Hyper Light Drifter Reviews
Sure, The Division is a great game that has hooked millions into its addictive gameplay loop and Far Cry Primal did breathe a bit of fresh air into a stale formula, but 2016 has been off to a strong start as the clear result of its outstanding independent titles.
[T]here goes my time with Hyper Light Drifter, a completely gorgeous game I was utterly loving. It apparently doesn't want me to play it any more.
Its brilliance goes well beyond its brazen art style and extends to a challenging but highly rewarding combat system.
Stylish, beautiful, and uncompromising, Hyper Light Drifter is as rewarding as it is frustrating.
It leaves the combat to speak for the story and trusts its murderer's row of cool ideas to, well, murder players.
Every element of Hyper Light Drifter blends together to form a near perfect action-adventure game that's worthy to stand with the impeccable games it borrows from.
Mood and atmosphere can carry me a long way, and I adored every second I spent in Hyper Light Drifter's world. The combat and movement often left me slack-jawed and giddy, a perfect homage to the '90s RPGs that obviously inspired Heart Machine, while still feeling completely fresh and constantly surprising.
Hyper Light Drifter shows a lot of potential thanks to its great combat and solid world building. Where it falls flat is its miserable starting area, boring exploration and inconsequential plot.
Hyper Light Drifter is a great game, but it's not going to be everyone's cup of tea. It's polished to a mirror shine, it's tuned to mechanical harmony, it's gorgeous for the eyes and ears alike, but has a plot that doesn't even try (or even seemingly care) to make sense. It can also be really, really tedious to play through, as it leans heavily on classical, trial-and-error mechanics. It's a rare and beautiful gem that only certain people will find the full, true value in.
Hyper Light Drifter is an impressive retro inspired 2D action RPG. It's difficult and equally rewarding and no adventure fan should miss out on it.
Hyper Light Drifter sticks with you long after the final boss, thanks to its impressive wealth of secrets, amazing soundtrack, and mysterious world
Hyper Light Drifter is an exceptional game. With a beautifully mature pixel art aesthetic, seamless sound design, highly refined, often punishing gameplay, and a unique world full of secrets, it's a fine example of what can be achieved by an indie studio - or any studio, period. The oblique presentation and certain aspects of the gameplay might well drive some gamers away, however.
Hyper Light Drifter transfers the player in a world made by dreams and nightmares, that are sustained by a superb art direction and a fresh gameplay. Heart Machine delivered an excellent and challenging adventure, and also an unmissable gem for the indie games' fans.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Beautiful presentation and an intriguing open world environment, but the misjudged difficultly level is just too punishing.
Hyper Light Drifter deftly mixes contemplative moments with breakneck action
Heart Machine's slash-'em-up is punishing and precise - and incredibly beautiful.
The stunning Hyper Light Drifter is a masterful mix of exploration and combat.
Out of the void, Hyper Light Drifter meticulously crafts a post-apocalyptic samurai story, one that bends and folds the tenets of zen's vivid ambience alongside the warrior path of bushido, something familiar yet fresh, quiet yet resonant.
Hyper Light Drifter is very much worth the time, effort, and aggravation it costs you (and inflicts upon you). Its blistering speed takes some getting used to if your experience with action RPGs leans towards the likes of Zelda and Secret of Mana, but once you warm up to the icy slickness of Hyper Light Drifter, it quickly commits itself to your muscle memory.
Even when I felt like giving up, I knew I was enjoying my time with Hyper Light Drifter.