Hyper Light Drifter, available for Switch, ps4, Xbox One, PC, and iOS, is a game that already has a reputation for being a ruthless, challenging, and highly rewarding experience. It's a 2D action game with RPG elements set in an 8-bit / 16-bit environment and it's described as a combination of Diablo and The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. From the start, this project was shelved. This was a Kickstarter project that cost around $ 27 but cost over $ 000 resulting in a production overhaul and the glorious splendor of a game.
Development and production
This game was developed and published by Heart Machine, an independent video game development studio. Its founder, Alex Preston, suffered from a congenital heart disease which inspired the name of the studio he founded in 2013 and which is also the basis of the feeling he wanted to transfer to the game. The release date of Hyper Light Drifter varied depending on the platform. It was released in 2016 on PC, ps4 and Xbox One, it moved to Nintendo Switch in 2018, and finally, it arrived on iOS mobile devices and became available on the iTunes App Store on July 25, 2019. The game scored very high on each, getting overly positive reviews everywhere it was played. Sur iTunes App Store, Hyper Light Drifter iOS has a 4,9 star rating and is # 9 in the adventure category.
story
Nowadays, video games present their stories mostly in a simple, straightforward and linear fashion. They do this with cutscenes and other storytelling tools and familiarize the player enough with the plot. It's virtually impossible not to understand a game's storyline unless you pay attention to it today. However, some games take a different approach, and this is one of them.
In Hyper Light Drifter, you only get your goals and no explanation as to what they mean, which comes first and where to go next. The whole story is told only through visual and game clues, such as a few tooltips and confusing pictograms. The heightened danger that constantly looms over every foe and corner increases that sense of unease, which the main developer apparently wanted to achieve, as it somehow mirrors how he lives with congenital heart disease. Of course, this gives players more thrills and makes the game even more engaging.
(Spoiler alert)
Part of the allure of the game is figuring out what it's all about, but it might not spoil too much knowing that you are playing a Drifter who has an unspecified illness and travels through mysterious plains on accessing old technology that only he can use, which are: pictograms mentioned above.
gameplay
Each of the platforms has its own adaptation of this game, but in reality each of them is pretty much the same. This is because this game does not rely on any innovative or drastic changes in the game mechanics, but rather its previously mentioned exciting and desperate atmospheric effect on the player that makes the magic work. It's a 2D action RPG that takes hack and slash and its top-down view of Diablo, as well as its traditional graphics and playstyle, taken from The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, or at least the official description. In reality, Hyper Light Drifter neither looks nor looks like either of these two, but quite another thing entirely. Some recent indie games might look like this at first, like Superbrothers: Sword & Sorcery EP, but once you've tried it you'll know it's something quite different.
The game's hack and slash is much more difficult than anything we've seen so far. In combat, you are constantly overwhelmed by enemies rushing or throwing at you, or using ranged attacks from all directions, which gives the player high-level strike ability.
Advancement is achieved by getting different and upgraded gear, as the Drifter's primary weapon is a power sword, but you can also get other weapons and abilities later on. By killing enemies, uncovering secrets, and exploring maps, you get the batteries you need to power your weapons. In general, you increase your power as you kill more enemies, which inspires a more combat-oriented approach. But, this game is also filled with secrets, such as invisible platforms, secret passages and the like that will make you think outside the box and listen to your gaming instincts.
Visuals
The 8-bit or 16-bit art style is a direct homage to old-school gaming graphics, as is the challenging nature of this game. However, as you get used to the pixel art, you'll notice that the elements This game's visuals tell their own story in a way and that is all the more important to be mindful of. The animations and character models also give this game its unique flavor.
Verdict
Hyper Light Drifter has conquered every platform it has stepped on, emerging with overly positive comments and reviews and high scores. It's a decisive step away from the general public and a journey into a breathtaking story to tell. Definitely worth a try and highly recommended for all gaming enthusiasts!
Atmosphere 9
8 Chart
playGamel 8
