Game Info
GAME NAME: Arrow Time U
DEVELOPER(S): XenoHorizon
PUBLISHER(S): XenoHorizon
PLATFORM(S): Nintendo Wii U
GENRE(S): Puzzle
RELEASE DATE(S): September 18th, 2014
The Wii U has seen plenty of new developers find success on the platform. The eShop is a great way for indie developers who are trying to get their foot in the door in the console market to show off their games. XenoHorizon’s first title “Arrow Time U” brings yet another quirky action/puzzle game to Nintendo’s sixth generation home console.
In Arrow Time U, you take control of an arrow using the left analog stick and you have free reins to get to the exit of the level in the allocated amount of time. Using the zL and zR buttons you can slow down time or make it so that your arrow can pass through walls much like the powers of X-man Kitty Pryde. The time you have to complete levels can get down right frustrating as you will have to use trial and error to figure out some areas. You only will have the allotted time to reach your goal and not veer off course. You can get assistance from warp zones, speed pads or even pick up more time to help finish levels.
There are a total of 40 levels in Arrow Time U and unfortunately once you defeat them not a whole lot of reason to go back. There are some cool but difficult boss fights as you progress through the game though. These are a welcome break up to the monotony of just going from start to finish of the levels. My gripe with the boss fights and some levels with enemies is that the timer bar and life bar are one in the same making for some infuriating gaming sessions.
Arrow Time U looks like a mobile game, but not necessarily in a bad way. This is one of the better looking games that I’ve played that was developed on the Nintendo Web Framework and the developers did a good job for what they have to work with. The music is okay at best with nothing really memorable or of note.
The Recommendation
For the launch price of $1.99 there is definitely some good value and fun to be had with Arrow Time U. The developer has already stated on the MiiVerse that they will be addressing some issues that have been brought to light through user feedback. The MiiVerse seems to be a valuable tool to many indie developers to help them tweak and deliver the experience they were aiming for in the first place. With 40 levels and some great difficulty you will get some good game time out of Arrow Time U.
