Skip to main content

Half Minute Hero: The Second Coming

91%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
grinding, graphics
91% User Score Based on 361 reviews

Platforms

PCPCSteam DeckSteam DeckWindowsWindowsPlayStationPlayStationPSPPSP

About

Half Minute Hero: The Second Coming is a fast-paced action RPG where players must defeat enemies and complete objectives within thirty seconds. The game features multiple character classes, each with unique abilities, and a variety of stages with different challenges. Cooperative and competitive multiplayer modes are also available, allowing players to team up or compete against each other in short, intense matches.

Half Minute Hero: The Second Coming screenshot
Half Minute Hero: The Second Coming screenshot
Half Minute Hero: The Second Coming screenshot
Half Minute Hero: The Second Coming screenshot
Half Minute Hero: The Second Coming screenshot
Half Minute Hero: The Second Coming screenshot
Half Minute Hero: The Second Coming screenshot
Half Minute Hero: The Second Coming screenshot
Half Minute Hero: The Second Coming screenshot
Half Minute Hero: The Second Coming screenshot
Half Minute Hero: The Second Coming screenshot
+8

91%
Audience ScoreBased on 361 reviews
story73 positive mentions
grinding39 negative mentions

  • The game expands on the original's mechanics, introducing a more in-depth story and character development while maintaining the fast-paced gameplay.
  • The soundtrack is exceptional, featuring a variety of tracks that enhance the overall experience and keep players engaged.
  • The addition of multiplayer, a map editor, and global leveling systems adds significant replayability and depth to the game.
  • The dialogue can be excessively long and tedious, detracting from the fast-paced nature of the gameplay.
  • Some players may find the global leveling system makes the game too easy, reducing the challenge of individual quests.
  • The removal of alternate gameplay modes from the first game limits variety, making the experience feel repetitive over time.
  • story
    323 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story in "Half Minute Hero 2" is a significant expansion from its predecessor, featuring a more cohesive and engaging narrative that spans multiple generations of heroes. While it retains a humorous tone and parodies classic JRPG tropes, some players find the dialogue lengthy and the pacing uneven, with a mix of quirky characters and serious moments. Overall, the game offers a rich storyline filled with twists, character development, and a blend of comedy and drama, though opinions vary on its execution and depth compared to the original.

    • “The story itself is surprisingly nice for a comedy game filled with references to classic JRPGs.”
    • “The focus on story makes this game very distinct from the first, which is a positive point for me.”
    • “This game fixes practically every problem that the original had and packs it all into a lengthy campaign with a story that doesn't simply parody the genre, but pays tribute to JRPGs of all eras while at the same time weaving an original, entertaining story in its own right.”
    • “While the core gameplay remains fun, I can't say that about anything else about the game; the story and dialogue this time around are awful, and I do mean completely awful.”
    • “You can finish a quest and then start reading pages upon pages of boring, mediocre translation, which happens every single time you start and finish a quest.”
    • “The only real problem I have with the game is that it sticks to the two-line dialog screens, which would be fine if they weren't filled with the dullest story ever, and it tries to stretch it out for 77 levels.”
  • gameplay
    136 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay in "Half Minute Hero: The Second Coming" retains the core mechanic of the original, where players have 30 seconds to complete tasks, but introduces new mechanics and a more complex level design that may require some adjustment. While many players appreciate the added depth and humor, some feel that the focus on a single gameplay style and the removal of alternative modes from the first game detracts from the overall experience. Overall, the gameplay is described as fast-paced and engaging, with a mix of puzzle elements and RPG mechanics, though it can become repetitive and linear at times.

    • “It builds off of the first game well and adds plenty of mechanics and systems that make it a joy to play.”
    • “The gameplay keeps the core mechanic of the first game and greatly expands it, being basically hero 30 with classes, a new revamped allies system and skills.”
    • “The gameplay is a nice balance of speed vs safety, which if you find too difficult can be overcome by grinding, but in my playthrough I never found that I needed to grind to get past any level.”
    • “The long, overly drawn-out dialogue and linear-on-rails feel of the mission design doesn't mix well with the fast-paced, 30 seconds to win gameplay.”
    • “Unfortunately, while the core RPG gameplay has been strengthened, this is at the detriment of the alternate modes being absent entirely.”
    • “The gameplay is pretty much the same, with the second coming being far more linear and continuous, unlike the somewhat discrete levels in the previous work.”
  • music
    88 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its diverse and high-quality soundtrack composed by a variety of talented artists. Players describe the music as energetic, fitting perfectly with the game's fast-paced gameplay, and often highlight specific tracks as standout favorites. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a significant enhancement over the original game, contributing greatly to the overall experience.

    • “The soundtrack is possibly one of the most well composed ones out there, boosting the game feel by a lot.”
    • “The music in this game is so awesome, I never bore of it.”
    • “Every tune fits the scenario it is played for and is varied enough that everyone will find at least a couple songs that they absolutely love.”
    • “Sweet mercy, the music!”
    • “My one and only nitpick with this game is the fact there is no volume settings for sound and music, only allowing each to be turned off and on.”
    • “The only complaint I have is the music transition while fighting against the enemies while not on any mission, since it gets rather repetitive.”
  • humor
    55 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with some players praising its clever, subtle wit and playful nods to JRPG tropes, while others feel it falls short compared to its predecessor, leaning too heavily on cringe-worthy jokes. Many appreciate the quirky scenarios and engaging dialogue that balance comedic moments with serious themes, though some note a shift towards a more serious tone that diminishes the overall humor. Overall, the game offers a blend of fun, inventive humor and engaging storytelling, appealing to fans of the genre who enjoy a lighthearted approach.

    • “Every mission has you scratching your head, laughing, or both.”
    • “The story is funny and there's a lot of quirky scenarios to enjoy, and I liked the different games within.”
    • “It's an over-the-top JRPG that pokes fun at the genre's recurring tropes in a humorous way.”
    • “An interesting idea that turned out to be just cheap RPG Maker fodder with rambling and painfully unfunny dialogue.”
  • grinding
    39 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The reviews highlight a mixed reception regarding the grinding mechanics in the game. While some players appreciate the fast-paced grinding that allows for quick leveling and progression, others criticize it for being repetitive and tedious, especially compared to its predecessor, which parodied such mechanics. Overall, grinding is present but varies in necessity and enjoyment, with some finding it integral to the experience while others view it as a flaw that detracts from the game's pacing.

    • “This game is a solid game, but if you played the first, it is only 30 Second Hero and that's it. I've made it through 3 out of 6 chapters of the game, and it's just so repetitive that it's boring and grindy now.”
    • “The second one is dull and grindy (exactly the thing that the first game was mocking). There's endless and ultimately meaningless dialogues which slow this game down to a crawl, while it should be relatively fast-paced.”
    • “The 'metagame' added is a grindy RPG (not sped up) with a linear plot, repetitive gameplay, forced backtracking to unlock all items, etc. Exactly the kind of games the first game was mocking.”
  • graphics
    25 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with some players criticizing the retro pixel art as "lazy" and lacking charm compared to the original, while others appreciate the nostalgic 16-bit aesthetic reminiscent of classic RPGs. Although the visuals may not impress everyone, they are complemented by a strong soundtrack and engaging gameplay, making the overall experience enjoyable for those who prioritize content over graphical fidelity. Some players noted a disconnect between the high-quality artwork in certain areas and the overall graphic style, which detracts from the game's cohesive feel.

    • “The game is beautiful in its aesthetic and the humor is very fun.”
    • “Self-deprecating but cool old school graphics, and a really interesting soundtrack.”
    • “The graphics follow the original Half Minute Hero's retro look, although this time around, the style is much closer to 16-bit RPGs of the SNES era.”
    • “Bash through time-trialed RPG combat and look at hideous retro pixel graphics.”
    • “If the game could be played, you'd see crappy, lazy, low effort, talentless 2D retro pixel graphics, fixed resolution, all the kinds of lazy shortcut indie devs think are clever ways to get out of having to know how to make video games.”
    • “The graphic style has lost its 8-bit pixel charm and while I understand they need to make it better and different from the original offering, it just doesn't work and looks like any other game made using RPG Maker.”
  • replayability
    10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game offers a moderate level of replayability, enhanced by features such as custom maps, multiplayer options, and achievement hunting, appealing particularly to completionists. While the core gameplay remains similar to its predecessor, improvements in graphics and additional content provide enough variety for players to explore different strategies and experiences. However, the multiplayer aspect may be limited due to a lack of active players online.

    • “Thus the game is somewhat replayable as you try something else or procure an item you may have missed the first time.”
    • “The custom maps, multiplayer, and other goodies (various sets that will warrant you extra hours if you are a completionist) give it some replayability, also way more than your average RPG.”
    • “The game is somewhat replayable as you try something else or procure an item you may have missed the first time.”
    • “Replayability is there if you're trying to get all the achievements or do speedruns for the missions once the main campaign is finished.”
    • “The custom maps, multiplayer, and other goodies give it some replayability, also way more than your average RPG.”
  • emotional
    9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its heartwarming moments, clever humor, and impactful character appearances that resonate deeply with players. Many reviewers express that the story evokes strong feelings, with some moments leading to tears, while the blend of charm and emotional depth creates a memorable experience. Overall, the game successfully balances lightheartedness with heartfelt storytelling, making it a compelling journey for players.

    • “The ending still makes me emotional today.”
    • “Favourite game on Steam, made me cry twice; I recommend it wholeheartedly to anyone with a controller, even if you don't know the prequel.”
    • “Since this game is more story-centered, I can't do it justice; play it by yourself, you won't regret it. It has a lot of charm, the characters are likable, and there are some moments that actually made me cry.”
  • character development
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, character development in this title is noted to be more cohesive and emphasized compared to its predecessor, featuring unlockable costumes and an engaging plot. While some reviewers appreciated the deeper narrative and humor, others felt that the RPG elements and character growth could have been further enhanced, leading to a somewhat linear experience. The game successfully blends nostalgia with modern storytelling, offering a richer character experience reminiscent of classic RPGs.

    • “Unlike the previous title, you get an art gallery, unlockable costumes for the time goddess, and a more cohesive plotline with cutscenes and character development.”
    • “The RPG feel was kinda lacking, the character development was not done to maximum potential, and the gameplay just felt a bit too linear.”
    • “This time around there’s more space for character development and a bigger emphasis on story, all while maintaining the game’s humorous mood most of the time.”
    • “Starts off from where the last game left off, but this time around it parodies the RPGs from the SNES and PS1 era with more drama and character development.”
  • stability
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game is plagued by significant stability issues, with users reporting frequent crashes and bugs that disrupt gameplay. Many players find themselves needing to terminate the process manually due to these persistent problems.

    • “Fortunately for myself and other gamers everywhere who may inadvertently be exposed to this through cheap, nasty shovelware game bundles (because let's face it, nobody's mad enough to deliberately buy this rubbish, are they?), the game is buggy and unstable and crashes hard, so I have to find and kill the process instead of being forced to try to play it.”
    • “The game is riddled with bugs and crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable at times.”
    • “I experienced constant instability, with the game freezing and crashing multiple times during my playthrough.”

Buy Half Minute Hero: The Second Coming

20h Median play time
27h Average play time
7-55h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs

Videos

Games Like Half Minute Hero: The Second Coming

Epic Battle Fantasy 4 Image
OCTOPATH TRAVELER II Image
Ys Origin ImageYs Origin ImageYs Origin Image
DRAGON QUEST® XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age™ Image
Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom Image
Bravely Default 2 Image
Evoland Legendary Edition Image
Octopath Traveler Image
Cthulhu Saves the World Image
Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age Image