Hyper Light Drifter - Deluxe Edition |OT| Dashing In The 90's

Kindekuma · Sep 5, 2018

DEVELOPER: HEART MACHINE | ABYLIGHT STUDIOS
PUBLISHER: ABYLIGHT STUDIOS
PLATFORMS: NINTENDO SWITCH, PC, MAC, PLAYSTATION 4, XBOX ONE
GENRE: ACTION | ADVENTURE | ROLE-PLAYING
RELEASE DATE: MARCH 2016 (PC, MAC), JULY 2016 (PS4, XBO), SEPTEMBER 6th 2018 (SWITCH)
PRICE: MSRP $19.99
DOWNLOAD SIZE: >800MB

Hyper Light Drifter is a 2D action role-playing game developed by Heart Machine. You play as The Drifter, someone who can interact with ancient technology, yet suffering a terminal illness. The game's concept was inspired by Heart Machine's director Alex Preston's own heart condition. Hyper Light Drifter inspires heavily from 8 and 16bit games, with a gameplay reminiscent of The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. The game was funded in a very successful Kickstarter campaign, pulling in over $600,000USD. The game released in early-mid 2016, and was ported to the Nintendo Switch in mid 2018.

The Drifter primarily uses an Energy Sword as a main weapon. With various sub-weapons like pistols, shotguns, bombs, Blade Caster and Crystal Shot (Nintendo Switch only). Along with weaponry, The Drifter can unlock various skills, and techniques by picking up batteries scattered throughout the land. With these batteries, you can trade in for combat skills, traversal skills (like dashing), or improve stats like health.

Combat is fast pace, and The Drifter will be wizzing around the screen dashing, slicing and firing to clear areas as well as discovering various secrets in the four major areas.

Q: I'm lost! This in-game map isn't the best, so what should I do?
A: Check this. There are also very few if any actual dead ends. Check everything!

Q: What can I expect from this game performance wise?
A: Basically all platforms are at 1080p, with a silky smooth 60FPS framerate. There is a 30FPS toggle, but this game benefits greatly from higher framerates. The Nintendo Switch version is 60FPS in both handheld and docked modes, but the resolution goes from 1080p docked, to 720p undocked.

Q: Are there any differences with platforms or are the experiences all the same?
A: The PC, PS4, and XBO versions are basically all identical. However, the Nintendo Switch version has some differences, with exclusive weapons and areas. You can also play CO-OP with single Joy-Cons. It's said by the developers that the Nintendo Switch version IS the definitive edition of the game.

Q: Getting consecutive dashes is tricky. Any advice?
A: Here's the best guide I could find to dashing. Super insightful, give it a watch.

Q: Wasn't this supposed to come out on the PSVita, Wii U, and Ouya? What happened to those releases?
A: We don't speak of the dead here.

As stunning as it is, Hyper Light Drifter's greatest triumph isn't in the story that it tells, but in the stories that it doesn't.

-GameSpot (9/10)

Hyper Light Drifter is a breathtaking game that draws heavily from gaming's most prominent pioneers without relying too heavily on their influence. It is an eclectic masterpiece that feels more like an experience than a video game.

-Escapist (5/5)

Despite seeing the finish line ahead of me, I did everything I could to prolong the experience by exploring every nook and cranny. I didn't do it out of necessity; I did it because I wanted to stay in Hyper Light Drifter's world for as long as possible.

- GameInformer (9.5/10)

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.

- Easy Allies (4/5)

Learning how to swing a sword and dodge fatal attacks is easy enough — finding your place in a world that tells you virtually nothing about itself is a far more involving challenge.

- Polygon (8.5/10)

Deleted member 1378 · Sep 5, 2018

this game is gonna be a ball

Kindekuma · Sep 5, 2018

Enter the Dragon Punch said:
this game is gonna be a ball

One of my absolute favorite games ever. I'm so glad I can stop harassing Abylight Studios on Twitter about the release of the game.

AuthenticM · Sep 5, 2018

how is this version different?

Kindekuma · Sep 5, 2018

AuthenticM said:
how is this version different?

The Nintendo Switch version includes some new weapons like the Crystal Shot and Blade Caster, as well as a new outfit. There is also a Tower Climb challenge, which I'm sure is like a gauntlet mode. Also, you can play with two players, each with one Joy-Con.

theotherMittens · Sep 5, 2018

I won't be getting this on Switch anytime soon but I loved it on PS4. It's a great game.

BaasRed · Sep 5, 2018

Nice OT dude

Dernhelm · Sep 5, 2018

Nicely done, been waiting far too long to get this on the Switch.

ryushe · Sep 5, 2018

To double dip or not...

Railgun · Sep 5, 2018

So are the additions to Nintendo Switch getting patched into the other versions?

Kindekuma · Sep 5, 2018

Railgun said:
So are the additions to Nintendo Switch getting patched into the other versions?

No. Since Abylight is developing and publishing this game for the Switch instead of Heartmachine and Playism Games, the NS content will not come to other platforms.

sheaaaa · Sep 5, 2018

Kindekuma said:
No. Since Abylight is developing and publishing this game for the Switch instead of Heartmachine and Playism Games, the NS content will not come to other platforms.

Damn that's not cool. I completed HLD on PC a long while ago before the 60FPS patch came out, and was thinking of getting the Switch version, but stuff like this makes me not want to.

Deleted member 1413 · Sep 5, 2018

Never got around to checking this out before. Pretty tempted

UsoEwin · Sep 5, 2018

This was the most disappointed I have ever been with a game after following it since the kickstarter inception. But it is still overall a good game, and a mechanically good game. I hope everyone enjoys it.

No Depth · Sep 5, 2018

Guessing it won't release at midnight(?), but if it is, I'll throw money at the eShop right now.

If not, the impulse window closes and I'll double-dip during a sale.

nin · Sep 5, 2018

My Reggie is body

Kindekuma · Sep 6, 2018

It's 12am in NY WHERE IS THE UNLOCK

Kiro · Sep 6, 2018

Slow down great indie games. The Messenger, Into the Breach. My hands are full!

AnimeJesus · Sep 6, 2018

Kindekuma said:
Q: What can I expect from this game performance wise?
A: Basically all platforms are at 1080p, with a silky smooth 60FPS framerate. There is a 30FPS toggle, but this game benefits greatly from higher framerates. The Nintendo Switch version is 60FPS in both handheld and docked modes, but the resolution goes from 1080p docked, to 720p undocked.

Pretty sure multiple reviews\previews have stated the framerate drops when there's heavy action on the screen on the Switch version. It's probably worth mentioning since a lot of people will be going into this expecting a solid 60fps thrrugh-out, especially based on Destructoids article from june with the Dev stating it would be 60fps and pointing out how "flawless" the framerate is.

Herb Alpert · Sep 6, 2018

Waiting for it to unlock...

InsaneLuchador · Sep 6, 2018

Played this bad boy at the end of 2016 for PC. What a gem. It was pretty challenging but I never really felt frustrated playing. And as a reference, I'm not the Dark Souls, "Get Good" type.

NediarPT88 · Sep 6, 2018

Really good game, combat can be very addicting. Exploring is also fun since there are hidden areas everywhere.

That said

Kindekuma said:
Q: What can I expect from this game performance wise?
A: Basically all platforms are at 1080p, with a silky smooth 60FPS framerate. There is a 30FPS toggle, but this game benefits greatly from higher framerates. The Nintendo Switch version is 60FPS in both handheld and docked modes, but the resolution goes from 1080p docked, to 720p undocked.

Framerate on base PS4 isn't that stable. I usually don't mind dips but in this case it was very noticeable when there were many enemies in some bigger areas, which messed up the dodge timings. It doesn't happen too often but it can be rough at times.

Hopefully they were able to improve things on the Switch version.

mnemonicj · Sep 6, 2018

I will double dip for this and the Olliolli games.

FreddeGredde · Sep 6, 2018

Hyper Light Drifter vs. The Messenger, has anyone played both? What are the pros and cons of both?

Yossarian · Sep 6, 2018

Had this sitting on my drive for ages, but never booted it up. This may be the impetus I need!

AuthenticM · Sep 6, 2018

Kindekuma said:
The Nintendo Switch version includes some new weapons like the Crystal Shot and Blade Caster, as well as a new outfit. There is also a Tower Climb challenge, which I'm sure is like a gauntlet mode. Also, you can play with two players, each with one Joy-Con.

sweet! Is there a physical release for the Switch release?

HadesHotgun · Sep 6, 2018

Kindekuma said:
The Nintendo Switch version includes some new weapons like the Crystal Shot and Blade Caster, as well as a new outfit. There is also a Tower Climb challenge, which I'm sure is like a gauntlet mode. Also, you can play with two players, each with one Joy-Con.

Unless I am mistaken, the 2 player co-op mode is not a Switch exclusive and has long been available on the other platforms, albeit not using split joycons.

inspectah · Sep 6, 2018

So what kind of difficulty are we speaking here?

Optional Objectives · Sep 6, 2018

Deleted member 36578 · Sep 6, 2018

Is there any word on a physical release for the Switch?

NediarPT88 · Sep 6, 2018

inspectah said:
So what kind of difficulty are we speaking here?

It's hard to say because it depends on the route you take or the upgrades you choose to unlock first.

Just don't go north at the start.

Deleted member 32135 · Sep 6, 2018

And I'm just starting with Into the Breach. My wallet, Nintendo, please...

Truant · Sep 6, 2018

inspectah said:
So what kind of difficulty are we speaking here?

If you play at 60fps, then it should be challenging but manageable. I'm not really into difficult 2D games, but I loved this.

Dernhelm · Sep 6, 2018

inspectah said:
So what kind of difficulty are we speaking here?

Challenging a lot of the time, especially if you aren't juggling your usage of both melee and ranged attacks, the game starts punishing you with the types of mobs you'll run into fairly early into it, regardless of which route you take. That being said, there's virtually no drawback to dying, as it checkpoints fairly well, so I never felt too hard done by at any point. Apart from one boss in particular, the game balances really well between never letting you have it easy, but never leaving you too frustrated to try again.

NediarPT88 said:
It's hard to say because it depends on the route you take or the upgrades you choose to unlock first.

Just don't go north at the start.

Conversely, doubly go north if you want to truly cut your teeth on this from the outset.

thenexus6 · Sep 6, 2018

One of my favourite games of all time. The atmosphere, music, and art is unrivalled.

fourfourfun · Sep 6, 2018

I'm buying this purely on the strength of the soundtrack. I'm having one track of it play at my wedding next month.

Dervius · Sep 6, 2018

I adore this game.

Might be time for that NG+ run.

JCH! · Sep 6, 2018

Everyone should play this game. It's amazing.

BareBear · Sep 6, 2018

I've never played this but I have heard good things about it. I hope to pick this up at some point.

Deleted member 9971 · Sep 6, 2018

Ill grab this and wargroove as my final switch indies this year.

Falus · Sep 6, 2018

Downloaded ... waiting for unlock ... zzzz

Kuro · Sep 6, 2018

My favorite indie game the year it came out and its in my top 10. Loved everything about it.

inspectah said:
So what kind of difficulty are we speaking here?

I remember some people whining about difficulty back on the PC launch because the game doesn't hold your hand. You gotta explore on your own but its not really all that hard save for a few situations where you gotta have good reflexes.

LuckyLinus · Sep 6, 2018

Its a bit early to ask perhaps but are there any weird drops in fps in the switch version or is it safe to pick up? Im pretty fps sensitive in combat focused games.

carlosrox · Sep 6, 2018

Been wanting this game since I first heard about it back when it was getting kick started. Can't wait to finally play it.

Kiraly · Sep 6, 2018

How hard is this game? I generally don't enjoy having to redo sections countless times, I'd say around ten is the max for me.

No Depth · Sep 6, 2018

Kiraly said:
How hard is this game? I generally don't enjoy having to redo sections countless times, I'd say around ten is the max for me.

It can be pretty difficult but I found it never was deflating. It is a game where you will die a lot though, where you are pushed to adapt to enemy patterns and get highly acquainted with your dash ability to dodge and counter incoming strikes with your own. You will get pulverized but you also will improve and it feels great. Checkpoints are usually very liberal, but again you will die often and be tested regularly in combat.

There is a lot more to the game than combat though. Secrets to plunder, lots of exploration and figuring your way through this weird and wide world. It's worth giving it a chance, but if you don't enjoy overcoming a challenge then it may not be for you.

AnimeJesus · Sep 6, 2018

LuckyLinus said:
Its a bit early to ask perhaps but are there any weird drops in fps in the switch version or is it safe to pick up? Im pretty fps sensitive in combat focused games.

There are drops when the action gets heavy according to the gamexplain review.

mindsale · Sep 6, 2018

Can't wait to try out the new weapons and get the new armor. Triple dip. I absolutely wrung this game out of content.

Kiraly · Sep 6, 2018

No Depth said:
It can be pretty difficult but I found it never was deflating. It is a game where you will die a lot though, where you are pushed to adapt to enemy patterns and get highly acquainted with your dash ability to dodge and counter incoming strikes with your own. You will get pulverized but you also will improve and it feels great. Checkpoints are usually very liberal, but again you will die often and be tested regularly in combat.

There is a lot more to the game than combat though. Secrets to plunder, lots of exploration and figuring your way through this weird and wide world. It's worth giving it a chance, but if you don't enjoy overcoming a challenge then it may not be for you.

Cheers, I'll probably wait for a sale then.

Jonneh · Sep 6, 2018

EricOfSeattle said:
There are drops when the action gets heavy according to the gamexplain review.

This is correct. They're infrequent and never last long but they are present.

Hyper Light Drifter - Deluxe Edition |OT| Dashing In The 90's

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