Hyper Light Drifter - Special Edition Reviews

Hyper Light Drifter - Special Edition is ranked in the 98th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
8 / 10.0
Apr 26, 2021

Along with a good amount of in-game achievements for replay value, HLD is just a fun, replayable action game that all fans of Zelda should at least give a try, even if it may not click right away. With a physical version now available, there’s no better time to give this a go if you haven’t already, or even if you played this on other consoles, since this still has quite a lot of exclusive content only available here.

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Sep 17, 2018

"I can see the colours of light!"

Review in Finnish | Read full review

Sep 4, 2018

Indie games don't get much more memorable than Hyper Light Drifter and this Special Edition acts as a good excuse to finally play it if you haven't already.

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8 / 10.0
Sep 11, 2018

On the Switch, Hyper Light Drifter looks great and it runs almost perfectly. While the performance is good for the most part, some areas see things drop or basically go erratic. In games like this where you need to be a bit quick, I prefer having the option to lock the framerate to 30 over an unlocked experience which is what it feels like in some situations. I also noticed more issues while docked than handheld with Hyper Light Drifter. Other than that, you can even play with a single Joy-Con if you’d like. There is also a Switch exclusive outfit that helps you out a bit.

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80 / 100
Sep 17, 2018

The Nintendo Switch version of Hyper Light Drifter is far from perfect, but that doesn't make it's world less beautiful or the combat lees vibrant. Due to the mysterious storytelling and difficult challenges It's not a game for everyone, making it one of those "either you love it or hate it"... And we definitely belong to the first group.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

8.5 / 10.0
Sep 5, 2018

Abylight should be commended for this marvelous porting job, and Heart Machine deserves all of the praise they have received for this magnificent game.

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90 / 100
Sep 14, 2018

Hyper Light Drifter has arrived at Nintendo Switch with a special edition, which is without doubt the best option for entering the lonely adventure of the Drifter. A new area, objects, 60 fps and the possibility of playing it in a portable way. The work done by Abylight Studios is fantastic and the title is one of the references in the independent field. Essential for adventure lovers.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

9 / 10
Oct 21, 2018

If you groan every time you see another 2D action-RPG on the Nintendo eShop, don’t be dissuaded by Hyper Light Drifter: Special Edition. While it borrows from the Zelda blueprint and games that have followed, it is packaged so perfectly that it stands above the rest. The depth of its vivid world goes beyond what you see on your screen. There’s more lurking there, and you’ll want to discover it all.

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9 / 10.0
Oct 1, 2018

Hyper Light Drifter – Special Edition is one of the best independent games on the Nintendo eShop and a shining example of 2D gaming in general. It’s a retro-style game and then some, with great atmosphere and challenging combat. If you missed it on other platforms, now’s your chance!

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Cubed3
Top Critic
9 / 10
Sep 15, 2018

Hyper Light Drifter: Special Edition is a must-own for anyone who enjoys a quality action title. Fans of 2D Zelda games will adore this for how it pays lip-service without being derivative. Heart Machine has triumphed by focusing on what people loved about action-adventures, while refining combat and challenge. In the beginning, some might be overwhelmed by the lack of direction; but those who dare to actually play will be greatly rewarded. The Switch Special Edition extras are neat, but the meat and potatoes that make up the sum of Hyper Light Drifter is still what makes it so great in the first place.

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9 / 10.0
Sep 2, 2018

While the difficulty and lack of hand holding might hold it back for some, Hyper Light Drifter is an alluring and contemplative 2D Zelda-esque experience. It's so easy to get lost in this world and stumble upon new paths and items to make your exploration justified. Putting in the time to learn the intricacies of this mysterious game is worthwhile because when Hyper Light Drifter all comes together, it's poetic and brilliant.

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9 / 10.0
Sep 16, 2018

There is no doubt: the Special Edition of Hyper Light Drifter landed on Switch is the definitive version of the video game balance masterpiece signed Heart Machine a couple of years ago.

Review in Italian | Read full review

Sep 11, 2018

After the canned PlayStation Vita version of the game, it's wonderful to finally be able to play Hyper Light Drifter on the go. The developer has pretty much stated that in its mind, the Switch version is the definitive version of the game – and you can tell. With elements that make it smoother for newcomers on top of everything that made the base game great, this is a port that truly feels at home on Switch, despite the occasional drop of frames.

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9 / 10
Aug 28, 2018

Hyper Light Drifter: Special Edition finally puts Heart Machine's obtuse yet engaging throwback where it belongs - in portable Nintendo form - and it makes for the definitive version. With a handful of exclusive features, a two-year-old game suddenly feels new and fresh - and with a silky smooth frame rate and every boss, secret and upgrade from the original here for you to experience, the Nintendo Switch's indie library just got even better.

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9 / 10
Oct 8, 2018

Hyper Light Drifter is a jaw-dropping experience no matter the platform you play it on. What started as an engaging masterpiece in 2016 continues to be just as rewarding and worthwhile of a video game in 2018. With the Nintendo Switch you get the valuable bonus of being able to take this journey with you anywhere you want and believe me when I say this is a journey you will not want to step away from once you start it.

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9 / 10.0
Sep 8, 2018

Hyper Light Drifter: Special Edition is a more complete adventure that will captivate us not only due to its art, gameplay and story told by means of images, but also thanks to the deeper, real meaning that comes from projecting the heart disease of its creator.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

9.5 / 10.0
Sep 11, 2018

Its evocative use of visual storytelling, haunting soundtrack, and fluid combat system will leave you cutting and coughing through its beautifully pixelated playground long after the credits roll.

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9.5 / 10.0
Nov 15, 2018

Hyper Light Drifter is simply a must-play title. The Nintendo Switch version features a few exclusive features so in my mind, it's the ‘definitive version' at this point. While I initially had some frame-rate issues (some in single-player mode, while most were in the co-op mode), the 1.2.0 patch on the Nintendo Switch helped out tremendously. I didn't recall any issues after the patch. If you're looking for a great Zelda-like game with amazing atmosphere and music, you owe it to yourself to check out Hyper Light Drifter.

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Recommended
Sep 6, 2018

This doesn’t detract from the overall visual spectacle and quality of the combat; however, the obscure hidden objects and aimless directive do, somewhat. Hyper Light Drifter demands patience and a slower pace, so those looking for a non-stop, full throttle action title should temper their expectations. While the game seeks to deliver a more expanse experience than the SNES titles of the past, it is often most effective during its most intimate moments. In comparison to other Zelda-like titles on the Switch eShop, it is difficult to say whether or not there is an equal amount of quality and personality, as Hyper Light Drifter is content to wow players with its own, unique charms. If you are a fan of tight combat and gorgeous visuals, you can’t go wrong with this title, but expect to get lost more than a few times, in both good ways and bad.

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B+
Sep 5, 2018

Even then, though, it's hard not to like what the developer has done here, and for that, this is definitely a game worth a look.

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