As Hyper Light Breaker heads toward early access, it promises an exciting evolution, even if it divides fan expectations.
When Hyper Light Drifter hit the scene in 2016, it felt like a game breaking and shifting boundaries. By blending an old-school, Zelda-inspired pixel art style with the challenging, deliberate gameplay mechanics of the Soulsborne genre, the game carved out a unique niche. It delivered a visually stunning experience with evocative environmental storytelling and a combat system that rewarded patience and precision.
Now, nine years later, its much-anticipated sequel, Hyper Light Breaker, is on the horizon. After spending about an hour and a half with the game, I can confidently say it captures the essence of its predecessor while translating it into a fully 3D world. However, there are elements that will both excite and frustrate fans who have patiently awaited Hyper Light Breaker 2.
Before the holidays, I sat down with Heart Machine’s highly anticipated title and played roughly an hour and a half of Hyper Light Breaker. This gave me plenty of time to explore some of the systems, run around the world in co-op mode, and battle one of the overworld bosses. While my overall experience was enjoyable, I couldn’t shake the feeling that fans expecting a direct continuation of Hyper Light Drifter’s legacy might have mixed feelings. That said, this shift in direction isn’t necessarily bad—it simply means Hyper Light Breaker is striving to establish its own identity.
“Hyper Light Breaker captures the essence of its predecessor while translating it into a fully 3D world.”
What made Hyper Light Drifter stand out wasn’t only its art style but also its approach to storytelling through comic book-like panels, its fantastic environmental storytelling, and, of course, its core gameplay loop. At first glance, it might seem like Hyper Light Breaker is merely a 3D evolution of its predecessor, but that comparison would be unfair. This sequel, while carrying forward the DNA of the original, feels like an entirely different creation.
Approaching Hyper Light Breaker as its own entity seems to be exactly what the developers want. It leans heavily into cooperative, time-sensitive RPG mechanics, a noticeable departure from the more methodical, solitary experience of Hyper Light Drifter. The visuals remain stunning—particularly in the hub area, where the vibrant design of NPCs and structures truly stands out.
In the overworld map, I found myself reflecting on the repetitiveness of the landscape, and this is where cracks start to show in the procedural generation. With the world outside the hub being procedurally generated, there’s a loss of naturally crafted vistas and memorable landscapes. That said, the trade-off may appeal to players who value dynamic, ever-changing maps.
In Hyper Light Drifter, combat was a deliberate dance—agility, patience, and careful observation were rewarded. In Hyper Light Breaker, the pace is significantly faster, with enemies often swarming you, leaving little opportunity to learn their attack patterns. While this approach ramps up the adrenaline, it risks alienating players who appreciated the more tactical nature of the original. Despite this shift, the combat system itself is satisfying. It’s fluid, responsive, and punishing in all the right ways—every mistake feels like a genuine consequence of your actions rather than an unfair design choice.
“Hyper Light Breaker’s faster-paced combat system is fluid, responsive, and punishing in all the right ways.”
Multiplayer, however, felt like the optimal way to experience Hyper Light Breaker. The sheer volume of enemies and the chaos of the overworld felt daunting when I imagined tackling it solo, especially during a fight with a world boss that downed me in what seemed like three hits. Thankfully, my multiplayer partner revived me instantly, and we took the boss down together. The cooperative element not only makes the game more approachable but also enhances its replay value—a crucial factor for a title aiming to thrive in early access.
For those who passionately enjoyed Hyper Light Drifter, the upcoming Hyper Light Breaker may not be the direct sequel some fans anticipated, but it doesn’t need to be. With many questions still unanswered, only time will tell how its early access will unfold, but my hopes are high. The team appears confident in its ability to create a fun, replayable experience, and despite my concerns, I’ll be there on day one to experience it.
