I just saw the news about the 13th anniversary of Time Hunters. To be honest, I was stunned. This game is still around, and there is also a new version and exclusive new area. As a seasoned veteran who has played most side-scrolling fighting mobile games on the market, I would like to objectively talk about why this old game, with its not-so-top-notch graphics and not-so-sophisticated modeling, has been able to survive on this track for so long, and even outlived many "up-and-coming players."
Let's draw a conclusion first. Let's compare several current mainstream side-scrolling action games: “DNF Mobile Game”, “Naruto Mobile Game”, as well as the old “Dream Westward Journey” series that are still in operation, and “Time and Space Hunters”. In terms of graphics, "Time Hunters" is indeed not dominant. The pixel style is relatively retro. Compared with the Korean fine three-dimensional paintings of DNF mobile games and the Japanese performance special effects of Naruto, it does have a sense of "age". But on the other hand, this kind of passionate painting style combining American comics + Hong Kong comics, coupled with exaggerated combo special effects, has become a unique recognition, and the impact is not lost. Especially on low-end machines, the running smoothness crushes games of the same size, which is very friendly to civilian players.
Regarding the gameplay dimension, let's talk about it. In horizontal comparison, the system depth of "Time Hunter" is actually underestimated by many people. Professional skill branching, equipment enhancement, gem inlaying, pet training, guild battles, and cross-server PVP. This framework was top-notch ten years ago. Today, even against DNF mobile games, the thrill of fighting is not lost. Especially the smoothness of the skill combos, to be fair, it is much more comfortable than the "extremely stiff, take away" stiff feel of the Naruto mobile game. Moreover, the operating threshold is not that high, and the error tolerance rate of repeated moves is greater. For office workers and students, they can reap the pleasure of "cutting the grass" faster. Not to mention the return of new maps + new equipment + memory dungeons on the 13th anniversary. Old players can seamlessly connect as soon as they go online without having to start from scratch. This kind of "sentimental but not so boring" design is much better than a certain mobile game experience that is disconnected after playing ancient maps every day.
In the krypton gold dimension, I am a micro kryptonian, so I have to tell the truth. Time Hunter does have a lot of krypton gold points, and the VIP levels, limited-time gift packs, and lottery systems are all full. If you want to reach the top ten in the arena, your wallet will definitely suffer. But in horizontal comparison, the degree of "you can play without spending money" is higher than expected. The diamonds and materials dropped in daily dungeons are enough to ensure that the equipment development line is not stuck. As long as you are willing to spend time, your combat power can slowly catch up, and you will not be hopelessly stuck in the level without SSR like some games. So if you are a pure sentimental party or a casual party, you can play with zero krypton and it will be very satisfying; if you are a serious competitive player, the krypton gold limit is indeed not as bottomless as the next few games.
The social dimension, this is what I want to praise most. When I played ten years ago, my friends in the guild are still chatting in the WeChat group, and a new area has been opened on the 13th anniversary. The most amazing thing is that the return rate of old players is extremely high, because the built-in voice command, guild group book, and siege warfare mechanism in the game are still used by a large number of diehard fans. Compared with the basic stand-alone + ranked match atmosphere of the Naruto mobile game, or the reality that the DNF mobile game team formation depends on the reputation value, the community atmosphere of "Time Hunter" is more like a "game hall". Everyone in the guild, ranging from sixty-year-old uncles to teenagers, can shout "Get on the road" during the siege. This kind of old-fashioned Jianghu spirit has become its strongest moat.
Finally, let's talk about something casual. Some people say that Time Hunter is a childhood filter, but I disagree. In this 13th anniversary version, the memory copy and the return of classic maps are indeed emotional cards, but what really retains people is its still refreshing core of "hit ten with one move". This game is not like those "AAA Assassins" that are highly realistic and hard-core enough to persuade them to quit, nor is it like the "high welfare cards" that are full of ads on the screen now. It is a very pure side-scrolling action game that can be taken out and played anytime and anywhere. If scored horizontally, the screen is 6/10, the gameplay is 8.5/10, the money is 7/10, the social interaction is 9/10, and the overall score is 8.0. Recommended to all friends who are still looking for a "youthful feeling", as well as those who just want to get into side-scrolling fighting movies. There are a lot of materials in the new area, so you won't lose money if you join now. 👾👍