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Time Hollow

EMAIL PRINT ds

9.0 User Score:

Mixed or average reviews

Based on 24 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 7 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Konami

Developer: Tenky

Genre(s): Adventure

Players: 1

ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

Release Date: September 23, 2008

Summary

Featuring a variety of interesting characters that come to life via the words of Junko Kawano, script writer for "Suikoden IV," Time Hollow enables players to guide Ethan Kairos on his quest to solve the mysterious disappearance of his family. While on his quest, Ethan comes across the mysterious Hollow Pen - an uncanny object that has the unique power to open portals to the past. Using the stylus pen and dual screen capabilities of the DS, players can use the Hollow Pen to draw portals between past and present. As they progress through their journey, they will encounter a variety of interesting characters that help them guide Ethan on his search for his family. [Konami]

Also On The Web: Official Website

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

RPG Fan

It was fun to play, had some great production values, and sported a contemporary anime vibe.

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Just Adventure

The best way to think of Time Hollow is to enjoy it as interactive storytelling. If you’re comfortable with that, you’ll probably have a great time with the game, as I did.

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Adventure Gamers

Whatever the root cause, the story is solid on the whole, and these few foggy moments didn't detract from my overall enjoyment.

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Nintendojo

While Time Hollow doesn't necessarily bring a ton of new ideas to the adventure genre, it does provide a satisfying, if somewhat short, experience for fans of investigative gameplay and time travel story lines.

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Cheat Code Central

Time Hollow offers an enticing story, cool cinematics, and a nice soundtrack. It's possible some players will be bored after a while, especially with things constantly changing back and forth. Others might be left wanting for more, especially because there's only one game mode available. However, this is a quality title that some of you should explore.

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ZTGameDomain

The story was good enough to keep me playing through to the end to see what happens next, and told well enough so that I actually cared what happened to the characters.

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GameFocus

If you enjoy story-based adventure games, you will really enjoy Time Hollow. There are plenty of twists and surprises along the way that you will want to see how it ends. The game is relatively easy but the hand-holding will disappoint the older crowd who will look for a challenge.

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Game Informer

Thankfully, the satisfaction you feel when the pieces start falling into place makes it worth the effort – providing you don’t expect any real action out of the gameplay.

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Nintendo Power

With the ability to alter the past literally at your fingertips, you should be able to solve problems in a myriad of ways, yet the game's mostly linear storytelling rarely lets you use your powers creatively. [Nov 2008, p.102]

Gamestyle

Time Hollow is a refreshingly different action/adventure game for the DS, and one that's quite worthy of your attention.

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NGamer UK

If Phoenix Wright is a TV season boxset, Time Hollow is an HBO miniseries. It all feels quite minor, but it's certainly intriguing while it lasts. [Dec 2008, p.74]

Games Master UK

Everyone loves a nice time paradox, but we'd like more freedom. [Christmas 2008, p.84]

IGN

Time Hollow is a terrific premise that I would love to see explored further in sequels.

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Official Nintendo Magazine UK

A very clever concept broken by a game that's so linear, you could use it as a ruler. [Feb 2009, p.82]

Games Radar (in-house)

The problem with the game is that it really isn’t a game at all. We’re not just saying it’s too linear – what little (very little) gameplay you’ll find smattered throughout is completely spoon-fed to you.

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LEVEL (Czech Republic)

Entirely a typical adventure game with attractive time shifting. Strong story can fill parts of the game which are somehow …hollow. [Nov 2008]

Edge Magazine

While Time Hollow fills a Phoenix Wright-shaped hole in our lives, we do prefer our chaos theory a little less tidy. [Apr 2009, p.123]

1UP

Time Hollow may be light on gameplay, but the story's competent enough for fans of point-and-tap adventures.

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GameSpot

There's a cool time-bending story to this adventure, but the simplistic gameplay saps much of the fun.

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Hardcore Gamer Magazine

Time Hollow clings to mediocrity until the last hollow pen hole, and I can guarantee you won’t be compelled to ever pick it up again upon finishing it.

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games(TM)

There is very little challenge. And even when you do start ‘digging’ into the past with the Hollow Pen, this involves simply drawing a circle with the stylus and carrying out an obvious action. [Christmas 2008, p.116]

GameShark

It truly is the story which carries Time Hollow. The gameplay itself is shallow, overly repetitive, and offers no challenge that a six year old couldn’t overcome.

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Modojo

It's a missed opportunity, because we like the story as well as the sharp and colorful graphics, but hunting for clues had us falling asleep.

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Teletext GameCentral

The spiritual sequel to Shadow Of Memories has the same time travelling intrigue but less gameplay.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 9.0 (out of 10) based on 7 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Chris D gave it an8:
I really enjoyed this game, despite the lack of challenge. It was refreshing and relaxing but what you could do was surprisingly narrow in scope to what it had the potential for.

Cynthia gave it a10:
I love it! It was fun to play, beautiful anime style, the soundtrack is awesome, and I wasn't bored at all! If you play adventure games, like the Phoenix Wright: Ace attorney-series, Hotel Dusk: Room 215 and games like that, you MUST play this game too! And the video at the beginning is just awesome.

Neko Cat gave it a9:
Short, but sweet. It was an absolute pleasure to play and had a great story. As some of the reviewers have said, this isn't really breaking any new ground in either play mechanics or sci-fi, but the wonderful characters, dialog, and plot more than make up for it. Think of it as an interactive short-story that will leave you wanting more.

James Mock gave it a10:
I thought the story was top notch and really did an excellent job conveying all it wanted you to know. I think it is perfect as a point and click adventure game, I hear a lot of complaints that there is not enough action in this game. I find this accusation to be insane considering that the game never said it was an action game... the game is a point and click(tap) adventure game. It would be like buying a coconut cream pie and complaining that they left out the chocolate cream... Well... you didn't buy a chocolate cream pie so why would you expect it to be one! In all seriousness though I do believe this game is great and definitely should be checked into especially if you like story driven adventure games.

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