According the press release I received on Friday, the demo that’s was released on Friday is actually the first of two such demos for the game. Dubbed a “speed RPG” by XSEED, Half-Minute Hero promises traditional RPG gameplay at a highly accelerated pace via a serious of challenges that must be completed in thirty seconds or less. Replete with retro graphics and a heavy metal soundtrack, Half-Minute Hero promises to be a brutally hectic gameplay experience in October.

Although, the game sounds interesting and very reminiscent of games like WarioWare, I cannot help but snicker every time I hear the title. Seriously, was it really necessary to call the game Half-Minute Hero? I’m sorry, but that sounds more like something wife or girlfriend calls you after you’ve just disappointed her sexually for the thirtieth time in the bedroom. Forget minuteman, XSEED as just given otaku everywhere a brand new term for men who are complete sexual failures. =^_^;;=

Anyway, all joking aside, feel free to check out the original press release after the jump for more info about the game.

We are excited to release the first of two downloadable demos for our upcoming speed RPG, Half-Minute Hero. The demo, which will be available starting today for the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable), accelerates gamers through a full RPG in Hero Mode. This mode allows players to level up by defeating monsters in random encounters, upgrade equipment, talk to villagers and challenge the Evil Lord, all against a punishing countdown clock.

Half-Minute Hero will be released in October 2009 at retailers across North America.

Story
For centuries, an epic battle between humans and evil lords has been raging and destroying everything in its path. The civilized world is under attack by these relentless enemies and all that remains are ruins of castles and the bodies of the faithful knights who once proudly protected them. Throughout time, heroes and legends have risen above the chaos, only to eventually disappear into the ashes. As the last wandering sage and final hope for humanity, it is up to the protagonist to somehow transcend time and death to unite these legends and their unique powers in one last battle against the Ultimate Evil Lord.

Gameplay
In Half-Minute Hero, choose between four modes of accelerated gameplay, each complete with original quests, enemies and attacks. Battles are either random, real-time encounters with monsters, evil lords and bosses, or stage related encounters. There are 50 stages in Hero 30 Mode and 30 stages in all other modes, in which players have 30 seconds, or a half-minute, to complete their tasks before joining forces with the other past and future legends to fight together in the legendary Hero 300.

An unorthodox approach to traditional RPGs, Half-Minute Hero combines adventure, an epic storyline, legendary characters and a punishing countdown clock to destruction, to create an adrenaline pumping experience that will blow past conventional fantasy games. Retaining the charm inherent in classic RPGs, Half-Minute Hero is a breakneck foray into an ancient land of monsters and magic, all under 30 seconds.

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 Gameplay 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 20 Hours of Total Gameplay – With each of the four unique modes (plus bonus modes!) containing 30-50 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.

- XSEED Games