One Hero In Two Screens
The dual screens of Nintendo's handheld have been used for many things; displaying a map, inventory, statistics, menus, extra buttons, drawing, mini games, main control, extending the screen etc.. Enter Chronos Twins, an interesting DS game that make a truly unique, mind numbing use of the DS' dual screens. And there's no touching involved either.
Chronos Twins originally began as a GBA game, and it shows in it's graphics. Nothing technically impressive for the DS, and decent for the GBA, and it's all done in a pretty generic sci-fi style. Some elements of backdrops also seem to be taken from some Capcom games. The colours are good and bright, however, and the soundtrack has some pretty nice tunes in there, although nothing is too memorable.
The story is simple, the planet is under attack by an evil alien called Twime, which can exist in two times at once, making it quite the hassle to get rid of. Eventually, a group of people build a dual time machine, which allows you to be in two times at once. They pick a soldier to head out and destroy Twime, and wouldn't you know it? You're that soldier. The translation isn't the best thing ever, and the font itself flat out sucks, but it's no Zero Wing.
When you actually start to play the game, you'll wonder how in the world they were thinking of getting this game to work on the single screen of the GBA. The story sets up for the unique gameplay mechanic that separates Chronos Twins from other games on the system. You'll control your one soldier, in two times, at the same time. The top screen displays the present time, and the bottom screen displays the past. You'll use the D-Pad to move around, and the face buttons to jump and shoot. Pressing the D-Pad to move and pressing the jump button will cause you to preform the action on both screens at the same time. Shooting, however, is handled separately between times, and you can't shoot in both times at the same time. One button will shoot on the top screen, while one button will shoot on the bottom screen.
This all sounds somewhat simple at first, but the real kicker is that level designs differ on each screen. On the top screen, there could be a ledge with no way across, while on the bottom screen, a nice set of blocks is in place for you to jump your way across. Of course, you'd be hesitant to make that jump, because logically, you'd die on the top screen... or maybe not. As long as you are standing on something in one screen, you'll be standing on the other screen, weather you're in the air or not, so you can safely make your way across seemingly dangerous terrain on one screen, as long as the other screen has a way across.
There's also a time freeze aspect. You'll be able to "split time" so you're only controlling one time. This is used in some puzzles, such as pushing a block so it's in the right spot in both times. It's also used to get certain powerups because there may be no way to get around in one time, but a nice little gap to go through in another.
The game demands good hand eye co-ordination and reflexes, as enemies may be on one screen, and you'll have to make a tricky timed jump on the other, but you're in danger of landing on that one enemy on the other screen. Or maybe you're running from an enemy on one screen, while avoiding fireballs and shooting enemies on your way along both screens, quickly looking back and forth to see what jumps you have to make. A warning siren and notice flashes when there is danger nearby on one of the screens. At first, it doesn't sound like much, but it can be something of a waking call if you're not paying attention.
It all sounds hard and confusing, and that's because it is. Concentrating on both screens is no easy task, and it takes a while to get used to it. If this game had to be compared to another game on the DS difficulty wise, it would be Contra 4, except that Chronos Twins is difficult for different reasons. While Contra simply throws rediculous amounts bullets and foes at you from all directions, Chronos Twins has some downright evil challenges thanks to the dual screen aspect of the game.
The level design is good though, and combined with the dual screen aspect, provide some good challenges not seen anywhere else on the DS. There are fifteen levels in the game, and all are devilishly challenging
There's a checkpoint system in the game. Every once in a while you'll pass a checkpoint. Die, you'll restart at the checkpoint. Loose all your lives, and you'll restart at the beginning of the level. You can take a total of three hits across the past and present before you die, and you only have three lives. The game saves progress when you beat a level, but the problem is you never really know when you actually beat a level, because there is no indication whatsoever that you've actually gone on to the next level, or if it's a continuation of a level you just beat. Another small annoyance is that whenever you're hit by an enemy, the game will stop for about a second or two, and then continue on.
Apart from the main game, there isn't much else to do. You can play again, but it doesn't keep track of any kind of records. There's a lot of challenge to be had here, so if you like a hard game, you'll probably like this one. It pushes concentration and reflexes more than many other games in the genre, and can at time frustrate, but if enjoy a good challenge, and take the time out to get used to the dual screen mechanic, you'll find Chronos Twins rewarding, as it's truly one of the best uses of the DS' dual screens yet. It just needs a bit more fleshing out.
Chronos Twins plays old school, but it's a game that can only be done right on the DS, and I'd love to see the developers make another game like this ground up for the DS.