gorgeous exaggerated sprites running around fantastic top-down and side-on visuals, just like the games they used to make. Lush hand-drawn interludes bring the graphics bang up to date between chapters, whilst the script buzzes and fizzes with fanboyisms.

At odds with its title, Half-Minute Hero is a real monster, offering around 20 hours of gameplay. The key difference is that each section is divided into bite-size chunks - so you can play for as long as little as you like: while away an evening, or have a blast when you're on the bus.

"Despite being firmly grounded in the fantasy RPG mould, Half-Minute Hero is a game unlike any other," says Martin Defries, managing director, Rising Star Games. "It's impossible to play without a massive grin on your face. But don't let that fool you - this is one deep and engrossing game, with a substantial single player adventure and countless multiplayer options. It's a game which keeps on giving - but like an inexperienced teenager: 30 seconds at a time."

Key Features:

• Fast-paced Action for Instant Gratification - A fresh new way to play games, clearing stages in 30-second intervals.
• Four Completely Different and Unique Game Play Modes - Four distinct storylines and modes that encompass an action RPG, a shooter, an escort mission, and a strategy game, keep the gameplay fresh and varied.
• Over 15 Hours of Total Gameplay - With each of the four unique modes containing 30 distinct stages, short individual play times add up to many hours of total gameplay.
• Intense Multiplayer Action - Connect two to four friends through ad-hoc wireless connection for blazing fast competition!
• Old-School Graphics, New-Age Metal Sound - Classic 8-bit graphics give this game its unique visual style, while original music by one of Japan’s most critically-acclaimed guitarists keeps a pace as fast and furious as the gameplay.