Hyper Light Drifter

 PC
User Score
8.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 403 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 315 out of 403
  2. Mixed: 54 out of 403
  3. Negative: 34 out of 403

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  1. The_D4RknesS
    Aug 17, 2023
    7
    The game is good, the gameplay is fluid, tasty and fun but the game is difficult especially on the bosses which requires a good reflex so that you can progress in the campaign .
  2. Snowstalker55
    Jun 22, 2023
    10
    One of my personal favourite games of all time, Hyper Light Drifter is a masterpiece of a game which never ceases to entertain me, the amazing visual storytelling, the challenging combat and the absolutely beautiful soundtrack all pairs together to make a game which i believe everyone should play at least once.
  3. Wavew
    Jun 17, 2023
    0
    No me ha durado ni una hora instalado:

    1º falta de respeto, no se puede pasar la intro... en el año 2023. 2ºFalta de respeto, no se puede reconfigurar los controles, en el año 2023 3º Falta de respeto, pixeles como cabezas de niño tonto, en el año... Además de eso, el ritmo leeeentoooo y los horribles gráficos que no dejan distinguir los relieves o la profundidad, el juego es    No me ha durado ni una hora instalado:

    1º falta de respeto, no se puede pasar la intro... en el año 2023.

    2ºFalta de respeto, no se puede reconfigurar los controles, en el año 2023

    3º Falta de respeto, pixeles como cabezas de niño tonto, en el año...

    Además de eso, el ritmo leeeentoooo y los horribles gráficos que no dejan distinguir los relieves o la profundidad, el juego es un despropósito general.

    La música no esta mal, pero se repite.

    Os he avisado.    … Expand
  4. HydrophobikFish
    Jun 9, 2023
    7
    Gorgeous and atmospheric game that is hard carried by its art design and environments. It's mystery is captivating and the gentle synth tones of its soundtrack are unforgettable. Gameplay doesn't really live up to that level, its serviceable and simple but no more.
  5. Kohut
    May 7, 2023
    10
    This is one of the greatest indie games (or just game) ever made
    Amazing soundtrack and visuals, unforgiving difficulty, minimalist storytelling, awesome bosses, and of course: heart
    Masterpiece.
  6. razermix
    Oct 15, 2022
    9
    Недавно заценил игру , понравилась , всё норм (все аспекты игры,сделаны на ура , за исключением деталей ) хотелось бы побольше локаций с видом на большие просторы мира.
  7. tdebug
    Sep 17, 2022
    1
    Not balanced. Boss fights are very difficult. Why the difficulty has to be so high w/o any way to adjust it? But I guess that is what you get by trusting indie developers. Will never buy from the same developer for sure - hope that is what they wanted to archive.
  8. EdSantos
    Jul 25, 2022
    10
    É um jogo muito bom, a jogabilidade é muito boa, os inimigos são balanceados, é divertido explorar o mapa, os bosses são difíceis, de um jeito bom, não tenho muito o que falar só que é um jogo incrível.
  9. BaldursThones
    Jun 22, 2022
    8
    The aesthetic and theme of the game are my reasons for loving this game, but it also is backed by some good bosses and secrets.
  10. Yosiris
    May 6, 2022
    9
    +
    Atmosphere
    Style
    Level design
    Mechanics
    Music
    Enjoyable

    -
    Short
    Confusing graphics (sometimes)
    Healing delay
    Not much incentive for exploration
    Ridiculous achievement goals
    Ends with the boss defeat
  11. Wrathzo
    Mar 24, 2022
    6
    Hyper Light Drifter is a 2D action role-playing game developed by Heart Machine. The player controls the Drifter, a character that has access to technology that has long been forgotten by the inhabitants of the game's world and is suffering from an unspecified illness.
  12. andrew9
    Feb 15, 2022
    7
    good game .
  13. RadiationGamer
    Jan 30, 2022
    7
    I remember that I really enjoyed playing this game, but I always felt that there was a big deficiency in this game. There is a story in this game, yes, but the narration of this story with pictures is quite weak during gameplay if you ask me. During the game, sometimes I had a hard time understanding what I was fighting for, why I was going somewhere and stopping. It has a strong conceptI remember that I really enjoyed playing this game, but I always felt that there was a big deficiency in this game. There is a story in this game, yes, but the narration of this story with pictures is quite weak during gameplay if you ask me. During the game, sometimes I had a hard time understanding what I was fighting for, why I was going somewhere and stopping. It has a strong concept and gameplay, but I didn't quite get the feeling I wanted. This is the highest rating I can give this game.… Expand
  14. Dcat
    Oct 31, 2021
    10
    Игра очень хорошая но сюжет на любителя и он по большей части будет понятен только после просмотра ролика на Ютубе.
  15. MarxGT
    Jun 7, 2021
    9
    Hyper Light Drifter is a masterclass in everything it does. Its atmosphere and aesthetics are top notch, with wonderful art direction, sound design and soundtrack. The game itself is phenomenal, taking a minimalist approach to its storytelling, relying on environmental clues, brief cutscenes and a few NPC "dialogue" interactions to give you an idea of the world you are adventuring through.Hyper Light Drifter is a masterclass in everything it does. Its atmosphere and aesthetics are top notch, with wonderful art direction, sound design and soundtrack. The game itself is phenomenal, taking a minimalist approach to its storytelling, relying on environmental clues, brief cutscenes and a few NPC "dialogue" interactions to give you an idea of the world you are adventuring through. The game itself could be considered tough by some, but it is not unfair, giving the player a suitable arsenal to defeat various enemies and bosses. The game gives the player some agency in how they progress, allowing the player to choose which direction they would like to move once reaching the hub area. If you were to take the northern or western routes first, this might account for the "difficulty" of this game. With this non-linear design comes many secrets and challenges down hidden paths. You will most likely not find all of the secrets in your first playthrough, meaning that a the new game+ provides opportunity to find what you may have missed. In Hyper Light Drifter, if your experience is anything like mine, you will be engrossed in the world that the game creates. The combat is crisp, difficulty is tough but fair, the worldbuilding is immaculate and my god that soundtrack adds so much to this game. If you like a top down action game in the 16 bit style, this game will not disappoint.

    My only gripe with the game is in its length and replayability. For a $22 (CAD) game, it is pretty short, with the average first playthrough taking around 12 to 15 hours. While many may not consider a new game+ to be a worthwhile part of the price tag, there are enough new aspects (wont spoil anything here) that a second playthrough NG+ is actually quite enjoyable.

    I created my account just to review this game. After having played it again recently after 2 years, I can say with certainty that this game is a masterpiece.    … Expand
  16. Djehutix
    Apr 6, 2021
    5
    Well, the game is not hard at all. Don't know why people keep saying this. But it's also not fun at all. Was ok at the beginning, but the lack of progress is just boring. Most of the upgrades you can buy are useless and so you don't feel like your character is getting better at all. The worst about this game are the controls: Imprecise, unsatisfying and so slow. You feel like you struggleWell, the game is not hard at all. Don't know why people keep saying this. But it's also not fun at all. Was ok at the beginning, but the lack of progress is just boring. Most of the upgrades you can buy are useless and so you don't feel like your character is getting better at all. The worst about this game are the controls: Imprecise, unsatisfying and so slow. You feel like you struggle more to actually do the attack moves than learning enemy patterns and reacting to them. If you had the precise and fair controls of Hades, the game would be over in an hour.… Expand
  17. gab_izidio
    Feb 5, 2021
    9
    HyperLightDrifter - 9/10 - {highly recommend}
    The game is [Beautiful, Fluid, Challenging, Artistic]
    => Pros: + Good graphics with beautiful art; + Fluid gameplay with skill mechanics and perfect combat; + Variety of enemies with creative and varied design; + Challenging in certain extent; + Unique and different map; + Secrets and the possibility to obtain skins through    HyperLightDrifter - 9/10 - {highly recommend}
    The game is [Beautiful, Fluid, Challenging, Artistic]

    => Pros:
    + Good graphics with beautiful art;
    + Fluid gameplay with skill mechanics and perfect combat;
    + Variety of enemies with creative and varied design;
    + Challenging in certain extent;
    + Unique and different map;
    + Secrets and the possibility to obtain skins through exploration;

    => Cons:
    - Its history is not very explained to the player in the course of of the game, and many points remain open;
    - There is a tremendous difficulty in obtaining all the keys because their location is secret, and is not on the map, just making you waste time to recheck all the places (several times);
    - The almost impossible achievement of giving 800 consecutive dashes in the training area to release a skin;

    => VERDICT:
    The Verdict is that, if you are looking for a challenging game with a very fluid and addictive gameplay, this game is the perfect bet, outside that he is very beautiful and gives the feeling of freedom, however, if you care a lot about history, you will be disappointed, and if you are looking for platinum, I can only wish you luck, but regardless of those factors, it’s worth playing and exterminating all who dare to get in your way, all for healing.    … Expand
  18. doqmeat
    Feb 3, 2021
    10
    lovely game!!!! i love youuuu hyper light drifter ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
  19. epichalcon
    Jan 18, 2021
    8
    All though I didn't understand the story very well, I loved the movement, the visuals and the sound track. I really liked this game and recommend it
  20. Arfon
    Dec 4, 2020
    10
    This game was a really unexpected surprise for me. I didn't knew what to expect, maybe an action game and that's it. But no, this game has some "Metroidvania" feels but in a Top Down View that really felt good to explore the areas of the game. Combat is amazing and you have plenty of variety to experiment on your own. The soundtrack is breathtaking, story is very cryptic and I like it thatThis game was a really unexpected surprise for me. I didn't knew what to expect, maybe an action game and that's it. But no, this game has some "Metroidvania" feels but in a Top Down View that really felt good to explore the areas of the game. Combat is amazing and you have plenty of variety to experiment on your own. The soundtrack is breathtaking, story is very cryptic and I like it that way. I can't stop thinking on how great this game felt the first time I played it. Loved every bit of it!!… Expand
  21. PanMrkvicka
    Aug 18, 2020
    8
    Beatiful loooking game but the gameplay and level design is pretty simple it has great bosses but feels like it could be more than it is. Also **** boss rush.
  22. Keskin
    Jul 20, 2020
    7
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  23. Luigichief
    Jul 5, 2020
    7
    I liked this game and it was really worth it for its price. The combat is deep, fun, unique and. The exploration of this game is very tasty and rarely very 'complex', I'm not an open world fan but I liked this one. The story is well understood, something I personally don't like. The soundtrack is one of the weakest points of the game unfortunately, it is relatively 'unique', but I find itI liked this game and it was really worth it for its price. The combat is deep, fun, unique and. The exploration of this game is very tasty and rarely very 'complex', I'm not an open world fan but I liked this one. The story is well understood, something I personally don't like. The soundtrack is one of the weakest points of the game unfortunately, it is relatively 'unique', but I find it very difficult for someone to like it. I personally liked the graphics. I recommend it only if you like the gameplay.… Expand
  24. LordFarquad
    Mar 25, 2020
    8
    Неплохая инди-игра, но она мне не очень понравилась, НО, это не значит, что игра заслуживает плохую оценку. 8 из 10.
  25. Ryuail
    Feb 1, 2020
    8
    Tough as nails, but beautiful in a colorful yet desolate way Hyper Light Drifter manages to pull the wordless narrative off with grace and aplomb.

    Though much of the story is up for interpretation, there is enough going on in each of the four major zones to keep the mind wondering. Details can be lost of those who don't wish to focus on setting though, as the ending will not bother    Tough as nails, but beautiful in a colorful yet desolate way Hyper Light Drifter manages to pull the wordless narrative off with grace and aplomb.

    Though much of the story is up for interpretation, there is enough going on in each of the four major zones to keep the mind wondering. Details can be lost of those who don't wish to focus on setting though, as the ending will not bother tying everything up in a bow.    … Expand
  26. beta_Critic
    Oct 9, 2019
    9
    Great game, I had no expectations. Didn't even know what type of game it was. I booted it up and I haven't been able to put it down. If I may buthcer the analysis; think "Link to the Metroid Souls Past", that is what I got from this game and it was finework indeed.

    The markdown to 9 from 10 is because the controller detection os a bit iffy, and if my controller happens to disconnect I    Great game, I had no expectations. Didn't even know what type of game it was. I booted it up and I haven't been able to put it down. If I may buthcer the analysis; think "Link to the Metroid Souls Past", that is what I got from this game and it was finework indeed.

    The markdown to 9 from 10 is because the controller detection os a bit iffy, and if my controller happens to disconnect I need to use the keyboard to go into the settings to change the settings to check for the ps4 controller, and only then does it start working again.    … Expand
  27. HSuke
    Aug 31, 2019
    10
    This game is incredibly precise and well-designed. It's a difficult game, but in like in Hollow Knight and Dark Souls, you'll practice and get gud. I didn't find it as punishing as those other 2 games, and it's much, much shorter. One thing I do really like about its design is that there are visual hints for the location of all hidden items, unlike in games where there is absolutely noThis game is incredibly precise and well-designed. It's a difficult game, but in like in Hollow Knight and Dark Souls, you'll practice and get gud. I didn't find it as punishing as those other 2 games, and it's much, much shorter. One thing I do really like about its design is that there are visual hints for the location of all hidden items, unlike in games where there is absolutely no clue that there's a breakable wall in a specific spot.… Expand
  28. spielratz
    Aug 25, 2019
    9
    Great take on Zelda.
    Less puzzles, more focus on fighting than in Zelda. Fights can be quite hard. Original art style. An inspired and fun game.
  29. ilnik
    Aug 16, 2019
    5
    This game was too damn hard 4 me. It has really climatic and nice looking graphics concept and fairy-like but crooked, dark world.
  30. AdaptiveTech
    Jul 5, 2019
    2
    It's incredibly painful to come back to a game where the mechanics of the beta left me feeling so inspired and free, but the final product was so lacking.

    The soundtrack, visuals, mood, and arc are all extremely well executed, and are all shining examples of "how to do things right". But it all comes crashing down when you die for the thousanth time by getting stuck on yet another    It's incredibly painful to come back to a game where the mechanics of the beta left me feeling so inspired and free, but the final product was so lacking.

    The soundtrack, visuals, mood, and arc are all extremely well executed, and are all shining examples of "how to do things right".

    But it all comes crashing down when you die for the thousanth time by getting stuck on yet another invisible wall, crash into yet another wonky parallax edge, or the frame jitter drops your input and you just stand there and eat it. I wish the team spent some of their enormous Kickstarter and pre-order money to pay for engine experts to help them address these issues.    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

34
#34 Best PC Game of 2016
51
#51 Most Discussed PC Game of 2016
16
#16 Most Shared PC Game of 2016

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
84

Generally favorable reviews - based on 47 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 43 out of 47
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 47
  3. Negative: 0 out of 47
  1. GameGrin
    May 15, 2017
    90
    Hyper Light Drifter is unique, it highlights the issues of a real person in an abstract way. This game plays very smoothly, and offers stunning visuals and rigid difficulty. Hyper Light Drifter is a lot of fun, and it's beautiful too. It’s a memorable experience, and can keep you interested the whole way through.
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  2. Easy Allies
    Dec 1, 2016
    80
    Hyper Light Drifter places high value on your efforts and sense of discovery. The impressionistic storytelling, inexplicit clues, and tough challenges, place the emphasis on your journey as a player. Things are never clearly laid out for you, but in the end, it’s both beautiful and satisfying.
    Read full review
  3. Riot Pixels
    Oct 14, 2016
    75
    A worthy heir to The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. It compensates for its narrative shortcomings with immersive atmosphere, top-notch combat system and flawless pace.
    Read full review
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