What's with the countdown timer?

[Grez]

Maybe I'm just missing something here an am a n00b to the whole Nyan Cat thing, but...

...every time I get a good run going, a timer shows up at the bottom left. Once it counts down, there is an explosion and my game is over. Is the game always time-bombed, or am I missing the triggering event that creates this scenario?

[Tiger the Great]

You're playing Universe mode, apparently. This mode requires you to pick up colorful car battery items to fill in a bar. Once this bar is filled, you'll be transported to another 'Universe'.

[Grez]

Yep, sorry, forgot to mention that. I'm playing Universe mode. So, I need to pick up enough car battery items before the timer runs out, and then I'll be in the next universe? But if I'm not quick enough, then something inexplicably blows everything up?

[Tiger the Great]

Precisely the point of Universe.

[Grez]

Ok, good to know. I just got the game, and there are zero instructions. So, the point of Universe is inherently unintuitive, and there are no rules for it anywhere (not even on the wiki for the game). Seems like someone should write something.

In any case, thanks for the heads-up. At least I know what the rules are now and can be a little more tactical with my playing.