Timing Hero

A game of attack and dodge.

There is something strangely appealing about old-school style 8 bit games.  Often, simplicity makes things a challenge. Take, for example, the game Timing Hero.

Simple in design, limited 2 tone colouring, with 8 bit characters  and monsters, with matching fonts and style appropriate music, the basics of this game are to attack and dodge.

Using traditional console-like controls, combined with turn-based style fighting, you use your right thumb to attack and your left to dodge. It can be tempting to just mash the attack button, but, making that mistake can be rather dangerous to your health!

Before you begin, you start as a novice which helps you understand the main skills - like learning to read how and where a monster is going to attack so you can time your dodge. Once you have that mastered, the jobs are unlocked.

There are three main classes of jobs: warrior, mage, and archer with five levels of job class for each - some which unlock when certain challenges are met, others only as in-game purchases.

Each have their own unique special ability which powers up through your battles.

The monster battles are levelled with a sub-boss every 5 and boss every 10 levels. Defeating monsters earns you credits to spend on stay upgrades such as damage, critical hit, and health. 

There are tons of extra things in the game as well - from stat boosting artifacts to accomplishment awards.

I find myself playing this game frequently and am enjoying the challenge of reaching specific levels. I showed this to my game - obsessed 11 year old, who immediately downloaded it to his tablet and started playing. His review of the game can be summed up with his comment: "Man, this game is fun.  It is so addicting!"

We find ourselves chuckling over the melee attacking archers ("Ahh! I stab you with my arrow!") while competing to see who can get the farthest. (Hint: It is never me. He has been well game trained.)

The only downsides I see are:

- you have time regenerated lives so you have limited attempts to complete tasks and play. However, despite playing a bunch, I personally have yet to deplete those hearts.
- it could become monotonous. Let's face it - this game is the same movement repeated over and over.  And there are only 40 levels max per job, so you can finish the game quickly if you are skilled.

If you want a fun game that you can play without time commitment or serious brain strategies, and still fill your need to beat up bad guys... test your reflexes and become a Timing Hero.