Developer Heart Machine gained worldwide fame for its stellar debut title, Hyper Light Drifter. Its mysterious world filled with vibrant ruins and dangerous foes is making the transition to 3D in the upcoming follow-up, Hyper Light Breaker.
I had a chance to play Hyper Light Breaker at Summer Game Fest Play Days earlier this year, and I called it your "next roguelite addiction." I still agree with that sentiment, perhaps even more so now that I had a chance to try out a co-op session with two other players.
Lootin', Shootin', and Slashin' in Hyper Light Breaker
So I don't end up retreading old territory, be sure to check out my preview from June. I'll give the basics of Hyper Lift Breaker's gameplay before I dive into some new thoughts from my cooperative session. It is, of course, a roguelite, so all the mechanics we expect from such a genre (metaprogression, random generation, tough difficulty, etc..) are there.
With a range of melee weaponry from swift striking claws to a one-handed sword, and guns from an electric shotgun to a large beam cannon, playstyles will differ vastly based on your kit. There's a lot of different weapons and I didn't have nearly enough time to try them out, but there's sure to be a great deal of variety for players.
The fact that Hyper Light Breaker drops in Early Access means there's going to be even more weapons, upgrades, and characters to play, so we're only seeing the beginning of things. Right now, players will be satisfied with the loot they might come across as they explore the large, randomly generated environments.
Scouring the Ruins of Hyper Light Breaker
Speaking of environments, this is where Hyper Light Breaker shines. The world I explored during this demo was different than the one I played earlier this year. With two experienced co-op buddies tagging along, I got a better idea of where to look for loot.
There's a large amount of verticality in Hyper Light Breaker. In this vast, open map, ruins are scattered all over the environment and tower above the player. These ruins are massive, and a series of jump pads help players get to the top. My co-op partners explored every inch of these towers and we found loot tucked away, meaning a keen eye goes a long way.
It's quite marvelous to see just how high you can climb these ruins. At one point, we reached the top of a tower. There wasn't any loot, but I thought the scenery from being all the way at the top of the world was worth it. You could see various stunning landmarks, like a giant sword jutting out of the earth in the distance.
With a handy map, we chose our next destination and jumped off the tower. Like Breath of the Wild, you can use a glider to slow your descent and prevent fall damage. Indeed, it feels like Hyper Light Breaker takes great inspiration from Breath of the Wild, with its open, almost directionless exploration and stamina meters.
Hyper Light Breaker Preview | Final Thoughts
And again, fun is multiplied when friends are along for the ride. I can just imagine myself and some buddies checking out our map, charting where we want to go next. Taking on a bunch of foes is also a bit less daunting when you have two other players by your side.
We collected some keys scattered around this large map and unlocked a boss fight. Teleporting into an arena, this fearsome boss spawned a bunch of minions and a frantic fight to the death ensued. Whether you're in Hyper Light Breaker for its fast-paced, snappy combat or its grand exploration, you're bound to have fun.
Hyper Light Breaker received a delay earlier this year, which was sad to see. Nonetheless, developers don't delay a game lightly and I'm sure Hyper Light Breaker is much better for it. Everything felt more polished from my first demo. Heart Machine is cooking up something special, and you won't have to wait long to play: Hyper Light Breaker launches in Early Access on January 14, 2025.
Hyper Light Breaker was previewed during an hour long play session on PC with a key provided by the publisher. All screenshots were provided by the publisher.
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